The Great Wall & Jade Factory

(This was a post that was written in China, but because of our poor internet service, I couldn't get it sent)

Yesterday was an amazing day! We bundled up and headed for the Great Wall. Paul had been hoping to visit a different section than the one we had visited two years before, but we ended up going to the same one.

On the way we realized that we had forgotten to bring the lock we had engraved for Ailee – that we had left it in the suitcase. We couldn’t believe it!! We had come all this way and the lock was back at the hotel. We were pretty disappointed, but we will bring it with us again the next time we visit China and make sure we put it on the wall for Ailee.

The weather held out for us and although it was cold, it wasn’t bitterly cold, which made it the perfect day to visit the wall.

And even though we had visited the same section before, I still found myself in absolute awe of the wall and the tourists it drew. I didn’t remember it being as steep as it actually is! It is such an amazing sight to see – difficult to put into words.

Maelyn told us that she was nervous about climbing the wall. We reassured her that she wasn’t climbing an actual wall and that it had stairs. She said, “Are you sure we can do it?” We again reassured her that it would okay and that we would stay with her the entire time.

When Maelyn saw the wall and that it did indeed have stairs that she could climb, she was ecstatic and proclaimed, “You were right, Mama. We can climb the wall!”

At the beginning of the Great Wall climb...

After a few family shots on the wall, Maelyn decided that she would climb the rest of the way with Paul. I was carrying Ailee and the backpack, so there wasn’t any way that I was going to be able to climb too far. Not to mention that climbing up and down those uneven stairs with a baby strapped onto you is just a little nerve wracking.

 

I enjoyed some quiet time at the bottom of the wall, carrying Ailee while she slept. In fact, Ailee spent her entire visit to the wall sleeping. It made for an easy morning and I was even able to enjoy a hot chocolate while I waited for the others to finish their climb. It was so peaceful to be able to spend time outdoors, looking at one of the wonders of the world, while our little monkey was sleeping in my arms.

Where we would have placed Ailee's lock...

It turns out that Maelyn made it all the way to the top of that particular section of the wall. I couldn’t believe it! When she got to the bottom, she called out, “Mama! I climbed the Great Wall of China!”

Maelyn, climbing the Great Wall of China!!

We were all ready to leave, but we were missing one member of our group. Albert, grandfather to the other little girl in our group, was still climbing. Visiting the wall was on his bucket list and as an avid hiker, he planned to scale parts of the wall that most visitors do not climb.



Paul, playing an impromptu game of hacky sack, while waiting for Albert...

We waited hours for him to return. We missed our lunch reservation and the kids were getting very, very restless. In the end, one member of the group stayed behind to wait for him, while the rest of us went to the Jade Factory for lunch and some shopping.

Turns out that Albert climbed his way across the mountain and ended up getting lost. He said that parts of the climb down were steeper than a black double diamond ski hill! He did end up having an adventure of a lifetime, but it cost him a $40 cab ride to get back to where the driver was waiting for him. J

Paul and I always talk about the fact that it was at the Jade factory that Maelyn first learned to run – and it made for a busy afternoon! Well, turns out the magic of the factory was not lost on Ailee. Both girls turned into absolute nuts while Paul and I were trying to make some serious purchases. Ailee, who always wants to be carried, wanted out of my arms and was all over the place. Maelyn was acting up, copying her sister. The staff must have looked at us like we were those parents – the ones who have no control over their children. They started giving the girls candy, empty jewelry boxes, anything they could get their hands on to try and keep them quiet!

 

Purchases made, we headed back (with Albert now having rejoined the group) to the hotel. On the way we passed the Olympic village and the Bird’s Nest. So cool!

Ailee continues to blossom and change every day. She is such a little sweetie – very easy going baby. She readily laughs and knows exactly what she wants. In fact, she will often take my hand and move it around to ‘show’ me what she wants. If she wants me to feed her, she will put my hand on the spoon and wait until I pick it up. Then, she will move the spoon to her mouth. Or, she will put food in my hand and then move my hand to her mouth. Clever girl!

Ailee’s laugh reminds me of someone and I have finally figured it out – she sounds just like Jennie! Makes me smile each time she laughs, which is often!

It has been wonderful to see the relationship between Ailee and Maelyn grow. Maelyn has been such a patient and understanding big sister. Ailee has been doing well, too. If she takes one of Maelyn’s toys and Maelyn is not happy about it, Ailee will instantly give it right back. I am so proud of Maelyn and how well she has done on this entire trip!