Day 6 - Suzhou October 16

I apologize for not posting yesterday, but I was completely exhausted and crashed before Kate did. We had a very busy, but fun, day. We started with a nice breakfast here at the hotel, and then our guide, Sunny, picked us up and took us to the Lingering Garden. If you ever visit Suzhou (which I highly recommend), skip the Humble Administrator's Garden and go to the Lingering Garden. There were fewer people, and it was more beautiful. It was full of winding paths, bridges, ponds, and little courtyards to sit in. It helped me to appreciate the lifestyle of the ancient Chinese more (at least the wealthy ones). Some signs I thought were funny/true at the Lingering Garden:I think this one was my favorite, especially since I was travelling with a rather uncivilized group of people:

But the funniest thing about this garden was that it was Mom who was the star. Some ladies saw her and they all lined up to have their picture made with her. So now her face is all over China, just like my children.

After that, we went to lunch at a government run restaurant and silk factory. (Yummy rice and soup.) It was filled with Caucasian faces (unlike our other tourist excursions), but it was really interesting to see how silk is made. In history, Suzhou was a very important stop along the silk road. They showed us how they make silk quilts, which don't have cotton batting, but silk. We even helped stretch one layer of silk onto a frame. It's hard work.

From there, we went to the Panmen Scenic Area, which is the ancient city wall and gate. It had a gate for wagons, carts, people, etc, and then it had another gate for boats. Suzhou is a city of rivers and canals, and so a water gate was important to ancient security. According to our guide it was all about 2500 years old. It was a short trip, and very interesting, so it was a hit in my book. Tim had asked our guide a couple of times about getting a massage. We know of an American who used to live here in Suzhou, and she has talked about how massages are a regular part of life here. Today, our guide offered to take us to a place where she goes to get massages. Mom and I hadn't intended to go, but we were there, so we got one too. First, we soaked our feet while they rubbed our neck and shoulders. And when I say rub, I mean they beat us half to death. Our guide said that it hurt because we need to get massages more often.

Then, we turned around in the chair and they rubbed our feet up to our calves. Very relaxing for me, but I think Tim and Mom were in pain the whole time. They said that they could tell what part of your body needed help by what part of your feet hurt to massage. They said that I was having stomach problems (yep), and that I needed more sleep (well, I was up early with stomach problems). So for me, it was accurate. It was quite an experience. And Mom and Tim say that even though it was painful, it was relaxing.

Important Kate update: More importantly than all of this - Today was the day that I got my first kisses from Kate! She thinks it is hysterical when any of us kiss with the "MmmmWAH" sound. She claps her hands and laughs. So today she leaned over with her mouth closed, and I leaned in and kissed those little lips. She laughed and clapped! Now, Daddy is still the favorite to feed her and dress her, etc., but that Mommy is pretty funny. And yes, she is kissing Daddy too, of course.

We have also discovered that Kate and Will are definitely related. Some of you know that when Will is mad or ignoring you, he sometimes rolls his eyes back in his head or off to the side away from you. Well Kate does it too. Once I said something to her and those eyes went off to the side just like Will. And once the guide said something to her and the same thing happened. It was really funny because it was the exact same expression.

For dinner, we were all wiped out, so Tim and Kate and I went out for McD's and brought it back to the room. Will story for the day -Earlier in the morning, Will was being is normal silly self and had announced that it was a very important day. Apparently it was Gucky's birthday. (Gucky is his blanket.) So later, Tim told me to tell Will that since it was Gucky's birthday, Gucky got to pick where we ate for dinner (family tradition). We thought Will would laugh at the funny joke. Instead, he looked at us seriously and said, "What are his choices?"

Pray for the kids. Kate has a bit of a fever, and we think she may have an ear infection. And the boys are feeling a bit homesick, especially Ben. We are doing well, but exhausted.

Love to all.