Adam has had a loose tooth for a while, and the other night while he was sleeping, he banged his face (somehow?) on the bed. That woke him up, and he apparently decided to see if he could pull that tooth out. Mission accomplished. I was mighty bummed that I didn't get to video The Event, but he's proud of it regardless. I just wanted his first lost tooth in America to be a bit more memorable. *sigh*
Speaking of Adam, I have to say, he's really a nice kid. He has a heart of gold. He is a hard worker, and really takes pride in a job well-done. He works really hard on his school-work, and even will ask me if he could work longer (over a break period in the day), so he can be done sooner. I don't even have to stay watching over his shoulder. He just does it. And I'm floored. (This has NOT always been the case with this guy, trust me!)
After a meal he still thanks me for making his food, rinses his dishes, and it is not uncommon our Adam to volunteer to wash dishes before we draft him/anyone. Gives lots of hugs and kisses. Loves his sisters. No temper tantrums. Pretty much, he's becoming a really great kid.
But, his silliness is hard on the nerves sometimes. He often reminds me of Tigger. While Tigger bounces everywhere he goes, Adam will do that too, as well as squeak, squeal, get in your face, invade body space, etc. While people don't always appreciate that, and I'm afraid it has cost him some friends, but this is who he is right now, and he can't seem to change the habit. I'm looking forward to him growing out it a bit... which, thankfully, he is. It's a million times worse when he's overstimulated though. Oy.
Adam's sentences are getting better and better all the time, but he is still months behind his sisters. Just in the last few months though, we've seen major improvements, and since we have seen such good development there, John and I think that a lot of the trouble with his speech is that he's lazy. If we say, "Can you say that better?" He usually can. I'd say 90% of the time, he can. He just doesn't always bother. It just usually takes too long, so he'll grunt, point, and slur, leave out words, do sound effects, etc. All of that is getting less and less all the time (we were QUITE impressed with his repretoire of sound effects when he first came home from UA. We don't hear nearly as many anymore.) He also has a stutter and a hard time with his "r's." This guy has so much going against him for his speech. Age, gender, brain development/structure, and probably biggest I'd say, is the trauma he has endured in his life. (The doctors/therapists disagree, but if it were all mechanical, I don't think we'd see the progress we've seen this summer. We'll see.)
Liana came up with another funny word today. "Mama, feel my heart, it's beeping!" That's one of my new favorites, along with her "shaking" tooth, and "buzzing" (sleeping) feet. It has been really fun to hear how the world can be interpreted by these kiddos. They all three are still having trouble with certain word orders in their sentences, ("Why he does that?") and they still don't know all their irregular verbs yet. We still hear things like, "I throwed the ball.." etc.
Aleksa is still Aleksa. She's always flying under the radar. Liana tramples all over the radar screen, and Adam bounces across it. Leks is a different creature. The other two, if they are naughty, you KNOW about it immediatly. Aleksa is harder to figure out. She's our happy-go-lucky one. She's just thrilled to BE. She is thankful, full of hugs and kisses. Loves to snuggle and cuddle, and touch and tickle, and giggle, and she loooooves her tummy blubbered. I wish there was a way to bottle up her laugh, because it can NEVER fail to make me smile. If Aleksa is laughing, then I'm smiling. And I've never seen anyone else fail to do so either. Her happiness is contagious, and her smile brightens every room. When I tuck her in at night, she cups my face in her hands (palms pressed to my cheeks) and then she'll slide across my cheeks and smoothe my hair. All the while she'll jabber on about "what she liked today."
Life at my house is exhausting, but we're a happy bunch! (Anyone want to volunteer to come and do laundry for me though?) ;O)
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Sunday, September 18, 2005
13 Months Home
Last year around this time, I remember how determined our kids were about not wasting food. I made apple pies on Columbus Day last year, and not a single scrap of apple peels or core, (or stems!) went unconsumed. Just the other day I smiled to myself when I noticed Adam peeling his apple before he ate it. He "doesn't like the peels now," he said. He's come a long way. Food was such a friend of his for so long. And, I guess it still is to a point. He will still ask for seconds and thirds until we say "no" sometimes. But, his apple peel left on his plate said a lot to me about how he's done this year.
