Cole woke up around 3:30, but the rest of us slept until around 7am. We played in the room and worked on the computer until we had to meet in the lobby at 10. We headed for an embroirdery factory. It was amazing ! The detail in each piece was unbelievable. In the workroom we watched a woman doing a portrait of a little girl. It looked just like a picture. The same woman had worked on it for a year and the cost is $6500. We found out it is Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest daughter. While it was very beautiful, we didn’t make any purchases. We then headed to lunch to try some spicy Hunan dishes. It was the best group meal so far, but still many dishes were left untouched. Samuel ate a ton (steamed egg, fried root, beef stir fry, duck). I think I am going to have to learn to cook some new dishes. Be ready JC and Elizabeth J
We have seen several temper tantrums from Samuel today when he hasn’t gotten his way. We are used to whining, but not these fits. Cole is ready to begin addressing discipline. It has gotten pretty loud at times. I think he is just testing us to see what he can get away with. It looks like we have a lot of training ahead, but we will take it one step at a time.
After lunch we returned to the hotel. Samuel and I took naps, while Cole & SK read and did homework. After SK finished her lessons we went down for a pedicure (at least that was what we pointed to on the menu). They took us to a room where they brought warm water and poured into wooden buckets and soaked our feet. They then trimmed our nails with a tool that looked like a pencil, but with a larger, flat head. We were then given an hour long foot massage. Cole and Samuel came and found us since he had woken up from his nap upset. They sat and watched. The men then said “ok” and left the room. Our nails still had no polish on them. We went to the front desk and played charades until she understood what we were wanting. We were then taken to a room where a young girl painted our nails without any lights on. I was really hoping for a massage chair, but what can you expect for $15 (total, including the hour foot massage).
We then headed to the 4th floor to what we were hoping would be similar to our Japanese steak houses, but as soon as we saw the menu we knew we were in trouble. They were already showering un with silverware, drinks & attention, so we couldn’t get up and leave. We ordered rice (again), fried chicken pieces and beef. Samuel continues to like to bang his silverware on the table and plates, so we went for a walk until the food arrived. Once again he ate well and I am still surviving on rice and coke (with no ice). Please don’t invite us out to eat Chinese any time soon after we arrive home. I think I’ve had my fix for awhile. I still find it hard to believe that this is what they eat everyday 2-3 meals a day. Variety is the spice of life people!
We decided to go bowling in the hotel before bedtime. It was a lot of fun. They also have ping pong and they get aerobic playing. It’s very entertaining to watch. We then headed to the room to get ready for bed. I gave Samuel another bath and he cried, but he didn’t fight me, like last time. He is letting me brush his teeth without a fight and going to the bathroom well! We just need to work on getting to sleep without 30 min. of crying (which he is doing as I type this). This could cause problems on the plane ride home and sharing a room with Jon Cole. Hopefully we can work this out before we get home.
We are receiving your e-mails, but for some reason my replies are not being sent. Sorry for the continued computer trouble, bear with us!