It's Official!

Mark talking before the local gov't representatives and TV
cameras, with Sa translating

Sa telling Mark which dotted line to sign on

Today we had to be on time to the orphanage, because we were having an "official" signing of the contract drawn up between our Visiting Orphans team, the orphanage, and the Chaoyang city officials (see yesterday's post). The room quickly filled up with government officials, orphanage employees,  TV cameras and reporters, nursing students, and us holding children. The room was adorned by banners hanging (I have no idea what they said) and a large Chinese flag. Nothing was interpreted for us, so I'm not sure exactly what was said, but Mark and a representative did the official signing to cameras flashing, and then he made a quick speech, which Sa interpreted. After the quick ceremony, we did not get to interact much with the kids, because the nursing students were walking around, getting acquainted with the children, and getting a quick lesson/demonstration from Britta. It was actually quite exciting to see the nursing students interact so positively with the children, and gives me much hope for it to continue, despite us not being here.

Britta working her magic

The afternoon crowd was sparse, as some went shopping for supplies and other necessary stops. The butterfly wings and accessories I bought for 10 yuan (about $1.50) were a big hit with the kids. Fortunately they only caused one major tantrum! The nannies served us watermelon again, which I thought they would never do again after yesterday's huge mess, but I guess that may be commonplace for them.

Best 10 yuan I've ever spent!

This costume crossed age groups and genders!

I gave the head nanny the quilts that the ladies from the Methodist Church in Coupeville made for the children.

MeiMei smiling on the new quilt the Methodist church ladies made for him

Tonight we prepared all of the nanny gift bags that we will bring for our last day tomorrow. I am looking forward to the school children coming to visit, as well as preparing the dumplings with the nannies. It will be a packed full emotional day, so please remember us as you go about your day.

Skin to skin time with "The Thinker," who really prefers her
crib to being out, but she handled it gracefully