We are all trying to kill time before traveling home. I received Timmy’s Visa today which was the last piece of paperwork I needed before leaving China. Timmy and I and two other families decided to visit the zoo which ended up being a depressing field trip in the rain. It was depressing because the animals live in conditions less favorable than they do in zoos in America. Add that Timmy was too tired to walk and I carried him throughout the depressing zoo in the rain and that sums up the trip.

In contrast, we all enjoyed dinner together at Lucy’s. This was a goodbye dinner for Scott and his daughter Aislinn who fly out tomorrow. One by one the group is breaking up and each of us is heading home to a different state in America.

Tonight when I skyped with Jim and Jake, Timmy shared his Chinese toy which plays music. Jake danced around and repeated the tune. This was the first time the two boys interacted with each other playfully across the distance. I cannot wait to see them play together.

Timmy seems happier each day. Today he napped for 2 ½ hours and woke up without crying. He is avoiding bedtime at night which seems typical of any 3 year old. He has begun to enjoy playing with other children along on the trip. Sadly, today he locked himself into our hotel room bathroom while playing around with another older child. It was a scary few minutes for him while we waited for the housekeeper to unlock the door with her key. While he was stuck in there, he kept calling for me, his Mama. I talked with him and soothed him afterwards. He cried for a little while and then jumped down to play again.