Last update from Poland

Saturday, we walked around Old Town. I like it.

During WWII, many of the buildings were destroyed. They have a display with pre-war pictures, pictures taken during/after the war, and you can compare it to the buildings today. They tried to rebuild Old Town as much as possible. I wanted to read more about it, but the kids were ready to move on.

We saw one of Frederic Chopin's homes, the Royal Castle, lots of monuments, and we found a park with great fountains.

We also ate at a good Polish restaurant for lunch. Then we took a horse-drawn carriage tour.

We walked home and by the end, David was complaining that his feet hurt. AND we ran the last two blocks in a torrential downpour.

Sunday, we had a late breakfast as E. Wedel's. They are well known for their hot chocolate. I must say, it was fabulous, especially the white hot chocolate. Then we went to a great park (Park Lazienka) which was absolutely beautiful and peaceful. We listened to a Frederic Chopin piano concert.

Then we fed carp, pigeons, and tried to feed the peacocks, but they weren't interested. We walked around more and then we bought gofry (a waffle with fruit and cream on it). Then we went to Old Town for a little bit before we came home.

Monday, we had our embassy interview. It was super easy. We filled out some paperwork, then waited for an hour or so to meet with the official. She was from Naperville! It took just a few minutes.

On our way back to the car, we stopped at a pastry shop and had babeczka, delicious shortbread filled with yellow curd-like stuff.

I wanted the kids to have something special from Poland, so we stopped at a Polish pottery store. I am not sure David will appreciate a Polish pottery bowl, but maybe his wife will someday!

Tuesday, we went to Old Town again. We went to the Fountain Park again. The kids got thoroughly drenched in the fountains. They kept saying, "That was super duper!" So I am glad that we let them do it. We ate bigos again. I have to figure out how to make that at home.

Then, we went to the US embassy and picked up the kids' visas. Oh, and I ate another babeczka.

Step 1 - get passport/visa pictures taken of kids. DONE!

Step 2 - pick up the official court decree on May 31 May 29. Kids will be entered into the passport system. DONE!

Step 3 - pick up passports on June 3 May 31. Travel to Warsaw. DONE!

Step 4 - Medical appointments (scheduled for 3 pm on May 31). DONE!
Step 5 - Embassy interview (10 am June 3). DONE!

Step 6 - pick up Visas (3 pm on June 4). DONE!

AND TADA!

Step 7 - Fly home! JUNE 5!!!!!!!!!
 (tickets are for June 7, but if we can go earlier, don't have to pay too much to switch, have a direct flight, and can get seats close together, we might. We'll definitely have to see on that one).

I don't know if/when I will update the blog again. But I want to thank you for following along on our journey. It was challenging and beautiful and painful and joyful and bittersweet and an adventure.

We are thankful to have our two lovely children, and we are thankful to be coming home.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.