Week 5

I guess we are getting to the point where we will not count weeks anymore, but months that the girls have been home with us.  This week flew by and had some memorable times.  Here are a few highlights/lessons learned.
1.  We needed an oil change so we dropped of Ryan's car at Merchant's to have that never fully realizing the impact this would have on our two newest additions.  There was crying and mourning when we drove away and "daddy's machine" was staying at the garage.  Though we insisted it would be coming back home tomorrow, they protested that it was not broken and we needed to take it back home with us.  Oh the long faces as we pulled away.  And, oh the joyful homecoming the next day when the machine was back!!!!

2.  The car experience made me wonder how things would go when we sent the boys off to scout camp for three days.  Though Naomi will not actually acknowledge James as her brother (she will claim Silas) she was very upset when James and Silas left with Uncle Dean on their camping trip.  Tears welled up in her eyes and I had to bring her in to the calendar to show her when they would be home in order to ease her saddness.  There was also concern showed by Joanna when we were eating dinner (just the girls) and she realized that James and Silas were not eating.  "Mommy, James, Silas no eat!!!!" she exclaimed with wild eyes and panic in her voice.  I assured her that they would eat and camp but I am not sure she believed me.  There was a sweet reunion tonight when daddy brought the boys back home.  Hugs all around!!!

3.  Sometimes Creole words make for funny stories.  Ryan remarked this week that my cooking is okay, but only our Haitian kids ask for an "encore" of my lasagna!  It is also funny to hear them ask for an encore of things like the dog getting his head stuck in an oatmeal container this week-wish I had a picture of poor old Bailey.  Best part of this story is when Naomi wanted to recreate the scene.  She got the oatmeal container but he was not interested in an "encore" until she went and put a dog treat in it.  Then he fell for her bait and was stuck in the dark for a second time.  Oh how we laughed!!  Many of you have asked how the girls are doing with having a dog.....he steals their food and they play tricks on him.  I think they are doing just fine with him!  (yes, encore in Creole means "again.")

Joanna sorting and counting.  11 is her favorite number!

4.  "School in Haiti bad, School in America is good.  Mommy is a good teacher."  Words from my 7 year old that made my heart sing.  We started school this week (well, okay, it was like a practice week to get things moving in the right direction).  Naomi and Joanna were not quite sure what to make of school at home, but after a day or two they realized that we know how to learn AND have a good time.  They both did a great job and will be great additions to our school.  This year will be the first year that we are a preschool, elementary school, and middle school.  yikes!!

Ready to go shopping!

5.  "Everything is just starting to feel normal."  Wise words from an eleven year old whose world seems to be getting back to something approximating "normal".  We had a regular weekend that included some back-to-school shopping, organizing the school room, watching movies and just hanging out.  It really is starting to feel normal.  Well, until you here things like this.
Abigail:  "Nana is coming over and we are going to go shopping today."
Naomi:  "Shopping?  What is this shopping?"
Upon returning from the mall and Target Naomi exclaimed:  "I LIKE shopping."

Pretzel treat at the mall to power up the shoppers.