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good news

So it seems that Madeleine has stopped sucking her thumb. Last night was the 1st night we forgot to put the bitter on her thumb but it looked like she had fallen asleep without her thumb in her mouth. She had been reminding us to paint on the bitter if we forgot.

Lily no longer uses a pacifier. That was SO much easier than the thumb sucking. The big draw back has been that Lily doesn't like afternoon naps anymore. It started as soon as she didn't have her pacifier. So everyday we have this battle to get her to nap. Sometimes we win and sometimes she does. At night she has no problem sleeping.

Yesterday the 4 of us went shopping at Decathlon and IKEA. We needed some winter clothes for the girls because we're going to Kangding next week for 4 days. It's in the mountains. Phil will drive. It takes about 7 hrs to drive there but may take us longer with potty breaks and other stops along the way. Kangding has a strong Tibetan influence. It looks beautiful. We're staying at a hostel that also looks really nice. We've heard lots of good things about it.

We got new plates at IKEA and coffee. We also ate supper there. It's so great having both these stores in our city. It was so fun getting new plates. Phil and I are really careful about buying things we need rather than just want. Of course, we buy things we just want sometimes but at IKEA it takes major self-control to only buy what you need! I'd love a shopping spree there. But we really needed new plates and at IKEA there most basic plates are 2.90 RMB (.43 cents). Crazy.

October 1st is China's National Day. It's a big holiday here so most folks have up to 7 days off. The office is closed all next week. That's why we have our trip next week and lots and lots of time to all be together. Makes me happy.

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