We made it!

I have not been posting the last few days because it has been a whirlwind!

On Friday, MingGe was sworn in as a US citizen, along with about 10-15 other adoptees. Although it was very short and very anticlimatic (compared to the paper chase we have lived and breathed over the past year) there was not a dry eye in the house. We were in and out in about 1/2 hour and went immediately to the train station.

The train ride from Guangzhou to Hong Kong took about 2 1/2 hours. Since the train left at 4:50, we were able to catch some daylight and enjoy the views. It was amazing and I think John enjoyed both of our train rides more than any other attraction we visited in China.

I know Hong Kong is now part of China, but we still had to go through a customs process upon entering the City of Kowloon. I think it is something like Puerto Rico which is owned by the US but still has its own customs process.

We took a car to the Disney Hollywood Hotel and checked in. The kids were very excited and MingGe quickly became a Mickey Mouse fan. The Disney imagineers have been to work in Hong Kong. Like Florida, there are "hidden" Mickeys everywhere (three circles of the size of Mickey's heads and ears) - the lights, bedspreads, bathrooms, floors, elevator buttons, everywhere. MingGe wanted to show us every one!

On Sat, we went to the park. It is smaller is size and scale then Florida, but is the same idea. There is a Main Street, with bakery, stores, City Hall, and a restaurant at the end. FL has three restaurants in the same area, by comparison. You can walk through the castle to Fantasyland but the castle is about 1/3 to 1/2 the size. MingGe Jack and I went on Dumbo first. Dad took pictures. I have spent several hours trying to retrieve them off the camera we got in China, but I have not had any luck yet. This was actually special for Mama too because I have never been on Dumbo in the US. The lines are always too long! MingGe loved this.

Jack and MingGe were one of the first guests of the day and received a Star Guest sticker and a certificate with their names on it - very similar to the Year of a Million Dreams Magical Moments certificates that were awarded in the US. Throughout the day they received about 50 other stickers with the the Disney characters! MingGe would march them right over to Baba for safekeeping in his bag!

We went on Winnie the Pooh next. At this point MingGe really started to get what this was about and would run to the next attraction. Asking to go on everything, regardless of the age or subject matter!

Later in the afternoon, we went back to the hotel for a dip in the pool. It was a little chilly so we had to stay inside. MingGe was not interested in venturing off the steps with Jack or I, but she was very content to sit on the entry stairs and giggle and laugh with Jack. After an excellent International Buffet dinner at Chef Mickey's we all fell fast asleep.

On Sunday we went back to the park to visit the attractions that we missed on Sat. MingGe really had a thing for Mickey Mouse himself at this point and managed to get her father to buy a good sized Mickey stuffed animal in a leather jacket and jeans. We like to call him NYC Mickey. She definitely has a thing for black.

Sun afternoon the outside pool was open. The pool had a huge zero entry area, so MingGe was able to swim around with her hands on the bottom and jump in play in depths that she was comfortable with. We had a wonderful time. She loved it when Jack came over so she could splash him!

Since we all enjoyed Chef Mickey's so much the night before, we ate there again. The only problem was it did not open until 6. We were done swimming by 4:30 and MingGe was hungry! Dad to the rescue again. As we started to melt down, Dad brought MingGe to the lounge for some chicken wings. She was a new person and saved but one wing for brother Jack. We had another great meal at Chef Mickey's including a birthday card and song from the staff to celebrate John's birthday. MingGe knows the words to Happy Birthday and continued to serenade the entire restaurant during dinner. Although there were some verses for John, there were many for MingGe. She was adorable.

We had to leave the hotel by 7:30 on Mon for our long trip back to the US, so it was early to bed for the Daley's on Sun night.

Our flight back was LOOOONG. The leg from Hong Kong to JFK was 15 hours and 9 minutes. MingGe was unbelievable. She slept, played, ate and was really better than anyone could expect. She was rewarded when we got to NYC with McDonalds chicken nuggets and fries. She was very happy and did not complain when we waited 2 hours and then got on another plane for Boston. Man, are we lucky.

She, John, Jack and I all talked and stayed awake the whole ride home from Boston (1.5 hours). When we arrived, MingGe and Jack ran from room to room. MingGe was very excited. She met the cats and was a little scared at first. She actually gave Gabby a little pat before the night was over. By tonight she was not crossing the room to the other side to pass, but she still did not want any of them sleeping on her bed!

Reality and being overtired hit at bedtime. MingGe was scared and was upset for about 15 minutes. Per her request, Jack slept with her and Baba comforted her until she fell asleep. We are so proud of our little girl and her big brother Jack. They really were amazing during our big adventure.

Coming up tomorrow, our first day in Kennebunk - Walshes, Walshes and Walshes!