The Special Child Syndrome

Maddie is a blond.... Maddie is a blond with curly hair.... Maddie is a blond with curly hair AND blue eyes. What's the big deal we say? Maddie is growing up with Special Child Syndrome as her Grandma Barbara calls it. She's a STAR and people stop us on the sidewalk to take her picture. So then I take pictures of them taking pictures everywhere we go! Part of me is actually amazed that she doesn't get the same treatment when we go home for the summers, but I'm supposed to think that - I'm her mom!!

This morning we woke up to a beautiful Suzhou day and Maddie decided to walk around the city with us on a photography tour. We took a picture of the pagoda at the Ruiguang Ta right behind the Sheraton hotel. The pagoda of the auspicious light is what China is supposed to look like! When we are in Shanghai, you have to look far and wide to catch of glimpse of the non-capitalist, non-cosmopolitan China. Suzhou is close enough to us that we can head there for the weekend and see the history unfold right before your eyes. The Ruiguang Ta is over 2000 years old... now that's impressive! We took pictures of children playing in neighborhoods. We took pictures of the canals around Suzhou. We took pictures of the bicycle taxis. Maddie walked and walked and walked.... and rode on her father's shoulders for a really LONG time!

We made our way to the Garden of the Master of the Nets. The garden was originally laid out if the 12th century and was restored in the 18th century. We were there early enough so that it was quiet and we could get good photos. Maddie is into acoustic experiences though and has to stomp on all of the wood walkways and squeal a bit as she turns corners, pretending to see monsters. We kept trying to convince her that it was like a hotel, but we had very little luck! She's a Special Child and it is her job to be a peanut at any cost!