A Fun Day

We made great strides with Chloe today.  We started off the morning with a dance party.  Chloe particularly likes the Jackson 5 and Jimmy Buffet.

Chloe loved when I twirled her round and round to the music.

We then went to the zoo with our friends, Karen, Jenna, and Zoey.  It was a fairly nice zoo, though small, and had a good selection of animals.

There were many baby animals there.

Various species of monkeys made up the majority of animals on display.

There were two huge hippos on display.  One, who was eating right by a chain link gate, you could reach out and touch...but we didn't.

The panda was napping inside its enclosure.

I loved people watching while we were there...and I'm sure some of the local people liked people watching us too.  Chloe received many smiles when we were there.  In particular, two elderly Chinese men came up to talk to her.

People were resting underneath trees and having lunch.

This is the school group that Chloe wanted to join.

Close to the end of our zoo journey, we bought Chloe and Zoey bubble blowers.  Squeezing the trigger not only produced a great amount of bubbles, but it also played a lovely tune...that we heard all the way home.

Even though we had to rush to catch the van taking us back to the hotel, we had a great time.

Chloe allowed her Baba to push her all through the zoo.

We had a great time with Karen, Zoey, and Jenna.

Chloe with the panda in the background.

When we returned to the hotel, we ate and Chloe and I caught a nap.  Then, it was off to the pool for more water splashing and hair washing.  Chloe still did not leave my lap, but she definitely enjoyed it.  Then, since Zoey had refused to bathe, we decided to give the girls a bath together.  They loved it and played and played.  I'm surprised they weren't shriveled up prunes when we took them out; they were in the tub for over an hour.

Zoey giving me the unsure look while Chloe smiles on...

They had a great time filling small cups full of water and dumping them on each other.

Tonight, we stayed in and ordered room service and then just hung out in the room.  Below are some of the Chloe highlights from today.  Mostly they involve her warming up to Tim.

1. She took Baba's hand and danced with him this morning.
2. We brought a beach ball that Tim blew up.  The two of them batted it around the room.
3. Chloe allowed Tim to take her to get food at the buffet this morning...and held his hand.
4. We received a lot less "boo gaas" today (meaning "I don't want that" or "I don't want to do that")
5. Chloe told Tim "wa eye ne" (I love you.) at least twice today.

Tomorrow will be another down time day as we wait for Chloe's passport to be processed.  We have decided not to visit her orphanage because our guide suggests that we do not take her back there to help ensure that she continues to make progress.