How Do You Calculate Postage for Love?

As I mentioned in the last post, one of the really exciting things about getting our pre-approval is that we can finally send Didi a care package.  This is something that's been rolling around in my head for months already.  What do you send a child who doesn't know you exist?  Why send something all the way to China when it clearly says "Made in China" on the label?  What can I send, knowing that it shouldn't really be anything of that much sentimental value because it probably won't come back home with him?  One thing that I have found out through this process is what I WAY over think everything!  

After lots of contemplation and a good deal of browsing online and in stores, I decided to include in our care package: A letter to Didi (which I'm sure he will read and comprehend thoroughly!), a letter of thanks to his nannies and caregivers, a kid-friendly photo album with pictures of us, labeled in English and in Mandarin.  An extra picture of Josh and me, which I hope his nannies will put near his bed, some cute socks because they were on sale... and who couldn't use cute socks?!  A Cookie Monster doll (Don't get me started on the search for the perfect appropriate toy. We'll just leave it at Cookie Monster), which I have a duplicate of here for him too.  My thinking was that, maybe, if he happens to actually bond with Cookie Monster, which I realize is a complete IF, but then it doesn't get sent with him when we come to pick him up, I can bring the extra Cookie Monster with me when we travel, and it will be familiar and comforting to him.  He could also very plausibly take one look at it and toss it across the room.  But it's worth a shot.  It was that or send him some tissue paper, bubble wrap, and empty paper towel rolls, all of which I'm sure would've been enjoyed greatly!

Finally, I included a pair of shorts and a T shirt, which I decorated with fabric markers.  I traced all our hand prints.  Since we can't hold him yet here, at least we can sort of send him a hug over there!

The back of the shirt says "We Love You, ______ Green!"

(You will all be informed of the name at a later time, once we've actually decided on it in its entirety.  We're only part of the way there.)

The girls wanted to make their own shirts too.  So, I told them to make one with a message for Didi, and we'd send him the pictures.

Gracie's says "HiDidiILoveYou," and if you include appropriate spacing between the words, it says "Hi, Didi, I love you!"

She drew dots like those which I put on Didi's shirt for decoration, and a turtle, because those are popular around these parts!

Annie lost interest very quickly and only drew a handful of dots.  Then she decided that it was more fun to just tell Mommy what to write and draw and which colors to use.

After the shirts were completed, she informed me "Mommy, Gracie's shirt is the biggest and mine is the turtle-est!"

We are hoping to see some pictures of Didi wearing the shirt someday!

In other news, we received another quilt piece!

This one is from the Sastre family.  Gia, Aris, and Ari have been friends of ours since High School (well... Ari wasn't around back then, but you get the point!)

Silly me forgot to actually take a picture of the message inside the card, but I'll put it up sometime!

Thanks, Sastres!