sore thumb

Phil's on the train back to Beijing. Last weekend the 2 of us went while Yali stayed home with Madeleine. Our goal was to find an apartment for our stay there this summer but we were unsuccessful. So, off Phil goes to try again. We're a bit better equipped this time knowing our housing budget and so something should work out today. He's got a full day of apartment looking, negotiating, and then making a deposit. I wish I could be there. We've spent all week looking at places online and I won't get to see any of them but the one he ultimately chooses. Poor me. Mom flew up yesterday morning. She'll hang out with us until Tuesday morning. It makes it so nice having her around. Madeleine is happy to have her here, too (even without Gramps :-) ). Mom thinks she's just the sweetest little girl - and although, she's right, I'm always glad when Madeleine is sweet to people. That's been a characteristic of hers lately. She says things like,