Exploring Taiyuan, China With Riley

Wednesday and Thursday were laid back and we had lots of down time. We actually went out to dinner somewhere besides the hotel on Wednesday evening. Our guide tried to set us up at an authentic Chinese restaurant, but we preferred McDonalds. And boy, did it ever taste so good--just like in the states! Our driver laughed at us for wanting to eat at McDonalds in China. Riley experienced her first Happy Meal, and ate 3 of the 4 chicken nuggets. They serve corn with their Happy Meals, and she ate half of that too! We weren't able to get pictures with the golden arches, but we did get some at our table. Riley just comes to life when it's time to eat; we definitely know the way to this baby's heart!

On Thursday, our agency had us scheduled to visit Shanxi Provincial Museum and Yinze Park. It was so nice to get out of the hotel, and the weather had warmed up a bit. The museum was in a beautiful building and was very informative about Shanxi history. Of course, Riley would have nothing to do with a stroller provided by the museum, nor her Baba or Sister. So guess who carried this little monkey all over the museum?! I got a short break when Elizabeth and I went to the restroom. David held Riley while we hurried to get back to them. As I was in my stall, I heard Riley's cry get closer and closer. I couldn't see her but I wondered to myself "is she walking into the bathroom alone?" I opened the door to see her in the arms of a Chinese worker from the museum. She took pity on her cries in her Baba's arms and brought her to me. This little one is something else! I thought it was hilarious. The Chinese people here are fascinated by us and this little Chinese princess we carry with us. They talk to her and she just waves at them. Her face lights up because I think they look so familiar to her. She is getting braver as we sit in our hotel lobby to just wander up to random Chinese strangers and hotel staff and wave and look at them. It's so cute to watch her flirt!

After the museum, we went to Park, which was a combination of a traditional park in the States combined with a theme park with rides. We were not able to do much with Riley, but we did ride two baby friendly rides with her. The other 3 Campbells tried Chinese popcorn, and we just took in all the sights and people. Elizabeth had several Chinese young people ask to take pictures with her. Our guide, Emma, said that one of the girls told Elizabeth that she was "too beautiful." Our girls also wore their matching tie dye t-shirts that Elizabeth made before we left. They were so cute together, as you will see from the pictures. We have really enjoyed the people that try to talk to us and ask questions about Riley. Our guide does not encourage it much, but I think it is so cool that they are interested in our family. We will never have this opportunity to experience this culture in this way again. We just want to soak it all in!

Thursday night, we were all tired from the afternoon's activities and probably should have ordered room service for dinner. But I thought it would be nice to have our last dinner in the restaurant. We found out that was not a good idea because Riley was so tired and wired from all the stimulation of the day. She was a wild rascal, and I had to take her out of the restaurant for a chill out time. It was funny, but her manners definitely needed some work that evening. You can see some of her antics from the pictures.

We fly out of Taiyuan to Guangzhou Friday afternoon at 5:30. This is where we will spend our remaining time in China and where all the adoption paperwork will be finalized and approval given for Riley to enter the United States and become a citizen! She is legally ours now in the eyes of China! Love and miss you all! Thanks for following our blog.