Preschool Program and Graduation

 
Today was Markos' last day of preschool. Wow, how this year has flown by.  Seems like it wasn't that long ago that we were just beginning to weigh the pros and cons of sending him to preschool & daycare for the socialization he was craving vs. how it would impact our attachment as a family.

We definitely made the right decision to send him.  He loved going to school and playing with the other kids.  He has learned a lot and is definitely much better prepared in many ways to start kindergarten next year.  And, I really needed a little time apart from Markos' continuous motion and questions for my sanity (and to complete my Grad school work).  When I was able to have time for myself, the time that he and I spent together was so much nicer.

We were very blessed with a preschool and teachers who were extremely patient and caring and willing to work with us/Markos with regards to whatever he needed during this transition time.  Mrs. L celebrated with us and shared with us when she noticed changes and growth in his behavior.  For instance, when he first started preschool, he was still very set in that orphanage mentality of "everyone must get EXACTLY the SAME thing".   A few weeks ago, she excitedly told me that she almost started to cry during snack time about how far Markos has come because she looked around and noticed that all the kids were eating a bag of chips from one of those variety packs and they all had different chips but Markos hadn't complained or whined about it and was happily sitting and eating his chips while others ate their cheetos or doritos.

 I can only imagine the patience that it took to work with a room full of preschoolers while answering Markos' continual questions about EVERYTHING, attempting to get him to sit and pay attention, AND using paint and clay and all that other messy stuff that I hate to use at home. 

I did have a little bone to pick with her but forgot to mention it today, so Mrs. L if you're reading this, I'll have you know that the other day, Markos was yelling and screaming (for no real reason, just playing and being loud) and I told him to stop yelling and he said, "Well, Mrs. L. said I could!".  I said, "she did not."  And he continued to insist, "Yes ,she did!!  She did, Mom!  Mrs. L said, 'well, you can yell at home but not here'".  Thanks a lot!  ;-)

As for the end of the year festivities, the classes did a Spring Program last night with lots of songs sung, hand-motions, and a slide show.  It's strange how easy it is to think about how far you've come but forget that these hurts run deep and they will take a long time to heal.  As cute as all the kids looked (and Markos did look mighty sharp!), I ended up sitting and fighting back tears the entire program.  He was so excited for this night.  He knew these songs and sings them all the time at home.  Then, he walked up front with these new friends of his and he got that same scared look on his face that I remembered from his farewell ceremony.  He mostly stood the entire program, looking dead-pan out at the audience with his hands in his pockets, barely moving his lips and all I could remember when I saw this:

 

and this...

Was this...

The same lack of participation and just standing there, afraid, and mostly frozen in place after the nannies insisted that he get up with his friends at his farewell ceremony and sing some songs for the 'parents' who were there (just us!).  He didn't want to go up with them.  He just wanted to stay on my lap next to Eric and watch, but they pushed and made him stand there.  It was all I could do then to fight back the tears, too.  I remember desperately wanting to run up there and snatch him up and bring him back to my seat so he could just relax and watch with us.  After all, how many farewell ceremonies had he already had to participate in as he watched his friends, one by one, leave the orphanage while he waited.  Waited for his family to come.

Praise God.  Last night was different.  He didn't have to get on an airplane later that night to go to a new home where he knew no one, everything was different, and he didn't speak the language.  Nor did he have to see one of his friends head off for a different country.   Last night, after the singing was over, he got to drink punch and eat cookies with his friends.  Then he got to pick the restaurant where his family -- his FOREVER family -- would eat.  (Some of us were not thrilled with the choice of Chick-fil-A, but no one complained!).  Then after we ate dinner, we stopped for ice cream, as a family, because it was a celebration.

Our baby boy finished preschool!  He has grown so much - mentally, physically, and intellectually!  Kindergarten (and riding the school bus), ready or not, here he comes!! 

Oops! Sorry, Honey!!

Markos is obsessed with Emergency Responders lately.  He talks about firemen and fire trucks, ambulances, policemen and police cars all.the.time!  Just last week, I took him shopping with some of his own money and he chose to buy a school bus and an ambulance, but begged to also get the police car.  He plays with the firetruck, police car, school bus, and ambulance matchbox cars everyday.

So last night, when Eric and I were riding home from playing tennis and we saw the flashing lights in the rear view mirror and realized that they were, in fact, for dear hubby's "sliding through the stop sign" that we had just passed and "going a little fast" (as the nice officer put it), I joked that it was a good thing that Markos wasn't with us.  He would almost certainly drive the officer nuts asking 400 questions, OR he would panic and fear that Eric would be hauled off to jail for his traffic violation. 

