Cute Kid Friday: Lorelai

Lorelai, nearly 18 months, enjoying the playground.

In Praise of Adoption

NPR's Fresh Air recently featured Scott Simon, the host of NPR's Weekend Edition, discussing the adoptions of his two daughters and his new book, "Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other: In Praise of Adoption". Simon and his wife, Caroline, adopted both their daughters from China. For an excerpt from the book, photos and the full interview, click here.

Cute Kid Friday: Benjamin

Benjamin, 7 weeks, lets out a cute yawn in our office.

Lori Surmay Speaks at NCJFCJ Annual Conference

Attorney Lori Surmay in San Diego, California during the NCJFCJ Annual Conference.

On July 20, 2010, attorney Lori Surmay spoke to The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges during that group's annual conference in San Diego. NCJFCJ selected Lori and her co-presenter, attorney Ellen Yarrell, from Houston, Texas, from a long list of interested speakers. Both Lori and Ellen are Fellows in the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and Ellen is a past Academy President. They spoke to a group of approximately 50 attendees from all over the country including Ellen's and Lori's own stomping grounds - a judge from Houston and a Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. Ellen and Lori debunked many myths about the impact on children of being raised by same-gender couples, and informed the audience of the many studies and well-known medical, psychological and legal organizations which support same gender parenting. The presentation and discussion also included timely topics such as the movie, "The Kids Are Alright" - about lesbian parenting and a sperm donor, to France's recent recognition of a second parent adoption. Ellen and Lori answered many questions for attendees and were very well received.

Of note: the incoming NCHFCJ President is Judge Michael Key from LaGrange, Georgia. Click here to read an article and see more photos from the conference on the NCJFCJ website.

Cute Kid Friday: Will and Brooks

Will, 6, and Brooks, 3, enjoying time at the beach.

Turmoil for some Haitian Adoptions in the US

Apparently, the Haitian humanitarian parole program for orphans instituted after the earthquake has had some unanticipated consequences that point out the pitfalls of implementing such a program quickly and without many resources. Last week the New York Times ran an article about the chaos of US adoptions from Haiti, including lack of proper paperwork and even not having families to adopt children brought here under the humanitarian parole status. Read the full article here.

Cute Kid Friday - Landon

Landon, age 3 months, enjoying time at home.

Toy Party August 8

There is a great online toy store called Gifted Imaginations, a place for fun, festive, unique, imaginative toys and children's clothing.

They will be bringing some of the best toys for ALL ages on Sunday August 8, 2010 from 2 PM until 4:30 PM.

Location:
Lockhart-Keener House
2115 Carthage Rd.
Tucker, GA

Please come out and enjoy all the new toys! Kaloo, Haba, Melissa & Doug, Selecta, Educo/Hape and many more. Come learn why Plan Toys are so popular; they are fundamentally strong and primarily designed to enhance IQ and EQ development while thoroughly entertaining children.

Come eat some good food - drink a Toytini or two and see some of the latest greatest toys of the season. Feel free to bring a friend or two.