June 15, 2009

Today was Civil Affairs day when we sign the paper work to finalize the adoption.  Our appointment wasn’t until 2 so we first went and bought the girls disposable cameras so they could be their own photographer and then we walked to The Forbidden City.  Yihui & Zoe looked tired.  The air quality was poor today.  They didn’t seem very impressed and only wanted to look at the tourist shops.  We are planning to go for a real tour of the Forbidden city another day.  

Lunch was another dumpling shop where Yihui once again amazed us by eating a big bowl of soup and about 15 dumplings.  She can out eat Zoe when she likes it.  

Helen met us and we went off to Civil Affairs.  Turns out they moved their building but we finally found the new location.  The van driver had a hard time- I am unsure if it is the way streets are labeled or numbered.  Yihui gladly said yes to the adoption and signed the paper work.  It was not a traumatic experience that it could have been.  So now we must wait for all the paper work to be processed for a Red Book (probably by the 18^th) and a passport (the 25^th or 26^th) which will be the day we head to Guangzhou.  

The girls went swimming again and this time Yihui showed more restraint and did really well.  We think she will learn to swim quickly.  Bob had to get a picture of the sign at the pool which we are sure is a literal translation (see the picture).  Makes me wonder what Yihui thinks when I use my translator and she reads it.  We then ate in another VERY good restaurant called the Silk Road which features Yunnan cuisine (the province Zoe is from).  It was quite good and we recommend it.