Feliz Cumpleanos, Caroline!!

Our day was kicked off bright and early with Silas sick again, high fever, shortness of breath...but, he had to push himself, as we had our ICBF interview! The whole family has to go to this, and this is what begins our court process! Yes, we finally entered into the courts!! It was a long hot car ride to the other side of Bogota (as all 6 of us need to fit in the back seat of Johnny's taxi)...Silas was burning up on me, Papa had sweat dripping-due to his adventure out in the strong Bogota sun yesterday, Marta was a bit agitated, and Isabel and Caroline were singing(very loudly) and doing Spanish rhymes for all of us in the car...

Caroline and Isabel pretty much answered all the questions during our interview, Caroline telling the Defender of Minors how much she liked her new brother and sister, and Mama and Papa! They performed many songs and rhymes for the Defender...cute how they are teaching each other different Spanish rhymnes and songs! We survived...it took forever for our paperwork to be processed, as their copy machine was down, and they spelled John's name wrong...John and Silas were ready to pass out (Silas' fever spiked an all time high)...but, after an hour in a hot tiny room, we made it...all 6 of us, along with our Representative, Isabel...and the funny thing is, the Defender wondered when were coming back for #5 (so did Los Pisingos)...ok, totally not on the radar!!!

...When we returned to the hotel we had Dr. Clementcia take a look at Silas. Even at his worst, he still had energy to make conversation with the Senora! He is a good one!

At 4pm, it was time for Caroline's Fiesta! Boy, does the Paris love to party! Again, we were all spoiled with more fun, dancing, pinata, cake, gifts (from every family and worker at the hotel)...even Tia's Isabel and Carmen came for the special occassion! Caroline told us that she never had presents or a party on her birthday, so, it was rather overwhelming to watch our little one take it all in. She was a bit overwhelmed at first, too...but, once the regalos (gifts) were brought to her, she began having the time of her life!

Yes, Isabel enoyed the fiesta as much as anyone...more music...meant more dancing!!

The pinata a big hit with all the kids!

Even Silas came alive (for a few minutes) to join in this happy occassion!

All the children of the Paris participated! You can see they are all older...older means more difficult life circumstances experienced...it was so beautiful to see each one of these precious children, full of joy, celebrating together, with their new families, in Caroline's very first birthday celebration!! Happy 4th Birthday, Caroline!!