SHOPPING: HOLY MOLY

We made the quick trip through the markets mentioned in the previous post to Shamian Island. We took our laundry to a store ran by an adorable young couple who will do our laundry and return it to us at the hotel tomorrow night. We gave them business at their souvenir store, too. Their prices were good and they were honest people.

 My boys imitating these woman statues.

 Macy got up to do the same and a little boy went up with her all on his own. So cute!

 My goofballs.

Kai's compass turtle, Macy's fans for her friends, and Madison's chopstick set for college.

When we left the hotel this afternoon, we turned right and went through the Pet Market. This evening, we turned left....and HOLY MOLY! We found the shopping jackpot where all the locals do their shopping. It was very crowded with people and stuff everywhere.

The boys bought off-the-market Beats headphones for Kai (we'll see how long they last) and us girls enjoyed the handbag shops. A couple of the kids got new watches including Kai who got a digital yellow one. Yellow is his favorite color. The watches were super cheap.

I was totally paranoid of losing Kai in the sea of bodies so we tried to have someone glued to him all the time. He doesn't wander off but he gets caught up in all the sights and sounds so he isn't always watching where we went.

I see the extent of his nervousness around new people diminishing. Our guide, Kathy, is really good about drawing him into conversation and we heard the most from him today talking to her. He has not seemed nervous at all out in the crowds of shopping....and it was crowded.

He's catching on to the shopping thing. He asked for a wooden turtle with a compass built into it's shell. So far, we have not been able to say no....except today at lunch. He wanted to order two lunches and we only let him order one....he grinned.

We are basically hanging out for the new few days waiting for Kai's visa and our swearing in at the US Consulate. We have had an amazing trip but it's time to come home. I am ready for our wide open spaces and less crowds. I am ready for Kai to see where it is he is going to be living. I am ready to get the kids in school and figure out a game plan for teaching Kai at home....I have never desired to homeschool but it's our best option at this point....time to pull my big girl panties up and do it!