November 3rd...the last day as a big family

This morn. we ate breakfast and set up our tripod in different locations around the hotel grounds for a family picture.
And of course...after that...the POOL!
Diego and Yerly do really well swimming in the kiddie pool. Holding their breath and trying to swim. Not sure where they learned. The did not have a pool at the orphanage they have been at for the last year.

After mac and cheese for lunch in the room, (so thankful for a kitchen) we went on a little trip to Puebecita Paisa about 20 minutes from our hotel. Not without car sickness though. Poor Diego. They must not have traveled much with the orphanage. He gets soooo sick. Its the worst case of motionsickness I have seen...but yet he is rough and tough and can wrestle at the hotel.

Anyways...Pueblecito Paisa is a replica of a typical colombian village. Cobblestone centro,fountain, church, little souvenir shops and openair cafes make it just a quaint little spot. It sits on top of a hill with another amazing view of Medellin.


We found a Colombian dress for Yerly to bring home to wear now for dress up and to save for when she is older. Diego picked a Colombian hat and Guiro which is a metal instrument.


We went back to the hotel and had an amazing dinner. The hotel restaurant is called...El Fogon of the stone. Not sure what Fogon is...will find that out. You can choose from a variety of hot stone dishes. You are given a paper bag bib. We laughed the first night we saw them but were glad to have them tonight. We were each served a big platter with all our meat, conidments and salsas. In the middle there is a hot stone to cook the food. It is like fondue, but without the oil. Very cool experience. Diego and Yerly ate their regular meals but loved blowing the steam off of our stones and Diego had to re-cook his hotdog on my stone. Our last meal as a family...until we GO HOME!!

Yerly had her melt down tonight. Not sure what triggered it, but she just sobbed and sobbed. In our training for adopting older children, they said it is normal. We thought it would happen later on though. I can't imagine how traumatic it must be for those little minds. Entering a family after living in an institution, not knowing what they are saying sometimes, eating funny foods they like(like pizza),being afraid to go to new places and riding in a car. Lots of changes for little people.

We are so thankful for the smiles, the sweet hugs and kisses.... the hearts of these babies.