Ooops!! Where did the time go??

Since it’s been forever since I blogged, I thought I better at least pop in and make sure everyone knows we’re still here!  LOL

We had a wonderful Christmas.  All of the kids were very happy with their gifts.  I was pretty happy with mine too.  I got a new Cricut.  I love my scrappy toys! 

Mom spent the night with us on Christmas Eve.   We had our traditional Cuban Noche Buena dinner.  I can’t see roasting a whole pig as most do, so I roast a nice pork loin.  I do the marinade and all the trimmings though.  Black beans and rice, plantains, etc.   I must say, it was pretty yummy this year.   After dinner we decorated our cut out sugar cookies.  This has become a tradition in our home in the last three or so years.  It’s one that we will continue.   John took the kids out to see Christmas lights so that Mom and I could put together the play kitchen and baby bed for the little two kiddos. 

Once the kids were all finally in bed, the stockings were filled, and the gifts were spread out, and it was so nice. 

Christmas morning we got up around 6:45, and I made the kids wait until Nonnie (my Mom) got up and we all had our turns in the bathroom.   Hehe   We all sit in our own spots and there is a big trash bag ready for the wrapping paper as each gift is unwrapped so we don’t lose anything  under the mess.  LOL  Might sound a little neurotic but hey, it works! 

Christmas dinner was spiral sliced ham, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, corn on the cob and rolls.  We ate, we napped, we ate again… it was a really nice day.  No drama, no broken toys, nobody cried.  LOL  Success!

There are a few other things going on around here besides the holidays.  Timothy’s schooling is sort of up in the air right now.  The law says that once a child is 6, they can’t be in Preschool.  This means that they would not be able to “count” him in the funding, etc.  So, he was supposed to be moving to the neighboring district where they have a self- contained special ed.  classroom where he would get the attention that he needs to keep working toward catching up to his peers.  He is very delayed because of his being in the orphanage, and not having any exposure to any kind of education, therapies, etc.  He wasn’t even taught the basics (alphabet, colors, shapes, how to talk, etc.).  It’s strange to really think about it, but I realize that even though we don’t sit down with our kids and “teach” them to talk, we do.  I know that sounds odd, but if a child isn’t spoken to and taught that this is a cup, or a plate, or a dog, and taught how to say those words, they won’t.  They don’t learn if they aren’t taught, and Timothy (and many many other special needs children in Ukraine) wasn’t given that extra time, they aren’t taught how to talk.  So, he didn’t even have the foundation in his native language to build on.  He is much like a toddler, learning sounds, etc.  SO, he is NOT ready for mainstream Kindergarten, even with a one on one associate.  I compared it in an email to some friends… it would be like tossing a fish in the air and expecting it to fly.    I got a call right before school ended for the holiday break from his teacher.  The other district is full, they have no room for Timothy.  Ummmm… ok… alternatives?   One would be to bus him 23 miles to another county/district/city every day.  Nope, next idea?  Maybe our own district could work something out? Now we’re talking.  I emailed the teacher, principal, and superintendent to ask a few questions, let them know that busing him is not something we are willing to even think of for many reasons.  I need to make an appointment to go speak to the superintendent after the holidays.  I’m not one of those Moms who is going to go away.  I will fight to the death to get my little guy what he needs to learn and grow.  So HA! 

I’m not sure if I posted about your newest addition.  We have a sweet little pooch named Otis.  He is a Jack Russell terrier puppy.  The vet guesses that he is around 5 months old.  We broke him though!  We had an accident and his left front paw got hurt.  I took him to the vet and they X-rayed it and he has three little broken bones.  He’s in a “spoon splint” for 5-6 weeks (that was 3 weeks ago).  John took him yesterday to have his splint replaced and they said only 2 more weeks.  YAY!   We’ve been keeping one of Timothy’s socks over it because he will NOT leave it alone!  He licks, or chews, or tugs at it, and the sock keeps him from doing that.  We started out with a red one, and now it’s yellow.  He’s a little sweetie pie, and loves playing with the kids, and they all love him too.   

Here are a couple of pics from Christmas, I’ve got another post coming soon too!   

The tree after Santa was done!  

Woohoo!!  New Spongebob Pjs!! 

Olivia & Kati the fun was just beginning!! 

Joe & Nonnie (my Mom) 

Timothy making breakfast for all of us after the presents where all open!
He LOVES pretending!!  He is very nurturing and sweet!
Have I mentioned that I LOVE my kids lately?!  :)