Thursday, November 29, 2007

PowerWheels

Here's a picture of one of the greatest sources of great fun and great conflict for us. Someone Dan did a job for gave him this and of course the boys love it. Problem is there's not enough battery for each one to ride as long as he wants so they must take turns. When it's not your turn it seems that everyone else is getting more time on it than you. When it's your turn it seems that you are being cheated on you share of the riding time and you accuse Mama of not being fair. This of course causes you to not be able to ride anymore for the day. When Papa tells you you can't ride anymore until tomorrow in order to let the battery fully charge you might sneak out and do it anyway because it's so much fun. Then when you're caught the punishment that is given makes Mama and Papa suffer too. It is never too cold to ride - you just need a "acket" (as Juan says).
Jonathan is coming over to stay with the boys tomorrow afternoon and evening. He has the day off work, and volunteered to come and give us a little free time. I knew that boy would turn out OK. :) Anyway, I'm not sure what we're going to do, but it will be nice to get away for a few hours. We haven't done much of that lately.
Have a good evening.
Karen




Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Happy Day







It has been a good day. The sun was shining, we got to go outside to play and everyone has had an overall happy day. We both took turns riding bikes with the boys. We went to the lake and watched the ducks. The boys took turns riding the powerwheel vehicle. We played two games of Chutes and Ladders (Maicol won both). We had dinner together with lots of funny faces made between bites of chicken. Each boy got to rock with Mama before going to bed. In other words, lots of fun and only two very brief visits to "sit on your bed" for Juan and Andres. Everyone is tucked in and asleep. Hope your day was as much fun as ours!

Karen

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thanksgiving

Gee, what could we be thankful for this year? Today it is three boys. Yesterday, maybe not so thankful because they were all "little monsters". It seemed like nothing was going right, but today everyone is happy again. Dan was home with them while I worked today so maybe that was it - although they do like me much better than they used to. :)
Last year I was making the decision to actually take the plunge and adopt. Dan was going along with it. :) We had talked about it on and off for years, but never did any serious investigation into the possibilities. I had always wanted more children and it seemed the biological route had ended and we needed to take a different road. As another birthday approached it seemed it was really getting down to "now or never" and I knew I would always be sorry if I didn't pursue it. We sent in our initial application to the agency in January 2007 and in just 7 months added three sons to our family. What a year it's been! I can't imagine life now without them. While they certainly aren't perfect they are a wonderful addition to our family and have made our lives so full.
We're off to Grandma's tomorrow for a Thanksgiving weekend. It's a four hour drive which none of us are looking forward to, but it's the only way, so we'll make the best of it. I'll be glad when they can read or play games to pass the time more easily.
Talk to you after the weekend.
Karen

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Highs and Lows

What a day of highs and lows. It seemed like one minute everyone was happy and the next they were all crying for various reasons. Juan is still having trouble behaving since his birthday. At least I think that's what it is. After we tried to be as simple as possible, I think it was still too much. He had a terrible time this morning listening, but after a nap and some Motrin he was better this evening. They have stuffy noses, so maybe that is part of it too. The boys and I had a great time playing tonight. I was holding their feet so they could walk on their hands, flipping them over, standing them on their heads, etc. They were laughing so hard! I like it much better when they can go to bed on a happy note. Everyone got a chance to rock and went to bed without much protest.
Maicol is still suffering since he can't ride the battery powered 4-wheel vehicle someone gave Dan. He snuck out and rode it when Bethany was watching them and so he lost the privilege of riding for a few days. He remembers and pouts about it a few times every day.
They are still hoping for snow tomorrow, but I think the best they're going to get is some flurries.


Taking a nap with Bethany. Andres has been climbing on the couch and snuggling up to her since she's been home.
The two-head "monster".

