Its hot!

That was Daniel and Maria's comment when we walked out of the house this morning to go to school. No jacket was required for sure, but the "hot" was all about the swimming....already angling for swimming when they get home tonight. Have I bragged lately about how smart Daniel and Maria are - I KNOW I'd have been exactly the same way when I was a child....loved to swim and there was no such thing as too cold to swim!

Almost forgot to write about Daniel's figuring out school for us for next year. Momma's been searching diligently the last week or so for a school for him or for he and Maria (she is in a great spot where she is and can stay next year). When I picked them up from school, Daniel kept going on and on about what a nice school he went to. He pointed out numerous nice things about his school on the way out. In talking on the way home we talked about us finding a school for him because he'd be too big next year - and Maria needed to move up to the class he's in now. He said that it would be fine for Maria to move up to Mrs. Jamie and Mrs. Brenda's class - that he'd just go be in Mrs. Nicole and Mrs. Janet's class (that's Maria's 3 year old class this year....somehow that seemed like a great idea to Daniel!). The search continues.....

We opened the pool tonight!

We didn't intend to - Momma was finishing up cleaning the pool for the season. Aunt Gay Lynn was corrupting Daniel putting his bare feet in the water. Before we knew it Daniel and Maria were down to their undies and pretty much immersed at least weight. There are pictures of course. Its fairly warm outside, but, no, the water was not warm enough for Momma and Aunt Gay Lynn to be tempted to get in!

First Post Placement Report Today

Today was our first post placement report interview. I was so glad for Mary Ann to get to meet Daniel and Maria because she was truly so instrumental in getting them here! It was such a pleasant afternoon and we stayed outside. Daniel and Maria would go offer her cookies, ride their bikes (fully decked out in Boas still), go play on the swingset, and answered every question she asked them in English. It is amazing how far they've come in 4 months. When they first came home Momma could not have had a conversation with anyone else without Daniel having to be the center of attention - today Daniel went about his business of play....Maria did as well.

After that we decided to go out to eat to celebrate (it was only 4:30 so it was a great chance to practice in a less crowded restaurant). We went to The Times and they did great. It was a little funny when a couple sitting at the next table was clearly enjoying watching Daniel and Maria. I was sharing a little of their story and she was wanting to know if I had a sister - apparently she met Gay Lynn at the grocery store the day we got home.....who was getting stuff to cook for us. That was funny - and it is so nice to have two happy children enjoying themselves quietly such that other people can enjoy watching them having dinner.

The world is off around here.....

.....but Momma had to go to work. Its Mardi Gras here and not that many people are working. It made it easy going and coming to work, but I'd have rather been off to enjoy a beautiful day with Daniel and Maria. Mrs. Nicole, Maria's teacher, got to come over to play with them. It looked like they were having a great time - swinging, eating Pizza, and I came home to "I missed you" but what looked and sounded like great fun on the patio. Yes....clearly much fun had been had by all....or at least most. Mrs. Nicole was quite decorated when I walked in.....Daniel, too. Maria's makeup kit (which resides permanently on the patio) was out - all of it.....and it looked like Maria was the least decorated of all of them. She was clearly a good sport.

Walking down memory lane

We've had a great time today. We had church this morning, Maria and I had a brief nap, then we played outside. We worked on getting the pool ready - Daniel likes sweeping the pool as much as he likes sweeping the kitchen floor but Momma doesn't really want him to....think in the future that might be a night time activity after bedtime! Then we rode their still decorated from Mardi Gras bikes around the block....stopping to visit some neighbors we like. When we got home we were playing with the shovels, rakes and hoe in the front yard and had some little neighbors (4 houses down) edging ever closer down the sidewalk - a brother and sister. They eventually got to the front yard and I invited them to play but they said they had to ask their mom (bet she'd have died if she knew how far they'd come (they were 7 and 3!). They came back to report that they couldn't play, but she'd love for us to go to their house. They clearly wanted Daniel and Maria to play, so we went down. Their mom is 3 weeks from delivering #3 so no wonder she wanted us to come down. The children had a good time playing - next to my other friends' (she brought out suckers for everyone!). So, moms exchanged numbers and we have our first neighbor friends (for the children). Their dad is a pastor nearby. Guessing they might like to come play and swim with us after the new baby gets settled in.

