Our homeschool group is having an Around the World Day this Friday. I'm getting excited because we are naturally doing our study on Russia. This was good for us because the boys have obviously been there... we have some traditional Russian things to display, plus photos of some of the sites. Sure there are lots of other things we could be studying about Russia as well, and we'll be sure to do an overview... but we are drawing from a lot of our personal experience.
I've been pulling photos from the metro to display on a slideshow for the computer. It has been sooo fun to just look at the metro pictures again! It really is full of beautiful architecture and a rich history! I have never seen such a gorgeous metro system!
Anyway, we'll be reviewing the Kremlin and all we saw as well. One thing that's tough for me is we have an incredibly busy week this week. Our second post placement was today and it went well, and my dad is visiting tomorrow on his way out to the midwest. Thursday is a field trip for all the boys, and Friday is Around the World Day. Crazy busy huh???
All that to say, I was dreading making something for this ATWD event, because I really don't have the time to make a traditional Russian anything. But guess what??? I found a market here that sells Russian cookies and other stuff! Can you believe it?? The woman is Russian but she and her husband lived in the Ukraine. I knew when I saw the Cyrillic words on the poster in the store window that I had hit the jackpot!! Woohoo!! So, I'm bringing a tray of cookies from Russia, and the bag etc is all in Cyrllic. Seriously! Even the shortbread cookies have a Russian word on them. I gotta figure out what that is! They also had frozen Pelmeni which is a traditional Russian meat in a ravioli type thing. Almost like a pierogy in Poland. They would be easy to make in the morning and throw in the crockpot.... but I'll have to see how much time I have.
So that was an awesome blessing to stumble upon. I'm excited to see what else the boys and I can pull together for Russia on ATWD. Looking forward to it. I'll post photos of our display when it is all done. :-)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Small Fry Turns Three!
***Note: I posted this earlier this week, but since it has so many photos I am going to include it in Angie's Wordful Wednesday. I hope that's okay.... :-)
Our little guy turned three a few weeks ago. We celebrated at home with just our immediate family. I think all our kids like to celebrate this way best. They have had several kid birthday parties, which were fun, but they seem to like doing something special with just mom, dad and their brothers the best.
As this was Small Fry's first birthday celebration "ev-ah", we were all pretty excited to share it with him. We had balloons and streamers of course, and a cake that I sadly did not make. I will endeavor to make the next one though... because I just like my cakes the best. (Even if they aren't decorated the best).
As this was Small Fry's first birthday celebration "ev-ah", we were all pretty excited to share it with him. We had balloons and streamers of course, and a cake that I sadly did not make. I will endeavor to make the next one though... because I just like my cakes the best. (Even if they aren't decorated the best).
Small Fry got some pretty cool presents.... lots of "Cars" themed things as well a a train set with some Thomas trains. My friends Stacy helped me to locate a gently used train table and that gift was from my parents, Grandma and Grandpa. I don't have a photo of it yet, but it's already in the playroom in front of the couch, and looks great!
Here are some photos of his big day! We have the craziest, busiest week ahead and if I don't post these now... they will never get posted!
Small Fry is checking out the decorations and his Lightning McQueen plates.
Blowing out the candle... (for the 2nd time!) Camera wasn't ready the first time...
Uh-oh! Lightning Mcqueen undies.... you know what that means.... potty training is right around the corner. He keeps saying to me, "Potty soon." (I think he's ready, I'm just not sure I am!)
This was a stick that made noise every time you flipped it to the other end. It was a gift from one of his brothers. It was LOUD.It is now hidden.
Small Fry received two "Cars" books. It's his favorite thing right now!
He LOVES to look at books!
From Aunt Lisa, Uncle Kevin and all their girls... Cars bath toys!Can you tell how excited he is???
These are some of his new trains. Well new to him... his brothers loved to play with them at his age too!
And it seems they still do... I think they had as much fun as Small Fry did!
