Intentional Fun.

Simeon and Etienne post NFL game!

     I call this past weekend "Intentional Fun" time.  Ryan took E and Blake to the Chiefs/Broncos game with friend Tony and his older boys, Simeon and Justice.  The moms, sisters and little brothers spent much needed time chatting, playing and shopping.  Ryan had high hopes of a winning Chiefs team and son's that were engaged in the game; doing the "Tomahawk Chop," and asking what "off sides" means.  Not so much.  2 minutes into the game, Etienne asked to leave and several meltdowns followed until the dads called it a day.  Ryan tried.
     The night before the game, we had a sleepover with all 8 of our kids together.  We let E start out sharing space with others, but he ended the night in the crib.  We tried.  

     The beauty of our families' friendship is that each of us has our counterpart that "gets it"(they adopted their younger from Ethiopia). Molly has their eldest daughter, Trinity, who shares the misery and patience of having 3 younger brothers.  Blake has Justice and Simeon, boys who know the pressure of having an adopted younger brother.  And I turn to Nicole to say talk RAD, swap nudity stories or just to cry.  I'm pretty sure the dads haven't cried to each other.        

     During our sleepover, Etienne had his layers of diapers and he ended up in the crib.  As you can see above, Simeon loves him anyway.  Sim is Etienne's friend despite his diapers, his tantrums and his attention seeking behavior.  The same is true for the rest of the gang too.  And I do mean gang.  They are some lovable, funny kiddos.  

     Ryan left the game feeling a little disappointed; just as I had the night before as I put my E in the crib.  It's the same feeling I get when I fasten his diaper layers.  A little bummed but with the hope that one day, he will get it.  Until than, we keep trying. 

PS  You should see the hostess when we say "8 kids, 4 adults, 2 high chairs, please."