Friday: Noche de Miedo
We had a night of scare with the oldest boys houses where us volunteers dressed up and made up a scavenger hunt. Throughout the scavenger hunt, the volunteers would jump out at them throughout the terreno where they eventually had to find a key in order to be the winning team. It was hysterical. Jumping out at older boys, hearing them scream like little girls, it was just really fun to be able do something fun for the older kids, because I think a lot of the time the activities are geared towards the younger kids, as a majority of the kids living at the home are around the same age. It was fun, creepy, and I even got a little scared.
Saturday:
Saturday gave me a run for my money. We had two visitor groups that came in and they both surprisingly ran smooth. One of the groups- Avriel was in charge of, and it was a group of high school students who came and played with the kids for a couple of hours. The kids were really great, enthusiastic, and jumped right in with the kids. After the groups left, the fun had just began. I had Proyecto Familiar with one of my kids, Esteban, and his brother, Luis, and sister, Sandra. Proyecto Familiar is where the volunteers take kids who have siblings and we spend time together, as a family. So, it was my turn to do with Esteban and his family. It was really fun. We made cinnamon apples (basically apple pie filling), they didn't like them. To American I suppose. Regardless, it was really fun. We took pictures, made jokes, and just really enjoyed our time away from all of the other kids. It was cool to see how Esteban looks up to his older siblings and to see the three of them in their family element.
After proyecto familiar, Esteban and I headed back to our house to start the Christmas season. We put up our Christmas decorations and it was SO fun. We have a little Christmas tree, decorations galore, and it is so red. We are all very excited. We made stockings. My boys didn't know what they were but I told them if you don't have a stocking and there's nothing extra for you on Christmas, it's not my fault. Immediately, everyone came over and we all started making them. Felt, glue, and GLITTER. everywhere. I hate glitter. so messy, sticks to everything, gets on your face and you can't get it off, just not my thing. but I love my boys, so I brought it out. After stockings, we showered, got ready for dinner, and to end the night, we watched Elf to start the Christmas season off right. They had never seen it and I have never heard them laugh so hard at a movie. They loved it. It was just a really fun day.
Sunday:
I am working with a new mall that was just built in the capital, Santo Domingo. We are doing a Christmas program with them and two of their workers came out to the home to take pictures of all of the kids to hang a little card of each one of them on a Christmas tree in the mall to promote the home and get presents for the kids. Getting pictures of the kids went a lot smoother than you would expect. Avriel and Kristen were rockstars that day! Literally right and left hands. Running from house to house, getting shoe sizes, Christmas wishes, getting he kids in line, it was just boom boom boom. When they left, I went back to my boys house to finish the decorating process and to just veg with them. It was just a really fun weekend and all happened within the blink of an eye.
After all of the discipline, ups & downs with the house, we really came together this weekend. Felt like a family. Felt comfortable, good environment, one where we supported one another, listened to one another and just were there for each other. We are a family. Each family has it's tough times, but we are coming together and I am so happy. They are my babies. They are my family. And I love them so much.
I am currently with my family in Chicago for a couple of days and then to Minnesota for Thanksgiving. I will give everyone a complete update within the week. But for now, time to cozy up and spend some time together.
Enjoy!
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