How did this happen?

Today marks the three year anniversary of filing the paperwork for our adoption from China. It was however almost 4 years ago that we decided to bring our third child into our family through international adoption instead of pregnancy. It wasn't a difficult decision at the time but I look back at all that has happened since and know we would not have made the same choice had we to do it all again. I now have a 7.5 year old, a 6 year old and a referral no where in sight. We are taking a good hard look at the reality of our family now and will be trying to figure out if we are meant to stay the course after waiting for so many years. It is a heartbreaking process with lots of tears, anxiety, frustration and anger. The one thing I know for certain is that I love my family and will try to do right by them.

School's Out for Summer!

Here are my little pickles on their last day of first grade and
kindergarten. Sniff sniff.

The day was sweet with pizza parties and long hugs goodbye.

Both kids got glowing report cards and wonderful teachers for next
year. They both have been separated from good pals next year so that
is bumming them out a little. Sweet Pea especially. She's been
stomping around the house being bratty ever since. We're hoping she
works through this soon!!

Fathers day foibles

Well the kids an I had a clever video project in the works for SJ for
fathers day. That was until my computer ate it this afternoon forcing
me to start over.SJ decided he'd rather have our company this evening
than a present in the morning. So we are now all at a playground and
he'll get his pressy next week!

1 Month until Bastille Day!

I know in these parts we are all getting excited to celebrate the Fourth of July. I love the 4th with all the BBQs, parades and fireworks. SJ and I also got engaged on the Fourth so it has been an extra special day for us for 13 years now. This year, right after the Fourth we fly to Paris and get to do it all over again on the 14th. Yup- 10 days after we celebrate our Independence Day, France does the same thing with their Bastille Day holiday.

I have always wanted to spend July 14th in France and am over the moon I get to do it this year. As a kid a few girl friends of mine and I would fly to Minnesota for summer camp - a French summer camp. Oh I know what you're thinking but it was regular summer camp complete with archery and crafts but we spoke French, ate French food (did you have fresh baguette at your summer camp? No? I rest my case.) and oh yeah - if you were there for the July session you also got to reenact the storming of the Bastille. It was a load of fun with the campers being divided into Royals and Peasants (I never got to be a Royal) and we had a day of dressing up, singing songs, putting people in jail (a shed turned into a prison for about 15 minutes) and then tossing them into the lake. It is an important part of French history and the counselors at Lac Du Bois did a fantastic job with all the theatrics. In case you are curious, Lac Du Bois is part of a group of language camps run by Concordia Language Villages. If you have a kid even slightly interested in foreign language, please look into these camps for a summer activity.

Found a video with a good little summary of what Bastille Day is like in Paris- take a peek if you like.

Lost in Translation and Lost Teeth

In an effort to get everyone ready for the realities of living in a French speaking country, I am busy labeling things around the house with the french translation. My daughter is trying really hard to get the hang of the french while her smarmy brother is still claiming not to be able to read. Yet when we get to the number 20 on my long list of numbers written out in French he pronounces VINGT phonetically. Yeah, so that burst his little claim that he can't read therefore can't participate. BUSTED.

The same smarmy child uneventfully lost his first tooth last night. All of the sudden there was a stampede up the stairs with children yelling that Buddy was missing a tooth! Yes, yes, he lost is first tooth they exclaimed. SJ and I jumped up and down with them until we asked him to show us the lost tooth and he said he didn't know where it was. Here is how that went:

Mom: Buddy I am so excited for you!! Show me the tooth.
Buddy & Sweet Pea in unison: We don't know where it is!
Mom: Buddy - what do you mean you don't know where it is. Did you swallow it?
Buddy: No, I don't think so. All of the sudden Sweet Pea said I was missing a tooth.
Mom: Well what were you doing right before that?
Buddy: Eating a nectarine.
Mom: Where is the nectarine?
Buddy: In the garbage.
Mom: Okay, let's go down and take a peek in the garbage to see if the tooth is stuck in the nectarine.

Sure enough, there it was!