Happy Birthday Little Bro!!Friday, October 23, 2009
Favorite Photo Friday
Okay, okay so it's not exactly Small Fry's birthday photos I'm posting... I will get there I promise! This is the King Fish's birthday. (It's only 4 days before Small Fry's and we think that is pretty darn cool!) We celebrated at a local Mexican Restaurant. Here he is with all his boys and his sombrero. They brought out the hat with his dessert and sang "♪Happy Birthday♪" to him. Naturally Small Fry had to try on the hat too....
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Bad Hair Night
Our Awana program at church has certain themed nights for the kids. This past Sunday was bad Hair Night. Three years ago was our first experience with bad hair night and how over the top the kids go. Very creative stuff. Here are my kids creations this year. About an hour before they left for church they came up with these designs and quickly put it together with The King Fish. I think they did pretty darn good!
Chips and Salsa anyone??? Tiger Shark won first place in the "Most Edible Category"
Jabber Jaw created this design in honor of football season. I think he would have won for the "Sports Category", but they didn't have that one this year. He was bummed, but took it in stride.
How's this for some bad hair?? Crazy hair! Guess what, it's way longer now and so hard to keep from getting matted. I condition it every bath time, but syrup or anything sticky he gets in it just kills me! So.... we're getting it c-u-t! Sob! I'm gonna miss the pretty curls, but too many people have said "What a beautiful girl you have". I'll be saving a lock of curls to keep though! I'll be sure to post photos of his first haircut experience... and before and after.
To find more Wordful Wednesday photos visit Angie at 7clowncircus.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Frustrated
Well this evening I actually had to speak up and advocate for my child at church, and it was slightly stressful. First let me say that I hate confrontation.... as in de-test it! I am such a people pleaser, and sometimes that is so not a good thing. But this evening my mommy radar went up as I happened to stop by and glance in the window to observe Small Fry.
They were having story time and he typically has two regular leaders in his classroom. But today he had a parent subbing because one of the leaders was out. When I happened by he was comfortably sitting in the lady's lap on the floor and every so often would lean back and look up into her face and give her a big smile. So, my radars going up slightly, because I'm concerned about attachment here. Then once the story was done all the other children got up and started to move about the room and play, but my son stayed right where he was leaning back against the lady and content to stay there. My radar was definitely up by then!
He finally got up and that's when I asked a friend to pop in and ask if I could take him out to change his diaper. (It really was very wet cause The King Fish was rushing out the door and did not change it before he headed to church). So I took him out and rocked him in another quiet room and talked to him and listened to him tell me about stars. Then I changed his diaper and I dropped him back off for the last 20 minutes or so.
At the end of the night I talked to his teacher and just tried to share a little bit about my concerns and tried to explain a little bit about attachment with orphans. But her little ones were there and Small Fry was interrupting and I'm not sure how clear I sounded or if I made much sense. I also asked how he did this evening, as last week he and another little boy were both at odds with one another all night. This week she said she noticed when he would want a toy that someone else had, or the two wanted the same toy, he would get mad and you could see the rage on his face. It's true he does get mad, and we call him on it, and he calms. It's very short lived,.... and we are working with him on sharing and kindness, and as his speech improves, expressing his anger with words. Some of this is normal toddler behavior, and then I am sure some of this is orphanage related. On our first visit with him in Russia he had a nasty bruise on his upper arm and the caregiver said another child had bit him when he wanted a toy. Survival of the fittest. Some of it is just what he deals with anger-wise from the abandonment and first two years of his life. It's all wrapped up in there. Anyway, I love this leader, she is such a sweet woman.... and I really think she will take what I said and hopefully redirect Small Fry when need be.
Sometimes though it's so frustrating because most people don't really understand. I mean, before we adopted... I didn't get it. I was clueless about attachment and bonding. I wish I had the time to share uninterrupted tonight. I wish I had the time to share with so many people..... I'd like to share how infants from the time they are born, can detect their Mama's cooing and whispering sweet nothings in their ears. How infants when they can focus, can see their Mama's smile and learn to mimic that smile... they learn to look into a Mama's eyes and they trust. There basic needs are met from infancy, unlike our son who from the shape of his head was left to lie in a crib for many hours without any stimulation. No one cooed in his ear, and no one looked deep into his eyes while rocking him - marveling at this precious baby.
