Finding our groove (a bit)

Today was a much improved day for our little family. Max and McKaden actually spent time playing and laughed a lot together. Of course, there was also the typical brother and sister spats, but it was fun to see them giggle hysterically together. We definitely had more laughter together today as a family. Lori is feeling better today, the family we are traveling together with and our guide, Rebecca are a lot of fun. Mark and McKaden also got to go swimming today during Max's nap (although the water was about 50 degrees).
This morning ourselves and our new friends from Oklahoma traveled to a mountain in the heart of Guangzhou city. We rode a gondola up to the peak and did some activities at the top. First we got to observe a bird show which was a cross between fascinating and very late night TV. We saw birds ride little bikes, shoot some hoops, and take money out of people's hands in the stands. We then proceeded to what's called the "bird cage". It is an enclosed huge area with rare and exotic birds that are in there with you. This was a test of Lori's fear of bird flu, germs, mosquito's, etc, etc. We got to see the haze of the city from a great vantage point, but the view was actually pretty cool. We then had a great lunch at a noodle restaurant near the top of the mountain. McKaden was fascinated by the way they made the noodles - you can watch them through some glass. After watching for a few minutes the ladies waved to her and she waved back - everyone smiling. We are kind of a show everywhere we go - as Rebecca says, "you take pictures of the flowers and the people take pictures of you." I'm not sure the casual reader of the blog understands that there are about 12 million people in this city or its suburbs. People and pollution are constants here, so anywhere we go, there are quite a few people there with us.
Max found his voice today. He often speaks in soft tones and just says what you say to him. But this afternoon and tonight, he was full on loud and was even walking around with a new little swagger. A highlight of the day for him I'm pretty sure was the ice cream that he alternated between eating and spreading over every inch of his clothes and face. We used some of our excellent parenting skills by feeding our kids hot dogs and ice cream for dinner ... we know, we are really getting good at this! Max was in heaven and it was both funny and heartwarming to watch him try to eat the hot dog and ice cream at the same time - and oh so messy. It's interesting that he tries to everything that McKaden tries and even shares his food/snacks and toys with her, too. He also wants to take his backpack on whenever we leave the room and runs to get McKaden hers too. McKaden had a great day with Max and she also LOVES our travel guide, Rebecca. She loves being with her and Rebecca is awesome with her. We are going to the childrens park - merry go rounds and things like that in the morning - and McKaden echos Rebecca in saying that "she cannot wait"!
Please continue to pray for Lori, as even though she is showing improvements, she is still not well. It is Thursday night here, which means it is a week until Max is home!!
Well it is night here and McKaden is asleep and Max is in his bed singing to himself ... a sweet sound. Good night and remember that God is good ALL the time.