This is a weekend I look forward to every year! It is a time when friends from near and far gather together to spend a few special days together. This year was so fun to have additional families joining us. Even though most of do not live in the same state we all have a common bond and that is our children that we have adopted from India.
I so enjoyed seeing all the children playing together. This year several children had just recently arrived home (Asha, Ajay, and Tanaya). How fun it was for me to be able to hold Asha and Ajay again. It had been over a year since I had held them in India when we picked Alesha up. Ajay, was one of Alesha's cribmates for a short time in India. It was fun to see them together and get an updated picture of the two of them. It was amazing how much all the children had changed in just one years time.
On Friday, we spent some time at Washington Park playing in the sand and the play structures. In the evening we made our way out to Blue Lake Park for dinner and a time of playing in the water and sand. I loved looking down on the beach and seeing all these beautiful brown skinned children playing together. I am sure others at the park must have wondered what was going on. It was fun to talk about our journey to our children, our travels to India, the adjustments of expanding our families, etc. Conversation is easy when you have all traveled the same road :-).
On Saturday there was another park day and then we met at Lisa B's house for a bbq and a time of swimming in a huge pool. The water was refreshing for all the kids as it was a hot day! Again the pool was full of mostly little brown children squeeling with delight. As my friend, Julie, said it was strange to have to look more closely to find your child. Usually in a pool your brown beauty is easy to spot, but not this weekend :-)
Sunday, was the India Festival in downtown Portland. As you enter the square where the event is taking place your senses are bombarded with the sounds of Indian music, the smell of amazing food, and the sights of brilliant colored outfits flowing about as the dancers perform. The crowds were reminiscent of India as well as the high 90 degree day we were having. The festival is as close as you can get to being in India while remaining state side :-)
This year, Alesha had a very different reaction than last year. Last year, she had just gotten home and was still adjusting. I held her most of the time, but she seemed really comfortable with everything. This year, she seemed really overwhelmed. It could have been some exhaustion from the previous two days, but she was really clingy and felt really uncomfortable/unnerved. My friend, Heidi's little girl, who came home the same time as Alesha was having the same reaction.
After we met up with all our friends, we made our way to the food line to get some lunch. The food was delicious. Even though Indian food is Alesha's favorite, she really didn't want to eat. After lunch we made our way to the tent that was doing henna. I have never gotten henna and figured this was a great time to give it a try. Alesha, sat on my lap while I had my hand and arm done and then to my amazement she wanted some, too. As I held her hand in mine, the sweet young girl painted henna on my girl's tiny little hand. Alesha, just gazed up at her and then her hand and didn't move until it was all done. I was impressed! At a concert earlier this summer she cried when we tried to have a ladybug painted on her hand. It was fun to watch her over the next few days point to her hand and say henna, over and over again. Eventhough it has long faded, she will still point to her hand and say henna. It made a lasting impression!
As the heat was continuing to rise and the kids were melting down one by one, we all said our goodbyes. I so wish we all lived closer together. The memories and pictures from this year will have to hold me over until we meet again next year. I am thankful we have email, blogs and phones to keep in touch in the meantime. What a gift it is to have friends who share such a precious bond......this includes all of my other blogger friends, too :-)
Here is a link to the photos that my husband took on Saturday and Sunday. It is easier to share the link than to download each picture to post to blogger.
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=442788f05e137632&sc=photos&id=442788F05E137632%213204&sff=1
Already looking forward to next year!
I so enjoyed seeing all the children playing together. This year several children had just recently arrived home (Asha, Ajay, and Tanaya). How fun it was for me to be able to hold Asha and Ajay again. It had been over a year since I had held them in India when we picked Alesha up. Ajay, was one of Alesha's cribmates for a short time in India. It was fun to see them together and get an updated picture of the two of them. It was amazing how much all the children had changed in just one years time.
 |
| Ajay and Alesha (cribmates) |
On Saturday there was another park day and then we met at Lisa B's house for a bbq and a time of swimming in a huge pool. The water was refreshing for all the kids as it was a hot day! Again the pool was full of mostly little brown children squeeling with delight. As my friend, Julie, said it was strange to have to look more closely to find your child. Usually in a pool your brown beauty is easy to spot, but not this weekend :-)
 |
| Asha and Alesha playing in the sand |
This year, Alesha had a very different reaction than last year. Last year, she had just gotten home and was still adjusting. I held her most of the time, but she seemed really comfortable with everything. This year, she seemed really overwhelmed. It could have been some exhaustion from the previous two days, but she was really clingy and felt really uncomfortable/unnerved. My friend, Heidi's little girl, who came home the same time as Alesha was having the same reaction.
After we met up with all our friends, we made our way to the food line to get some lunch. The food was delicious. Even though Indian food is Alesha's favorite, she really didn't want to eat. After lunch we made our way to the tent that was doing henna. I have never gotten henna and figured this was a great time to give it a try. Alesha, sat on my lap while I had my hand and arm done and then to my amazement she wanted some, too. As I held her hand in mine, the sweet young girl painted henna on my girl's tiny little hand. Alesha, just gazed up at her and then her hand and didn't move until it was all done. I was impressed! At a concert earlier this summer she cried when we tried to have a ladybug painted on her hand. It was fun to watch her over the next few days point to her hand and say henna, over and over again. Eventhough it has long faded, she will still point to her hand and say henna. It made a lasting impression!
As the heat was continuing to rise and the kids were melting down one by one, we all said our goodbyes. I so wish we all lived closer together. The memories and pictures from this year will have to hold me over until we meet again next year. I am thankful we have email, blogs and phones to keep in touch in the meantime. What a gift it is to have friends who share such a precious bond......this includes all of my other blogger friends, too :-)
Here is a link to the photos that my husband took on Saturday and Sunday. It is easier to share the link than to download each picture to post to blogger.
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=442788f05e137632&sc=photos&id=442788F05E137632%213204&sff=1
Already looking forward to next year!
4 comments:
So jealous! I have loved seeing everyone's photos of the weekend -- it inspires me to be sure to go to Dillon's heritage camp next summer.
Nancy
What a fun weekend!!! :) I read this post, and think....someday....someday I will write posts like this...and it excites me. :)
LOVED seeing the pictures...I recognize most of the kids from blog world! :) So much fun that you can get together! Thanks for sharing!
Jenny
What a special time - making lasting memories together. I really hope that we will be able to make it one of these years! That is cute how Alesha was so enchanted by the henna.
Melanie
Post a Comment