Month 15
Hi Everyone.
We had an amazing holiday – we were so lucky with the weather – it was tropical!!! Rachel and Simon had the best time ever and absolutely loved the beach and sea. We were a little worried beforehand how they may be and if it would unsettle them but they coped so well and enjoyed every single day.
Julie and Darren and their little girl came too and our caravans were next to each other and the children played so well together. The second week we were on a site with water slides and rides and they all just loved these. To see their happy faces was an absolute joy. We have some fantastic photographs and are the real proud parents showing these off!!
Jeremy’s Dad and Step Mum came to stay for a few days too and they had a great time with Rachel and Simon. They bought them endless ice creams and drinks and also a new bucket and spade each. Not too sure who had the best time making sand castles – think it was Grandad!!
Daniel, Jeremy’s little boy came for the second week so we had three children to look after! They all got on so well and Daniel loved spending time with them. As he is little older it was good to see him taking charge and letting Rachel and Simon be the little children they should be. The sea air certainly made them all look better and they slept so well – in fact every day in the car on the way home from the various places we had visited, as soon as the engine was turned on they were all sound asleep!
The school holidays have flown by and it’s back to school tomorrow! We have been busy getting Simon’s school uniform and shoes and he looks so cute. I have a pack of tissues with me as I am bound to cry. He looks so grown up but so tiny. He is so ready for school and his improvement has astounded us all. Rachel has changed so much too and is a lot calmer and chilled out. They both love routines and we have to tell them daily what we are doing. They are so happy though and a joy to know.
We have had lots of fun in the holidays visiting friends and family and going out for the days. They went on a train the other day and loved that. They love learning new things, visiting new places and being outside too. They have also learnt to play together nicely now and act out with role plays. We do laugh as they say such funny things! One day Rachel was a doctor’s receptionist and Simon was the patient. She asked him ‘What’s your name and what’s your problem?!!!’
The picnic was great but Simon was a little poorly. It was nice to meet up with the staff and other adopters. How things have changed since last years picnic. Cannot believe that this time last year we still not had not been to panel!
I have been asked by Chris to give a talk in September to a new set of adopters on their first preparation group. I am really looking forward to that and hope to help some people who will no doubt have questions like we did at that stage.
The couple who came for tea were approved in July so that’s great news. We keep in touch with them and they are now looking for suitable children. We have also spoken to another of Chris’s couples who go to panel in October. They are coming to visit next weekend. We enjoy talking to people about our experiences as we know how difficult it can be. Also we feel it’s nice for the men to talk to each other and the same for the women to chat as we all have different feelings and concerns.
We have had another review meeting and that went really well. Simon had a professional photograph taken at nursery and we showed Sarah at the meeting and she just didn’t recognise him. They are all pleased with their progress and how we are coping so that’s really good news.
As we said Simon starts school tomorrow and has therefore finished nursery. They had a graduation evening the other week and all the children were dressed in cloaks and hats – they all looked so lovely and again the tissues had to come out!!
We wouldn’t say this part is easy – in fact it is hard work but its how you cope with it that helps. I have been struggling the past few weeks, possibly as it’s the school holidays and they need my constant attention and I have become very tired. I bottled it in which is so silly but finally I confessed all to a few friends and shared how I was feeling. They were all great and as we know it is very early days and I am not Wonder Woman! I found it hard to accept help but have talked to Chris and Sue about this and they have both been such a great support. As of course Jeremy has. It is different for him as he works and only sees the children in the evenings and weekends but he totally understands me and helps out so much.
He reached a milestone birthday last week and we had a big party to celebrate. Darren too reached the same age the day after so they had a joint party for all our friends and family. There were bouncy castles and a face painter and everyone had a great time.
Right, I must go now. We have a trip to the hairdressers today for school haircuts and then it’s off to a huge indoor play area for the last day of their holidays.
Next month we will update on how they have both settled back at school…
Clare and Jeremy
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