It's getting closer

Two and a half weeks. Nancy and I got together yesterday and Kang Kang and Chloe actually paid some attention to Caleb. This is a good sign. If they will let him play with them, or even use him as a small toy it will help keep him occupied.  

I am starting to pack. I have had things set out in various containers, locations, bags etc for awhile but now it is time to put them in suitcases.  Organization will be key. We will be traveling a fair amount within China so lots of unpacking-repacking. I have discovered packing folders and packing cubes. Wonderful inventions. We used them on our last trip and they make it so much easier.

Kang Kang keeps asking if we can get "the comfy seats" (first class) on the plane. I very regretfully inform him that is not possible.  And he is only 45" tall. I am many more inches tall but alas, no comfy seats.

We have every medication imaginable for every possible malady. Plus toys. Three days on a small ship (Toto, I don't think we are on Disney Magic anymore) with small children. No escape. Need preparation. Got my little behind the ear don't get seasick (yes, I know it is a river, not the sea) patch.  Ipod, check. I can't read on vehicles in motion, other than planes without turbulence.

And I have about 14 carzillion (KK's term) notes to do for work, and oh yes, we are going to New York next weekend. Sanity should leave me soon.

Welcome

I started a Yahoo group for people to follow our China Journey. Not everyone in our lives seems able to manage the Yahoo thing so, I thought I would try a blog. I would still suggest everyone join the Yahoo group because I am unsure what site I will be able to access from China. I may end up only able to post to one or the other.

As of today, there are 26 days until we leave for China. Our travel group is Ellen, age X and Kang Kang age 7 and 1/4, and Nancy, age Y, Chloe age 5 and 3/4s and Caleb, aged 3 and 1/4. We have a half suitcase of clothes and 2 trunks filled with toys. Just kidding, but not by much. As you will see by our itinerary, there will be plenty of opportunity to keep children entertained. If you have any ideas in particular for keeping three year olds busy we would be oh so grateful for the input. We have already thought of drugs so you don't have to suggest those.

Our route will take us to Beijing, where we will see the Great Wall and other usual sights. From there, we head to Xian on an overnight train on May 11. We are taking the first class sleeper car. We will spend the day in Xian before boarding a flight to Chengdu. In Chengdu we will see the Pandas, the Sichuan Opera, and most importantly, Kang Kang's foster parents and the home in which he lived for 2.5 years. After a few days there we will take a long drive to Chongching where we will board a ship for a 3 day cruise on the Yangze river. These are small boats, lacking the children's entertainment provided on say, a Disney ship. So, 3 kids, 3 days, how to entertain? Nancy and I would enjoy sitting on deck in a chair, reading, watching the scenery. The kids? Well, that would work for about 3.2 minutes. We get off the ship in Yichang on May 18, grab and flight to Shanghai, arriving there at 6:30 pm and dashing off to the hotel for an orientation to the torch run. That event takes place on May 19. From the 20-23 we will be in Shanghai and surrounds, heading home later afternoon of the 23rd.

We have; kites, stickers, activity books, mini paint by numbers, stampers, markers, playmobil figures, balls, balloons (not yet blown up), mini bead making kits, small plastic animals, various notebooks, crayons etc, DVDs, kid cameras, mini cars, flashlights, small puzzles and things I am sure I am forgetting. Each item was judged on weight. For example, those magnet playsets are god but have you ever felt how heavy they are? So, no magnets.

Ellen