Earlier in the day, Markos and I saw two police officers sitting in Chick-fil-A.  They were sitting at a table eating their lunch, but when Markos saw them, he said,  "Mom!  Do you think they're going to arrest someone?!"

Me:  No.
Markos:  Then what are they doing here?

Me:   Eating their lunch.  Policemen have to eat, too, you know.

Markos:   What would happen if I went over to their table and told them to 'shut up'?

Me:  You'd get in trouble!

Markos:  Would I get arrested for saying shut up?

Me:  No, you'd get in trouble from me!

Markos:  Because I was going to get arrested?

Me:  No, because it's RUDE!!

Anyway, this little conversation and Markos' lack of understanding regarding the criminal justice system in America probably should have come to mind earlier today, but it didn't. 

Instead, I made the mistake of telling Markos this morning, "hey Markos, guess what happened to Daddy last night?....He got pulled over by a police officer for driving too fast." 

This little tidbit of information led to the asking of the previously mentioned 400 questions.  You know, the ones where I assured him that no, daddy did not go to jail; no, daddy did not get to ride in the police car; yes, the policeman did turn on his lights and siren; no, daddy didn't even get a ticket - he just got a warning where the policeman nicely told Daddy to "slow down, sir, and be careful because there are a lot of kids that walk along this road".

Unfortunately, this may not have totally cleared things up for Markos.  During his soccer practice today, I heard, very clearly, from the opposite side of the gymnasium,

"My daddy got arrested yesterday!"

Yikes!   Ummm.  Sorry honey!  Don't be surprised if people are looking at you funny at Markos' soccer game on Saturday. 

And, just to set the record straight, Eric was not arrested.  He was pulled over for running a stop sign and speeding and given a written and verbal warning.  No points.  No fine.  No jail time.  No record.  If Markos tells you otherwise, don't believe him! 

Go Outside and Play!

It's been a while since I've posted.  What can I say? We've been a little busy.

I finished my class, but have already started another.  During my week off, I spread four yards of mulch.  That was fun.

The boys have been thoroughly enjoying the beautiful weather we've been having.  Unfortunately, the sun staying up later has made it difficult to stick with our normal neurotic-ly controlled bedtimes.

A few tidbits of what's been happening:

It's finally been hot enough outside that the boys could break out the slip n' slide water knee hockey set that they got for Easter. 

Markos started playing soccer:

While buying gifts at Toys R Us for several birthday parties that my children were planning to attend, I happened upon a large display of hula hoops that were on sale.  After reading all about fellow blogger Jamey's new found love of hooping over at Zehlahlum Family, I decided to pick one up and see if I could still do it.

I'm happy to report that, although it took a few tries, I was still able to hula hoop.  And, it's quite a work-out.  Far more so than it probably once was, but my kids think it's super cool and fun, too, so what the heck.  There are worse exercises out there!  It's better than sit-ups!  And, the laughter that the kids' first attempts brought was also good for the abs!

Here's Markos' first attempt:

Here's Daniel's first attempt:

Sorry, no video of me.  I'm not THAT crazy!
Daniel has since mastered his technique and can now actually walk around WHILE he hula hoops.  It's quite impressive.  Markos has not yet mastered it, but he has discovered other fun things that he can do with the hula hoop.  Like this:



We got some new neighbors. They're really nice and friendly. My boys love them. As a result, we're having to teach them some social skills regarding neighborhood etiquette. Such as, when it's appropriate to scream 'hi' out the windows and when it's not. What it's ok to ask the neighbors and what it's not ok to ask the neighbors. That it's ok to say hi when they get home, but it's not ok to run up the driveway and across the road to ask where they were, what they were doing, and invite yourself in to dinner.   If nothing else, at least they can take comfort in the fact that our children will be diligently watching their home for intruders should they ever leave to go out of town.

Unlike the boys needing to watch for the neighbors, they need not watch for the boys because they can just listen for them.  They're loud.  Really loud. And they do things like this for entertainment:




I'm certain it's not safe, but at least I make them wear helmets.  Eric assures me that "They're boys.  That's what boys do.  If it's not dangerous, it's not fun."  I don't know about such things - being a girl and all - but as long as they're happily playing together outside, I'm going to go with it!!

Hope you're all enjoying the beautiful weather, too!

I know what I need!

I have figured it out.  I realized today just what I need.  

Something that should greatly increase the storehouse of patience that is constantly depleted I have.  

