Hard to say "Good Bye"

Oumi and Oupa left just after 6am to catch their flight back to South Africa. Mila was bawling last night in bed because she did not want them to go and got up early this morning so that (in her words...) she "could see them one more time before they went".

Today was a somewhat ordinary day, although I kept Mila home from school because she had a persistant cough and a sore throat. It was freezing cold and despite bundling up, I just could not get warm. This afternoon, after Mila and Liam had had a nap, we ran a big hot bath and all jumped in. The towels were hot out of the tumble dryer when we got out and we dressed again in layers. After dinner we went to the library. My goal was to pick up some books on cd and easy reader books to keep Mila occupied as she recoups. As we walked in, to my dismay and Mila's horror, they announced the library was closing. I decided to grab some books anyway... they were not going to get rid of me that easily when I had just bathed, dressed and fed 3 children in preparation for this outing (hahaha). So despite Mila's loud protests "They are going to lock us in the library, Mom. We are not aloud to get books now, Mom. We have to leave....etc" I managed to grab 2 books on Cd and a pile of Dr Seuss books that somehow my children have not yet read... AND I think most of them are books Mila can handle alone...

Julia followed my rebellious lead and also got a little collection of her own.

SUCCESS

I think my next trip to library may be at closing time too...

When we got home it was time to brush teeth and read stories (of course). Mila picked "Ten Apples up on Top" - and thoroughly enjoyed it. It brought back fond memories as this was a book I grew up with in the "white bookshelf". As she read it, it was so fun to watch her face as she was enthralled by the plot and the rhyming. Suddenly she is able to enjoy the story without focussing on each letter of each word! It is so fun to watch.

After reading Julia's picks it was time for prayers and Julia volunteered to go first.

"Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that Oumi and Oupa can stay with us"

Mila: They are not staying with us anymore, they went away today"

Me : "She means Thank you that they could stay with us"

Julia, sobbing with tears in her eyes "I don't want them to go ... Oumi...Oupa"

Mila, her eyes now welling too " Its ok Julia, we will see them again... and we can talk to them on Sunday.... We can just be happy that they could come. "

We finally made it through prayers and sleep came quickly for all ... because it is too cold to get out of bed;)