COLDS & BRUISES

The breakfast buffet at our hotel is spectacular. (Ann and Barbara, if you think Clara can eat, wait till you watch Lu in action!) We are staying in Renmin Square, which is a fairly enclosed area with 3 hotels under the Sofitel brand. Pretty swanky digs. The kids have enjoyed the gardens and fountains and Lu took a nasty fall headfirst into the pavement, getting a giant goose egg and bruised eye. He cried hard for about 5 seconds and was then over it. However, I took my chance to be a doting Mom and comforted him for a good 30 minutes. Both Pete and Lu have nasty colds and I expect all of us, one by one, will succomb to the inevitable "adoption bug".

Today is free day for us, no paperwork so we've been able to relax and enjoy the nicest pool I've ever seen in my life, like the kind I used to search for in stock photo albums when I'd do British Airways promotions. We were the only people there and the kids had a blast. Lu likes the water a lttle too much for our comfort, he's destined for Olympic gold medals in swimming, I'm sure of it.

Our days and nights have not been all sunshine and unicorns though. Clara is getting a big taste of sharing Mom and Dad and all is not well for her in that arena. My parents have been so great at distracting her and making her happy, I keep thinking we could never have done this trip without them. They have been wonderful. Lu is becoming very attached to Pete and prefers him or Clara over me. I can live with that. For now. Once we get back to Mpls. and Pete has to go back to work, I'll hatch my plot to win him over with home made cookies. The way to a mans heart.....

p.s. have many great photos to post but it takes more time than I have at the moment. Will try again later