4 & 3

Today is Penny's birthday.  She's 4.

Today is the 19th of October.  They've been with us 3 months.

It's both a happy day and kind of a depressing day.  Luckily, the kids have no concept of time, so they don't realize how long it has been since they came to our house.  Tomorrow is the big party... pictures to come of that.  Visits were today, as normal.  Normal in every way... with the addition of cake and cupcakes, of course.  They still had the ridiculous amount of food (grapes, bananas, milk, vegetables, pretzels, fast food), but Dad brought them cupcakes and Mom brought a cake.  We're super excited for the end of the day sugar crash.

The gifts were... something.  Dad brought Penny something, but we don't know what, because he took it back to his house with him.  Mom brought her socks, some beanbags (which she asked for), two outfits, a coloring book, some sort of pencil/folder set that she's not really old enough for, a sun catcher making kit that she may be old enough for, and toothpaste.  Luckily for Leonard, he was also showered with gifts for his sister's birthday.  He got a shirt, a coloring book, a Thomas the Tank toy, socks, toothpaste, and a toothbrush... for ages 5-7.  So at least he can use the toothbrush in 2 1/2 years.

The longer that this goes on, the further out of touch with reality the parents seem.  Toothpaste for a birthday?  Come on... who does that?  Also the "we know you're two and (now) four, but here's some icing to eat at 11am" approach is questionable at best.  There are times that we wish they could go back home and be with their families and then there are times like this when we realize that they seem to be in much better hands with us.

*Edited for content:  Since writing this, I have been informed that the gift that their dad took home was a Dora height measuring thing.