Saturday (aka Wilcox adventure day) is here again! Today we visited another garden in Suzhou. Doesn't it seem like we have visited quite a few already? I think that today's garden is hands down our favorite so far! The garden was comprised of paths going up rock steps to a hilltop, down more steps to caves. The guidebook called these "rockeries". There were rockeries all around a pond in the middle. We had so much fun exploring this one! The only downside of the day was the heat - 95 (not including the saturating humidity). In fact, I don't think that the temperature has been below 85 all week (even at night). And people keep telling us that August is the worst month! Honestly, I don't know how it can feel any hotter and more humid than this month, but we shall see. Anyway enough about the weather. . . .
The "rockeries" - these were the rock formations that were much like a maze of steps going up to ledges and down into caves and tunnels - so much fun to explore!
Andy and I were talking the other day about how our experience of living in China is going to shape our kids (I have much to say on this topic, hopefully I can blog about it in the future). Today, I saw ways that it will shape me as a parent. Going through this garden with my American mindset of safety, I have to balance between spotting for Tori (and sometimes Josh) and just letting them go. I realize that I need to let go of some of my ideas of safety. Before you all freak out (especially grandparents), I don't mean letting them do unsafe and crazy things, but instead educating our kiddos on how to be safe in China. I think that I am still finding the balance on this one. Then again maybe it isn't China that is changing my perspective, but Tori and her independent ways! I have said it since she started walking, but that girl is going to give me a heart attack! :-)
Look at that adventurous one go!
A rare Andy sighting - see he really is experiencing all this with us! Can you see how sweaty Josh is?
Looking up just before entering one of the cave-like formations
All the kiddos were excited to wear their new Olympic t-shirts
Just one example of the not-so-safe things. See the big drop? With the railings that anyone could fall through? I really personally enjoy the ones that have no railing at all. Invariably at these, Tori decides that she wants to do it "all by herself"!
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