Chase and I are licensed foster parents...and we never know when we'll get a call to help a kiddo in need. Well we were called week last week, and we went to go pick up 2 brothers (school aged) who needed a place to sleep for 2 nights. Since Chase is still finishing up his PhD, we've only been taking respite and short term emergency placements. We'll call the boys Luke and Lando (from Star Wars of course..).
We got the boys on Wednesday night, and we promptly went home to inventory foods they like, make a grocery list, and head to good, ole wally-world for supplies. At Walmart, we told the boys they could each pick 1 small Lego set each - or 1 medium sized set to share. The boys promptly launched into a thorough examination and discussion of the pros and cons of each Lego set. After careful consideration, they chose a Star Wars themed set (9496 Desert Skiff) with multiple Lego characters (Luke and Lando included) and that tentacled creature (the Sarlacc) that almost eats Luke. While I'm fixing a basic dinner (fried kielbasa, wild rice, and peas), Chase and the boys assemble the legos. I think Chase was just going to sit with them, but the boys begged and begged for Chase to help. "You HAVE to HELP US!! There are SOOO many pieces!!" After the legos were assembled, and their craftmanship praised...we sat down for dinner. We usually eat at the dinner table, but since we only had the boys for 2 nights we made an exception and ate while watching TV. Although the boys (both less than 12 years old) begged to watch Chucky, we settled on Adam-12 (a police series from the 60s). I calmly explained to the boys that I get terrible nightmares from scary movies, and while staying in our house...they'll have to pick less scary movies or television shows (not to mention age-appropriate). After a couple of episodes, the boys brushed their teeth and changed into pajamas. Chase read them bedtime stories, while I sat in a chair in listened. The littlest one wanted 2 night lights and lamp on during the night, so the oldest trasferred his room's night light to his brother's room.
Here are some pictures the boys took while they were here:
Bert is wondering why we are making bright flashing lights near his cage.
We got the boys on Wednesday night, and we promptly went home to inventory foods they like, make a grocery list, and head to good, ole wally-world for supplies. At Walmart, we told the boys they could each pick 1 small Lego set each - or 1 medium sized set to share. The boys promptly launched into a thorough examination and discussion of the pros and cons of each Lego set. After careful consideration, they chose a Star Wars themed set (9496 Desert Skiff) with multiple Lego characters (Luke and Lando included) and that tentacled creature (the Sarlacc) that almost eats Luke. While I'm fixing a basic dinner (fried kielbasa, wild rice, and peas), Chase and the boys assemble the legos. I think Chase was just going to sit with them, but the boys begged and begged for Chase to help. "You HAVE to HELP US!! There are SOOO many pieces!!" After the legos were assembled, and their craftmanship praised...we sat down for dinner. We usually eat at the dinner table, but since we only had the boys for 2 nights we made an exception and ate while watching TV. Although the boys (both less than 12 years old) begged to watch Chucky, we settled on Adam-12 (a police series from the 60s). I calmly explained to the boys that I get terrible nightmares from scary movies, and while staying in our house...they'll have to pick less scary movies or television shows (not to mention age-appropriate). After a couple of episodes, the boys brushed their teeth and changed into pajamas. Chase read them bedtime stories, while I sat in a chair in listened. The littlest one wanted 2 night lights and lamp on during the night, so the oldest trasferred his room's night light to his brother's room.
Here are some pictures the boys took while they were here:
Bert is wondering why we are making bright flashing lights near his cage.
The boys adored Chase and wanted a picture of him.
The second night was actually our 4th anniversary, so we decided to eat out and headed to a local Mongolian BBQ restaurant. Let's just say we won't be taking most foster kids back. The kids didn't understand why they picked ingredients for a chef to cook for them...and they didn't think it was fun! We ended up taking them by McDonald's on the way home since dinner was a flop for them! Our plans of hiding fresh vegetables in stir-fry...well I'll have to figure out another way to get kids to eat vegetables! Once we got back to the house, Chase had to prepare chili for a potluck at his work. The youngest boy was so happy to help. I'd peek up from my computer to watch Chase and "Luke" cooking together. Since Chase works with a bunch of vegetarians, he made "Texas "Thai Tofu Chili" I bet Tofu was completely new experience for the boys. I read the boys "The Little Red Hen" as their bedtime story, and we tucked them in for the night. Both mornings they woke up and got ready without grumbling, and made their beds with me asking. They were such sweet gentlemen, and we just adored them. Chase met with their mom the following day to give them back.
We'll always remember them, and we'll always hope and pray that their lives will be blessed...that they will be safe, well-fed, and loved. Hopefully, they will never need us again.
Peace and Love, y'all!
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