Pool Party Fun...

So far it has been a fairly laid back weekend. Although I have at least a thousand projects to do around this house, I have not gotten a thing accomplished. I have been lazy this weekend. I admit it. Well, I did catch up on most of my laundry this morning. I guess that counts for something...

In the afternoon, we went to a pool party for a local parent's group for families that have adopted from Russia/ Eastern Europe. The kids had a great time. It was nice to meet other parents who have adopted from Russia, although, as usual, I spent most of my time chasing after my rowdy kids. D fell into the deep end of the pool at one point, and I had to go fish him out. Fortunately, he was wearing his life jacket, so he didn't sink to the bottom. It did, however, give him a big scare. It scared me too. I really need to get these kids in swimming lessons soon! I meant to this summer, but things were just so hectic that I never got around to it. Maybe this winter I will sign them up for lessons at the YMCA if they offer them...

In any event, the kids had a great time splashing around in the pool, playing on the swing set, and eating all of the great food that our Hosts provided. It was a good time for sure. The funny thing was that I just commented on an email group about how little D eats, and at this party he ate like a little pig... Granted he mostly ate chips and crackers, but at least it was food....

Below are some photos of the party. D kept calling it a "Beach Party". I Guess he picked up on all of the discussion about Russia, because on the way home he kept asking me if we could take an airplane back to Russia--he said he wanted to "go to snow"... :)

D By The Pool

Some MAPREC Parents...

Having Fun In The Pool...

Big A Loves The Water!!

Playing On The Swing Set....

D And Little A Playing Pirates!!!

Ahoy Mateys!!!

Getting Ready To Slide...

Little A Posing By The Pool...

D Lounging....

Big A Getting Some Sun...

Being Thankful...

Tonight is a good night... It has been a long, hectic week, but it's over. Well it's not exactly over since I have a house call at 8 am tomorrow, but close enough. Tonight I am thinking about how lucky I am to have my beautiful children-- yes, the same children that drive me absolutely crazy at times. But I am lucky. No matter how much they challenge my patience, I find myself counting the hours until I can pick them up from school. When I'm feeling depressed about work or finances, my first instinct is to go get my kids and spend time with them. I love my children and they love me, and that's all that matters...

Today I learned that one of the little girls I met at D's orphanage is going to be adopted!! I read the email at work and actually teared up. I was so happy. I still think about those children every day. I look at D, and I can't even believe that he was once there. Then I realize that the rest of those children still are there. And most of them probably always will be. It really breaks my heart. I think about how close I came to giving up while waiting to adopt, and I am so thankful that I didn't. I can't imagine D having to live his life in an institution. It is unimaginable.

So tonight, instead of complaining about money, work, or mischievous little children, I am just thankful. Thankful for my children, thankful for my home, and thankful for my life. I am also thankful that 2 little orphans from across the world are going to soon have parents to love them.

Notes...

It's funny, I read other people's blogs about their lives, and their children and they all seem so happy and peaceful... I've noticed that lately my blog primarily documents the chaos of my family. Unfortunately, that is all that I seem to have to write about now--chaos, clutter, screaming, hyperactivity, disobedience.

This school thing is really stressing me out. So far this week, I have gotten two notes home about my children's misbehavior in class. Monday's note concerned Big A and her disruption of the class with noises and a loud voice. Today's note was about D-- he hit a student and continues to disobey/ignore the instructions of the teacher. Wonderful. The note has to be signed by the parent and returned to the teacher the next day. Guess what? I'm the parent. Instead, with each note, I feel like I am getting chastised. I feel like the notes indicate that I have poor parenting skills, and my children's misbehavior is a direct reflection of my abilities as a Mother. Guess I'm getting an "Unsatisfactory" this week.

The other bad thing about these notes is that they bring back memories of my elementary school days--back in my day we got paddlings and got our desks put in the "coat closet" for disrupting the class. I should know, I spent the better part of first grade sitting back there, and Ms. Brown paddled me in the hall several times. So... as you may imagine these notes bring back unhappy memories and reduce me to feeling like a rebellious, bored first grader. And the rebellious child in me wants to wad the notes up and throw them in the trash. But, of course, I don't. Instead, I sit down my rebellious bored Kindergartners and have a serious talk with them about how to behave in class, and how they should respect and listen to the Teacher. In D's case, I am talking "at" him because he is wiggling around, looking in every direction but mine, and basically ignoring every word I say.... Can we say ADHD?!?

