Adoption / Sisters Forever Celebration - any ideas?

[Kim in PA]

I am not sure where the most appropriate place for this question is, but I guess Disney for Families seems about right.

I am looking for some ideas for a special celebration.

Our youngest daughter came home from S. Korea in June 2002, and our Disney trip is scheduled for June this year. I know that the Disney recognizes birthdays and anniversaries, but is there anything we can do to celebrate the anniversary of our youngest daughter's arrival?

For many years we celebrated our twins' adoption from China with a Forever Family Day celebration dinner at a Chinese restaurant, but since Ashley came home she had so many medical problems and attachment issues, we never did this for her.

For those who don't know us, we are Kim & Greg and we have been blessed with three children through international adoption. Kaitlyn & Jessica are 12 year old identical twins from China, and Ashley is 7 years old and was born in S. Korea. Ashley has a number of special needs including spina bifida (she walks without assistance) PDD-NOS (autism spectrum disorder), ADHD, reactive attachment disorder (much improved) neurogenic bladder, and failure to thrive. She also had Nissan fundiplication surgery for GERD last June and has a Mickey button.

I feel like since we finally have most of the medical issues resolved, and Ashley is in a great classroom (Verbal Behavior Autistic Support with regular Kindergarten) and she is making progress, it is time to celebrate as a family.

Ashley adores her sisters, but they often do not want to include her in their activities partly because they are twins, and partly because they think she is a baby because she has behavior issues related to her PDD-NOS, and still wears diapers due to the SB.

I am thinking I would like to recognize all three girls (not just Ashley) with an anniversary celebration of when they all became sisters. Something that would make them all feel good about being together, instead of something just for her that might make the older girls jealous.

Does anyone have any ideas of what we can do? What do people usually do for birthdays and anniversaries? Would their be any kind of button that would be appropriate for this type of celebration?

I am thinking we may want to do something during the Ohana breakfast, because Lilo and Stitch was the first movie we all saw together after Ashley came home, and because there are so many references to adoption throughout the movie including:

"Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten."
"This is my family. I found it all on my own. It's little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good."

I don't know if a cake would work because we are eating breakfast here then going right to a park

Thank you for your help!

 

[livndisney]

I LOVE the Ohana idea. Perhaps you could all have matching tees made as well? There are some great ideas on the creative board here. (Simple iron ons) I would call the manager at Ohana and explain the story-tell them you want to do something special for your girls. They should be very helpful.

As far as buttons, Disney does have an "anniversary" one but I think it has a bride and groom. You could go to a craft store and make your own. When I was waiting to travel, I bought a snap together button and put my DD's picture in it. I think Micheals has a set of 3 for $5.00.

My DD is from China (Home June 2005) and we celebrate important days at Disney.

 

[Aliceacc]

How about a diver &/or personalized menus at the Coral Reef?

But I've got to admit, I like the 'Ohana idea better.

How about something to do with the Tigger Movie (my favorite adoption movie!!!)-- I wonder if there's a way to get Tigger to sign a copy and "drop it off" at your resort??

My oldest is also adopted from Korea, and we celebrate Brian's Gotcha Day each January 12.

 

[TheDizMom]

I think the Ohana idea is good. I also like the Tigger Movie thing and you could maybe tie that in with Crystal Palace and take a copy of the DVD with you and have Tigger sign it when he comes to your table. Either way I agree you should contact the restaurant you choose and tell them what you are trying to do and I am sure they would go out of their way to help you celebrate.

I would also talk to the front desk at your hotel and ask them what they could do for you. They do special things for birthdays if you ask so why not for this. You could also ask them if there is a different kind of anniversary pin, or maybe you could find something in the pins people like to trade that would work for them to wear. Do you have a store in your local area that personalizes T-shirts? Perhaps you could have something made up for them at home that says something about being sisters for 6 years and counting.

Disney is definitely the place to be when celebrating any kind of special event. Have fun!

 

[TheDizMom]

I just thought of something else. You could still do a cake and have it delivered to your room in the evening. We did this for DD's birthday and it worked well. It came later so people were interested in actually eating it. You can call the GF bakery and they'll make something special for you and just ask them to deliver it and when. I do recommend however that when you arrive you call them and make sure they have your order and it's all set in case there is a snafu somewhere. I did this and it was a good thing because it took them 30 minutes to locate my order. It had been filed incorrectly.

 

[Kim in PA]

You guys are awesome! Thank you so much for the great ideas! We will definately say something at our hotel - POR and also before our Ohana breakfast, and then see if we can get a cake delivered to our room. I'm not sure if they deliver between resorts.

I also like the Tigger idea - I forgot about Tigger! I love that song Your Heart Will Lead you Home. We are having breakfast at the Crystal Palace on our MK day.

The other adoption related movie I just thought of is Tarzan. I love the scene where young Tarzan and his gorilla mom are comparing how their hands are both different and yet the same. The Phil Collins song is wonderful for adoption too, especially for children who were a little older when they came home.

Come stop your crying it will be all right
Just take my hand and hold it tight
I will protect you from all around you
I will be here don't you cry.

For one so small, you seem so strong
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm
This bond between us can't be broken
I will be here don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart always
Always

Why can't they understand the way we feel?
They just don't trust what they can't explain.
Although we're different, deep inside us,
We're not that diff'rent at all.