I'd like to share how my son has lived in an orphanage for two years and how he has been bounced from care giver to caregiver. No one that he could call Mama. He has seen many friends come and go from his life as they have been adopted into other families. This child has experienced loss and abandonment at an early age. I'd like to say that he has also lived in an environment where it has been survival of the fittest. We are working with him to unlearn some behaviors from the orphanage, and he has come amazingly far. Yes, he still has issues with some rage when he is struggling for a toy, or he wants his way, and we are working on that.
I'd like to say, please don't ask him for a hug.... even though I know he might want to give it freely to you. He has never had a mama or a daddy and we have worked for 9 long months to establish ourselves as his mommy and daddy. We don't want to confuse him or risk losing all the hard work we have achieved establishing this bond and attachment. Please just ask him for a high five. He'll gladly give you one.
It's difficult nights like these that I must remember what my friend Wendy said to me.... "Just remember where he has come from. He has only been with you a little while and he has come so far. You're doing great mom." Thank you Wendy- I'm clinging to those words tonight.
They were having story time and he typically has two regular leaders in his classroom. But today he had a parent subbing because one of the leaders was out. When I happened by he was comfortably sitting in the lady's lap on the floor and every so often would lean back and look up into her face and give her a big smile. So, my radars going up slightly, because I'm concerned about attachment here. Then once the story was done all the other children got up and started to move about the room and play, but my son stayed right where he was leaning back against the lady and content to stay there. My radar was definitely up by then!
He finally got up and that's when I asked a friend to pop in and ask if I could take him out to change his diaper. (It really was very wet cause The King Fish was rushing out the door and did not change it before he headed to church). So I took him out and rocked him in another quiet room and talked to him and listened to him tell me about stars. Then I changed his diaper and I dropped him back off for the last 20 minutes or so.
At the end of the night I talked to his teacher and just tried to share a little bit about my concerns and tried to explain a little bit about attachment with orphans. But her little ones were there and Small Fry was interrupting and I'm not sure how clear I sounded or if I made much sense. I also asked how he did this evening, as last week he and another little boy were both at odds with one another all night. This week she said she noticed when he would want a toy that someone else had, or the two wanted the same toy, he would get mad and you could see the rage on his face. It's true he does get mad, and we call him on it, and he calms. It's very short lived,.... and we are working with him on sharing and kindness, and as his speech improves, expressing his anger with words. Some of this is normal toddler behavior, and then I am sure some of this is orphanage related. On our first visit with him in Russia he had a nasty bruise on his upper arm and the caregiver said another child had bit him when he wanted a toy. Survival of the fittest. Some of it is just what he deals with anger-wise from the abandonment and first two years of his life. It's all wrapped up in there. Anyway, I love this leader, she is such a sweet woman.... and I really think she will take what I said and hopefully redirect Small Fry when need be.
Sometimes though it's so frustrating because most people don't really understand. I mean, before we adopted... I didn't get it. I was clueless about attachment and bonding. I wish I had the time to share uninterrupted tonight. I wish I had the time to share with so many people..... I'd like to share how infants from the time they are born, can detect their Mama's cooing and whispering sweet nothings in their ears. How infants when they can focus, can see their Mama's smile and learn to mimic that smile... they learn to look into a Mama's eyes and they trust. There basic needs are met from infancy, unlike our son who from the shape of his head was left to lie in a crib for many hours without any stimulation. No one cooed in his ear, and no one looked deep into his eyes while rocking him - marveling at this precious baby.
