2012 Is On The Books

The 2012 Celebrate Bulgaria Adoptive Families Reunion is on the books.  Everyone had a great time at Winton Woods Park this weekend and enjoyed connecting with other families.  We shared many great conversations, memorable moments, and delicious food.  The kids had fun playing with water balloons, visiting the splash park, going on a scavenger hunt, competing in Minute to Win It, doing crafts, riding bikes, playing soccer, writing in Cyrillic, dancing the horo, making smores, and so much more.

Yvonne and I would like to thank everyone for joining us.  We had families from 14 states and representatives of eight different birth countries.  We had families whose children are home, families in-between trips, and families waiting for their referrals.  We appreciate everyone's help in making the event run smoothly and everyone's patience as we work out the kinks.

A very special thanks goes out to our sponsors this year: Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc., Tree of Life Adoption Center, Hands Across the Water Adoption Agency, www.AdoptiveFamilyTravel.com, Golden Rule Travel, Skip's Bagel Deli, and McDonald's.  Their generosity permitted us to have some wonderful amenities this time around, like rented umbrella tables and chairs as well as delicious group breakfasts.

Information about the 2013 reunion will be published soon.  We have decided to keep the location here in Cincinnati at Winton Woods.  Please stay tuned for details and get ready for some new possibilities, like doing charitable work and going greener.

See you all in June 2013!

Last Midnight

Yvonne and I were stuffing welcome bags while everyone else was either asleep or watching The Princess Bride.

Weather's Looking Good

Check it out here:

http://www.wcpo.com/subindex/weather/forecast/7_day_forecast

Fingers crossed this forecast holds.

Where are we all arriving from...

Michigan
Ohio
Illinois
Indiana
Maryland
New York
Tennessee
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Kentucky
Nebraska
Wisconsin
Missouri

Potluck Dinner Sign Up

We are tying up all the strings this weekend!!  We will see you guys next weekend!!  Please read thru the list... and if you have not yet signed up for a dish, please do so over the weekend. 

Martini Family: hummus and pitas/pita chips and a cobbler

Van Roekel Family: fruit salad and soda

Hauter Family: mandarin orange lettuce salad & TBD
Delong Family-Hotdogs and Buns
Dolbier Family-Hamburgers
Haven Family- Veggies and Pasta Salad
Larsen family- Dessert and Appetizer
McCulle Family- Fudge and Toffee
Parks Family- Fruit Medley
Villemure Family- Shopska Salad
Stewart Family - Bean Salsa with chips & dessert

Boyd Family - Cakes & Chicken to grill
Collicot Family - Pasta salad and TBD
Brooks Family- Broccali Cassarole or Fruit Salad

Dunham Family- Calico Beans
Melody Family- Hot dogs, buns, soda
Perkins Family-Chips & Drinks
Santor Family- Wheat berry chili and Cookies
Korich Family - Hamburgers
Eplion Family-Hamburgers

Please bring a dish to pass, some ideas are salads, sides, desserts, fruit, something to grill, veggies, or try your hand at making an ethnic Balkan cuisine, etc.  Currently there are just over 120 people planning to attend. 
Please be conscious of nut allergies, yes we have children and adults joining us with these types of allergies. We ask that items made with any type of nut be labeled as such to ensure that we do not have any medical issues during the picnic.  It is most preferable to avoid nut products to ensure everyone has a safe and healthy weekend. **Remember to ask if things like chicken wings are friend in peanut oil and to double check with parents before giving children food or treats to ensure that kids won't get sick. 

Please e-mail Yvonne or Viviane (or leave a comment) if you would like to change your item or if you have not yet signed up for an item.  Remember that some cabins have fridges and stoves... we don't mind storing food or heating things up...just let those of us know that have cabins so we can plan.

Great News from Winton Woods

I just found out that Winton Woods Park now has two fully accessible playgrounds which our reunion families will be able to use while spending their free time.  It's just a short drive from the camping area to the Harbor Meadows region of the park where the playgrounds are located.  You can read more about the park's upgrade here:

http://www.greatparks.org/blog/index.php/2012/04/u-s-bank-volunteers-to-build-two-new-playgrounds-in-winton-woods/

Personally, I can't wait to see my kids enjoy these new amenities.

Last Call - Before & After Icebreaker

I am going to put together the before and after icebreaker poster board this weekend.  If you wish to have your Bulgarian child included, please email me a current photo and the referral picture at viviane 8 @ yahoo . com by Friday.  So far, only eight families have responded which makes the matching not very challenging.

See you in a few weeks,

Viviane