[szypzz]

Well another great weekend!! We picked the kids up at 11:30 on Sat. and then went to lunch with Grandma (my mom) and then the greatest part: we brought them home for their first overnight visit!!!

They did great in the car. The ride was awful, we got stuck at a closed freeway so back tracked and came home another way, so it took almost 3 hours to get home, but we made it. We had crayons, coloring books, reading books, and a few small toys in the car. We may be new to parenting, but we are not amateurs when it comes to babysitting. ;-) We sang "camp" songs. We tried to make the best of it and it went well.

When DD and DS got to the house they were ecstatic. They are very happy to each have their own room. They both loved all the hand-me-down toys from DH and my childhood's. We didn't have anything else planned for "entertainment" because we figured they would just be spending the whole time exploring the house.

We did have a few presents for them too. DD, the artist, got a sketch book, a travel whiteboard, Power Puff pencils and pens, and a Power Puff pencil bag set. DS, the boy on the go, got a take-apart dirt bike, 2 books, and a Lego set. They still seemed to like our old toys better though.

Even Alex (the grumpy old cat) was on good behavior this weekend. The kids were warned before hand about him and to let him come up to them, not to chase him and NEVER to pick him up. He let them pet him for awhile but if they got to loud or rough he hissed and they left him alone. So it looks like they will be getting along well. Of course the kids were so excited
about their rooms they didn't have all that much time to terrorize Alex. ;-)

We had to be back to their foster home by 2:00 on Sunday for their foster sister's graduation party, so it was sort of a short stay. But that was probably best for the whole "transitioning" process. We made it as "normal" a stay as possible. I was planning on cooking but, we ended up getting a pizza for dinner since we were so late getting to the house. They had showers at 8:00 and bed at 9:00 with bedtime stories and tucking in, of
course. They both slept well and neither woke up during the night.

We were up before the kids and downstairs deciding what to make for breakfast when DH said that he thought he heard the pitter-patter of little feet. He went upstairs and saw DS diving back into bed. (too cute...hehehehe) DH whispered to him, "DS, are you awake." and DS said yes from under all the covers. DH told him he could get up and he did. DD was still asleep and slept for about another 1/2 hour.

I made french toast and bacon for breakfast. We all went to church and they were introduced to some new people. We tried to get back in time for the kids to call Grandpa (DH's dad) and sing happy birthday before he left for church, but unfortunately we missed him, but he did have a very cute message waiting for him on the answering machine.

We only had a couple hours to kill until we had to leave for the party. We wrapped the present and wrote out a card. The kids played outside for a short time, but mostly they just explored their rooms. DD was moving things around "redecorating" already. DS just had toys everywhere! They were very good about cleaning their rooms before they left. DD made her
bed and DS and I made his. Although I get the feeling that bed making is something they usually do. ;-) But they are VERY neat with their toys. I know that their foster mom is strict about that.

It was weird to be at the party for me, but the kids had a great time. They went swimming and kept introducing us as their mom and dad. That part was great. Their foster worker was there to "observe" us with the children. (We still get to pick them up next week, so I guess it went well. ;o) )

The hardest part, as always was the leaving. DS did his little whining about not wanting us to go, but then we told him we'll pick him up from foster camp on Friday and all the fun he'll have etc. and he was better. (But I'm not convinced that he doesn't think that today is Friday...;-) ) DD was the one ready to have a melt down this week. She was getting herself all worked up and the camp thing wasn't working. She followed us to the car, but luckily DS was playing with one of the dogs and was fine. The good part is that she is older and we finally had to just tell her that we will miss her and that she was getting herself all upset and making it harder than it had to be. That we wanted her to have fun at camp and that we would be there to pick them up on Friday. She promised to "try" to have fun and finally said goodbye.

It took all I had not to just put them both in the car and head for home, but I think that might hurt our chances at the
adoption hearing. (just kidding)

This week will probably be harder on us then them. They are going to be having a great time at camp and we won't be able to make our nightly phone calls to them. It's the highlight of our days.

Well, that's it in a nut shell, so more fun and exciting details to come next week... Thanks to everyone for their kind words and encouragement!!