I'd like to share how my son has lived in an orphanage for two years and how he has been bounced from care giver to caregiver. No one that he could call Mama. He has seen many friends come and go from his life as they have been adopted into other families. This child has experienced loss and abandonment at an early age. I'd like to say that he has also lived in an environment where it has been survival of the fittest. We are working with him to unlearn some behaviors from the orphanage, and he has come amazingly far. Yes, he still has issues with some rage when he is struggling for a toy, or he wants his way, and we are working on that.
I'd like to say, please don't ask him for a hug.... even though I know he might want to give it freely to you. He has never had a mama or a daddy and we have worked for 9 long months to establish ourselves as his mommy and daddy. We don't want to confuse him or risk losing all the hard work we have achieved establishing this bond and attachment. Please just ask him for a high five. He'll gladly give you one.
It's difficult nights like these that I must remember what my friend Wendy said to me.... "Just remember where he has come from. He has only been with you a little while and he has come so far. You're doing great mom." Thank you Wendy- I'm clinging to those words tonight.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Small Fry Update
I have a three year old!?!? Wow does that sound weird or what?? But I do!
I have been having so much fun with Small Fry the past several weeks. It's been just the two of us a lot and we have been having a blast bonding. I love that! Yesterday we had to go to the next town over for Jabber Jaws football game. The King Fish and Tiger Shark had practice with their team, so they could not go. So, Small Fry and I had a little over 2 hours to kill at the football game. I dressed him in overalls and his Lightning McQueen rain boots, as I anticipated rain. He looked so darn cute! Naturally I had no camera at all....
Anyway before the game he was driving his car (that's himself in his pretend car) and he would say... "Going to work Mom. Bye.. Love." Which stands for "I love you." Then he would drive up to me, get out of his car and bring me pretend coffee. And we would drink it together. Then he would say, "Okay gotta go to work.... kiss." He's pucker up his lips next to my face to give me a kiss. So darn cute! He had me smiling sooo much. What a long way we have come from the early days when he wouldn't even let me into his pretend world!
We had our doctors visit this week and the results are good. Our Dr. has adopted 4 children himself from Russia and he is a great resource as a man who has "walked a mile in our shoes". Anyway, Dr. M was so pleased with Small Fry's speech. He just couldn't believe how verbal he is. He has seen a lot of adoptions and many are not very verbal 9 months in. I mentioned how I was concerned with Small Fry's articulation, but he wasn't really that concerned. He said at this age a lot of children are mispronouncing words and so we will reevaluate as he continues to progress in speech and vocabulary. I did mention that he is now saying 6 word sentences, (which even I was surprised when I figured it out), and he was pleased.
Growth wise Small Fry has progressed nicely. Actually Dr. M said he is just tickled with his growth. Hmmm.... He has grown 4 inches in 9 months. When we first brought him in he was not on the growth charts and now he is at 10%. We're moving up. I think he may move up further in the next year as he continues to eat well and get the proper vitamins and nutrients.
Speaking of eating, well he's pleased with that too. He eats very well and a variety of foods. The child loves vegetables (just like my older boys)....which is a good thing. His favorite foods right now are hot dogs, grapes, watermelon, raw carrots, and apples. He likes pasta pretty well and homemade meatballs. He rarely tries to control a situation by tucking his food in his mouth and refusing to eat. This is something we dealt with for the first 6 months home, but I think he has abandoned that control tactic now. We would have to be so patient to get him to eat because we knew he needed the calories and nutrients. Now, he can chow down, especially when it's some of his favorite foods! lol!
Here is a recent shot of Small Fry. He has changed so much from the little 2 year old we brought home. I try to think back to all we went through to adopt him, and it seems so distant. It feels like he's been with us forever.
I have been having so much fun with Small Fry the past several weeks. It's been just the two of us a lot and we have been having a blast bonding. I love that! Yesterday we had to go to the next town over for Jabber Jaws football game. The King Fish and Tiger Shark had practice with their team, so they could not go. So, Small Fry and I had a little over 2 hours to kill at the football game. I dressed him in overalls and his Lightning McQueen rain boots, as I anticipated rain. He looked so darn cute! Naturally I had no camera at all....
