We are at the point where we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and begin to really think about returning home. Andrea completed the paperwork this afternoon for our consulate appointment on Monday. We should receive Malachi’s visa on Tuesday, and be homebound on Wednesday. Abbie knows that she has four more sleeps in the hotel room before we are able to board a plane for Philadelphia.

Today we had the opportunity to go with another family to the Guanzhou Zoo while the rest of the group when to the Guanzhou Folk Art Museum. Both families that went to the zoo brought a child along- we brought Abbie and the Molton’s brought their son Malachi. It has been good for Abbie to have someone to goof around with on the trip. Abbie has also made some new adult friends- Miss Beth and Anna, our guide in Zhengzhou are two in particular.

The zoo was a lot of fun. We had to take a taxi and purchase tickets while playing charades to communicate what we needed. The zoo was very nice and has some neat animals in it. There was an elephant there that was probably the biggest I have ever seen. There were also red pandas and two giant pandas- which was really cool to see since we are in China.

Tomorrow we are going to an open air market to look for some items to bring back home. We are hoping to find a few traditional Chinese dresses for the girls, and an outfit for Malachi. After the market, it will be swimming and exploring. It’s a rough life, I know!

For those wondering- Malachi has been doing well in the transition. We do see some behaviors that are likely products of being an institutionalized child- but we also see a fun loving little boy. It will be a lot easier to work on these behaviors in the comfort of our home.