She got me

Leksa is sick today. She got me. Nuff said.

Valentine Swap

Gotta share our exciting project we have going over here. Our homeschool curriculum has a discussion board where a bazillion other homeschool moms get together and can chat about stuff; whether it is the actual curriculum and implementation, or whether it is just life in general. I've learned a ton from these ladies. It's like having a thousand "moms" but you get to pick and choose what you want to listen to or not! ;O)

Well, anyway, one of these moms coordinates a yearly "Valentine Swap" for anyone who wants to participate. She collects names and addresses, and then puts them into lists to send us. The kids are making about 60 valentines for other homeschool kids all over the country, and even internationally! We've got our markable map out and are mapping who we're sending cards to, and we'll also map where we get them from. We'll collect the cards as they come and then on V-day we'll open them up. We're also going to graph what stamps are on our envelopes as they arrive.

I'm SOOOOO excited about it! This is the fifth year our homeschool "group" has been doing this, but this is the first year I've thought our crew were "ready" to tackle such a huge project. Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays, so I'm in Red and Pink Heaven over here!

I've been thinking next year maybe I'll try to coordinate something with the kids' Ukrainian Cousins (ie, other families in our adoption group). They LOVE mail, and I know they'd love the chance to hear from other Ukie pals... Next year. Gotta remember that.

Knock-knock!

A few weeks ago, we started telling "knock, knock" jokes to the kids. They think they're a hoot. But. They don't get the concept. We thought we'd start with the simple "banana" knock-knock joke. You know, the one that ends, "orange ya glad I didn't say banana?" Well, they laugh and giggle at the joke, but they can't for the LIFE of them, tell the joke. Or ANY joke for that matter. They trip over the words, give away the ending, and well, they jiss can't do it! It's kinda pathetic. But they have a good ole time trying!

Last night Aleksa was trying to tell us the Banana joke. Here's what it sounded like:

Knock-knock!

Who's there?

Banana!

Banana who?

Knock-knock!

Who's there?

Banana!

(repeat)

Aren't ya glad I didn't say banana?

(and then she breaks out into giggles)

Missed the whole "orange-ya" thing, and also, didn't answer with "orange" instead of banana on the last time around. None of the three "get it" that the "Orange-ya" sounds like "aren't ya." We've tried explaining it over and over and over... But alas, they don't get it...

Ramblings

Adam still gets hung up on the word "do." He can figure out the usage if he *really* thinks about it, but he usually isn't patient enough to do so. We feel like the "'Do' Word Police" because we try to catch him and make him re-say it whenever he uses it the wrong way. Aside from that, however, his speech is becoming much clearer than it has ever been, and he has been able to express himself better than ever. If he takes his time, he doesn't even stutter anymore! But, if he's stressed, well, that's different. Along with pronunciation and stutter, he has been expressing himself with a deeper understanding of English. Like last night John asked the three kids what the word "depth" meant. Adam was the only one to have a clue, though instead of articulating a lengthy definition, he said something like, "Depths of the sea," which showed us that he was at least familiar with the word and usage.

He is finally being careful enough with his speech that his "L's" are nice and clear. Still struggles with his R's, but he can do it if he concentrates really hard. I'm planning on getting a few rolls of nickels at the bank on Saturday and give him one whenever he says "do" or his "r's" correctly. He's just so on the verge of "getting it" that I think this would really helping him a lot... or at leasts take some of the annoyance out of having to try!