Anyway before the game he was driving his car (that's himself in his pretend car) and he would say... "Going to work Mom. Bye.. Love." Which stands for "I love you." Then he would drive up to me, get out of his car and bring me pretend coffee. And we would drink it together. Then he would say, "Okay gotta go to work.... kiss." He's pucker up his lips next to my face to give me a kiss. So darn cute! He had me smiling sooo much. What a long way we have come from the early days when he wouldn't even let me into his pretend world!
We had our doctors visit this week and the results are good. Our Dr. has adopted 4 children himself from Russia and he is a great resource as a man who has "walked a mile in our shoes". Anyway, Dr. M was so pleased with Small Fry's speech. He just couldn't believe how verbal he is. He has seen a lot of adoptions and many are not very verbal 9 months in. I mentioned how I was concerned with Small Fry's articulation, but he wasn't really that concerned. He said at this age a lot of children are mispronouncing words and so we will reevaluate as he continues to progress in speech and vocabulary. I did mention that he is now saying 6 word sentences, (which even I was surprised when I figured it out), and he was pleased.
Growth wise Small Fry has progressed nicely. Actually Dr. M said he is just tickled with his growth. Hmmm.... He has grown 4 inches in 9 months. When we first brought him in he was not on the growth charts and now he is at 10%. We're moving up. I think he may move up further in the next year as he continues to eat well and get the proper vitamins and nutrients.
Speaking of eating, well he's pleased with that too. He eats very well and a variety of foods. The child loves vegetables (just like my older boys)....which is a good thing. His favorite foods right now are hot dogs, grapes, watermelon, raw carrots, and apples. He likes pasta pretty well and homemade meatballs. He rarely tries to control a situation by tucking his food in his mouth and refusing to eat. This is something we dealt with for the first 6 months home, but I think he has abandoned that control tactic now. We would have to be so patient to get him to eat because we knew he needed the calories and nutrients. Now, he can chow down, especially when it's some of his favorite foods! lol!
Here is a recent shot of Small Fry. He has changed so much from the little 2 year old we brought home. I try to think back to all we went through to adopt him, and it seems so distant. It feels like he's been with us forever.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Hectic- Busy- Update!
I seriously don't think this Fall could be any busier....
I know many that have more than 3 kids... and I honestly don't know how they do it. My kids are involved in a ton of extracurricular activities and I find I am running all the time. Well except thankfully during the day when I am homeschooling them. I have to say... schooling this year is going well. We are just completing our 9th week of school... tomorrow will be day 44 (one less due to Labor day).
The boys are learning a lot in their co-op classes... and I love the accountability that it brings to our home. Yes, it is absolutely hard to get each of the creative writing assignments done every week, especially for boys who don't necessarily like to write. BUT, they are learning... and oh how I love to see that! Tiger Shark has completely gotten it into his head the idea of a rough draft, and actually likes the idea! He likes that he can write freely for a rough draft paper and then go back and clean it up, editing for a second of third draft.
Jabber Jaw is very creative by nature, but for some reason he psyches himself out for the writing projects. He gets it into his mind that it's too much to write, when if he just "did it", the ideas and creativity would just flow out of the boy. He does tend to be my imaginative child, though that can also be seen as "daydreamer" and is not exactly a conducive trait for "focusing on getting a project done".
They take science too and I am proud of all they are learning there. Again I'm loving the accountability. They are learning all about birds using Apologia's Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day. I love this book... and they have learned a lot! Both did well on their first tests at co-op. Yay!
Here at home we are covering math, (fractions for Tiger Shark and division for jabber Jaw), grammar, spelling, reading, vocabulary, Latin, and history. In history we are learning all about the Native American Indian groups... not only in North America, but South America too. We are finding out today what happened to those groups of people and civilizations (Incan, Aztec, Mayan) when the Spanish Explorers came to their land. Interesting stuff.
I'm pleased with our schooling this year as we are mostly on target. Last year with our trip to Russia and the transition afterward, school was definitely more difficult. This year it's still difficult, but it's the priority. Unfortunately the house suffer because of it. The King Fish doesn't mind too much, and I'm grateful he is willing to jump in and lend a hand!
