First, we went swimming yesterday morning at the Lido hotel swimming pool.

With travel comapions like this, I am the envy of most people here!

It is so nice to see Brittany smiling again!

Taylor felt the need to break the rules and sit in the fountain.  Whatever.  What a rebel.  And she is influencing MY daighter!  I’m hoping that she doesn’t get us into any trouble over here!

Here is the sign to the Shijiazhuang Social Welfare Institute, the orphange were Caleb was based.

It was an entire complex of administrative buildings, dormatories, a playground, etc.

The building in the background is the actual dormotory that Caleb came out of and we met in on the side walk in front with a very nice lady who was his caregiver and a young man who was the director of the orphanage.

The tall gentleman above is “Robert, ” our guide.  As of yet, he is no Ting Ting.  We will see if he proves his worth later today!

We had sent him a book with our pictures in it, and he brought that out with him.

Kellyh had brought a Thomas the Tank Engine backpack with several cars and toys in it.  As with any young boy, he loved the cars!

It was kind of sad.  He had a friend with him and we SO wanted to take him with us.

Brittany jumped in to play with him.

Several of the girls from the orphanage watched out the window and shouted encouragement.  Well, I’m assuming it was encouragement.  I am not so gaining much ability to talk in Chinese.  We were all a a restaraunt yesterday and Brittany and I were going to split BBQ Chicken Nachos.  I even pointed to the item on the menu and felt supremely confident that the order was correct.  Brittany did, in fact, get her BBQ Chicken Nachos.  I, on the other hand, received a 1/2 rack of ribs (sorry Jake!).  I have NO idea how that got ordered.  I digresse.

Here I am giving the director a box of toothpaste and toothbrushes that Todd was able to get for us to provide the orphanage.

Then, we were off to the aministrative building to sign our paparwork.  Imagine, a five year old boy making every effort possible to hit all the puddles of water along the way.  A half a world apart and he really isn’t much different than Luke!

Here we signed the temporary custoday paperwork until we can sign the office paperwork this morning.  Kind of a test-drive, so to speak.  Sad to think of it that way, but that is basically what it was.

Brittany helps keep Caleb occupied.

Kelly helps Caleb figure out a Yo-Yo that we brought.

Caleb had done pretty well up until now, but as I said yesterday, he started getting a little emotional on the trip home and it started as soon as he got in the van.  You can kind of see it in this picture.

He slept well last night.  We all went to bed around 9:00 and he slept through the night between Kelly and I.  He went to sleep very quickly, but he was pretty tired.  He wouldn’t take off his close and he LOVES his shoes and would NOT take them off either.  So, Kelly and I spent the night with him kicking us with his shoes.  But, he wasn’t very restless, so that was fine.

He will let me love on him without any problem, but he hasn’t warmed up to Kelly yet.  She gave him a kiss this morning and he batted her away.  Not the first time she has been hit by one of our children, so it didn’t phase her too much.  As with Mia, it does take some time.  He did just share an M&M with Kelly, so there are steps being made.

The girls have been playing cars with him this morning.  It is so nice to see him laugh so easily and seem happy, even when just being pulled out of everything that he knows. 

A really special thanks to Taylor for taking all the pictures at the orphanage today!  She did a GREAT job!  Today you proved your woth on this trip!  We love you!

Cameron