A picture says a thousand words

We have an update!!

I was absolutely tickled pink (or should I say blue?) to get home this afternoon and find photos and updated information on our Daniel!!    Daniel was in  a foster home from April 2006 through January 2009, so almost three years.   He seems to be developing his motor function.   Speech is still an issue (not surprising to me).   His weight is now around 12.2 Kg (almost 27 lbs),  head 47 cm, and height 90 cm.

He is growing hair, and we finally have a smile!!!

Current fundraiser

We have signed up with Current catalog.    Current has GREAT items, especially with the Holiday season(s) approaching.    Current is helping us generously.   If you would like to browse their online catalog,  and help us at the same time,  please click on www. currentfun . com.  

*please email me, jlr1964@yahoo.com for the info you will need to check out*
   

Current will ship items direct

Thanks for taking a look!!

No news

According to my agency they have had no LID updates from CCAA since August!!   Said maybe they are "very busy".   Guess this is the "price" we pay for being with a large agency.   The saving grace is we will have that much less time to wait hopefully when we find out what the actual date is.

In the meantime, we had a wonderful relaxing weekend at the beach in celebration of DH's birthday.  Don't know how much he enjoyed it (I'm the beach bum, not him,) LOL but the kids and I sure did :o)

School days

My dd got thru the 1st quarter of 4th grade with flying colors.   She just hates those darned AR tests (LOL).   I talked to her teacher and she said that she has a very nice group of girls in the class.   And D has actually taken the leadership role on occasion.    It was reassuring to know that her peer problems don't extend to all areas of her social life.   She made honor roll with A's&B's so I see a treat in her future.
Still have to meet with ds teacher.   He seems to be doing okay though.    I am glad they have both had good /nice teachers in elementary ~ such an important time!!

Trouble in Paradise

My dd has always been a bit quiet and introverted. In 4th grade, I am starting to see her struggle to relate to and interact with her peers. I have seen girls that she knows walk away from her again and again as she tries to interact. It is such a helpless feeling and I don't know how/why these things happen. I know, "kids are mean". But it is so hard to see my own little one being hurt. I have no idea how to help her. I can only begin to imagine what we will go through when Daniel gets home and into school. But in a way I think (and I may be totally off base) it might be easier, because boys tend to just pick up and play with little verbal interaction at least in the younger years. The "don't ask, just jump in" mentality. Oh how I wish I could wave a magic wand and make the hurt go away...

Waiting for Godot

Our paperwork was shipped to China basically 20 days ago. I don't know if it's cause we're with a big agency, but they only get log in date updates once/month. I am hoping we are already logged in, and just have to wait for the actual date. So, in the mean time, we wait.... and wait and wait. When you adopt from China the wait times are VERY variable for each step. Some people get approved in 60+/- days. Some people are waiting 100+ days for approval from China . And there is no way to know what will happen in your case.

Godot, where are you??!!

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school projects

When I was in fourth grade, our project was to "make a musical instrument". I spray painted a jewelry box and filled it with dried noodles!! Not, said the music teacher!! So I ended up with my Dad in the basement helping him (okay, watching him) build a "musical instrument" with some bits of wood, nails and rubber bands.

THIS is my daughters 4th grade project .... the Volcano.... Here's the thing; I can understand the importance of science and seeing things with your own eyes. What I don't understand is what educational value is achieved by Mom and daughter (kind of) spending ....hours..... on a volcano "project" for a science experiment that will last 20 seconds (ie the eruption?)

So.... presenting our "Mount Kilauea". (Okay, use your imagination.)

Here's a thought..... do the Volcano in ART class to be used in science.

Let afternoons be for what they are supposed to be for: play time. And we wonder why there is an obesity problem starting in elementary schools?

quack quack

Now I am not a duck person. And maybe a "duck person" would say "Duh!!" but I saw what I consider to be some very smart ducks today!!! We have millions of Muscovy ducks (which are of Asian origin) in our town and wherever there is a canal you are sure to find a few.

Today as I drove home from work I watched two ducks try to cross the road (4 lanes) from the Denny's restaurant (smart ducks!!) to their canal. These birds crossed over to the middle of the road inbetween the stopped cars. They then turned their heads and LOOKED AT THE COLOR OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT!!!! As they looked it turned green and those smarty ducks turned around and high tailed it back to the curb from whenst (is that a word?) they came!!

Maybe it's just me but I was just amazed !! Nature is awesome!!

:o)