This weekend has been a full one, once again. In spite of Karis having a fever, we all headed off to this huge botanical garden place after Kevin finished class on Friday (Karis did give permission--feeling up to getting out and about!). We made it to the botanical garden spot that we'd been to once before, and it truly is a place unlike anything I've seen. There are too many acres of greenhouses that are filled with every size and shape of plant--too many to count. And at every booth the individual vendors are trying to convince you that they have the best product to offer. Feels a little bit like sorority rush week!
So anyway, we made it out of there with a van full of greenery for our apartment. And the kids of course had fun in the midst of it all. The photo is of Karis on our drive home as she was crammed amonst the branches of some of our newest purchases. We discovered how to make our outings even more intentional as far as building relationships and interacting well with the Chinese. We've started a game with the kids that operates on a point system. Every time they make eye contact and respond with love and respect, or especially if they initiate interaction, with Chinese people, they get a point. Once they reach ten points, then they get to pick a treat out of the treat basket (small piece of candy or sweet something). Once they reach 100 points, they get a toy. Are you thinking--this sounds like bribery? Well then yes, it is! And something I never thought I would do, but would simply expect out of my kids. But then I moved to another culture that is soooooo loving and kind toward children, but also incredibly hands-on and in your face--all the time--without giving
you a break or room to breath. And to be honest, there are some days when me getting "kind points" would not be such a bad thing! So hopefully we're not lowering the bar too much or setting a negative standard, but for now it is helping as we explain to the kids that we want to have hearts that love and serve others, and we're willing to bribe them to get there!!So today the first treats were received after we spent several hours out (and got several kind points accumulated) at what is called the Water Park. I originally assumed that this was a water park like a spash park (which I came to realize was Hudson's assumption too as he cried when we were leaving because we hadn't gotten to splash in any of the water, in spite of the fact that it was about 40 degrees outside!), but is instead a large park area with pods scattered throughout. It was a great find for
our fam, and besides the ducks on the water for entertainment, it also had several amusement park rides that the kids loved. Kevin let them each pick two rides (after excluding the one or two that he deemed were formerly used as torture devices by the previous dictator of the country!). [see photos--the one of Eli is him making a pirate face to go along with the theme of the ride!] We came home exhausted and with Kevin now having a fever, but decided it was worth it for the enjoyment of the outing!
