Thursday, December 18 3 PM in Changsha

Yesterday morning we visited Martyr's Park which is a large memorial park built in the 50's. Part of it contains amusement park rides similar to those in Seattle Center. Ying Ying got to watch her dad drive a bumper car and a go-kart, and we were all able to be outside enjoying a walk and some sunshine.

Ying Ying seems to be opening up little more each day. At dinner she was playing with Craig and giggling. She said a few words, but since we don't speak Chinese, we have no idea what they were. She wakes from sleep quite slowly and is very serious, but she seems to perk up in the evening. Perhaps she is a night owl (which is fine with me!!) She has eaten anything we have fed her and seems to enjoy it all except for one thing - ice cream. We gave her a bite of strawberry ice cream after dinner, and the face she made was quite expressive. We're guessing she didn't like the cold temperature. She doesn't seem to like the children's play room in the hotel, but she has enjoyed playing with some toys in our room. She carries her stuffed elephant everywhere. She was described by the orphanage workers as active, busy, and sometimes naughty. We have not seen any of that yet, but she is very intent when she plays with her stacking/nesting cups and her puzzle.