Alice In Wonderland-The Ballet

Take One-Warm Up
Take Two: The Performance


Take Three: Basking

It's Not Okay

The Twins

(so I couldn't get the video to load...must be too long and I don't know how to edit it)

Here are the twins playing one of their games. Can't remember if they were getting ready to go hiking or to the grocery or maybe some movie re-enactment. Doesn't matter. They do this a lot and have a wonderful time pretending. Makes me smile. (especially Sawyer's bag lady look)

Tap Recital (Ballet Recital on the 28th)

She was so excited to be on stage tonight. AND to wear some makeup. AND to do something no one else in the family has done. To quote her: "This is the life. That's what I'm talking about."

Now, Mom could tell she was nervous. She kept biting her bottom lip.
BUT
She had the time of her life.

(Note: The pics are what they are..it was dark)

VIDEO
Couldn't load tonight. Will try later.

PICTURES

b4
during(they are looking left for the teacher's queue)





after

Oh the Places We Go

CAMPING

FIELD DAY

Busy Saturday

Judson ran in his 2nd Peachtree Junior race. He did it in a bit less than 18 minutes.
His best time yet!

A buddy from scouts!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then we met up with our friend Luyushu and her Dad.
It's been 2 months since her Mom died.
They are doing pretty well,
adjusting to their new normal.
(At least, I think they're doing better than I would be)

Bottom left corner, Sawyer going down with his new friend.
One would climb up to the top
and wait on the other one to get there.
Then they'd hold hands and slide down together.
They'd get to bottom, laugh, and say "let's do it again"

Take a Look

Really take a look at her!
She is 5 years old.
She should be in Kindergarten giving the teachers grief.
She should be with her family.
She is not.
She is trapped in an ugly place with no hope of a future.
Did you look at her?
Doesn't she remind you of Mrs Beasley?
Doesn't she tug at your heart strings, just a bit?
You could help.
Click HERE.

Quick Post-Jailbird continues his slide

Since Blogger lost my last post, I'll make this short and sweet until I know Blogger is behaving.

Speaking of behaving, let's talk about Jailbird.

This morning while preparing for school, you could see a spark in the Jailbird's eyes. He was animated. He was excited. He was busy. He was talking. Telling his Dad not to call him 'Saw-man', his name was Sawyer Stricklin. He was headed toward trouble.

His Daddy said, "you sure look and sound like a little boy who is going to get in trouble at school today".

Before sending him to his bus, we admonished him. "No Tweeting. No bad reports. Or NO GROCERY STORE". (That is his reward at the end of hard week of Kindergarten)

He said, "Okay, Mom
(If you have a 20 year old Ethiopian son, you might recognize "OK MOM" as the standard reply when his English fails him and he has no idea what you just said. The same may apply here too)

On the positive side, He did NOT tweet.

Nope. He DING DONGED instead. Along with throwing crayons on the floor and some other things.

This means, Mom gets a trip to the store by herself tonight.
You'd think I'd be doing the happy dance.
However, it's quite fun taking Sawyer to the Grocery store, so I'm a bit saddened.

Randy suggested taking one of our alternates.
I declined the offer.

Lend a Hand

See that button to your RIGHT? The one for IAN?

Check out IAN's Mommy's Blog RIGHT HERE.

If you have never been through an adoption, you have NO idea how stressful and time consuming it can be. It can drain every bit of energy you have. It takes an emotional toll.

So why do it? Look at that face and tell me he is not worth it. That face that has the look of an angel. Put here by God. Deserving of a Mommy and Daddy.

Eastern Europe has some of the most expensive countries from which to adopt. They are also notorious for treating orphans in general, special needs kids specifically, very poorly. Little Ian has a heart defect that needs attention. A heart defect that will kill him if it is not treated.

So I say all that to say, if you have money and wish to donate, I know his mommy would be appreciative. If you click on the IAN button, you can make a tax deductible donation. If you have a kind word of encouragement to leave, please do. (Don't even bother if you have nothing good to say) A simple prayer. Whatever you feel, just show her some love. She's at her darkest moment right now and really needs some encouragement.

It does take a village and we can be her village.

Re: Jailbird

I had to go pick him up at school. He was "Tweeting" in school. Anytime the teacher opened her mouth, He started saying "Tweet Tweet Tweet". Pretty good way to get out of work. On the playground, he ran towards the woods. Not allowed. Sure was funny when the teacher came running after him, I'm sure.

So, Jailbird came home and immediately started working. Writing practice. Math Practice. Letter recognition practice. One and half hours of home work. He is now sitting on his bed.

Yeah, I'd laugh too if it happened to you!
Since he's my Jailbird, I'm trying very hard not to laugh.

Happy Mother's Day 2011

I had a very special day today.

Everyday is special with these four.
From left to right: Fashion Princess; JailBird; Tummy; Little Prof

I received lots of pretty flowers and cards and even lunch at one of our favorite restaurants.

