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Lessons Learned with Kiddo

The countdown continues! Our overnight visit with Kiddo went very well.  She settled in to our house nicely, demonstrating natural curiosity about everything, and we had a great (almost) 24 hours with her.  No broken bones. No temper tantrums. No disasters. And I'm just talking about Roger and me.  

 We did learn some important things this weekend.  
Here are the top 5 tidbits we can share:
So, remember how we told you that Kiddo was 6? Yeah. About that.  Apparently, she's 7. While we were absorbing all of the other information about her, she had a birthday during the time between her initial referral and our first meetup. We completely blocked out the fat that she had turned a year older.  Oh well. 

Ice cubes in the bathtub are the best stress reliever ever.  In one of our earliest meetings with Kiddo, we shared with her that throwing ice cubes into a bathtub can be a great way to relieve anger (Thanks, Katya, for that Pro Tip!). It makes noise but doesn't do any damage or make any mess.  At one point during our visit, she said she was angry and asked to throw ice cubes in the tub.  We had a GREAT time.

Bass Pro Shops makes for great, free fun.  She noticed the store as we drove home to Ashland on Friday night and asked to visit so we went to "window shop" on Saturday and had a fun time looking at all the animals, riding the elevator, and ogling the fish.  

Everyone in the family loves to get their nails painted! Even Daddy!  

The longer we are with her, the better we feel about everything. Apparently the feeling is mutual as our conversations since Saturday have revolved around little else except our next weekend!  I love the way we are "easing back in" to parenting.  Hopefully she won't be too disappointed when real life revolves around school and work and not always the fun stuff.  
So this week is IT.  There have already been lots of phone calls, emails, appointments made, and logistics set preparing us for the week ahead.  The week to follow will include enrollment in school, doctor visits, and MORE. If you're looking for a way to help us celebrate, consider stopping by the Gathering For Good event at Capital Ale House on Thursday to benefit CJSTUF.  It might be our last chance at Happy Hour for a while.  Not sure if Kiddo and I will make it to the Team CJ festivities at the 10K on Saturday but we will do our best.  

Thanks again for all the love and support. We continue to feel the love and can't wait to share Kiddo with our community!
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