April 13, 2010

A Celebration.

Monday was Zee’s 8th birthday.  It just broke my heart that in the midst of all of this change was his birthday.  Holidays and special occasions are hard enough for kids in foster care – but I knew the timing of this one would really take a toll on his little heart.

We wanted it to be special.  For him to know that we were really excited to be celebrating HIM.  That even though he misses his family, that we are there, and that we love him enough to make his birthday special.

Brian covertly figured out that the boys really like baseball.  They had not, however, ever been to a major league baseball game.  We can’t say much for our team here (really we are diehard St. Louis Cardinals fans.) but we picked up some tickets last minute.

When the boys figured out that we were going to a game they were so excited.  We got hotdogs and really had out the whole baseball game experience.

IMG_6198 We decided it wouldn’t hurt anything for us to cheer for the home team (they’re no threat to our Cardinals anyway…) but Zee decided that he wanted to cheer for the ‘Roston Bed Sox.’  I corrected him several times, but apparently those Boston guys like to wear socks to bed or somethin.

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Yes.  Jae also has assorted kU apparel. 

You’re killin’ me smalls!

 

IMG_6193 Sylvia also enjoyed the game.  But only while representing the Red Birds!

 

Yesterday, (on his actual birthday) we also wanted to do something special.  While the boys were at school {after spending 3 hours getting them enrolled.  ugh.}  I went and picked up the supplies.

I told Zee he could have ANYTHING he wanted for dinner.  ANYTHING.  What is your very favorite meal?  It’s your birthday, you can have it.

Folks, we had hotdogs and mac ‘n’ cheese.

But I said anything.  During dinner Zee dropped a few hints about wishing he had a birthday cake – which I purposely let roll right past.  After dinner I snuck and got the cake out of the other room, while Brian snuck and got his birthday presents.  When we came around the corner you should have seen his face!  He was so excited!

So we had cake and opened presents.  Brian took them straight to the park to try out the new soccer ball, and to run off said cake.  I think overall he really enjoyed his birthday.

 

Later that night there was a little bit of a breakdown.  Through tears Zee told Brian, ‘I just really miss my mom.’  All we can do is be there for him.  There’s nothing we can say that can fix his situation.  We just have to let him know that we love him.  And that we are so excited and blessed to celebrate him.

 

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13 comments:

  1. You guys are awesome!

    Can I have a birthday with you? :)

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  2. Love it! So glad the boys have you guys. Sounds like they had a great birthday amidst all the transition.

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  3. You are absolutely right - being there is all you can do! But you were there and then some - what a great birthday!

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  4. Oooh how fun!! Reminds me of the story of how you celebrated Cassandra's birthday when they first came :)

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  5. I love your heart for these kids! It blesses me everytime I read your blog!

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  6. I love your heart for these kids! It blesses me everytime I read your blog!

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  7. Thanks so much for sharing these stories and your thinking about the different situations. As someone who is just starting the foster care journey - this is very helpful. I greatly admire the love and calm that seems to surround your approach to these children.

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  8. Bless your heart for making his birthday so special!! That is so wonderful!

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  9. This made me cry. I am so glad they are with you .

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  10. I love foster birthdays! We made Simeon's a huge deal. They're hard times for the kids, but we try to give them something they may have never gotten before.

    Sounds like you guys made it a pretty awesome event!

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  11. Thank you Maggie for your suggestions! It really helps to get ideas from other foster parents. Right now we are licensed for one child and we'll see how it goes and will probably add more as we can handle it. I already have to crazy little ones!!! Thanks again for your advice. Hope you are well. So, glad to read your blog... I love it!

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  12. The Roston Bed Sox- Love It! I hope Zee always remembers the special day you planned for him.

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  13. What a sweet celebration that he will remember forever!

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Thanks for commenting!!

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