And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

I love the T-shirt suggestions too! I have to look for the boards for ideas. I am sure we can make our own buttons somewhere.

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Aliceacc]

That's one of my all time favorites as well, even without the adoption connection.

 

[livndisney]

You guys are awesome! Thank you so much for the great ideas! We will definately say something at our hotel - POR and also before our Ohana breakfast, and then see if we can get a cake delivered to our room. I'm not sure if they deliver between resorts.

I also like the Tigger idea - I forgot about Tigger! I love that song Your Heart Will Lead you Home. We are having breakfast at the Crystal Palace on our MK day.

The other adoption related movie I just thought of is Tarzan. I love the scene where young Tarzan and his gorilla mom are comparing how their hands are both different and yet the same. The Phil Collins song is wonderful for adoption too, especially for children who were a little older when they came home.

Come stop your crying it will be all right
Just take my hand and hold it tight
I will protect you from all around you
I will be here don't you cry.

For one so small, you seem so strong
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm
This bond between us can't be broken
I will be here don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart always
Always

Why can't they understand the way we feel?
They just don't trust what they can't explain.
Although we're different, deep inside us,
We're not that diff'rent at all.

And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

I love the T-shirt suggestions too! I have to look for the boards for ideas. I am sure we can make our own buttons somewhere.

Thank you so much for your help!

Oh my word, I can't tell you the number of times I listened to this song (tears streaming down my face) WAITING for my DD to come home.

 

[Omma]

Congratulations on your wonderful forever family! We have three wonderful kiddos all born in S. Korea. We celebrate their "Gotcha Day" every year. If we go to a restaurant we just tell them we are celebrating and if they ask who's bday it is we just tell them it is Gotcha Day (w/ a really quick explanation). Our kids have ALWAYS gotten wonderful attention, desserts brought out, even sang to! At Chuck E. Cheese they even give them a crown to wear, balloons, etc.

I would definitely let your resort, restaurants, etc. know you are celebrating. Congratulations to all of you! Have a great trip!

 

[momamy]

how about maybe taking them to bippity boppity boutique together? have all the girls done at the same time and do a "fashion shoot" with them all together?

A friend of mine did this with her 2 girls and made them choose the style for the other girl! there still talking about it a year later!

 

[DVCJEN]

We will be celebrating our DS's very first "family day" at WDW this August. He too came home to us from Korea.

I think matching T-shirts would be great-- zazzle.com has some great options for making your own.

We are also celebrating our "family day" at Ohana(dinner). We have made arraingments for a cake.

We are also making a special "family ceremony" of our own design. We are going to go to the wishing well next to the castle in MK and "make a wish" for our family for the next year and also say something that we are thankful for and take a picture. ( We are the sentimetal sort)

 

[TheDizMom]

how about maybe taking them to bippity boppity boutique together? have all the girls done at the same time and do a "fashion shoot" with them all together?

A friend of mine did this with her 2 girls and made them choose the style for the other girl! there still talking about it a year later!

That is a great idea . I love the picking the style for the other girl because it means they have to really think about their sister and what THEY would like.

 

[MinnieHear]

I am loving all of these ideas! Thank you so much for bringing this topic up!
We too have two children who were adopted from S.Korea and we are headed to Disney to celebrate their shared Gotcha day (they came home on the same day 3 years apart!) 19 days and counting!

I too was wondering what we could do to make it extra special for them, especially since we are currently waiting on a referral of our next precious Korean prince/princess, and this will be the last vacation as a family of 4!

We have ressie's at Crystal palace and Narcoosee's (to watch wishes from) on their special day. I think I'll call the resturant to see what they can do!

Thanks again!

 

[Kim in PA]

Thank you all for your wonderful ideas!

I did try to talk the older girls into BBB, but they said they are too old for that. My DH will take them on a ride that Ashley is not tall enough for when I take Ashley to BBB.

They said they would like to have matching T shirts.

So nice to "meet" all of you!

 

[camdensmom]

I think the Tshirts are a great idea.

The girls on the DISsigns board are all so sweet and talented. I'm sure one of them would whip something up for you in no time. Maybe something that reads, "Ohana means family. Celebrating our anniversary of becoming a family of 5"

You could do some nice portraits at the GF. I think it's a great deal as it is only 25.00 more than the regular photopass CD. It would be great to document them at this age.

Maybe you could pick up some matching jewelry for all three girls from one of the gift shops.

 

[livndisney]

Thank you all for your wonderful ideas!

I did try to talk the older girls into BBB, but they said they are too old for that. My DH will take them on a ride that Ashley is not tall enough for when I take Ashley to BBB.

They said they would like to have matching T shirts.

So nice to "meet" all of you!

Have you considered the Barber shop on Main Street? They could all get matching "glitter" ponytails?

How about asking to be in the Family Fun parade?

 

[Kim in PA]

Has anyone ever done the Grand Floridian photo shoot? What is the Family Fun Parade?

Thank you!

 

[livndisney]

The Family Fun Parade is a parade they have a few times a day right down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. My DD LOVES it!!!! Ask a CM in front of the castle they can tell you where they are choosing people to be in it. It is a wonderful Family activity.

 

[wendylovesdisney]

Adoption!