Last year this time, we were trying to teach Adam his numbers and how to count, and even how old he was. It took ForEver to even teach him how to do a simple dot-to-dot. Now we know that this has to do with the way his brain was formed, and that math will probably alwayss be extra-difficult for him, but even so, he is now not only knowing how old he is (!), but can do dot-to-dots to whatever number we pick, can count, and is memorizing math facts. They come hard for him, but I'm so glad someone directed us to Math-U-See. He understood and could say his "+9" math facts after just a few days with that curriculum. I sure wish I had had it when I was in school! It teaches the "why" of math better than I have ever heard. "A 9 always wants to become a 10, so it will suck one away from that number 7. See how the whole in the top of a 9 looks like the end of a vacuum nozzle? It uses it to suck up, or steal from the number it is being added to. Then, look what you have. You have a 10 and a 6. What number is that?" All the while, it uses blocks (very hard to explain here), but you can SEE the math happen, which is what Adam needs. If we had sat him down with flashcards and insisted that he memorize them, there is Absolutely No Way he could have done it. Now, instead of using the blocks, Adam can just visualize what is actually happening with the math, and he can understand it better. Such a blessing to find this curriculum. So, so relieved.
Speaking of homeschooling, we had a trip to the library and afterwards the park the other day, and while we were there, a lady was there with her toddler. She was SPEAKING RUSSIAN to her kiddo! Our kids followed this lady around the park like she was their long-lost best friend. She was from Russia, and I was *sooooo happy* to find out that when she spoke Russian to my kids, that they could actually still understand her! They responded in English, (which she understood too, thankfully!), but it was very interesting to know that the kids' Russian is still floating around in their brains somewhere. It was also interesting that the kids didn't avoid her like the plague. I've heard of so many other kiddos who, once home, would actually walk away from Russian/Ukrainian speakers they met, and really want nothing to do with them. The part of me that truly grieved when they began to lose their Russian was absolutely elated to see that it was still in their heads somewhere.
Anyway, this lady said she would try to make it to the park once a week to speak to our kiddos in Russian. *happy, happy Shelly* So glad for this opportunity for the kids. Hope the weather stays nice for a while!
Aleksa has been going to town with her learning too. She had been in a fog for a long time when she came home last year. I mean, a FOG. I really wondered what her future was going to look like. Well, she's really caught up. Knows her colors, her shapes, and most of her letters (by sight), all of her sounds. She can count up a storm, and loves to do so. I've noticed her attention span for stories with few pictures go up really well too. Last year she would sit through a few paragraphs and then climb down and want to play with her dollies. She'll sit through (and comprehend) them now. Loves to be read to, and always has, but the types of books she's ready for are changing.
Liana is doing great in school. She overhears me teaching Adam something, and pretty-much, it is hers. She's gained a lot of confidence in reading over the summer, and she's really flying. She's also not-so-patiently awaiting the loss of her first upper tooth. She even tried to tie dental-floss around it and slam it in the door. It wasn't ready, and the knot wasn't tight enough, so, her tooth is still in her head.
Last year this time, we were trying to teach Adam his numbers and how to count, and even how old he was. It took ForEver to even teach him how to do a simple dot-to-dot. Now we know that this has to do with the way his brain was formed, and that math will probably alwayss be extra-difficult for him, but even so, he is now not only knowing how old he is (!), but can do dot-to-dots to whatever number we pick, can count, and is memorizing math facts. They come hard for him, but I'm so glad someone directed us to Math-U-See. He understood and could say his "+9" math facts after just a few days with that curriculum. I sure wish I had had it when I was in school! It teaches the "why" of math better than I have ever heard. "A 9 always wants to become a 10, so it will suck one away from that number 7. See how the whole in the top of a 9 looks like the end of a vacuum nozzle? It uses it to suck up, or steal from the number it is being added to. Then, look what you have. You have a 10 and a 6. What number is that?" All the while, it uses blocks (very hard to explain here), but you can SEE the math happen, which is what Adam needs. If we had sat him down with flashcards and insisted that he memorize them, there is Absolutely No Way he could have done it. Now, instead of using the blocks, Adam can just visualize what is actually happening with the math, and he can understand it better. Such a blessing to find this curriculum. So, so relieved.
Speaking of homeschooling, we had a trip to the library and afterwards the park the other day, and while we were there, a lady was there with her toddler. She was SPEAKING RUSSIAN to her kiddo! Our kids followed this lady around the park like she was their long-lost best friend. She was from Russia, and I was *sooooo happy* to find out that when she spoke Russian to my kids, that they could actually still understand her! They responded in English, (which she understood too, thankfully!), but it was very interesting to know that the kids' Russian is still floating around in their brains somewhere. It was also interesting that the kids didn't avoid her like the plague. I've heard of so many other kiddos who, once home, would actually walk away from Russian/Ukrainian speakers they met, and really want nothing to do with them. The part of me that truly grieved when they began to lose their Russian was absolutely elated to see that it was still in their heads somewhere.
Anyway, this lady said she would try to make it to the park once a week to speak to our kiddos in Russian. *happy, happy Shelly* So glad for this opportunity for the kids. Hope the weather stays nice for a while!