Monday, November 19, 2007

Birthday

Yesterday we celebrated Juan's 6th birthday. He did not know it was his birthday, so was quite surprised to get up and see the decorations and find out it was his day! We tried to keep it as low key as possible. Just had one set of grandparents over and had cake and opened a few gifts. The cake was nothing special - but he was happy and wanted us to sing Happy Birthday more than once. In the evening we went to McDonald's with a couple of families so the kids could play together. It was good, but I think we have been paying for it today a little. Juan has had a really hard time doing what he should. He has been very big on saying "mine, mine, mine" and "don't touch" concerning the gifts he received. He was even unhappy that I had "touched" the movie he received. So Dan fixed that pretty quickly by telling him the TV and DVD player are his and Juan couldn't touch them. Without those things the movie is useless. Maicol got it right away, but Juan took a little longer. Then he was following me around saying "touch, touch" (the movie). We're having a hard time getting them to understand the line between having things that belong to you and being reasonable about it so that others can enjoy them too. I realize they are probably not accustomed to having that many gifts at one time and being the center of attention. We'll get another shot at making it work come Christmas. The afternoon was a little better.
We're expecting warm weather tomorrow and then it will cool off and maybe S-N-O-W. They heard the weather forecast of TV tonight and are just sure it is going to snow alot in 3 days. I sure hope there's at least enough that they can see it.
Have a good night.
Karen
Enjoying a little birthday cake.
Is this a happy boy or what?

Gift from the "fishing" Grandma.

A big dump truck that makes NOISE. (what was I thinking)



Thursday, November 15, 2007

Rearranging

It has been a good day overall. Cold here, but we did go out and ride bikes and jump on the trampoline. I even jumped. Then we got into wrestling on the trampoline. It was fun and no one lost any teeth!
Juan has been arranging things in the house today. He started in the living room, then went to the entryway, bathroom and our bedroom. What he likes to do is line things up and put things out as if they are on display. He lined up the boots and shoes and then hunted up enough things to cover the coffee table and end tables. He lined up the tub toys and rearranged the things in the bathroom. He wanted to rearrange the furniture too, but I said no to that. He also did some sweeping, so I can't complain too much. He has been very "charming" today.
We're off tomorrow to attend the National Missionary Convention and see a missionary we support from India. It's a long ride in the car and we won't be traveling during nap time, so we are not looking forward to that part. I've packed toys and snacks so hopefully we'll get there without too many tears.
Still looking for snow......
Karen

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Rocking

This is how we end our days when Mama is home. The days I work 7am-11pm it's not possible, but otherwise we do it. I started out just with Andres, then a few days later Juan wanted to be rocked and now Maicol too. I think the older two especially wanted to rock at first to avoid going to bed, but even if that's the case they still benefit - they just don't know it yet. I really enjoy the time with each of them. Andres usually just grins and looks really cute. Juan many times actually falls asleep. He seems to like to snuggle up. Maicol just wants to talk. Usually about who is working tomorrow, if and with whom he can ride his bicycle, what happened during the day, etc. He doesn't go to sleep, but I still like the time and hope he has good thoughts when he goes to bed. I have to admit I do it as much for me as for them. I obviously missed doing it when they were babies, so I really cherish it now, because I know it won't be long til they think they're too big. They don't know you're never too old to rock with your Mama. :)
Good night,
Karen




Saturday, November 10, 2007

Toothless

The picture below will let you know what the excitement was at our house today. Juan lost his two front teeth! They have been loose (we think since they came to us), but of course he didn't want anyone to touch them. He had not been biting any food with them, but was always using the teeth on the sides. Hard to eat an apple that way, but he did it. Anyway, Maicol, Juan and I were jumping on the trampoline and there was a little accident between the two brothers. When Juan got up he was minus his two front teeth! Maicol was afraid he had done something bad, but I told him "it's OK" - which is a phrase he uses frequently even if it's not "OK". He still hugged his brother to let him know he was sorry. After a very few tears and a good mouthwash he is very excited to be minus the teeth. I think from what he said he thinks he'll have new teeth tomorrow. I'm afraid he is going to be really disappointed. The new ones are not even visible yet. We did find the missing teeth on the trampoline, so we have saved them. He was very excited to show Papa when he got home from working today.
They are excited to go to church tomorrow. They all went to their respective Sunday School classes last week and evidently had a good time. I'm glad to see them getting to know other kids. They seem to get along and be able to play even with the limited English they know.
Still no snow even remotely in sight. The weatherman had better come up with some pretty soon, or my boys are going to think they have been lied to. :)
Enjoy your Sunday.