Something that will make car trips much more enjoyable.  

Something that will allow Eric and I to actually have a conversation when we travel.  

The upgrade that I would gladly shell out mega-bucks to have in my next vehicle.

And I am sure that I am not alone.  

So all you inventor sorts out there, listen up!  

Here is what is needed....

a sound-proof divider between the front seat 

and the booster seats!

Lest you all think I'm a terrible mom who wants to neglect her children while driving, let me just allow you to experience a small tidbit of the conversation (can it be called a conversation if only one person is doing the majority of the talking?) between Markos and I in the car today.

******

(as we approach the van...)

"AHH!  Mom!  There's a spider on the door!"

(I use the paper in my hand to flick it off the van.)

"There.  It's gone."

"Where?!  Where did it go?"

"I knocked it off.  It's under the car."

"You knocked it off?  It's under the car."

"Did you whip it?  (no time to answer)  

Did you whip it...like Jesus?"

(Wow, that Easter program really had an impact on this wee one.) 

"Where we going?"

"Are we going to grocery store now?"

"I thought grocery store was that way."

"No, it's this way.  That's why I'm driving this way."

"But I thought it was that way....HEY!  Look, it's a UPS truck."

"Is that the UPS store?"

"No.  It must just be making a delivery."

"To who?  What are they getting?"

"Do we get deliveries?  Do they have a UPS store?  Where is it?"

"I don't know."

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!  (Markos just starts clapping as loudly as possible to some beat unheard by me.)

"Can you turn the music up?"

"sure."  (although I'm not sure why because who can possibly hear it when he never stops talking or making noise.)

"thanks"

"excuse me."

"EXCUSE ME!!  I said 'excuse me'."

"umm, ok.  what?"

"Only God can stop them."

"Stop what?  What are you talking about?"

"I burped.  But I can't stop the burps.  Only God can stop them."

"But I said 'excuse me'."

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!  'Only God can stop them.  Only God can stop them.  Only God can stop them.' (Markos singing some little song he just made up, while clapping along with himself.)

"WHAT'S THAT?!"

"what?"

"You missed it!!!  YOU ALWAYS MISS IT!"

"Markos, I'm trying to drive the car.  I've told you before, I can't always look when you ask me things."

"Oh - what's that truck for?"

"It's the cable truck."

"What are they doing?"

"I don't know.  Probably fixing the cable line."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

 Toot.  Toot.  Toot.  Toot.  Toot.  (Markos proudly engaging in his new found skill of whistling.)

"Mom, did you hear me whistle?"

"yes Markos.  You're getting very good at it."

Toot.  Toot.  Toot.  Toot.  Toot.

"Hey!"

(I'm trying to pull out into busy intersection so I don't respond right away)

"Excuse me.  EXCUSE ME!!!"

"What Markos?!" (obviously annoyed tone)

"Well, I SAID excuse me!"

"What do they do in there?"  (pointing to some random building)

"I don't know."

"You don't know every stuff?"

"No, Markos.  I don't know everything."

"I know.  You don't know a lot of things."

 "Hey Mom, know what would be funny?"

(For you to stop talking for 2 minutes?)  "No, what?"

"It would be funny if God made it morning when it was night time."  (hysterical laughter from the back)

"Yeah, that would be funny."

"God could do that?"

"Yes."

"God can do any stuff?"

"Yes."

"Can God make a tree house from a bush?"

"Yes"

"Can God make all peoples fly?"

"Yes"

"Can God lift up that building?"

"Yes"

"Know what?  Mrs Lucarelli said she doesn't have a dad anymore.  He's in heaven."

"Is he with God?"

"Did he come back to life in heaven?"

"Like Jesus?"

"Is it soft in heaven?"  (No time to answer any questions...)

"Hey!  How come some things are big and some things are little?"

"I don't know Markos.  Because that's how God made them."

"What's over there?"

"Where?"

"Over there!"  (Pointing over a random hill)

"I don't know."

"Is it Ethiopia?"

"No Markos.  I told you Ethiopia is far away and we'd have to ride in an airplane to get there."

"It's on the other side of the world?"

"Yes."

"are there other worlds?"

"Not that we can live on."

"Why?"

"Because that's how God made us."

"Would I have to get a shot?"

"For what?"

"To go to Ethiopia?  Would I have to get a shot?"

"Maybe one or two, just for traveling so it would protect you from getting sick there."

"I don't want to go back then.  Ever.  I don't want to get a shot."