Aside from co-op and homeschool the boys are playing football. Practice two nights a week and games Saturday. They take piano as well and are involved in Lego Robotics. Throw in our church activities on Sunday and taking care of our busy toddler and you have one busy Mama!The King Fish is out of town 2-3 days a week, and I'm trying to keep up as best as I can....but I guess somethings just have to give. (My housework being one of them). :-)
So that's an update on our busy family. I'll have an update on Small Fry very soon. Yesterday was his 3rd birthday, but since The King Fish is out of town we are celebrating it on Saturday. I will post lots of pictures... we also have his 3 yr old check up coming up... so I will have more to update then as well.
Jackie
I know many that have more than 3 kids... and I honestly don't know how they do it. My kids are involved in a ton of extracurricular activities and I find I am running all the time. Well except thankfully during the day when I am homeschooling them. I have to say... schooling this year is going well. We are just completing our 9th week of school... tomorrow will be day 44 (one less due to Labor day).
The boys are learning a lot in their co-op classes... and I love the accountability that it brings to our home. Yes, it is absolutely hard to get each of the creative writing assignments done every week, especially for boys who don't necessarily like to write. BUT, they are learning... and oh how I love to see that! Tiger Shark has completely gotten it into his head the idea of a rough draft, and actually likes the idea! He likes that he can write freely for a rough draft paper and then go back and clean it up, editing for a second of third draft.
Jabber Jaw is very creative by nature, but for some reason he psyches himself out for the writing projects. He gets it into his mind that it's too much to write, when if he just "did it", the ideas and creativity would just flow out of the boy. He does tend to be my imaginative child, though that can also be seen as "daydreamer" and is not exactly a conducive trait for "focusing on getting a project done".
They take science too and I am proud of all they are learning there. Again I'm loving the accountability. They are learning all about birds using Apologia's Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day. I love this book... and they have learned a lot! Both did well on their first tests at co-op. Yay!
Here at home we are covering math, (fractions for Tiger Shark and division for jabber Jaw), grammar, spelling, reading, vocabulary, Latin, and history. In history we are learning all about the Native American Indian groups... not only in North America, but South America too. We are finding out today what happened to those groups of people and civilizations (Incan, Aztec, Mayan) when the Spanish Explorers came to their land. Interesting stuff.
I'm pleased with our schooling this year as we are mostly on target. Last year with our trip to Russia and the transition afterward, school was definitely more difficult. This year it's still difficult, but it's the priority. Unfortunately the house suffer because of it. The King Fish doesn't mind too much, and I'm grateful he is willing to jump in and lend a hand!
Aside from co-op and homeschool the boys are playing football. Practice two nights a week and games Saturday. They take piano as well and are involved in Lego Robotics. Throw in our church activities on Sunday and taking care of our busy toddler and you have one busy Mama!The King Fish is out of town 2-3 days a week, and I'm trying to keep up as best as I can....but I guess somethings just have to give. (My housework being one of them). :-)
So that's an update on our busy family. I'll have an update on Small Fry very soon. Yesterday was his 3rd birthday, but since The King Fish is out of town we are celebrating it on Saturday. I will post lots of pictures... we also have his 3 yr old check up coming up... so I will have more to update then as well.
Jackie
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Friends and Laughter
Last week my two oldest boys called two of their good friends from back north. Their friends are also brothers and very close in age to my boys. God truly gave us this friendship several years ago, despite the fact that we would only be close to them in proximity for a year and a half. This family is so precious to us... and I'm amazed at how our boys have remained friends since we moved away. Keeping up a long distance friendship is hard.... truly it is. But we try to get up to visit once a year and send cards or call occasionally. Here are photos I took of a recent phone conversation they had. The joy on their faces is great! They had their friends on speaker phone and at one point were both on the ground literally rolling and laughing! Just looking at the pictures makes me smile.
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