Sisters!?!...a Picnic in the hotel room...and a visit to Maggie's orphanage!

We got the chance to sleep in (at least a little...7am!) as we had no morning plans.  We (really the girls) took a bath, got all lotioned-up (they REALLY like the lotion!), and set up shop in the room to play!  Meritt jump on Skype and we talked with Grandmom and Pop-Pop; Macey, Matt and Grandmother; Marshall; and the Florida Sims (Kristen, Anna and Elle)...it was awesome to catch up with everyone!  And, the girls were full of themselves as they played in the background...and every once in a while they would pop into the conversation and practice calling everyone by name...we even got to see Mabel (our dog) on the screen.  Big adjustment coming for the girls as they get used to Mabel!  Above is Mary Henley's typical 3 year old facial response when you ask her to smile, look at the camera, say hello to someone or practically anything else!  Maggie thinks she's a hoot!

The next several pictures were taken as I was hiding behind a chair...they were so content playing with each other...giggling...laughing...sometimes fussing...just like sisters do!  Their personalities, as you would expect are so different, but they are at the core very happy little girls.  It is so cool to see how they are bonding with each other...sincerely taking care of each other...and most importantly, helping Meritt and I understand them by playing "communication charades"!  Our non-verbal skills have increased exponentially...Matt and Macey will need to learn a new language when we get home!

Not much more you can say about the picture above then how about those faces!?!  Yes, they are as cute in person as they appear on your screen!

This is my favorite picture of the day...Maggie quickly figured out her Leapad (and has the patience to wait for the screens to advance...Mary Henley not so much!)...anyway, Maggie is driving the interactive video and Mary Henley is WAY content to laugh along...I think this one was Dora the Explorer does Pop-goes-the-weasel!

Lunch picnic in the room...you may be asking...WHY IN THE WORLD don't you mean parents take these poor little girls outside for some fun!?!  Answer:  see previous Xian post of cold, smoggy, cold, no parks, can't cross the street photos and comments.  Can you say "cabin fever"!  Anyway, back to the Picnic in the room...please notice the stylish pink tutu's, fashionably sophisticated red shoes, our casual, laid-back pose...to include the ever popular leg-cross.  We had chicken and chips and a hamburger-like mixture on a buttered bun (labeled "American Burger" on the menu)...that the girls did not dig it, but daddy managed to get it down!

In the afternoon, I visited Maggie's orphanage (entrance picture above)...as you will recall, we made the decision that Meritt and the girls would stay back at the hotel as we were very afraid of how Maggie might react to seeing her "foster mom", caregivers and friends.  It was a really good decision...more on that in a minute.

A very nice picture of two wonderful caregivers that served Maggie when she was between the ages of 1 and 2.  They were so nice...and very warm!

A picture of Maggie's sleeping room until around August of last year which is when she moved across the courtyard to live with her foster-mom who also cared for 3 other children.  One of which was also adopted the same day we got Maggie.  Very, very hard on her foster-mom.

Kids from Maggie's class who sang a song for me...very sweet.  Her teacher is in the white and black jacket to the right...she told me how happy she was for Maggie!  As with the orphanage in Hefei...not a lot of heat...notice the heavy coats...this classroom is for the older children and is in the newest building on campus...built in 1999.  Rooms were bright and cherry...but very cold!

Ok...so here it goes.  In addition to getting a tour of the orphanage, sleeping rooms and classrooms, I also went to the foster mom's apartment which is located on the 4th floor of the newer building right there on the orphanage campus.  There are a number of caring, giving moms and dads who provide foster care homes to selected children from within the orphanage.  Maggie was in a home with a single mom, who also cared for three other children.  The kids would go to the orphanage class rooms from 8am to 11:30am and then would return to the foster family room for lunch and a nap from 11:30am to 2:30pm.  They would then return to the orphanage class room until 5:30pm or so, when they would then "go home" for the evening.  The kids who were under this structure, including Maggie, were very, very fortunate to have a home-like environment (see the sleeping room picture above as unfortunate evidence).  And her foster mom really loves her.

Meritt and I would provide the most loving home possible for Maggie and that I would send her photos via email.  We cried a lot during this conversation.  She followed us out into the hall, constantly grabbing my hands and challenging me to ensure Maggie is fully provided for.  I hugged her one last time at the elevator (I thought)...she was intent on getting into the elevator with me, but the orphanage Director managed to pull her back.  As we rode down the elevator and made our way to the car, our guide (Celine) commented that she had never experienced anything quite as difficult.

It was an incredibly hard visit...one that I am now fully convinced Maggie did not need to experience.  It brings tears even as I type.  Matt asked me to turn in my "man card" today because of some of my blog comments.  Sorry dude...this one stays in!

By the way, Meritt asked me to please let everyone know how much we love to read your comments each and every day.  It is the first thing we do in the morning...and, it helps us keep connected!  Sincere thanks!

Tomorrow is as they say in golf "moving day"...we head to Guangzhou on a 7pm flight...seven days and counting!