Monday, August 31, 2009
A great exercise
Eliana and I tag-teamed tonight and helped Zane get through a 5-page Geography reading assignment.
When Zane came to a word he couldn’t pronounce, Eliana would read it aloud. On the few occasions that she couldn’t figure out a word, I would help. It was a great exercise for both of them.
It took us probably twice as long to finish as it should have, though, because they both would get tickled everytime Zane
mispronounced a word.
OK. I giggled a few times myself.
But Lord knows he’s had a fair share of laughs at my expense whenever I try to speak Chinese.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Farmer Karys
Green Acres is the place to be…
Friday, August 28, 2009
A massive cowlick
Zane will probably want to shoot me for posting this photo but…
I just had to show you what a massive cowlick this boy had when he got up this morning.
He’d make a peacock proud.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Had to happen sooner or later
It had to happen sooner or later. It just happened a little sooner than I expected.
I was helping Eliana get ready for bed tonight when I asked, “Can I come and eat lunch with you tomorrow?”
“Ummm…”, she stammered.
“What? You don’t want me to come eat with you?”
“Nnnnnot really. It’s a little embarrassing.”
[sigh]
{extended}Wednesday, August 26, 2009
6 months ago
I realized just this afternoon that it was exactly 6 months ago today when Carmi and I boarded a plane with Eliana and Karys to begin the journey of bringing Zane home.
To say that Zane has made amazing progress would be an understatement.
6 months ago, he didn’t speak a word of English. Tonight, he read a sentence in front of a small crowd at church during a special recognition service for our Wednesday evening children’s mission study groups. Once we came home, he sat down with his shiny new Mac and typed out a one-page homework report telling what he did after school today.
The structure of his sentences wasn’t very good and he asked how to spell a lot of words, but he did it on his own.
He was so proud. And rightfully so. But not nearly as proud as I was of him.
Meanwhile, Eliana was in the Christmas spirit. She stuffed poor Maggie Mae and Sagwa into a Christmas elf’s hat and hauled them around like a sack of potatoes.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What’s with girls and sweat?
Once Carmi came home from work, I went outside and mowed the front yard. Even though it was cooler outside, I worked up a pretty good sweat and soaked my shirt.
Karys is just like her momma… she doesn’t want me anywhere near when I’ve been perspiring. Usually because I try to hug her.
So what did I do?
I came in the house and held out my arms to see if Karys would come to me. She reached for me and I scooped her up.
And it took all of a split-second for her to realize that I was wet. Actually less than a split-second.
You’ve heard of stiff-arming in football? She stiff-legged me and started kicking at the exact moment that she let out an ear-piercing scream.
It was funny after I caught my breath.
Prepping for day number 2
Both Zane and Eliana seemed to have a great first day of school.
Poor Zane. He already has homework.
Eliana? She’s just prepping for day number 2.
Monday, August 24, 2009
We’re a little poorer
Thanks to a local HVAC company and Goodman Manufacturing, we have air conditioning once again.
We’re a little poorer… but so much cooler…
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Last day with no cold air
We went to the early (8:30) service at church this morning so that we could leave before lunch and head to Carowinds.
It wasn’t terribly hot outside - I believe temps were in the 80s - but there was some humidity. The kiddos found a lawn sprinkler and waited for it to make the rounds to get an occasional misting. They thought it was quite refreshing.
Not long after we arrived in the park, I ran into a guy who was my best friend growing up. We live just a couple of miles apart but only occasionally do we bump into each other. He had his youngest daughter with him so we all hung out together throughout the afternoon and Carmi had some company on one of the “adult” rides.
Poor Karys. She’s almost as fearless as Eliana but there are many rides she’s just not tall enough for. Try explaining that to a headstrong 4-year-old who doesn’t (or maybe refuses to) understand why she can’t go with mommy and sissy.
One day, sweety. One day.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Harry Potter marathon
My mom has been gracious enough to let our loud and crazy crew stay at her house this weekend.
To keep the kids occupied, we went to Wal-Mart yesterday (Friday) and found a DVD set of the first 5 Harry Potter movies for only $37 plus some change.
Having never read any of the books and not seen any of the movies except for a few bits and pieces on TV several weeks ago, I wanted to see what all the hubbub was about.
So we’ve been having a Harry Potter marathon and have made it through about half of the third movie (Prisoner of Azkaban) thus far.
I’m curious. What is your opinion of Harry Potter?
{extended}Friday, August 21, 2009
Joy comes in the morning
It’s hot as a freakin’ firecracker in this house.
Remember last night I said it was 83? I’d kill for 83.
Right now it’s
91**.
There’s an old Gospel song that goes, “Hold on my child. Joy comes in the morning.”
Well, Monday morning at least. That’s when our new unit will be installed.
*updated 6:30 pm
** updated 7:15 pm
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Some more kinda hot
Our central air unit finally gave up the ghost after some 16 years.
Zane is asleep on the floor in his room with a fan blowing on him. Eliana and Karys are asleep on the living room floor under the ceiling fan and another fan blowing on them.
The ceiling fan in our bedroom is spinning so fast it looks like an airplane propellor.
83 degrees in the house at night is some more kinda H-O-T!
{extended}Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Too bad
Before leaving the house for church tonight, I told Karys to go to the potty.
A few minutes went by and I stuck my head in the bathroom door to check on her.
“Did you poopy?”, I asked.
“Yes.”
“Shew. It’s a little bit stinky.”
“Too bad, so sad.”, she shrugged.
{extended}TV buddies
Eliana’s 2nd grade assignment
We received a postcard today from Eliana’s school with her 2nd grade assignment.
Orientation is Friday so we’ll have a chance to meet her teacher.
Still waiting on Zane’s assignment. His orientation is also Friday so I guess we’ll find out at the last minute before school starts next Tuesday.
Time to go purchase that new backpack.
{extended}