We came home and worked some more in the flower beds.....its a lot more fun when you're calling it play and you aren't caring if it is getting finished (we didn't), but we have some areas we can plant some flowers and watch them grow (and maybe even pick some for mom?!?!) so its a fun start.

After baths we all sat in Momma's lap and got to watching videos from our first visit together last July. They LOVED them and we watched them all many times. I can't believe how much they've grown. I'll work on adding some videos on here another time (failed miserably tonight on that front).

Preschool Mardi Gras

Yesterday was the preschool Mardi Gras parade followed by the Louisiana food tasting - their classes have been studying about Louisiana this month. Because of Maria's recent illness I really couldn't afford to take off work more, so I asked my aunt, Ellen Anderson, and Maria's Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Amy, to go get to have all of the fun of helping with the "throws". When I walked up, Maria was already sitting on her bike quietly and patiently waiting behind the wagon in front of her. She had the most happy and satisfied look and I just continue to be amazed at how well she's adjusting and enjoying life! Daniel's class rode the parade route after I had to go back to work so I only have a picture of him spectating. Daniel was a fan of the candy that was thrown and wasn't so much of a bead fan. He loved throwing everything hard (what a surprise!) and Maria was throwing ever so gently.

Daniel loved the personal attention and Aunt Ellen stayed for lunch and reported he loved corn bread and red beans....not a jambalaya fan. He's a big sharer and he had a lot of stuff that he told Aunt Ellen just how and when to eat....not a surprise there either, but it was fun hearing about it from Aunt Ellen afterwards....just laughed knowing it was true! Heard Maria loved the boiled shrimp....no surprise there....very little she doesn't like.

Daniel's been a busy guy while Maria was sick!

Here are a few pictures of Daniel's escapades while Maria has been sick. He's baked a cake to take to his school party with Aunt Gay Lynn - they had a delightful time at her house (and Momma is VERY grateful!). Then he had a stint as a plumber using his straw to spray the sink....and most of the bathroom.

Then tonight he helped me vacuum - actually took over. Bet you didn't realize that you vacuum with the lights off because there is a light on the vacuum cleaner. Daniel is GREAT help with the vacuum. He's grown 2 inches since he's been home, but he needs another inch or two to really be able to vacuum without holding the handle high - tends to pick up the cleaning head when you're too short to use it. It makes for some viewing though! I think its time to plug Roomba back in - they'll really enjoy chasing Momma's favorite vacuuming (and mopping - I've got a Scooba, too) but Babooshka thought it was not childproof....needless to say Momma's had to get used to using a real vacuum for a while. I'm sure Roomba will like to be called back to duty!

Finally well!

Maria is finally back at school today. She's been out since last Wednesday afternoon - and it has not been fun! She's kept just a fever and the allergy runny nose she always had the whole time. Of course, life is not without its adventures:

Maria has a dime sized hole in her tongue from eating too many strawberries on Sunday and Monday - a pint each day....and I'd stopped her then....she'd have definitely eaten more. Its painful - she had ice cream for supper tonight!

Daniel is in full bloom with his creativity. Bet y'all didn't know that the McDonald's is giving out cell phones....well obviously they are because we're definitely calling Momma on the cell phone all the time!

Momma made a sensory closet in Daniel's room - if you visited in the early days you know he's always ran there when he wasn't quite comfortable. An expert suggested that we add some bean bags to the room so he could have as much surface contact as possible in the confined space there. Momma surprised Daniel and Maria with it tonight and there is much joy and squealing coming from that room....perhaps we should've padded the walls....I do hear an occasional bump there. Thinking a training moment is rapidly approaching. Its bath time and I'd just asked them if they wanted to take a bath and they said No - that has NEVER happened before....and we're almost 4 months in!

Life is back to normal! Its good and I'm very grateful!

Maria's Sick.....boolit

Got a call from Maria's teacher late this afternoon saying she was asking for her Momma, had chills, and fever. So, I hopped on down to pick her up. She was weapy but otherwise didn't seem too sick. Home we go and she had 101 fever....then started running and playing (no fever).....then crawling in mom's lap burning up (fever again)....then playing Reagan with all of her heart......not sure what the deal is with her - sick/not sick/ sick/ not sick.

Today is 3 1/2 months home and we finally had the excuse for not being in bed that I've used myself as a kid and waited for from mine.....yes, it was finally the "Momma, I need a drink of water". I let Daniel get away with it this time.....told him it was the oldest excuse in the book and never worked with his grandma....then went and tucked him back into bed. I hardly got him back and he was coming back asking for more....even using the sign for more and the word (he learned the "more" sign from Carson and uses it for impact whenever he thinks I might say no). It didn't work tonight.

