[mum2two]

Well it has finally happened, my husband and I have a court date. Since we came back in January I have done nothing but drive me nuts with all of my worrying, but our agency called Friday and said the judge had set out date and that we were going to get our kids.

Everything is falling into place. We just finished up all three of their rooms this week. Our little guy's room has been done for awhile actually but it has only been within the last 3 weeks that we decided to give both the girls their own room. I have had so much fun painting and decorating. Our sons room is done in Nascar stuff (my husband is a fanatic, although i'm a closet fan) Our older little girls room is done in all sorts of bright rainbow colors and their are stars painted on the ceiling, it is so cool and then our little one has a fairy room.

Since we told our friends what we were doing their rooms in they give us stuff everyday.

Can you tell I'm getting really excited?!?! Any advice on how to help the kids deal with the plane rides, hotel rooms......I'm not so worried about when we get them back to Arizona as I am how we will all do during our 11 days in Russia. Anything anyone wants to share would be great.

Going back to Stavropol for our 3 wonderful kids on April 12th!!!

Taylor and Dan
(future parents to: Patrick Oleg (6), Abra Irina (5) and McKenna Svetlana (2)

[Kimberj71]

Oh my goodness! What awesome news for you!!!! You must be completely over the moon! And a nervous wreck all at once!

I don't have much advice, but I did want you to know that I wish you well and will be thinking and praying for you! I'm guessing snacks on the airplane and lots of little surprise packages wrapped up to open every so often and play with will fill some time on the plane. Maybe get them lots of exercise the day/night before you leave so they're tired for the trip home? I'll be they'll be so excited too, though!

Please be sure to come back and update us on how the trip goes. I love to hear homecoming stories!

Good luck and God bless!

Kim

[dlbmcgill]

Congratulations! I'm so excited for you! We're just starting the process to bring 2 home from Kaz. Having one toddler now the only thing I can suggest for the plane is snacks and some activity - small toys (that won't roll away under the seats ), books, juice boxes. Good luck and have a great trip!

[Kimberj71]

I was reading Guatemalan adoption email list about visiting toddlers/older kids and what to bring.

Someone said magna doodles are good. And I guess they make some that record sound that entertained the children for awhile. Also someone suggested beach balls...for the hotel room. They are easy to pack and you just inflate them there. I also read that bubbles (the no spill kind) are great fun and provide lots of bonding opportunities.

Good luck again!

Kim

[noifun]

The 2 oldest children might like Gameboys for the plane ride and Hotel room.

Are you staying with a Host Family?

The zoo in Stavropol is something to see also!

[GCS]

We came back from Russia with a 3 year old and a 5 month old in November. For the 3 year old we put together a little backpack with a pair of slippers (tigger - they were a big hit) some sticker books of planes and cars and animals, and some coloring books with crayons. We also had a few matchbox cars in the pockets and a small teddy with a USA sweater on. We hid the backpack in the closet until the day we left and did not give it to him until we were leaving for the airport. He was so cute and so proud carrying his own bag and it gave him hours of enjoyment. We didnt really pack any treats as we had 2 stop-overs and we figured it would give him something to do to "shop" for a treat at the different airports. The other thing we did is that even though we did not have a lot of bags to carry on - we checked almost everything. We got a baggage cart at each airport. He loved riding on it and I think it made it more of an adventure for him. The baby just hung out in her snuggly so she didnt really care.

Good luck! I'm so excited for you! 3 at once, how fun!

Christina