Consulate Appointment

Bright and early this morning, we headed to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou for the appointment allowing Kora to receive her US visa.  We had to go through security to get to the floor where they process the adoption paperwork along with the other families adopting children from China.  All together we repeated an oath about being truthful on everything we were submitting, etc.  Then each family was called up individually for submission and review of the paperwork.  We luckily weren't completely last, but close to it.  If you haven't noticed yet, there is a pattern to all the appointments for completing the adoption in China.  The actual process at each place doesn't take very long, but you have to wait your turn.  The waiting time is by far the longest.  When we were finished at the window, we were free to go.   

We then went to a another local park that had a small amusement park inside.  There were lots of local Chinese people singing, playing instruments, dancing, exercising, etc.  They play a game similar to US hacky sack, and it's not just for the young adults.  Lots of middle aged women were out there playing, too.  Most of the people in the first part of the park were retired adults.

The kids had fun riding some of the rides and playing on the playground.  Jason's favorite by far was the bumper cars.  He went against Megan once and that was enough for her.  Then he talked Jesse into going against him.  The people watching couldn't believe that Jason would go head on towards Jesse at full speed with no fear.  When they hit head on, Jason would fly back several feet from the impact, but he thought it was great.  And no injuries.

 

 

Banyan tree in the park.

 

Here are some pictures of Kora, one with the thumb she loves to suck.  She has been playing more and more with toys and us.  She has started to imitate sounds and actions.  She will copy you clicking your tongue and saying "la" and "da".  Jesse has been working hard on da da.