More Tobey

Yesterday we went to the zoo with our wonderful guide, MingMing, and our fellow travelers. All the kids were a little cranky. Well, okay, the adults (except MingMing who couldn’t be cranky if she tried) were a little cranky too, though we hid it better than the kids did. We brought along a stroller that we purchased at the local WalMart, which, by the way, is far more interesting than the zoo. Not that the zoo wasn’t great, it’s just that the Chinese WalMart makes you feel as if you are in an alternate universe where cattle have been replaced with squid. But back to the stroller, Tobey wanted to push Tabitha in the stroller and Tabitha did not want to be pushed by Tobey and those of you familiar with small children know that this meant there was a lot of screaming and whining going on. We decided to rent a stroller at the zoo for Tobey and when he realized that it was for him, he couldn’t quit grinning with happiness. He really has a need to be babied. We got him a helium balloon and he told MingMing that he had had a balloon before but the gas went out of it. He was so proud of his balloon.
Today we went to a mountain, I’ll have to add the name later. George and Tobey climbed the tower there that allows a view of the entire city of Nanning. The view is there but unfortunately it is obscured by smog. The surrounding area really is very beautiful. I enjoyed the view from the ground with Tabitha while George did his best to keep Tobey from falling out the windows of the tower. While there, we met an adopting Mom and one of Tobey’s friends from his orphanage (see picture). He was very happy to see her and to show off his new American Mom. He greeted her then began kicking at her feet in typical boy fashion.
Tobey is a very outgoing and happy child. He has not grieved yet for his home or past life but I know it will come at some point. He has been trying to see just how much he can get away with his new parents but is otherwise extremely loving toward us. When other Chinese people talk to him, he chatters happily away but keeps close to us. He picks on his sister but makes sure that she has her share of food or water. If he gets something, he wants one for her also. He’s very gentle and caring with younger children. He’s headstrong and hyper so he should fit in very well!
We’re exhausted and George is extremely irritable and grouchy. A lot more so than I am and he isn’t even trying to hide the fact. I can say that about him because it is my blog and he doesn’t edit. I’ve considered sending him home early but I need him to do all the money transactions and tell me which direction I’m headed. So I guess I’ll let him stay. He’s in time out in the lobby of our floor right now and the kids are napping. Boy do I love nap time. These kids of mine can wear you out in an hour. But aren’t they adorable? Otherwise I would have already pinched their little heads off.
Tomorrow, more paperwork, kid herding, and Chinese food (again). Friday we head for Guangzhou.

Big boots to fill.