Making a video

Our agency suggested several months ago that we make a video of our daily life to send to Emmett.  At the time I dismissed the idea, as taking too much time/being too much work.  Well, the more I've talked to other parents who have adopted older children, the more i hear that a video was a great idea!  They reported that the kids watched it over and over again, and were familiar with everything on the video.  So, we decided to try it.  After borrowing a camera, figuring out how to run it, coordinating a time with Brian, Emmett's future teacher, the school prinicipal, and a Chinese student at our local boarding high school, it was accomplished.  We walked through our house, with the student (Jenny) explaining what each room was (including the bathroom, as it is very different over there), his bedroom, the front of the house, swingset, etc.  The girls each played a song on their instrument (we've been told Emmett likes music), and read a story to him.   They also played on the swingset and rode their bikes around near the house. Brian started mowing the lawn, so Emmett could see the tractor.  We also went to the school, and video'd walking to his classroom; meeting his teacher, exploring his classroom, the playground, etc.  His teacher was great, and went with us to the office to meet the prinicpal, the library where she read a story to Brianna and Linnea, the computer room, and outdoors to play a ball game she frequently plays with her class.  Jenny was along for all of it, explaining what was happening.  It was quite an event!  Brian downloaded all the video, and i edited and reorganized it, and added a written introduction.  Brian saved it to DVD, and it was sent to China 10 days ago!  I'm not sure if Emmett has it yet, but I sure hope so!  We also sent the three books that the girls read on the video, and a T shirt that we made with Emmett's photo and name on it.  We made matching ones for the rest of the family, and sent a photo of us wearing ours.  (Brian's says "Emmett Haixing's baba", mine says "mama", and the girls' say "jiejie", as that is older sister.   We intend to wear them again the day he joins our family.  I made an extra for him that we will bring along, as I'm sure his will be lost in the orphanage laundry before then.  Was quite a weekend getting it all organized, but I think it will really pay off when he comes!