[J.Ro]

We did a tri-fold brochure for the sw to show the kids initially. Then just prior to our visit she presented them with our photo album. It started with pictures of us doing different things, then pictures of all the animals (we have a bunch), pictures of the farm, extended family, my class, and just a few friends. Behind each picture we put a piece of colored construction paper and with gel pens wrote simple explanations of what they were looking at. It was a full size album, and we left about half the pages blank for it to be added to. One album for both kids.

Our kids (11 and 12) loved the album. We sent along 2 disposable cameras so they could take pictures to add to it of their friends and foster family. They definitely wanted to keep it. They did show family and friends, but fortunately, they had no nasty peer pressure as a previous poster mentioned. When we visited we took the cameras, developed the film, and added in their photos. They have it now to look at until they arrive next Tuesday. They had lots of questions about the pictures and the people. And when they meet extended family, the faces will not be so unfamiliar. We also made some digital movies that we sent on disc of our town, schools, and house...and us. They were out of state so it was a way for them to see us walking and talking before we arrived.

Hope this helps and best wishes! Our kids are awesome and I wouldn't do adoption any other way.