The Water Story

A couple of nights have passed so now I can laugh....which means it needs to be recorded for me to tell my cuties later....remember that is why we have this blog! We were heading home from church Sunday night and Maria and Daniel had ended up with small bottles of water. No problem....its not like I didn't use to eat nearly all of my meals in the car pre-children. So, we're heading home and tragedy of tragedies Daniel inadvertently spilled his bottle of water. He was horrified and upset so Momma's giving as much comfort as she can from the drivers side to the passenger directly behind her in great distress - Daniel. I patted his leg....explained it was an accident and was thinking that I'd done a pretty good job of comforting my disappointed son.

So, I turn around to look at Maria (who sits behind the passenger seat - and usually I'm thinking it would be better for Daniel to be there). I turn around to check on Maria just in time to see her very intentionally POURING her water out all over the floor of the car. I was not thinking kind and wonderful thoughts and I KNEW she knew better. I said "Maria, I know you didn't do that at the detskey dome". She's smiling and saying "no". Smiling!!!!!! Mom's blood pressure went up a little more. Daniel put his biggest smile on and said "Daniel stay in America and Maria can go back to the detskey dome". Laughing hard and Maria joined him.....I'm SOOOOOO glad they know that is not even a possibility. But, I don't think Mom will use the detskey dome (orphanage) example again. Upon further review I suspect we need to learn what the word "ACCIDENT" means - 'cuz Daniel sure got a lot of attention for his accident.

This morning at breakfast Daniel demonstrated what you don't do with your juice so I suspect I don't have to worry about a repeat of that one!

Monday stuff

It is back to the regular stuff - and I hated it just as bad today as I do most Mondays. We had a crazy Sunday with church, playing outside, and other fun stuff yesterday - a little more relaxing than our day at the zoo on Saturday.

Dinner's getting so much more fun these days. We had tomato soup with "crackers fish" (goldfish), juice, and orange. We're starting to have so much more conversation at dinner and it did leave me laughing a bit - and wondering what they're learning at school (and why and from who!). I'd told them I didn't want any of their candy because I was trying to lose weight. Daniel was checking out my menu and doing the visula on what Momma was trying to do in losing weight. So, I told him I couldn't have any of his fish or his M&M's - he's pretty tough - that may have been a mistake! Then we had to have a demonstration from both Daniel and Maria about how you scare people - you say "boo". We had to have a lot more demostrations on that....and I WILL be watching behind doors for a while! Maria started out with hiccups - then started faking it when they were gone away. The fake ones were much more fun, but since I want to be able to take them to nice places to dinner....someday....I didn't encourage that one. And, finally, the most interesting conversation was how I didn't sit with my legs close enough together. Daniel demonstrated how I should be sitting.....hmmmmmm......sure hope he forgets about that - I'd hate to have to be too ladylike sitting around at the house! I'd LOVE to know who sits really prim and proper - and why/how Daniel noticed it!

Momma's left smiling now that they're gone to bed. And, we'll do it all again tomorrow.

Zoo Trip

Today was a full day - full of adventures and misadventures. We started out at the grocery store buying birthday flowers for a friend and realizing that Momma isn't quite used to too much activity with Daniel and Maria - her debit card was most likely left at Outback last night. So, off to the bank before delivering the flowers, on to visit our friend with flowers and off to the zoo....a little later than we'd anticipated.

They enjoyed the zoo - and Daniel's definitely got his spelling down on zoo - zee oh oh....repeated that a few dozen times while we were walking in and looking at the sign. Once we got in they were pretty much running from exhibit to exhibit trying to capture it all - not sure they realized that such a thing as a zoo existed. We saw the giraffes, otters, elephants, aligators and lots of other things I don't remember. We left a bit earlier than we wanted because we had some life lessons we needed to learn, but it was a beautiful day and one they enjoyed. Hopefully we won't have to cut things short on the next visit.....sort of think it did hurt me more than it hurt them.....but amazing how much slower you walk on the way out and than on the way in!

We had a visit from our friend, Mrs. Kristi this afternoon while we were having lunch, attempted naps, and started practicing for spring/summer by the pool. We grilled hamburger steaks by the pool and ate them out there. Daniel and Maria did great at staying out of the pool but you could tell they enjoyed sitting out there - even kept saying "home".

