As it turns out, Burger King doesn't have ice cream cones (who knew?), so they ended up with milkshakes (T & H) and apple pies (S & H). They all played great (a miracle... Sam and Hallie have been picking at each other all day. Brian and I had to remind ourselves that this is all very strange and stressful for them, too.)
When they got back, we decided to experience our regular "Pizza and Movie Night" a day early, with T & H. We watched "Meet the Robinsons" on my laptop (though the speakers are so quiet, it was difficult), and ordered in pizza from Pizza Hut. Knowing our family could eat close to 2 pizzas before the new addition, and hearing that T has on occasion eaten a whole large sausage pizza by himself, we ordered a total of 3 larges. The whole crew ate about the equivalent of ONE large. I'm still contemplating what to do with the rest, considering the distance and the drive tomorrow. I just hate to waste it!
When we took T & H home, I gave them each a big envelope of stickers to decorate their moving boxes. These are children who have been through countless moves, evictions, staying with various relatives, they need something to make THIS move special and different. I hope the stickers help with that a little. We also have personalized backpacks for them (for their most special things) that we'll leave with them tomorrow, and they can bring on the day they move in. We'll be taking as many of their boxes ahead of time as we can, so moving day is about them joining our family, not about the boxes. We'll also settle in a lot of their toys and belongings, so they can get a visual sense that they belong in our home.
When we got back to the hotel, we got swimsuits on and headed down to the hotel pool. It was a great way to unwind, have fun and just be together. (The thought of 2 parents with 5 non-swimmers was too daunting, as much as T & H wanted to swim with us, but the 3 kids did great.) The children are all asleep and Brian and I are decompressing from the long but good day.
Seriously, these children seem to be the cream of the crop among older children available for adoption. We are counting ourselves so blessed.
Thanks for sharing your journey Hilary! And I love that you thought to leave stickers and you had personalized backpacks made. LOVE IT!!!
Posted by: Chantel M | 06/25/2009 at 10:28 PM
I knew Burger King did not have ice cream our first Pajama Ride we all got really thick shakes and all you could hear was sucking hard through the straws!
I am glad things are going well and can't wait to welcome the new additions!
Posted by: Carolynn Slocum | 06/25/2009 at 11:27 PM
What an exciting weekend! God is truly covering this with his blessings. I am also amazed that you thought of things like stickers and backpacks to make moving special.
I'm so very happy for you all!
Posted by: Syndi | 06/26/2009 at 09:29 AM
I am so excited for you guys! And those kids are so so blessed to be able to join your family- you are such amazing parents and I can already see how much you love them!
Posted by: andi | 06/28/2009 at 11:41 PM