We're still asking a ton of "questions" in our discipline/discussion times... We try to ask the kids as many questions as we can to get them to understand what they are doing wrong. Not that we don't just come out and say "Knock it off" here and there (we're human, afterall!), but usually we try to get the kids to counsel themselves into doing the right thing. I think John and I have asked every imaginable question known to mankind by now - (especially where Liana is concerned, *cough, cough*. But ya know, it's paying off... Another tool in our parenting box has been when we notice that Liana or Aleksa are getting too big for their britches and trying to boss eachother/Adam around, or otherwise trying to be in charge of things they shouldn't, I sigh and say something like, "Oh, it is sure exhausting doing the job of being an 8yo AND doing the job of a mama. That's even more work than I do! You must be sooooo tired by now. I guess you'd better go take a nap for a while." And then I send them to bed. I don't have to use that one very often, but it sure does the trick when I do! I have to be careful though, in how I say that, or it will provoke them to get mad... Not what I want to do. It has also taken a long time to be ABLE to use that one... It used to be that Leksa was scared to death to be in a room by herself at all. And Liana was soooooooooo scared of being rejected that we just plain couldn't send her "away" from us, as in being sent to a corner or to her room. She'd literally fall apart with anger, fear, etc. It would have been cruel to do that to them back then.

If we would send Adam to his room, we could be sure that something would be destroyed in there... That doesn't happen anymore. He still likes to dismantle things, but it isn't the same. For Christmas he got a lava lamp... John and I commented last night that if he'd had a lava lamp when he first came home, that lamp would have been broken apart and slime would have been smeared all over the place by the next morning. Adam laughed when we told him that, in a sort of "yeah, you're probably right" sort of a way. He's relaxing enough to ENJOY his stuff now, instead of destroying everything. He still functions better on little clutter in his room, and lately I've been really trying to pare down his "stuff" so it isn't quite so overwhelming for him. (With his help and approval, of course.) Just went through his closet yesterday, and I was shocked to see that there were clothes that are outgrown right now, that he had been wearing just weeks ago. So, out they went. He's got the nicest room in the house right now! Wish OUR room were as tidy and organized!

Ok, that's all the rambling I have time to do right now... Not easy to write these days while doing school and all the other stuff that needs to be done around here! Just had some thoughts running through my head that I wanted to get down somewhere before they got completely lost, so here ya go!

Update on Dad

Dad had a doctor appointment this week and it was a huge relief. Dad had thought that he was bleeding from the bowel because of that blood thinner, but the appointment confirmed that he was ok, with nothing to worry about. His heart rate continues to improve, and the problem does look like it was a medication he'd been taking for a tremor. No more med, so no more heart problem. Such a blessing to not be a mechanical problem!

Thank you everyone for praying!

Lastrochka

This afternoon, Adam excitedly pointed out the window that there was a "lastrochka" (pronounced LOSS-trochka) outside. "What on earth is a lastrochka?" I asked. He told me it was a kind of bird that they had in Ukraine. I went upstairs and retrieved the Russian/English dictionary, where I found that a "lastrochka" is the Russian word for a "swallow." How 'bout that.

There's Russian going on in that boy's head. Two years plus later, he can pull an obscure word like "swallow" out of his head. Cool!

I think it is interesting that when the kids have learned an English word for something, they "unplugged" and promptly forgot what the Russian word was. Words that they haven't learned the English equivalent for are still floating around in their heads and easily retrievable - even years later.

Lastrochka. What a reminder that the world we have given him is only part of the total puzzle of Adam's life. I hope somehow that he can hold on to as much of his culture, heritage, language, experiences, memories, etc. as he possibly can...

Adam's 12th Birthday

This weekend was so fun! We drove "back home" Friday night to stay over with John's parents. Saturday was their big Christmas Shin-Dig. Way fun to spend more than an afternoon with everyone. Got to see my Dad on Saturday too.

Sunday, however, was Adam's 12th Birthday! We went to our old church Sunday morning - Adam was *so* excited to be able to see his old friends. I let him open one of his gifts before church... "Men's Cologne." There's a particular girl "back home" that he "loves." (Well, actually, he loves her and her twin sister both...)

Between Sunday School and the morning service, the girls' mom came up to John to tell him that Adam came up to her and said, "Mrs. ---, I have cologne on!" He was awful excited about his new Man Stuff.

After church we took the whole family to Chuck-E-Cheese. The kids hadn't ever been there, and after the episode at the Burger King Play Area last month, I was excited to give him a giant Play Ground that he could enjoy without feeling his "tallness" too acutely. It was hard to wipe the smile off that boy's face! He and his papa and grandpa had alllll kinds of fun with the video games, etc. Adam got a paper crown and a balloon and cotton candy, and WOW, was he excited!

