Do I bring a gift?

As most of you know, Kira already has almost everything a five-year-old could want. Our house is overflowing with dolls, stuffed animals, kitchen sets, and tons of tiny, tiny things.

Someday we'll have a "no gifts" party but we'll wait until it's Kira's idea and not ours. So, in respect for our sleek new great room and an overflowing pink bedroom, here's a list of small-in-size gift ideas:

• A donation to Half the Sky Foundation, or a charity of your choice.
• Art supplies, washable markers, scotch tape, and paper.
• Sticker, stickers, and more stickers.
• Doll clothes for Barbie, Ken, and Polly Pocket.
• Books, movies, or games (see Kira's Amazon Wish List).
• Car toys (small, entertaining things to play with while traveling).

For those of you who want to bring just cards, I salute you!

Posted by Verna

What if it rains?

The party is on – rain or shine! There is an indoor party room as well as a kids club house for us to play in. And as you know, a little rain in the morning doesn't always mean that it rains all day. If it's raining, bring boots, raincoats, umbrellas, and a change of clothes.

If it's pouring (and has been for days), we'll move the party to our house and try to come to the farm another weekend. We'll post details on this blog if there's any change of plans.

Posted by Verna

Old McDebbie had a farm

Posted by Verna

Half the Sky Foundation

The time they spend in the institution, many months at least and often many years, has a tremendous impact on orphaned children’s long term development.

For the children who will never be adopted, Half the Sky programs are the closest thing they will ever receive to the love and support of a birth family.  Orphanage caregivers are too often over-worked and under-trained.  Too often, there is no one else to provide the children with the developmental opportunities (and love!) that every child needs and deserves.

Thousands of children are now enrolled in Half the Sky’s five programs that provide love and hope for children living in China’s orphanages.

One of our favorite programs is The Baby Sisters Infant Nurture Program, where Half the Sky employs, trains and supervises local women to work as full-time nannies, providing orphaned babies the stimulation, bonding, and affection that are essential to a healthy start.

Corl and I have sponsored a baby in this program every year since 2006, the year our dossier was logged in China. We loved the program and never thought about it on a personal level other than what wonderful work they did. Much to our surprise, we found out that Kira was one of their babies and had been loved and nurtured by some very special nannies. We believe that this played in big part in how easily she came to love us and how quickly we all bonded.

Here's a picture of Kira with her special nanny:

Posted by Verna

Directions to the party

1. Head south on I-405
2. Take exit 2A to merge onto WA-167 S toward Kent/Auburn
3. Take the exit onto WA-512 W toward WA-161 S/Puyallup/Olympia
4. Take the exit toward Eatonville
5. Turn left onto 31st Ave SW
6. Continue straight onto WA-161 S/Meridian Ave E
7. Turn right onto 224th St E
8. Turn left onto 70th Ave E
9. Turn right onto 260th St E/Benston Kapowsin Rd
10. Turn left onto WA-7 S/Rice Kandle Rd
11. Take the 1st left onto 268th St E, farm will be on the right.

Posted by Verna