It all seems so fruitless. I know that Big A will continue to have dramatic fits at school, and I'm beginning to think D will never catch up -- or even attempt to catch up. I just feel like when I walk around in public, people are looking at me thinking "What a terrible mother.." I really do try to get these children under control-- sometimes I feel like a Drill Sargent. I would challenge anyone to spend a week with my children and not completely lose their sanity. Seriously. They certainly are all "spitting images" of me-- even D, who is not even genetically related to me. How ironic is that? I can't even adopt a kid without an attitude!!!

Anyway, I've signed the damn notes and threatened my children with punishments. Tomorrow may be better, who knows....

On a lighter note, here are some photos from our visit to South Carolina this weekend...

My Misunderstood Clone! :)

Little A In The "Pink Swing"

The Birthday Boy Opening Presents

" E" And Little A...

"K", aka Ben Ten

D, Digging...

The Boy Never Has His Eyes Open

For A Photo!!

My Baby...

Silly Big A...

The Russian Cyclone...

Happy Children...

Cooling Off Under The Misting

Fountain...

Fevering Friday....

It's a fairly slow Friday here at work. That is a good thing because Big A is here with me today... Yesterday, when I picked the kids up from school, Big A was complaining of a headache and feeling cold. When I got her home and took her temperature, she had a fever of 101. She did not eat dinner and said she felt like throwing up. Thankfully, that did not happen, but she put herself to bed early. This morning she was no better---her temp was 102. So, no school for her. Instead I dragged her off to work with me... The other two kids are so far not sick. I hope it stays that way. Big A is feeling somewhat better now--her fever is gone thanks to multiple doses of children's Motrin, and she actually at some lunch (she also skipped breakfast). I just hope she doesn't crash again in a few hours.

When we took D to school, Big A picked up her school work for the day. She just finished it. Now she is happily coloring in the lobby. That girl LOVES art. She could color and and draw all day... I hated having to bring her with me to work, she really could have used a day of rest at home, but she seems pretty content, and it is slow---which really helps. Tomorrow the kids have 2 birthday parties to go to, but I guess if the others come down with fevers, or Big A is still sick, we will have to cancel. I hope not, the kids are really looking forward to the weekend...

Birthday Party Adventures!!!

As usual, I have been slacking on my blogging--mainly, I have been trying to recover from the weekend... Little A had her 3rd Birthday on Saturday!!! Now she is a "Big Girl"!! Her party was on Sunday at a local park. Nana came down on Saturday and stayed the weekend. The kids had a great time. The birthday party was a combo party for both Little A and D---since we missed D's 5th birthday, Little A wanted to share her party with him. She is such a sweet girl! She wanted a Dora party and he wanted Diego, so the party themes fit right together.

Both Little A and D got bicycles for their Birthdays... along with lots of other goodies. They were both very pleased with their surprises... Below are some photos...

Some Of Little A's Birthday Loot...

Plenty Of Loot For D As Well...

D Was Very Proud Of His Bike!!

So Was Little A!!

Opening Presents!!!

Happy Birthday Girl!!!

Hey, It's Spider man!!!

And A Ballerina!!

Spidy's Alter Ego...

Showing Off Her Ballet Moves...

Pretty In Pink!!

Oh No, It's "Spiderina"!!!

Is It Peter Parker Or Clark Kent?!?

D, Riding His New Bike

(Little A was in a bad mood, and refused to pose)

Setting Up For The Party...

D Was Excited About His First Ever Birthday Party.

Little A Was Too...

D's Diego Cake

Little A's Cake!!!

Muy Bonita!!!

"Happy Birthday To You..."

" Happy Un-Birthday To You..."

Cake And Ice Cream For Everyone!!!

"Delicioso!!"

Cousins Enjoying The Food...

Yum Yum....

I Think The Party Was A Hit...

All in all it was a great time for all the children... it makes the stress of planning the party worth it. But I am glad I don't have to do it again until January! :)