Aleksa has been going to town with her learning too. She had been in a fog for a long time when she came home last year. I mean, a FOG. I really wondered what her future was going to look like. Well, she's really caught up. Knows her colors, her shapes, and most of her letters (by sight), all of her sounds. She can count up a storm, and loves to do so. I've noticed her attention span for stories with few pictures go up really well too. Last year she would sit through a few paragraphs and then climb down and want to play with her dollies. She'll sit through (and comprehend) them now. Loves to be read to, and always has, but the types of books she's ready for are changing.
Liana is doing great in school. She overhears me teaching Adam something, and pretty-much, it is hers. She's gained a lot of confidence in reading over the summer, and she's really flying. She's also not-so-patiently awaiting the loss of her first upper tooth. She even tried to tie dental-floss around it and slam it in the door. It wasn't ready, and the knot wasn't tight enough, so, her tooth is still in her head.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Hubba-Bubba Head
Liana is lucky to be alive today.
This afternoon while the girls were playing, Aleksa's gum accidentally fell out of her mouth and landed in Liana's hair. It didn't stick, but we had a fun conversation recalling Adam's run-in with the gum last fall and how we had to put peanut butter in his hair to get it out.
Well, about ten minutes later, Liana announces from the next room that she had bubble-gum in her hair and needed peanut butter. She put it in there ON PURPOSE because she thought it would be fun to put some peanut butter in her hair like we did with Adam. (Did you catch the words, "ON PURPOSE?" She even GIGGLED about having done it!) I Coulda Killed Her.
Mama was NOT a happy girl. I slathered the peanut butter (and of course, we only had chunky and not creamy), in her hair, and then told her to sit there at the table until the timer went off. Mama needed a time-out before she strangled the girl. Of course, that isn't what I told her. I told her the peanut butter needed to soak in for that long. So, I holed-up in my room trying to chill out before having to go out and deal with the mess she made of her hair. It, of course, was a giant wad stuck toward the top of her hair (couldn't have been the bottom, right, and it couldn't have been a Chicklet, right?)
Anyway, after I came out, I got out the video camera and handed it to Adam. I figured I needed proof that I didn't kill her, and to document this wonderful occasion. I wound up having to cut it out... the peanut butter failed her. Liana wailed the entire time.
So, then tonight Mom Fisher calls. I say, "Grandma, do you want to hear what Liana did today?" and then I handed the phone over. Liana gets on the phone, explains the whole thing, and THEN she tells my mil, "And then, when I told Mama what I did, Mama said, 'Liana, get your butt in here!' so, I got my butt in there."
That's when I asked for the phone back. LOL!
Oy. We're all either minus a few hairs or plus a few frayed nerves, but thankfully, everyone can now laugh about it. It took a while though! ;O)
This afternoon while the girls were playing, Aleksa's gum accidentally fell out of her mouth and landed in Liana's hair. It didn't stick, but we had a fun conversation recalling Adam's run-in with the gum last fall and how we had to put peanut butter in his hair to get it out.
Well, about ten minutes later, Liana announces from the next room that she had bubble-gum in her hair and needed peanut butter. She put it in there ON PURPOSE because she thought it would be fun to put some peanut butter in her hair like we did with Adam. (Did you catch the words, "ON PURPOSE?" She even GIGGLED about having done it!) I Coulda Killed Her.
Mama was NOT a happy girl. I slathered the peanut butter (and of course, we only had chunky and not creamy), in her hair, and then told her to sit there at the table until the timer went off. Mama needed a time-out before she strangled the girl. Of course, that isn't what I told her. I told her the peanut butter needed to soak in for that long. So, I holed-up in my room trying to chill out before having to go out and deal with the mess she made of her hair. It, of course, was a giant wad stuck toward the top of her hair (couldn't have been the bottom, right, and it couldn't have been a Chicklet, right?)
Anyway, after I came out, I got out the video camera and handed it to Adam. I figured I needed proof that I didn't kill her, and to document this wonderful occasion. I wound up having to cut it out... the peanut butter failed her. Liana wailed the entire time.
So, then tonight Mom Fisher calls. I say, "Grandma, do you want to hear what Liana did today?" and then I handed the phone over. Liana gets on the phone, explains the whole thing, and THEN she tells my mil, "And then, when I told Mama what I did, Mama said, 'Liana, get your butt in here!' so, I got my butt in there."
That's when I asked for the phone back. LOL!
Oy. We're all either minus a few hairs or plus a few frayed nerves, but thankfully, everyone can now laugh about it. It took a while though! ;O)
Thursday, September 08, 2005
School Days
What a week. We started up our full schedule of school this week (not just the 3R's as we had done most of this summer). Our overall theme for the year is "Intro to World History" so we've already jumped into learning about how people in different parts of the world eat, dress, live, look, celebrate, believe, etc. Today we made pinatas after reading about Mexican fiestas. (We just need the candy to fill it, and then we're set for a fun time this weekend!) I also made Indian saris for the girls to play around in, plus a sarong for Adam (that lasted all of about 15 seconds and then he wanted *nothing* to do with that!) Tomorrow or this weekend we're going to make an Indian drink called "lassi." Anyone heard of it? It's a yogurt drink. Sounds like something our three will love, so I'm anxious to try it.
