Day 3

Today started very much like yesterday. Early wake up, putz around, and breakfast. We met Pink at 1 to head to Manny's foster home. His foster Uncle, Mr. Tong, walked him down to the MTR stop so we didn't have to walk all the way to his home. Manny was so excited to see us! He shared the little bag of toys and washrag (to blot the sweat off) as well as his octopus card and water bottle that he was carrying. No one goes anywhere without a sweat towel and water bottle I've noticed. We took 3 different trains to get to the Po Lung Keuk agency and home in the Causeway Bay area. Nick grabbed a couple photos of the busy trains. (Can you see my awful swollen fingers from the humidity? LOL My toes are just as bad!)

We got to the agency to sit for a bit before we went to the group home since we ended up arriving early. We met Pinks co-workers and enjoyed the air conditioning for a bit. We played a fun game that Manny was afraid to play. Nick made a video of them playing. Unfortunately, it ended up sideways so we'll have to wait until we get home for Nick to fix it.

The first place we visited was the nursery area. We saw all the little babies in the windows as some of Manny's caregivers from when he was around 2 got to say hello and good bye to him. He didn't remember them at all.

We then went to the place where he lived for 3 years. He remembered which bed was his and he vaguely remembered his caregivers in there. We spent quite a bit of time in there because there were a couple of friends that he remembered and he ended up wanting to play with the toys. Nick sang songs with the kids in the room and they had a great time. No one wanted to leave but Manny seemed to be getting uncomfortable. We think he was hurting his head trying so hard to remember all the people.

On our way out, he remembered the main kitchen in the building so we walked by it. He shared stories of some of the other places he used to go to including an informal-type temple where they would go to pray during holidays. Pink explained that it wasn't a formal temple but worked well for the kids.

We stopped by his kindergarten school on the ground floor and his teachers were thrilled to see him. They all were so caring and loving that I felt a lot better about the home. He may have only had 2 rooms but they were filled with light and laughter and the teachers were all so wonderful. Nick and Manny played for a while on the playground. Manny didn't want to stop playing. :)

We took the hot, humid walk back to the MTR stop which was in a mall. Once in the mall, we stopped so Manny could have a snack and we could all have some much needed water. We then got back on the MTR and headed back to Manny's home. We laughed and were all kinds of silly on the MTR on the way to Manny's stop. He loves having Nick carry him. It is such a treat for him. Once we got to the MTR stop, Pink said she'd walk Manny back up to his home so we wouldn't have to get off the MTR. Manny gave us such big hugs and he looked like he was going to cry. He wanted to come home with us right away and it hurt my heart to make him go back to his foster home. Just 1 more sleep until he can come home with us! My heart is so full right now. :)

Tomorrow we meet back at the MTR stop bright and early at 9:15 so we can go say good bye to his current teachers and school social worker. That is a lot of good byes for this little guy and I am a bit worried but he handled today so well that I am praying that tomorrow goes just as well.