ESL Report Card! CHATTY CATHY!

So, when we went to Ethiopia our kids knew very very little English. We were told that our oldest Grace would know some. First we met Ella.  When we met her we were surprised to find out that she was speaking English a little. The other two didn't speak much. But we soon found out that Grace understood even though Ella seemed to have a better command of English.

So when we got home Ella would get in trouble from chattting incessantly in Amharic and insulting her siblings in Amharic. One time Grace was almost crying because Ella had said something. Grace insisted we call my Amharic speaking friend. My Ethiopian friend Yemi got on the phone with me and told me that Ella was calling her sister 'devil' in Amharic.

Later eventhough she could talk and talk she also was the champion when we would play the quiet game...Anyhow, today we received an ENGLISH SECOND LANGUAGE report card. We all had to laugh because although it has only been  a year. Her reading, listening etc...we all average but in the area of speaking she is off the graph...Grace's was all even..ELLA's is attached below...see for yourself.

4th of July 2009!

So it was a really great 4th. Shmoopy went to the lake with her friend. But that is happening alot as she is gearing up to go to college. She tried water skiing and thinks she needs more upper body strength.

We started out at the YMCA after I slept in. Breakfast was Dunkin Donuts as Mark took them out for the special treat. I took them swimming then at the YMCA.
Mark had to practice for the Jersey Boyz. He is playing the keyboard part for the road tour when it is in our area. Awesome extra gig to catch. I had the band over for a potluck taco dinner here the other day. They have been on the road for 2.5 years and my girlfriend Caren is in the band as is my friend Chris on sax.

So the kids went to the YMCA and had free gourmet ice cream sundaes from KILWIN's...

We came home and then went to a picnic with our church. Had a blast.

We then decided to forgo the crowd with the fireworks and head home. We again were blessed. As the sun set we heard some fireworks, went outside and no kidding it was as if we were given our own FIREWORKS SHOW...Our neighbors about 4 houses down no lie put on a show that looked like the Grucci Brothers in NY (they put on the Macy's show)...we had the kids put out their blankets, made popcorn and were on our front lawn with a birdseye view and no trees in the way..PLUS...no crowds...bathroom inside...full fridge and all in our jammies...IT ROCKED...

Of course earlier in the day I again noticed that Jared came out of the house again with mis matching flip flops...at least they weren't pink sparkles and hello kitty ones..

We are leaning on God. Starting school on Tuesday (with the exception of the little one-Princessa) and getting ready for college with Shmoopie in August....and my book release in August as well...we'll also be in Illinois for 10 days during next track out in September...

Ugandan Adoption!

My friend is going to Uganda to meet her three new children. For those of you who don't know, Uganda has had a 3 year residency requirement for adoption. Recently, they have allowed people to receive guardianship and then adopt. There is a huge need and the children are amazing....here is a video of the orphanage my friend is going to...



If any of you are interested in adoption and need more info I will be happy to get more specific info and send to you...

HIV Positive Adoption! (cross post)

So I am launching my first TO BE A MOTHER contest. I will be emailing a free ebook to all mothers who have adopted HIV+ children that participate in this contest for the next month (close date 8/4). All you have to do is either blog about your experiences mothering an HIV positive child on your blog or post a video here via Mr. Linky or on Facebook (To Be A Mother) . Please tell us what you would like us to know about HIV positive adoption/parenting. Also, if you can use the phrase or wording "i am proud to be a mother of an HIV Positive Child" Or "Happy to be a mother..." something like that..We would really appreciate it....(I am not excluding FATHERS)...Also, please send me your email if you can...





GO to Carolyn's site PROJECT HOPEFUL for more info on HIV adoption.

Five Comments NOT to Say to a Birthmom

Five Comments NOT to Say to a Birthmom

PERFUME HOME COMMERCIALS!

So we were given some perfume. QUickly the girls grabbed the lotions/perfumes and wanted to know WHY they couldn't use perfume. They kept telling me they were stinky....so should use the perfume ...It became sort of funny so I let them chat on camera...




Matea wanted to be the star and didn't like having been put in the background on one take...So we were ready for her to have her own commercial and then she bonked GRACIE on the head...When she viewed it she laughed and had to watch it 10 times..

A Day on Miss Peggy's Peacemaker Farm!

My friend has the most awesome farm in NC. I took 4 of my kids. My youngest son screamed as a docile 12 year old dog happily came to greet us. Her name was Daisy.  There was another dog that sauntered over to us. Her name was Minnie. My little Superhero son screamed a pitch so high that made the docile dogs start to act like hyper puppies.....

The girls in the meantime LOVE ANIMALS...all three of them totally fed these dogs all of the biscuits in the bowl that were usually reserved for treats only.

Later the kids met the horses and especially loved TIGER , Miss Peggy's prize horse.  They were treated to a ride around the corral...

 

  

We also saw CHICKENS and COWS....

Right after that we went to a swimming pool birtday party and then a PICNIC..

So our Friday sched was 10-2 Miss Peggy's House

Home at 3:00-3:30 (I went out to pick up gift and cookies for picnic)

3:30-4:30 Stuck in the car for an hour with bad directions looking for the party ( I almost gave up..it was 100 degrees outside)

4:30-6:20 Swim Party (I had no suit because the day was swamped)..I boiled...

7:00-9:00 Picnic in the Park with 2 couples and kids from school..

9:20 pick up sleepover guests

9:45 shower/bath littlest ones

10:10 MOTRIN/MOANING until I fell asleep from heat stroke.

TODAY...COFFEE , BLogging and moving the sprinklers around in 95 degree weather. I am staying INSIDE....