Just another day at the office

figuratively speaking! Today was the finalization of Aiden¹s adoption with

regards to the Chinese Government.

The day once again started around 4:30 am local time as there were two kids

in the room and one Mom that did not sleep a wink!  Dad slept okay, but I

think that Ann Marie and I are both missing that broken in Sealy Pillow Top

back in Holly Springs!  Savannah is still struggling with the time change

but Aiden did really well with a few bouts of ³I think I am in the wrong

place² crib toss thrown in during the night.  After some in-room coffee and

getting the showers and dressing out of the way the first foray into

³Kennedy, Family of 4² headed down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast!

No matter how many times we eat brekfast in China, its still fun to go in

and see what they have on the buffet!  Not that I mind banana cake and

cookies, but waldorf salad and beef lo-mien just seem out of place!  But

hey, lets live life on the edge!  After breakfast we met Mary in the lobby

to finish the paperwork. After a meeting at the previous days hotel with the

Civil Affairs official we made our way to the Notary to complete the signing

of the documents.  Aiden was now officially ours in the eyes of the Chinese

Government!  One Government down, one to go!

Afterwards Mary and our driver took us to the local Wal-Mart to get some

items for our remaining days in Nanning.  Savannah was excited as she found

a whole assortment of Lychee Jello, one of her favorites, plus we got a kick

out of being one of the only Americans in the store!  You know, sort of like

a good night in the Fuquay Varina, North Carolina Wal-Mart (inside joke for

all of you who live in that area)!  As a special treat we went over to the

McDonalds across the street so that Savannah and Aiden could get Happy Meals

and I could continue my quest in eating in as many McDonalds on foreign soil

as I can! Not that I love McDonalds, but it¹s just so darn funny! When we

returned to the hotel we all decided a nap was in our best interest due to

the droopy eyes and blank stares on the van ride back.  Savannah, Aiden and

I had a good two-hour napS.Mom on the other hand got less than 30 minutes. I

think she needs Ambien!

After the nap we headed over to the grocery one more time for some snacks

and a detergent bar to clean one of our first disasters regarding clothing.

On the way back Ann Marie let Aiden carry the bag that contained the Oreo

Mini¹s he and Savannah picked out.  To my dismay, I was the bad guy who had

to remove the bag from Aiden¹s strong grip and I am now the bad guy (I knew

it would come someday!), but we will work through this one.  For dinner we

took a trip over to the restaurant next to the hotel that is actually like 8

small restaurants in a row that mimic the was food is sold on the street

with each serving a different type of meal, just under one roof.  The food

was good, reasonably priced and we slowly made our way back to the room to

start the shutting down for the day.

As I type, Savannah and Mom are resting in bed while Aiden¹s low crying

fades away in the crib right next to them.  I meanwhile sit with the best

channel on TV (thank you National Geographic) lighting my desk and keeping

me from going insane. Tomorrow is a free day for us in Nanning and we plan

to go to the park nearby for some family time.  So with that in mind I will

close out today by saying good morning, good evening and goodnight to all of

you reading our posts and we cannot wait to be home!  Till thenSS

Michael (did you order me the sautéed pig knuckles again?), Ann Marie (who

knew a body that small could product so much poop!), and Savannah (why do I

need to eat more than noodles and peaches?), Aiden (where did you hide the

Oreo cookies old man?) Kennedy

Just when eating out was getting back to normal....

 

 Ready....set.....GO!

 Waiting on the officials to make it official!

 Okay, this is country number 18!

 We love nap time!

Coming back from the grocery one more time.

Remember, do not touch this bag!!!