Is This a Dream?

As I sit here tonight I can still hardly believe I am writing this post.  After almost 8 years of on-my-knees begging and two grandchildren (the latter cinching the deal), my dad finally came to China to visit us!  We had the most wonderful time together and did so many fun things:
The first day (Tuesday) when Papa arrived both the kids were a little surprised.  Elijah already has a pretty special bond with Papa (due to the many boat, bulldozer, 4-wheeler, and golf cart rides they experienced together last March) and warmed up to him immediately, but since Auburn Grace has never met my dad, it took her a little longer.  But once she realized that he was not going to replace mommy, she was glad for him to hold her, play pee-pie with her and love on her.

Tuesday afternoon we went to a playground in a nearby neighborhood.  Elijah and Papa played on the see-saw and slide, and then Elijah showed Papa where to find lots of sticks!





The second day (Wednesday morning) we went fishing with the new rod and reel that Papa brought for Elijah.  Papa is a professional fisherman with all kinds of tips and tricks, and he is always so patient with teaching Elijah how to throw the line and reel it in.  This was definitely one of Elijah's favorite things to do. 

Later that afternoon we went to the park to let Elijah jump at the bouncy house.

The third day (Thursday morning) we went to the zoo and the amusement park.  We brought bananas for the monkeys and pears for the deer.  Elijah really loved feeding the animals.  At the amusement partk, Papa was really brave and rode lots of the rides with Elijah (I only rode one of the rides with him, and I got so dizzy I couldn't ride anymore).

The fourth day (Friday morning) David took off from work, and we prepared to head up to ride the cable car to the middle of Gan Tong mountain.  We packed up bags for the kids and ourselves and loaded up in the truck.  We drove to the base of the mountain, walked up about a million steps to get to the ticket booth and were promptly told that the cable car was being repaired that day and we would not be able to ride in it.  Discouraged but not downcast we came up with a different plan which turned out to be so much fun- cormorant fishing!  We all thought this we really unique and so interesting.  Though Elijah loved watching the birds, the thing he most enjoyed was rowing the boat. 

After fishing we grabbed some pizza in Old Town and headed home for naps.  Whew!

The fifth day (Saturday) we first went to the Bird and Flower market to buy some new house plants.  Later we had a picnic and Easter egg hunt with friends here at a nearby park on the hill.  All the kids had a great time, and loved finding eggs full of candy.


The sixth day (Sunday) we enjoyed celebrating Easter with a few friends and had a wonderful lunch together.  That afternoon we went for a walk in the park.

The seventh day (Monday) we went to the open air market to give my dad a taste of what grocery shopping is like here.  It was quite chaotic and had lots of interesting and huge veges according to my dad.

The eighth day (Tuesday morning) we re-attempted the cable car up the mountain and had great success.  Riding the cable car brings stunning views of the  mountains and the lake.  At the top, we hiked around and even paddled a small boat around a little pond.  There were also monkeys (which I do not like) and a giant chess board.  One funny thing Elijah did while we were there was to put his hands in water and make handprints all over a wooden chair.  He kept saying "Look mommy, a clue!" which obviously comes from his recent obsession with "Blues Clues".

The ninth day (Wednesday morning) we went to the wetland park to fish on the opposite side of the lake.  We didn't catch anything, but again, Elijah had the best time just reeling the line in.  He also climbed on rocks, ran down hills, and picked up lots of sticks.

That afternoon we went out to visit some of our friends in the village and had dinner with them.  It was amazing to see how much my dad had in common with the couple we visited.  The both had no electricity or running water in their early years.  They both had many brothers and sisters.  They both had well water growing up.  They were both farmers.  Really neat.

The tenth day (Thursday morning) we went to Wal-Mart to do our weekly grocery and toiletry shopping.  Elijah played in the playplace for a while too which he always loves.

Later that afternoon, we all went out to collect tadpoles which we had seen earlier that week and bought a net to catch from the bird and flower market.  (This is definitely worthy of a separate post altogether!)

That night, we went to an amazing light/water fountain show.  We had heard about the show but had never been, and I must say, we will definitely be going back.

The eleventh day (Friday morning) we rode the double-decker bus and several taxis around town to buy a few gifts to send back with my dad. 

Each day we had wonderful mealtime conversations, lots of playtime in the floor, lots of late night talks on current events, family happenings, etc.  Papa read lots of books to the kids, played outside on the public patio with the kids a lot, watched lots of kids' videos with Elijah, and played with Auburn Grace and Elijah constantly.  He was an incredible blessing to us day in and day out.



Though we know he has to return to his home and to Nana, Xander, and Kylie, he has left a huge hole in our days and in our lives, and we already miss him terribly.  Tonight, when Elijah was saying his prayers before bed, it suddenly occured to him that Papa was not here anymore.  When I explained that Papa had to go back to his home, he asked, "May I go to Papa's home too?"  There were many bonds made between our kids and their Papa, and I am so thankful for his willingness to come and for his many expressions of love toward us and the kids while he was here. 

 We love you so much dad/Papa and can't wait to see you again!