But for as excited as he and the girls were, they were also really, really, really good. We couldn't have gone here much before now without worrying about the kids getting too out of control wild, crazy, and just plain over-stimulated. But, we figured they were ready now, we were ready now ($$), and we know that Adam isn't getting any littler. Besides, I've waited a good long time to get to plan a birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese! One of those "can't-wait-to-be-a-mom" fantasies to finally realize.

Liana went to stand at the foot of the stage where Chuck-E and friends were singing... I was watching her to see what she would do... The Old Liana would have been up there on that stage in about two seconds flat. Wanna know what she did? She calmly turned around, walked back to me, politely asked me if she could go up on the stage to see how the robots worked, and when I told her that wasn't a good idea and that nobody was supposed to go up there, she said, "Ok!" And then walked back to her spot by the stage to calmly continue watching. I. Couldn't. Believe. It. I had to give John a High-Five on how far she (and the other two) had come these last few years. Remember when Liana *had* to press the bar on the Emergency Exit door at the library? Or when she and the others wouldn't quit turning the lights on and off at the post office? Or when she pounded on the neighbor's house because This wasn't America? Yay, those days are over!

Sappy Holidays

Had to show off my new favorite picture in the whole world...

(Thanks Mom Fisher and Shanna! I LOVE it!)

Odds and Ends

Anyone ever heard of GeoPuzzles? We got the kids one for Christmas, and it has quickly become one of their favorite times of our school day. One puzzle piece per country (or close to it). We have the Europe one, but I'll have to see how many others are out there.

We've also been using a Signing Time sign language video to learn some Sign Language... They're geared for little ones, but our crew loves the one we have, and there is no doubt we'll be buying some others soon. Anyone out there know of some sign language videos for kids a little older than preschool/kindergarten?

Finally took down our Christmas tree last night. What. A. Mess. Glad to be done with that project for another year.

He's going Down

Oh boy.

In the last few days I've noticed that Adam's voice has sounded "honky."

Not sure if my seatbelt is buckled tight enough yet. Guess I'd better give it another tug...

Dad News

Usually I like to keep this site for "kid news only." This time I have "dad" news. My dad, that is. He's 78, has lots of health problems, and is in the hospital right now for heart problems. It keeps stopping on him and he keeps passing out. He's having an electrophysiology study on Monday, and probably a pacemaker after that... Dad has hemophilia, hepatitis C (from the many, many transfusions in his life), and has had a history of heart problems (he had 5 bypasses and a replaced valve done several years ago).

I got to come down solo over the weekend to be with him at the hospital, (I even drove THROUGH the Cities by myself to do so!! Are you proud of me?), and am staying at my dad's house. It was so cool of my hubby to shoo me out the door and tell me he'll be fine alone all weekend with the kiddos.

Anyway, if you've a mind to do so, would you mind praying for my dad? And for the rest of the family? We only have one sibling "here in town" that can be hanging out at the hospital, and he has to work next week... Things will start cookin' at the hospital by then, and I need to come home tomorrow. Pray someone can rearrange their schedules to be able to come down to the hospital to be with him and know what is going on... *hates not knowing what is going on* *wink*

THANK YOU!

Found an old pic...

Just came across this picture from our Very First Outing after the kids came home. When we first had this picture taken, I hated it. Now I think it is my favorite "first home" family picture. It epitomizes EVERYONE's personalities. All I can say is UFF DA! ;O)

Wow, how they've changed. And grown!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and all that!

As has been my habit lately, I've been sorely neglecting this here blog. Who knows if anyone even cares anymore! lol! But, since this is also for the kiddos, I have to keep it up at least on important days.

Well, except for the monthly updates. I sat down to do the December update and honestly, I couldn't think of a thing that was "new" for any of the kids, and I have noticed that I'm sounding like a broken record. So, I think I'll just post whenever the mood strikes instead of on the month-a-versaries.