"I thought we were going to the grocery store!  Are we almost there?"

"Can I play in the play room?"

"What are we doing after the grocery store?"

"Do I have soccer today?"

******

I kid you not.  That is how it is 24/7 with this boy.  

HE. NEVER. STOPS. TALKING!!  

EVER!

For some reason, when I'm trying to drive, and think, and listen to music (all at the same time), 

his incessant talking is all the more aggravating to me!

So I need a sound-proof back seat!!  Or a great deal more patience.  

(Or possibly some strong medication)

But frankly, the sound-proof backseat seems most likely at this point.

Excerpts from Second Grade Writing Journals...

Oh, how I LOVE when these come home from school with Daniel!  His teacher encourages them to write creatively, doing their best work and using their new vocabulary words, but they're free from correction or grading.  There are always spelling errors and grammatical errors, but they are priceless.  Each page has a box at the top for the kids to draw a picture to go with that day's writing, and a phrase to get them started.

Daniel is such a sweet, quirky, creative little boy.  He has surprised me with how he's excelled at reading, writing, and spelling this year.  He loves to include his 'robust vocabulary words' in our everyday conversations - which is hilarious at times.  I've found that his writing is no different.

My favorites from today are so numerous that I have to put them in a blog post to avoid numerous Facebook postings.   Some of my favorite quotes include:

In It's raining cats and dogs...,  

"stepped into the storm of raining cats and dogs, you step into a poodle!"

In If I were a giant...,

"I would be unstoppable!  If anything got in my way, I would smoosh them!   A lake would be a puddle and an ocean would be a lake!  I would step on trees, but except the spikey ones, they hurt.  They make me yell YOWSER!"

 In The sun...,

A fun fact is that the sun can go over one thousand degrees!  My favorite things to do are play with all my friends, eat lolypops or any ice cream and have water fights!

My favorite full entries are:

Recess
At recess you can play any tipe of game.  Its festive, and fantastically superb!  You can play a spacious amount of games.  I and you can play with your cautious friends.  Recess is a glorious thing!  Pretty much everybody likes recess.  That's a colossal amount of people!

Five Excuses for not doing my homework...

I'm sorry!

 If I were a book, I'd be...

If I were a book, I'd be a book about hockey.  I would have all the players.  Even the all stars players!  And don't forget the glossary, index, and table of contenints!  I would kinda like being a book!

 And last but not least,

Dear Mr. Leprechaun,...

Dear Mr. Leprechaun,
WHARE IS YOUR GOLD?  GIVE ME YOUR GOLD please NOW!  Then I will be nice. Oh sorry, you didn't here me.  GIVE ME YOUR GOLD!!!  WE'LL BE friends but first GIVE ME your GOLD!!!!!  Now I will be nice but give me your gold now or else you turn into a talking pizza.
From, Daniel

I wish I had time to scan all the pictures so I could post those as well, but alas, dinner calls. 

Your Second Chance...

OK, so if you really wanted a necklace, but missed out on the ones I was selling, here is your second chance!

Head on over to Journey 4 Hope - the blog of another adoptive momma who volunteers with an awesome organization in Ethiopia called FOVC - Friends of Orphans and Vulnerable Children.  FOVC works near the area where Markos was born. 

She is selling beautiful necklaces that she made from magazine beads which she purchased the last time she was in Ethiopia.  She is also selling beautiful baskets made by the widows in their Crops for Widows program, as well as some beautiful artwork made in Shanto, Ethiopia. 

Tamara is sharing her knowledge of agriculture to help the widows in the FOVC program learn how to grow their crops and how to manage their crops during the current drought and famine.  Her husband is a veterinarian.  He is also working with FOVC, helping to train the widows on how to care for their livestock, as well as training an FOVC staff person in veterinary medicine so FOVC will always have a hands-on person in Ethiopia to help.  This couple is doing all this traveling out of their own pocket, as volunteers, in order to serve the orphans and widows of Southern Ethiopia.  Your necklace purchases will help them with their travel expenses for their next trip.

So go buy a necklace...or two....or three.  They're beautiful.

 See?!!

Necklace Update!

I'm sorry to say that, if you wanted a necklace and didn't act quickly, you missed your chance.  

All necklaces are now sold.  

God is good!!  

Orphans and widows in Uganda receiving income.  

Orphans in Haiti receiving peanut butter, bed sheets, medicine, or whatever else I'm told to bring.

And you and I receiving beautiful, hand-made necklaces!

Thanks to all who purchased them.  I hope you love them! 

I know I love mine!