Wallace's Wonderful Adventure: Field Trip Friday

We all took Cameron to school and then walked home. At 9:15 Mom, Ileana, and I went to the spa to get cupped. Mom was hoping it would help her back. Rachel and Michelle were there getting foot massages. Mom and I got cupped first. It felt different this time. It didn't hurt but it just felt tight. Mom wasn't sure about the whole thing but she hung in like a trooper. When they pulled the cups off they kept touching one on Moms back and saying "bad". They told her she needed to come back next week for a massage. Too bad she has to go back to America.

Me getting cupped.

Mom getting cupped.

Mom's circles.

We still had a lot of time so we decided to get foot massages. Mom had never had one before. They do your arms, legs, neck, and shoulders too. Mom about died when she saw my girl twist me like a pretzel. She said "they are not doing that to me". As I got done my phone rang. It was Cameron. He said "I'm standing at the gate waiting for you". I said "buddy, I told you I'd be there at 11:30 not 11". He said ok and bye and hung up. I tried to call him right back but he shut his phone off. I jumped in the van to go get Cameron while my Mom finished. I was bummed I didn't get to see what they did to her.

Mom sort of freaking out about the massage.

This was right after I was twisted like a pretzel.

I grabbed Cameron and went back home. Rachel took my Mom and Ileana home. Ileana paid for my Mom and I since I left so fast. I paid her back when she got home.

We all jumped in the van and drove to Tianjin. It was 12:00. We were going to the Botanical Garden...a field trip for Cameron. We pulled in the parking lot and there were kids EVERYWHERE with at least 100 buses. Every Chinese school must have been on a field trip to. Great.

Outside the Botanical Garden.

We bought our tickets and went in. Immediately a group of little girls were making eyes and giggling at Cameron. He was less than impressed and tried to pretend they weren't there. We quickly became a spectacle. We heard lots of "hello's". Luckily it wasn't too crowded. There were all kinds of brides and grooms getting pictures taken all over though. They had huge bags of accessories and different outfits. Todd would have never agreed to get our pictures like the Chinese do. It's crazy.

This is right after all the girls were looking at Cameron.

No striding Cameron.

These brides and grooms were cramping Cameron's fun.

All kinds of brides and grooms getting ready.

Todd and I should have gotten this picture taken.

We walked around the gardens. It was actually a nice place. A great way to kill an hour or so. Plus, Cameron came up with my Halloween costume and we bought what I needed. The theme is create your own super hero. You will have to wait and see what he came up with.

The waterfall.

Fake ducks in the water.

Cameron finally found his family.

On the walk way.

A wild elephant.

Finally got to walk across the bridge.

Love this kid.

No diving Cameron.

This sign was funny.

Here is the killer croc.

My family is hiding.

Ride 'em dino boy.

This shooting game was hilarious.

Cameron showing off his pink key chain he got
for the shooting game.

Dad in the jungle.

Cameron with all his friends.

Getting ready to leave the garden.

Back in the van. As we left the parking lot I realized the other building was Hila City. It's a big children's museum. This is where most of the kids from the buses were.

Safety first people.

Next stop was Florencia Village-the outlet mall. Dad grabbed Cameron a Subway sandwich while the 3 of us ran to the toy store. Cameron wanted the game of Risk so we figured since we were in Tianjin we better just stop and get it. We also bought a Jenga game. But in this one you use a gun type thing that shoots the block out. Looked interesting.

Florencia Village.

Back in the van and headed to TEDA. We arrived to pick up Todd at 4:20. But Dad and Cameron ran in to go to the bathroom. We were in a hurry. Cameron had soccer practice at 4:30.

Fall is upon us.

Mr. Xue got us to school at 4:40. Luckily the other soccer practice was just getting over. No one even noticed Cameron was late. Phew.

Mom and I were a little cold at the soccer practice.

Ran home at 5:50. Back out the door at 6:15. We walked across the street to Ashanti for dinner. We had steak which was really good. Todd, Dad, and Cameron also had seafood paella. Quite a few of our friends were there eating as well.

Ready for a good dinner.

The boys loved this.

Mom and Dad seem happy about their dinners.

Not the best family photo.

After dinner Anthony gave us free nanaima bars. We think because we didn't have mash potatoes because he ran out. They were delicious.

Back to the apartment. Mom and I sewed the bones on Cameron's pants for his costume. I had to buy pants at school today in order to get it done. Mom and Dad packed. Change of plans...this was their last night in TEDA instead of tomorrow night. I hate when they start to pack to go home. Off to bed.