We lost our two boys...

Our two extra boys that is. SEVEN and LEO, went home to Shanghai, China and now it's too quiet around here. (Part of that was the Strep throat that Gideon, Isaac and I caught. It sent us to bed with fevers and body aches and knife-stabbing sore-throats. We are on antibiotics now and almost perfect again. I really hope Seven and Leo didn't catch it from us!) I sent my blog address to the parents in China and I hope they come visit my blog. It was a very fun experience getting to know their boys and learning more about their world. Our kids had so much fun and will remember and miss them forever. At least, until they come again next year! :)

Gideon had so much fun while they were here I think it may have altered him permanently! I would love to send him on an exchange, but I really need to teach him to clean up after himself more. Seven (the one in white) was the tidiest and most conscientious kid I have ever lived with. Took his plate to the sink, did what was asked, helped out without being asked, didn't yell and scream in the car. (Gideon managed to get Leo to do that) He was a pure joy to host as an exchange. So in an effort to make life easier for a potential host parent for Gideon someday, I'm gonna work on managing his living habits more! It was all around a really fun time for our family and we will remember it always.


Some of the highlights of their trip:

• The whole first week I was the only adult in the house as Dan was on the High Adventure activity, which was canoeing in the San Juan Islands.
• Finding a carpool family to take them to school every morning, (then I picked them up at night.)
• Isaac got a new nick-name.... Crazy-Baby. Not sure how that one happened.
• Leo lost a molar tooth, -normal baby tooth mind you, but how would you do? 12 years old, across the world from home, waking up in the middle of the night with blood pouring out of your mouth? Leo? He was non-chalant! Go-figure.
• Learning that in China when you loose a bottom tooth you put it in the highest place in the house, (an upper tooth goes to the lowest place). No toothfairy for them!
• Gideon went on one of their site seeing days. They went to tour the Boehms Chocolate Factory and Snoqualmie Falls that day.
• Gideon's 10th Birthday, complete with pool party, presents, cake and ice cream.
• Salmon BBQ at Lake Joy with canoes and paddle boats and lake side swimming!
• Finding out that... they don't actually like sandwiches, after I'd been making them for their lunches for 2 weeks. 8^0
• Gideon playing Age of Empires on one computer with the other boys playing on the other computer and all of them yelling back and forth how well or... pathetic they were doing.
• Watching the Olympic Opening Ceremony all together. 8-8-08

As I said it was a really great time for us all! We are greatful for the experience and the memories, for the fun and even the craziness.

Leo and Seven, we miss you and wish you well!!!

Keep growing and learning and come back someday!