Easter

We had a great Easter weekend and the kids had a ball. We went to our neighborhood Easter Egg hunt...which only took about 10 minutes for all the eggs to be collected. Unfortunatly Lucas and Emma were separated into different areas because of their ages so we were only able to take pictures of one...and since it was Emma's first Easter egg hunt...she got all the pictures. They had a great time!

We colored eggs on Saturday afternoon (an annual event that is even more fun with two) and Emma really enjoyed getting creative. As a result, I am sick to death of eggs and I do not want to eat any for a REALLY long time:)...

Easter Morning, Lucas and Emma woke up excited to see what the Easter Bunny brought them. They searched high and low for their baskets. The "Easter Bunny" hid them behind the curtains in the dining room and it took them a while to find them. Of course, this is nothing new in our house...if it isn't in plain sight...no one can find anything...including Chris!! Unfortunately Lucas became quite sick throughout the day and he didn't even eat any of his treats. Oh well...more for mama!!

We had another parent/teacher conference with Emma's teacher last week and she continues to be doing very well. We asked the question "Is she going to pass to first grade" and her teacher responded "absolutely!". She told us that she is so attentive and she sometimes explains the teachers instructions to some of the other kids. Not bad for a kid who didn't understand English 6 months ago!! We are so proud of her. Now...if she would just stop writing her name on everything...closet door, carpet, bedskirt, walls, tables...

Lisa

6 Months Home

Lucas Graduation photo: Pre K

Emma school photo: Kindergarten

Taking the truck for a ride

Lucas and Emma Playing at their favorite park

It's hard to believe that we have been home for 6 months with Emma. She has come so far in such a short amount of time. Last weekend she pulled her "homework" out of her backpack and told me she needed to read her books. With her on my lap I was settling in to read one of the books to her, with her pointing out the sight words that we have practiced. Apparently my reading expertise was not necessary as she proceeded to read the whole book herself! I was in shock!! It was a short book with simple language but when she read "rectangle" I almost fell off the chair! How is it possible that this little girl, who didn't speak a word of English 6 months ago (and she couldn't read Russian either), learn to read a whole book? I certainly couldn't read in Kindergarten. I am so proud of her...my admiration for her just keeps growing.

Lucas has been having some problems at school with one of his little friends. Every day he comes home crushed because this little girl "isn't very nice" to him. Nothing too serious... just typical kid stuff...he just tends to take things to heart. Anyway, after discussing with him ways for him to deal with it, Emma comes over to me, puts her hand on mine and whispers "It's ok Mama...I'll take care of Luka". It is amazing how she sees her brother hurting and she has taken the roll of "big sister" very seriously. I imagine she will "take care" of him for many years to come. She is small....but she is mighty! I have no doubt that she will protect him, as I am certain she "protected" the smaller kids at the orphanage. It is her nature. Such strength wrapped in a package of pure kindness is truly humbling to see. I don't know that Lucas will truly understand how blessed he is to have Emma as his big sister until he is much older.

There isn't anything else going on. Life has settled into a pleasant routine with daily reminders of our many blessings. I pray that those families that are in Ukraine right now find their pleasant routines as well.

Lisa