Hope all you Moms had a special day today!

Not so Good Day....

MUG SHOTS

(Profile)

Front

Does this look like the face of someone who spent his day in the principal's office?
Picture coming to a post office near you.

Good Day!

What does $12 buy you these days?

A field trip with the entire Kindergarten...

An almost pint of fresh strawberries....

A good report from the teacher

"Sawyer had a great day!! He loved the strawberry patch. He would not take his hat off, we put it away to eat lunch- he put the hood on. It's so funny how he wants his head covered!"

This is huge. Vegas odds makers were not giving us good odds that a 'good report' was possible.

And this:

A smile as big as the Mississippi.
Animated speech and expression while relating the day's activities.
And a sunburn because Mom forgot sunscreen.

Silly Saturday

Almost Wordless Wednesday

That's chocolate around her mouth, not blood.

(Brother helped loosen the tooth)

It's the Small Things

Two bandannas, some ribbon, elastic and 30 minutes of my day


Makes for 1 happy little girl.

Easter Bonnets

Change of Plans

So, the plan WAS to head to TN for Easter.

Plans change.
So, being the flexible family that we are,
we changed our plans also.

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt!!!

Teach a Kid to Fish

It hit me recently. I may not be teaching my kids to fish. I always thought I was. I always try to make them independent and able minded. Yet, maybe in some way I am failing.

Am I letting them help me make dinner when they ask? Or am I too busy to stop and teach them how so I say "Not this time but next time"? When they say, "Can I help", do I say "Certainly" or do I say "Why don't you go play instead"?

That's important. Because at some point, they will stop asking. Of course, that insures that I will always be doing everything by myself. Total control. Deep down inside, I don't want that.

That realization SMACKED me in the face the other day. I was trying to offer help but kept getting told "No thank you. I'll do it myself" or some other variation of the same theme. "You've got 4 kids. You have enough on your plate" "I've got it under control but thank you for asking". "I'll take care of it." yada yada yada

You know what, I'm not inclined to offer again. Their 'rebuff' made me feel like my offer was not adequate and not up to their standards.

Then I started thinking about family dynamics. How many times at family reunions do you hear "Aunt So-n-So is here. Didn't bring a thing. tsk tsk"? Did you stop to think way back when, how many times Aunt So-n-So did offer but was told, don't worry. We have it under control. I'm here to tell you, Aunt S0-n-So gave up. You told her she was not needed way back when and she quit asking. Or what about Cousin Who-zit? Doesn't help clean. Boy is she lazy! Is she really? Or perhaps you told her to go take care of her kids and rest one too many times and now Cousin Who-zits doesn't feel needed or capable of reaching your lofty standards.

So I made myself a promise. I don't want to do that to my children. I am going to make every effort to let them help when they ask. Because if I don't, I will have no one to blame but myself when they stop asking.

Weird how lessons come at the most unexpected times!

And while chess was going on in the city....

In Our House

The Band Played

And The Artist Drew

'Cause that's how we roll!

Chess Tournament

Judson competed in his first chess tourney today. He had a blast!

(In fact, he is so W.I.L.D. Daddy is taking him for a 3K run to calm him down.)

He won 1 game!
He lost 2 games.
One game ended in a tie.

He wants to do it again!
(a true test of any activity)
(Yeah, I know. The orthodontist is going to LOVE my family)

Andrew (China)

It's ez to ignore orphans when you don't look at their faces. Once you look at them, it's much harder to forget them. Just sayin'!

Andrew (China)

OK people. This little guy needs a family. Let's get going and find his family so he doesn't have to wait any longer. Click on his name and it will take you to the picture and write up. Single moms can now apply as can older parents. So spread the word.

Real Live Hero

I Just Melt

When I see this:

I'm Always Amazed....

When kids KNOW the consequences of lying, yet when they receive the punishment are angry with you for it. Not ONE but TWO kids today. Must be the heat!

More Hilton Head

Wildlife

More Wildlife

A few small cottages along the beach.

Salt Marsh

Spring Break in Hilton Head

I have been promising the kids a 'beach' vacation For-Evah! So we went for a short visit to Hilton Head. Such a fun time. The kids enjoyed it and so did everyone else!

Checking out a dead jelly fish.

Judson Island

In the lagoon RIGHT.BY.OUR.CONDO!

Gotta love the lack of crowds!!!


Hitchin' a ride

Good News

Remember the story of Kirill? The one that has made it's rounds around the internet and social networks? Turns out that on Thursday (and again on Friday) the HOOK family went before the very same judge who DENIED the Davis family's request to adopt Kirill. The Hook family was requesting to adopt baby Evan. Guess what? THE JUDGE said YES!!!! I do not have details of yet but here's hoping that means the Davis' appeal for Kirill will have a positive outcome!!!! And here's hoping that the Moreno family's request for Baby J (again with the very same judge) will also have a positive outcome. How exciting! How wonderful! What a way to start the day!