But Christmas! Oh, did we have a wonderful Christmas! I made waaaaaay too many baked goods. We'll have cookies and breads until next July, I'm sure. But it sure came in handy though to be able to take things out of the freezer when needed. Like the day we put the tree up I made a finger-food feast to leave out while we decorated. I had wondered how my Buddy Adam would deal with so much food just left out in the open to take at will, and he did Great! Until! Until I started to put it away. He had been just fine while the food was out. Didn't sneak any, didn't gorge himself, etc. But, once I got the plastic wrap out, he decided he was starving and needed the food. I thought that was interesting. We did that a few other times this Christmas season, but he seemed fine. Big strides for him.

I made it a point this year to only get the kids stuff that I was absolutely 100% sure that they would go ga-ga over. No wasteful trinkets that just take up room under the tree. So, the packages were fewer, but the joys were fuller, I think. Adam got a remote-control Monster Truck, and a Knight costume. Liana got a bride costume and a new bike. Leksa got a princess costume and a Castle Playhut. There were some other odds and ends - oh, a rock tumbler was also a major one, and a sign-language dvd, etc. But, I haven't needed to clean out any toy chests to make room for what they got this year. By the way, the picture I posted of the girls in their costumes was taken in the bathroom - I found them standing on their "stools" so they could see into the bathroom mirror! I thought it was hilarious!

We stayed home this year for Christmas Eve and Day, but the day before, we made a trip to my dad's house for a visit. We got him a giant mailbox... There has never lived anyone who loved "mail" more than my dad does. He was happy as a lark. It was so fun to see him so happy.

Then for New Year's weekend we went up to John's grandparents' house in northern MN. I know I've talked before at what a winter wonderland it is up there... but it really is. Beautiful snowy woods all around that cozy house, lots of laughing and talking and game-playing and children giggling, and oh boy, the FOOD. We ladies sat around playing the Blokus (great game!), and we played the Ungame with John's mom, grandma, sister and cousin. It was fun to tease the guys about joining us so they could "share their feelings" with us too. One of the questions was particularly interesting given the number of generations that were represented as we played. The question was "How have you been personally affected by a war?" Well, Grandma V.'s generation was affected by WWII. John's cousin was a Viet Nam baby - her mother is Vietnamese and father was a US soldier, so her answer was, "I wouldn't be alive if there hadn't been a war." Interesting! (I love social studies/history; have you picked that up by now?) Anyway, just some interesting tidbits.

Grandma gave John's sister a "lefse-making" tutorial while we were there. It was fun to sit and watch - and get to be a taste-tester instead of a back-breaker. :O) (We're a bunch of Norwegians here in the upper midwest!) (Lefse is a potato/flour/butter/etc. mixture that you roll out and bake on a hot griddle. Then you spread with butter or butter and sugar, or use for sandwiches if you're so inclined. We usually just stick with the butter/butter sugar combo in our families. Good stuff!

But! We're back to the grindstone, and surprisingly, we're falling into our routine rather smoothly. I had been dreading a fight from the kiddos this Tuesday once we were "back to school." Glad to be pleasantly surprised that the kids were eager to get started! Could be because of our reading contest that John and I are holding for the month of January. If they read X amount of books, they get to go to the Mall of America and ride the rollercoaster. Can you say "EXCITED?" They have been madly competing against each other and themselves all week. "Mama, Liana took her book with her into the bathroom! Tell her that's not fair!" *tee-hee* Such trials we have over here! Usually our evenings are spent doing "family things" - like playing games, tickle time with Papa, or a video. This week they've been off in their own corners with their books. Love it!

No meltdowns this year... just a fun, fun, fun holiday season. Much more fun than any other year, I think. We're just so much more jelled as a family. We know each other a lot better this year, and we're all a lot more relaxed "just being." We don't have to be on high alert for breaks in the routine, sugar (believe me, they had a ton of it this holiday season!), etc. They just did great, and we all had fun just enjoying each other. (I'll have to look back at last year's blog entry; I probably said the same thing last year, but I honestly mean it a lot more this year! The kiddos are much nicer kiddos this year! *wink*)