Karen


Thursday, November 8, 2007

Rocks

Just an average day here. Dan worked some this afternoon and then joined us at the park to play. I think we spent almost 3 hours there. After Dan came we went down to the lake and he skipped rocks. Maicol was quite impressed. Juan and Andres just picked up rocks and sticks and threw them into the water. We haven't had much rain so the lake is low. That leaves lots of rocks from the lake bed to be picked up and thrown, which is why we spent so much time there!
I don't know when they would have had enough of it - we just decided it was time to go home and fix dinner. We did see a bald eagle while we were there. I don't think I've ever seen one (except maybe at a zoo).
The colds that Juan and Andres have had seem to be getting better. The coughing and sneezing seem to be gone, just a little runny nose left. Maicol has not been sick yet - lots of bike accidents, but no illnesses. :)
We're still waiting for our first snowfall. I think they still ask everyday if it's going to snow. I can't wait til they wake up to a good snow.
Enjoy the pictures. Talk to you in a couple of days.
Karen



Cold, wet and miserable.
Brothers

The "babies" in the baby swings.


Look, no feet!




Would you like fries with that?



Tuesday, November 6, 2007

The Days Just Fly

"Watching" a movie with Papa.
Playing Sorry with Jonathan.

Juan without training wheels!


It's been a good day - but boy does the time fly! Seems like the day is over almost as soon as it started. I was home today and Dan was home part of the day also. He finished the laundry room last night, so I worked on getting things back in there today. By the way - it looks fantastic! He put carpet down and redid/added shelves. It's so nice.
It was a little cold to be out much, but the big boys did ride their bikes a little and they all jumped on the trampoline some tonight. Juan can now ride his bike without training wheels! Maicol had been helping him and in just a day or two he was successfully riding. Not ready for a Tour de France, but he can make it down the street and turn without falling over.
Jonathan came over for dinner and to play games and do a little movie watching too. They always love it when he comes. We do too! Bethany will be coming home next Friday for Thanksgiving break. We're looking forward to having her home for a few days too.

Here are a couple of pictures to enjoy. Talk to you later.

Karen






Sunday, November 4, 2007

PJ's

Here we are in our much-loved footed pajamas. No more complaints of being cold since they started wearing them. It has been cooler and they think it's cold enough to snow. I hate to tell them, but it will not snow when it is only in the 40's. They ask nearly every day now how many days until it snows. If only I could know the answer to that question!
They all went to their respective Sunday School classes today. No one had to be picked up early and they seemed to have had a good time. Not sure how much they understood, but Maicol did come home saying a couple of more words, so he understood some. Juan wasn't sure about it at first, but I think it seemed a better alternative than going with Mama and Papa. Plus if your brothers are going, you can't be outdone by them!
They played in the preschool playground today after church and got along soooo well. Dan wondered what was wrong. :) They get along like you would expect brothers to. The older one picks on the next younger one a little and such sometimes, but most of the time they play very well together. They do also look out for each other. Right now Maicol is trying to help Juan learn to ride his bike. He's been doing the traditional running along beside him holding onto the seat to help him keep his balance.
Have a good Sunday.

Karen




Friday, November 2, 2007

Jumping

Lots of jumping going on at our house this week. Our neighbors graciously offered us their trampoline since their children don't really use it anymore. Our boys have been having a great time with it. They even helped dry the floors this morning while I mopped without complaining when I told them we would go out and jump when the job was done. That's a big improvement. Typically they only want to use the mop, not dry the floor and they complain about how each of them is having to do all the work.
While Andres took his nap today I had Maciol and Juan take turns on the computer working on the alphabet and the letter sounds. Maicol can read in Spanish, but he doesn't know the letter sounds in English. Juan only knows some of the letters and doesn't know the sounds they make. It's really a treat for Juan to get to use the computer. Usually we don't let him touch it because he has no idea what he's doing. :) This program is pretty simple and I keep an eye on him while he's using it. We're doing workbooks too, but I think the computer is more interesting. :)
Here are a few pictures of the trampoline. Talk to you tomorrow.

Karen