On Saturday we went to an event called "Kids' Fest" hosted by Northwest Adoption Exchange (NWAE). It was an interesting experience.

So what is Kids' Fest exactly? It's an opportunity for prospective adoptive parents to meet children in the foster system. It's a party with a carnival-type atmosphere where the kids are running around, engaging in different activities and having fun. The adults are joining in the play and hanging out with the kids. There is no talk about foster care or adoption – it's all about fun and playful interaction. The point is just to meet and mingle with several kids who are waiting for adoption.

Bill and I interacted with several kids. We started by shooting hoops with a 9 & 10-year old brother and sister, then moved on to eating pizza with a 10-year old girl, frosting cookies with a 12-year old boy, and playing bongo drums with a 7-year old girl and her 10-year old sister. There were other kids we met along the way too.

It's a neat idea, but I have to admit it was weird at the same time. It was definitely cool to put some warm bodies to the faces we'd seen in the photo listings and to hang out with different kids. At the same time it felt very awkward – at least for the adults.

Here's the thing: we're surrounded by all these kids, all currently in foster care, all hoping for a home. The younger kiddos are just having fun but you know the older ones understand the purpose of the party. What do they think about that? How does that make them feel? The sad part is you know that Kids' Fest isn't going to result in a new family for every kid that was there.

Some of the kids we met were very open and engaging, but some of the kids were quite closed. You'd try to talk to them and interact but they had no interest in talking to you. I had to wonder, are they so jaded that they feel like there's no point? Have they already decided they're not going to "get picked"? Have they been so let down by the adults in their lives that they just can't trust anymore? It's heartbreaking to think about.

Sadly, foster kids have a bad rap. People tend to think they are riddled with problems, that they're "damaged goods". But when you think about it, aren't we all to some degree? These kids had a rough start, and yes, it's affected them. But as we hung out with these kids it was amazing to see their resilience. Even those that were a bit closed were still enjoying themselves and participating in the activities. Despite what they've been through they still knew how to have fun.

While we don't think any of the kids we met will end up being a match for us, Kids' Fest was worth going to. If nothing else Kid's Fest confirmed what we already knew in our hearts and minds: all of these children are still just "regular" kids. I just wish the rest of the world knew that.