Birthday

Do you enjoy giving or receiving gifts at parties? I enjoy both, not sure which one I enjoy more...

We brought three 20x20x12 boxes of things for the kids. In two of these boxes were 15 winnie the pooh bears from toys R us. They are a bit larger (about 2' tall), we (or really Beth) got a really good deal!

Austin's birthday is today, he is 3. They celebrate the fall birthdays during this month so there were two birthdays, Austin's and another girl. We arrived early and brought the bears, a truck, bananas, oranges, apples, and sok (juice). We put two bears in the front of the class in a basket for the two children, the rest were hidden in a big sheet that was used as wrapping paper with a bow on top.

They came into the room to a train song, they were moving their arms like the arms of the locomotive moving in a circle. They all sat in their chairs, Austin was in the first (of course). They sang several more songs then presented the two with a plastic cake with candles on top. The intent was for both of the birthday kids to blow the candles out.

Austin blew them all out...

Then we presented Austin with the new machina (really that's car but it works for the truck) and bear. He was thrilled. We presented the little tivichka (girl) with the bear she was happy. Then the best part was when the entire package was opened and all the kids ran for the bears. In some cases the bears were longer than the children.

We returned to the group room where we ate our snack. I was able to video the room and the bedroom where he sleeps. It was great. We played with Austin in the music hall for about 15 minutes after the snack, then it was 10:25 (time to go outside). On come the 3 layers of clothing.

Beth took him outside while I signed a paper stating that we donated the bears to the kids. I went outside to find them walking, and Austin looking at some object on the ground. He is doing better about coming when called. Today Beth would give him a big hug when he returned.

Later he hauled of and hit another child with the truck he was carrying. The translator had left so I was left to discipline in a foreign language. Long story short we had a mini-meltdown.

Later that morning we took both boys for their passport photos. They both were very calm and watchful of what was going on. Austin especially liked riding in the machina.

Prayers are being answered. Our bonding seems to be improving and each boy shows a little progress each day of relating to us more and more. We saw that while Austin is independent he does feel. He is also very aggressive (for aggressive sake) and we need to help him with this.

Please continue to hold us in your prayers:
1. That another couple we know her would receive their court decree tomorrow (there is something strange going on and they are not being told the whole story).
2. They will continue to bond to us
3. We will be able to communicate with them (especially Austin)
4. That our process would continue to be smooth.

We love you guys.