Lunch! and other visits.

Dear Henny and Hazel, 
I have had a few dozen posts espousing my self loathing for not keeping my letters to you on a steady flow.  My excuse is LIFE IS BUSY with two little ones, Christmas coming up and mama finishing up a photography job.  I so miss taking the time to document our happenings big and small, as at 6 you have interest in looking back at what happened this time of year 2 years ago, or when you lost your first tooth, or you cut your hair.  I didn't even finish the Halloween post yet or after that your school play, Hen.  So here is a little update on the pre-holiday stuff so I can forgive myself and reform my negligent ways from here on. Especially important for me to include in our blog together are our visits with birth family. 

A few weeks ago things had settled down enough for J that we were able to make a trip over for lunch.  We chose the truck stop we originally met J at before you were born.  Due to T's long lunch into recess we broke him out of school to go with us.  We had a great big round table and being virtually the only people there we had great service and I ate the best eggs and french toast ever.  
As we finished up I gave you and T a buck and you both chose to spend it in the stuffed animal claw.  I could play it a million times and never win but soon after the two of you returned, bouncing weightless through the tables to show us the two animals you won.  Henry, you are a claw wiz and though they were ugly and cheep you held them like gold trophies, beaming that you won one for T.  J and I chatty while you all played together and Hazel and Josiah flirted and drank hot chocolate together.  We stopped by her sisters to drop off the senior picture I took of your birth cousin and say hi to Jmom.  You loved their pets.  Then, we took J and Josiah back to her place.  You whispered in my ear while getting out of the van to say good bye that you really wanted her to swing you around.  I told you to just ask her, she would love it if you did.  You blushed and so I asked for you and she jumped at the opportunity...spinning herself dizzy to please you, and continuing to a begging Hazel.  

I loved hearing your giggles mixing together as she tried to maintain your too long limbs from clunking on the ground.  It was a short but warm visit.  

Next was Hazel's turn with WW.  We went to the Independent Adoption Center's holiday party, seeing lots of friends and meeting up with WW and your bio sibling's family for a great hibachi dinner together.  Hen, Ryan and Hazel were so excited that you caught a piece of onion in your mouths the chef threw at you.  A week later and Hazy, you will still say out of the blue, "I caught it in my mouth!" 

We exchanged gifts and she loved the sweater you chose for her.  She is always the perfect gifter and bought the four kids the softest blankets in the world.  You were all in love and spent hours of the following day playing playdoh.  

The McKeons gave you a sweet little doctors kit, which you will soon find out Santa also bought you, but I think they will all fit nicely in the box.  Henry rushed to follow the directions to the mini lego kits.  Gifts aside, it was a relaxed and happy time together. I especially enjoyed your race offs on the sidewalk after dinner.  

So cute seeing your tiny legs attempting to keep up with the older kids with a big smile on your face.  Always looking forward to future visits.  I love you two, and love keeping our connections solid.
Love, Mama