Tonight we're cutting out transportation flashcards. Daniel loves to cut and Maria likes delivering the finished product to Momma. We're working on counting wheels, looking at colors - and Momma is amazed at how far they've come.

I'm not sure what to do with my Daniel. He's getting pretty good at precluding poor behavior - if he thinks he's getting upset and about to get in trouble, he runs to the kitchen, sits down in the proper spot and says "Daniel Time Out". His teacher told me he'd done it at school one day last week. He's done it no less than 10 times today. At first I laughed to myself and then I started scratching my head in amazement. I wish I could take credit for it, but I have no idea where that came from - no way it came from Russia for sure - don't think they had the time out concept! I'm sure his preschool would like to take credit for it too and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't think they were that good either. It is not a bad idea of course though. I'm sort of thinking that is what he's figured out to be able to please his mom....his teachers. He wants to please and most of the time you can tell he's really trying to do that. I've been reading Proverbs of late and he is seeming awfully wise for a 5 year old right now.

I love Daniel and Maria and I love having more relaxed time to spend with them!

Momma's lost her mind - a night of firsts

Momma's started low carbing it and decided she was tired and didn't want to cook....forgetting that going out to eat with Daniel and Maria is not entirely a relaxing experience. We went to Outback - and at least beat the masses on Friday night, but they were waiting a long time by the time we left. They brought the bread and Daniel was fascinated by the big knife and the bread board. I'm not sure he even ate any bread, but Maria absolutely LOVED the butter. She was eating it without need for bread and had her nose nicely decorated with it as well. Daniel saw the picture of a baked potato and had to have one. So, Momma mistakenly ordered baked potatoes and chicken for both of them. They ate nothing except a few of Momma's mushrooms - the idea was good, but we failed in the execution (they like potatoes and sour cream....not together!). I'd switch back and forth in the booth between Daniel and Maria - its hard when they both want to sit by mom - and not sure I'm ready for one on each side in a booth meant for 2. We did have a near miss on the big knife - Daniel grabbed the blade when I'd set it down on Maria's plate after cutting her meat -obviously Maria couldn't have him grabbing it off of her plate and yanked quickly. Fortunately no blood was shed - lesson learned the easy way! I really enjoyed dinner and I think Daniel and Maria had a good time absorbing the sites of all the lights (the low hanging one over our table) but the real fun began afterwards.

Thinking they obviously hadn't had enough to eat I asked them if they'd like some ice cream. OK I know you're supposed to eat ice cream for dessert, but I was thinking it'd sort of defeat the purpose of eating out if we went home and I had to cook! So, we stopped by McDonald's for their first ice cream cone - we live close and I figured drive through would be fine since we could be home before there was not much melting time. From lick #1 they loved it! Enjoy a few pictures. It was great fun watching them enjoy it.

Picked up a really tired son today....

....he just hasn't been himself tonight. We went to Mission Friends last night at church and I think we're going to have to strike that one off of our list for a while - even though they really enjoyed it - painting Ugandan monkeys and all. It made it a little late for them getting to bed. Momma's always tired by this point of the week and I can see that Daniel and Maria are too. - and they've both actually slept for the most part through the night this week (this is a very good thing!). We've not been turning on the TV during the week because we have such limited play time, but we declared a movie night (Bug's Life) just to let 'em chill a little bit extra. I've had a full lap all evening. I'm looking forward to the weekend and some R&R for all of us!

Fun and games

We got home in time to play outside for a little while before dark - think that was a first! I'm not sure if we wore them out on the seesaw, but we were trying. Momma fixed supper which was a definite hit with Maria - she ate 4 bowls of chicken noodle soup. Naturally, Daniel was not a fan, but he did have plenty of apple, an occasional taste of soup just to see what the attraction was for Maria I suspect.....he won't go to bed hungry.

After dinner and dishes, we played follow the leader....which ended up being some combination of Simon Sez (Daniel's favorite game from church), a military march, and about anything else you could think of. We eventually had an "injury" that required Momma to carry Daniel to the hospital (his bed). From there I had to mend a couple of broken legs for Daniel....then Maria managed to "break" her arm......Its amazing that they're all calm and ready for bed already! It is lots of fun playing with them and seeing just where their creative juices take us!