Our science this week has been learning alllll about water. Ice, fog, steam, etc., and we even conducted a couple experiments. (What am I saying? Adam has been conducting water experiments ever since he came home from Ukraine!)
Aleksa has been in Cutting and Pasting and Stapling heaven! She made an elephant mask yesterday that she played around with all day - and she couldn't wait to scare Papa when he got home. Thankfully, Papa gave her a good scream when he came home, which sent her into a giggle-frenzy. She's just adorable. *contented sigh*
I've been going to bed bone-dog-tired, but feeling good that the school routine is back in swing. I'm never gonna finish my book though... too busy to pick it up during the day, and too tired to read it at night. (I'm reading "Pride and Prejudice.") This is the first book "just for me" that I've picked up in ages. Most of "my" reading comes off the internet, and all of my book-reading for the past year has been for the kids. I'm stubborn though, and I'll finish it if it kills me. I'm half-way through and Mr. Darcy has just declared his love and Elizabeth has just raked him over the coals and told him to get lost. It's just getting good in other words! ;O)
Speaking of my reading my own book, my kids have been Jealous of it. Liana is driving me CRAZY demanding my attention. "Can you read me a book?" "Can you watch me ride my bike?" "Can you help me...?" With the school-stuff sucking up most of my energy, I *need* to have a "just me" time.
Btw, I've been trying to find my turkey pattern, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. The best I can do right now (not having found the pattern) is that I could trace my turkey parts and let you eye-ball it with some general instructions.
Our science this week has been learning alllll about water. Ice, fog, steam, etc., and we even conducted a couple experiments. (What am I saying? Adam has been conducting water experiments ever since he came home from Ukraine!)
Aleksa has been in Cutting and Pasting and Stapling heaven! She made an elephant mask yesterday that she played around with all day - and she couldn't wait to scare Papa when he got home. Thankfully, Papa gave her a good scream when he came home, which sent her into a giggle-frenzy. She's just adorable. *contented sigh*
I've been going to bed bone-dog-tired, but feeling good that the school routine is back in swing. I'm never gonna finish my book though... too busy to pick it up during the day, and too tired to read it at night. (I'm reading "Pride and Prejudice.") This is the first book "just for me" that I've picked up in ages. Most of "my" reading comes off the internet, and all of my book-reading for the past year has been for the kids. I'm stubborn though, and I'll finish it if it kills me. I'm half-way through and Mr. Darcy has just declared his love and Elizabeth has just raked him over the coals and told him to get lost. It's just getting good in other words! ;O)
Speaking of my reading my own book, my kids have been Jealous of it. Liana is driving me CRAZY demanding my attention. "Can you read me a book?" "Can you watch me ride my bike?" "Can you help me...?" With the school-stuff sucking up most of my energy, I *need* to have a "just me" time.
Btw, I've been trying to find my turkey pattern, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. The best I can do right now (not having found the pattern) is that I could trace my turkey parts and let you eye-ball it with some general instructions.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Tea Party!
Aleksa
Liana and Adam
A few days ago I broke out a tea set that I had bought several years ago when children were just a dream. I had found it at a craft show for Way Too Much Money and just had to have it. One of those kinds of things. I haven't hauled it out yet because I really wanted the kids to not be all wild with it and think it was something to break. The girls were dying to dress up, so I invited them to a tea party, and even Adam got excited when I told him that he could wear Great Grandpa's hat. He looked rather dapper, I must say! ;O) Adam pretended to be King, Liana Queen, and Aleksa the Baby Princess. I was the servant. We had a blast! Real tea (please, no flames - they were raised on real tea, it ain't gonna kill them now!), and Triskit crackers, plus a white table cloth, Ukrainian rushnyk, clip earrings, bracelets, rings - Adam even got a tie-tack! It was a lot of fun, and we got a lot of video of the Royals ordering the servant around. Fun, fun, fun.
Later on in the day, we babysat Cousin Glenn and Cousin Callie. Callie is 6 months old. Adam and Liana were chattering at her, and she started sort of rocking in her stroller seat. Adam got really serious and said she wasn't happy. I was confused. He said, "That's orphanage talking." Liana sat down on the ground and rocked back and forth and said, "Mama, this is what we did in the orphanage when nobody loved us." Lump in my throat. I'm so glad they don't feel like they have to do that now!
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