Goodbye to Max and Berothie

Today we said goodbye to Max and Berothie after having them here for 4 1/2 months. I think it will be a bit strange not having a packed car everywhere we go and leaving church without a train of people. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time with these great kids.
They experienced their first snow, first spring season filled with crazy PA weather, first time mini-golfing/driving golf balls, first trip to Hershey Park (thanks to Jeff's parents...great Easter gift).
Berothie says the only bad memories she has is snow in her boot and the Storm Runner that Doug talked her into getting on at Hershey. It caused nightmares. Max enjoyed it all except for being limited on his screen time. We've had some good laughs over accents (both theirs and ours), culturally normal things for us and them (us-eating pancakes for breakfast, them-eating ketchup on everything).
Our kids have had a great time playing games, learning Kreyol, swimming, and learning each other's cultures a bit. Colton and Max began acting as brothers a while ago, but more so over the past few weeks. As boys do...picking at each other, competing with one another, and making up games.

I got a great kick out of the 3 teens getting into the car. No one ever wanted to sit in the middle seat. We would see one of them sort of hanging out in the garage a little longer thinking they were being inconspicuous. Occasionally we would witness Colton jumping in and locking the door so the others were forced to go the other side inevitably making another go to the middle. Today alone I saw 2 events unfold. The first was Max bending over tying a shoe for what seemed like 5 minutes until Colton finally just got in and slid over. The second one was the icing on the cake at the end of the day. I had taught Max and Berothie to use the word "shotgun" when there was only one adult traveling. All this time, it was never used, Colton always just sat up front. This time though rather than peacefully getting into the car or even using the word "shotgun", it was an all out pushing fight to get into the front seat. While the boys were distracted getting the other away from the door...out of nowhere...Berothie climbed in from the back and filled the spot leaving both boys stunned. Way to go B!
Thank you to all of you who welcomed them into our community and church family! I know they felt very comfortable here.

We'll miss you guys!!
Manmie Deb