Month 11
When you are reading this we will be in Hong Kong!!
Well it's all happening now and is getting mighty real!!!
Since we were told about the decision last month at the selection panel we have had quite a few telephone conversations with Sarah and Chris. Lots of information to take in and lots of forms to fill in. Chris and Sarah had a meeting here last week as our house is pretty much half way for them to travel. I left them to it as they had so much to discuss between them to get ready for the matching panel in February.
We have got lots of decorating to do when we get back from holiday. We have ordered a new bathroom suite and both spare bedrooms will need decorating for the children.
Yesterday we had a great day and we met Sarah and visited the children's Foster Carer Jill, and the school as planned. It was strange being in their house and not being able to meet the children but Jill was lovely and was really open about the children. She told us their likes and dislikes for food and toys etc and advised what colours and themes we should use for their bedrooms. She had been given a school photo of the little girl and we were shown this and couldn't believe how beautiful she was!! We were able to order some photos to have when they move in with us and we ordered lots for all our family and friends. Sarah also gave us a little photo album of the children taken at Jill's. This was such a nice gesture and we really appreciated it.
The school was absolutely amazing and the teachers were great. The school has a nurture class which is attended by the older child and again we were shown some photos and they told us how much she has improved since attending the school but also told us how much work she still needs to have. As the children didn't have the usual loving upbringing when they were tiny they will need to play with much younger toys for their ages and will need lots of work involving colours, shapes and numbers etc. The teachers made us laugh with some lovely stories about her and said what an absolutely joy she is. They asked us and Sarah if it would be possible for them to know how she is doing when she is settled as they love her so much and will miss her. They then started crying! I too started to cry and Jeremy had to console us all - one man and all those female hormones - poor Jeremy!!!
We have an appointment when we come back from holiday at a local school and we are hoping this is going to be as good as where she is now. Sarah and Chris have both told their Education contacts in their agencies of our needs and requirements of both children and they will help us secure a place if needed.
We have to make up an album each for the children - just a small one that they can carry around and these will have photos of us, the house, the cars and the rooms in our house. We will also be buying them a toy each and taking the photos with the toys in, and giving the toys to them when we meet them for the first time. This is an idea given to us by Sarah and works very well.
We also have to make a video of us introducing ourselves and of the house to the children. I can only imagine the laughs and re-takes we have to do for this!!
There has been another meeting regarding the Dinner Dance and this is hopefully going to be in June next year - will keep you advised.
Clare and Jeremy
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