In the meantime, we had a wonderful breakfast!
9 of the 11 Children Are Present
After breakfast, the boys played a game, the little ones all played, and Sharla and I sat gabbing again, filling in more spaces and learning more about each other. Talking shop on adoption.
We then packed up and headed to West Edmonton Mall.
There is One Child Missing in this Picture
Just imagine, next year, this group picture will have five more children in it, and there are only two families represented! Children *are* a blessing!! Yes, even when dealing with twos and teenagers! *grin*
Two Little Buddies Holding Hands
Everytime we turned around these two little guys (who are about 6 months apart in age) were holding hands. Such good little friends, so quickly.
These two were also chummy right away. It was very sweet to see their interaction.
Six Little Fish in a Whale's Mouth
We dropped the four bigger boys off at the Wave Pool and then split with the younger six. That was amusing as we had 2 - 3 year olds, 2 - five year olds, and 1 six year old, and 1 very tiny nine year old. So they all looked pretty similar in size!
The big kids were thrilled to be given the privilege of being left alone. Originally I was not going to do the Wave Pool, as it didn't cross my mind at leaving the big kids and I didn't want to take 3 younger children with me. So this worked out well.
We headed to buy tickets for Galaxy Land and the little six had a blast!
A Little Nervous of this Car
Now He Loves It!
Briton Just Inhaled His New York Fries.
The cutest thing was Gracie and Austin. At one point Sharla and I looked back at the kids to see that all the little ducks were following along. Austin looked at me with this coy look on his face. I saw that Gracie was holding his hand as they were walking along. It was so cute because Austin, as loving as he is, doesn't even really want to hold my hand in public. He is big you know! Nine years old!
The next thing we see is Austin has stopped and Gracie is hopping on his back. He then proceeds to walk through the mall with her. It was so cute! It was like - she the little girl wanted to hold bands; he the little boy was more comfortable hoisting her up on his back!! Too funny!
Later that night, when Sharla was putting Gracie to bed she said to her mum, words to the effect of, "I'm not sure if I should tell you this."
To which Sharla assured her she could tell her anything.
"I want to marry Austin." Sharla said she about melted when she said this.
Gracie then followed with, "Because he gave me bubble gum." At this point, Sharla hid a great big grin. How cute are little kids!
Back to the mall: About four hours after we had dropped the boys off, we went to the Wave Pool to try to find the boys. Unbelievably, we did, very quickly! We arranged with them that they could go get an icecream and we would go to one more store, before we took the little ones for their icecreams. Off they went. I am *sure* our boys were loving this independence. I figured they were hanging out with 'city savvy' kids. Sharla figured they had a fifteen year old along.
No problem right?
Wrong.
We head to the icecream stand where we are to meet the boys, but they aren't there. We scout around and walk in different directions and finally we see the two oldest boys. Where are the younger ones? Oh, they decided they wanted to get some candy. Oh?
Sharla and I are kind of like: WHAT WERE YOU BOYS THINKING???
We headed out looking for the boys and after a while, I am thinking 'lost boys' - where do we find in this mall? So big! She thens tells me that this mall is dangerous. A young girl was lured away last year, had terrible things done to her and then was brutally murdered.
Okay, so then we think - two eleven years olds who are NOT savvy! We stop, gather the children and pray!
We then head to the icerink. I go one way, Sharla goes another way, the older boys go a third way. I come around the ice rink and there they are! I immediatley say, Thank you, Lord! Wow, it could have been hours to find them!
So we head off to get icecream - for the younger ones - and then we head home! Big boys a little more somber. And younger ones duly chastised. Wake up call for kids and mums!
We drove home - Sharla told me how to get home, as she had to pick up someone. I told her I was useless with directions. She got home and I got there about twenty minutes after - I took the scenic route! LOL!!
The big boys watched a neat Christian espionage movie, the little ones bathed and went to bed, and Sharla and I sat up gabbing some more. We have lots in common: love of books, love of decent movies, teens, and love of little ones!
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