In our room... dressing her doll

WOW! She likes us. We went to the Civil Affairs Office @ 10:30 this morning. We were the only ones there. Alison was in the main room when we got there and made a mad dash for the restroom. She was very shy at first but has warmed up nicely.

We went to a private room to "meet" and she came right to us. We only stayed in there for a short time and then went back to the main room. Within moments she was leaning into me and held my hand. She sat on my lap and wants to stay close. She didn't shed a tear. She got our package. I pulled out her doll from a bag and she immediately smiled and was stroking her hair. She played with the doll for about 15 minutes and then got distracted with the signing of papers and reviewing the pictures. She went through the photo album we had sent her and she pointed to our pictures and then to us. When she got to the picture of her room, I showed her doll on the dresser and she smiled.

We are doing so fine. We came back to the room for a bit and she ate a snack. She has played with the Dora water color book and we colored one picture in another coloring book. She is taller than I expected. The clothes I brought are not warm enough with this cold weather. The pants are a little short (the ones I bought). We have to go shopping tomorrow. I should have brought more of the clothes I had a home.

We went to eat lunch. First to the bank. We walked into the White Swan and she seemed uncertain and held my hand tightly. We did a little shopping but no one has clothes her size. We bought a yo-yo. Then on to Lucy's Bar & Grill. She ordered her drink and picked the meal she wanted. Not forceful in her decisions but quietly showing me what she wanted. She shared my french fries but ate her Tai spicy beef. Good eater but not too much.

The lady in the shop was trying to talk me into buying all sorts of things. We stopped at books and she read Alison some of a story from a book and I asked her to have Alison read it. She says she doesn't read yet. We thought she would be in third grade but now find out that she is only in second. She had some piano lessons before she started school two years ago but not since.

We are back in our room trying to thaw out. Did someone say layers? She has 3 shirts on and a silk jacket and silk vest. She has quilted pants under her silk pants so her body is warm but she has the coldest hands. I have gloves and hats at home but not here.

We are watching a kid program on TV. Alison is sitting on her roll away bed dressing/undressing her doll. and playing with her dolls hair. I wish now I had left the doll's hair long, I bet she would have loved playing with longer hair.

So far so good. She is very easy to please now. She didn't ask to buy everything in the stores. She ate well and didn't make any messes...was very careful. Her hands are so tiny and she was eating with a large spoon (not a teaspoon) so it looked so large as she ate. She picked out pink often as we shopped. I think I have a fu fu girl! (however you spell that).

She does have a cold but it doesn't seem too bad. We will do a bath later. She put the pink pajama bottoms on her doll already. They can be dressed alike tonight as they sleep.

Well, that is all for now. It seems later than it is (only 3PM). We got up very early today...imagine that. So far so good.

Brenda