Not Easily Forgotten

When Lucas and Eli first came home they spoke often of people, places and things that happened to them in the Philippines. As time has gone on they still talk about these things but now are inserting experiences they've had since arriving home.

Lucas fights very hard to remember everything from the Philippines. He can tell you his daily schedule, the things he played in Manila, his chores at the orphanage and about all the people in his life. Slowly he is becoming "accepting" that there are pieces of his life there that he won't always be able to recall clearly. Not to say that doesn't make him sad, just allows for him to grieve it and open up for new experiences. I've written some of his stories down so later he will still have his thoughts if not the actual memories.

Eli doesn't seem to have that same need to remember every detail as I think his dependence on Lucas to do that for him has always worked in the past. We hear far fewer remembrances from him but that is not to say that he doesn't have them. Once in awhile we catch one of those flashes.

This week-end the boys were outside and I heard Eli scream, (ok they scream and yell outside a lot, so you listen for the "important" screams) Before I could reach the door Eli came running and hollering for Mike. When we got him slowed down enough to understand he was upset about hearing gun shots. We live in the country and it's not at all uncommon to hear neighbors target practicing. Our neighbors are not close but in the country sound travels. It took some convincing but we finally got Eli to understand that it was not the same kind of shooting that he had heard and experienced in Zamboanga and told him who it was and what they were doing.

Both Lucas and Eli have talked a lot about the guards, soldiers and guns in the Philippines. It also made a very real impression on us when we went to Manila. You just don't see a whole lot of that in our insulated world. It is definitely one of those memories I wish they neither one had and were able to easily forget.

I have to say that while we were waiting for the boys to come home last summer and were thinking of all the things we may need to address with them, gunfire was not on my radar.

Explain Farming - You Try It!

You know I write a lot about explanations to the boys about pretty much everything, which is totally expected and amazing to watch when the explanation makes sense to them.

Unfortunately, not all the explanations are absorbed. Tonight I took Lucas to his baseball game by myself. It was one of the few times we've had one on one time lately. The game was held about 20 miles from our home so we had "car time explanations" on the way to the game; what town is this, how far, where does that road go, where is my coach, where are my friends......you get the picture.

On the way home (it was a really long game!) I was tired and he was tired so the car questions were not played and I realized that we'd both been quiet for about 10 minutes.....totally unheard of for either us....and then I started watching Lucas which probably wasn't the safest while driving.

Anyway, he had his nose on the side window looking out at the farm land we were passing. I finally asked what he thought about what he was seeing. He asked what the green on the ground was. I told him it was corn that the farmers planted and was just coming up. He looked back outside and said, "That not here when I come to America." Again we went back over the seasons and that he arrived in winter and corn doesn't grow in Iowa in winter. He went about another 5 minutes and said, "Corn is good, it green, grow big all the time - no snow, more corn." I do believe the kid is still traumatized by this past winter. Wait until he sees corn that is 7 feet tall.

Then we talked about all the farmers he knows. He now thinks he should tell them to grow corn all the time so that there is "no more cold!" Guess the farming explanation will need to be revisited.

What's Your Morning Seranade?

Life...is not boring....even at 6:30 a.m. This morning I was getting ready for work and came out to the kitchen to find Lucas dressed, glasses on, sitting at the table ready for breakfast. Because Mike is busy taking a class right now I had asked the boys if they could be extra helpful in the mornings this week and help get ready for school. Well he did, Eli showed 10 minutes later. Yeah for the testosterone factor, their sisters were a "little" slower in the rise and shine department but everyone did manage to at least move before I left for work.

Anyway, I digress. As I'm finishing up my make-up I hear Lucas singing at the table. Then I clue in as to what it is. "All the Single Ladies", Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean" and then to conclude the mix......"Michael Row Your Boat Ashore". I'm just hoping I didn't show up to work looking like a clown because I couldn't stop laughing.

Two Very Important People

Eli and His Teacher at the Spring Concert
Lucas and His Teacher

These past 6 months Lucas and Eli have made so much progress. One area that we had expected to be difficult was school. Without the help of their teachers and the staff at school, we know without a doubt they would not be where they are right now. Here is a glimpse of two people that the boys think the world of.

Birthday Wishes.....

Eli's Birthday Crown from School

He celebrated his summer birthday last week with his class
Eli's birthday is quickly approaching, 10 days and counting. As we sat, again at the supper table, I asked him what he might like for his birthday.
This wasn't so much an issue back in January with Lucas' birthday as he was pretty decisive on what he'd like to receive.
Eli very thoughtfully paused and contemplated his answer. I'm thinking ok he's really got a list to go through. Guess what he asked for..............

a cake. Mom please white cake with frosting!
Ok, I'm once again left with my mouth open. That seriously is all we could get out of him. With help from Lucas he asked for Superman and Spiderman. (Those being Lucas' favorites.) Later he came back and said, "Is cake ok?"
Yep that's a sure thing!

The Eyes Have It

Lucas has been fascinated from the very beginning by people's eyes. Blue eyes are his favorite as he really wants to have eyes like his dad.

This week-end we were sitting at the supper table, he grabs my arm and very worriedly asks, "what is wrong?" Huh? I said nothing, trying to scramble through the conversations going on at the table that he may have not understood. He insisted with, "What wrong with your eyes, they black?"

Ok, tact is not in the boys' realm, social norms pass them by so far. So I figured he was talking about the dark circles under my eyes. So I started to explain that. Nope that's not the concern. He was talking about my pupils. It was very bright in the house so they were smaller than I guess he'd seen.

He calls any eyes that are a different color than his, American eyes. I tried to explain that everyone has pupils and he did too, that it was just very hard to see his as his eyes are so dark. Ok that ended his eating as he had to run to the mirror to try and see his pupils. I'm surprised his eye lids are still attached as he pulled them every which way to try to see into them. Once again I lost this explanation because he wasn't able to see his.

Oh, Brother!

The following post is from "Big (and sometimes frustrated) sister, Sydney.

Over these months that we've had with Lucas and Eli, there has been many interesting things shared and said. I must admit a few times they've made me laugh so hard I cried a little. Everyone always asks how I am doing with them, now that I'm not the youngest anymore. Well, I am learning to be an older sister, learning to be on my guard at all times because they like to surprise me, I have also gotten better at catching things; they always keep me on my toes.

One thing that has always, and probably will always, catch me off-guard is when they say things in plain English. They will say them as plain as day, and it is usually directed at me. On a normal day it is, "Me no do dis," or, "Me no like dat." But on days like today, it goes something like, "SYDNEY! STOP POKING ME!", or, "Sydney, please help me with this!"

My personal favorite was tonight at the dinner table when Eli pops up and says, "Sydney's my friend." I thought, "Oh, that's really nice," then he continues, "Sydney can fly!" This is where I thought to myself, "Hm, I guess being his friend gives me magical powers." I'm not really sure what I should make of this, but hey, at least I'm his friend tonight!

I think I'm finally getting a hang of being an older sister now. It's kind of nice; although loud at times, it is fun. To all of you who are asking if they're picking up the language, most definitely! They might not quite get it all the time, but if you get them worked up, or they have something to say, they'll get their point across.
-Sydney Pickle

Screaming Snakes!

All I can say is yuck! Boys (and men because Mike was there too) can be so gross sometimes. Saturday was really nice here so we were trying to get some yard work accomplished. I was very happily mowing when I literally ran over a snake. Not a little one either (yes it was a gardener snake) but it was about 2 feet long. Let me say again.....Yuck!

Unfortunately for everyone including the snake it was not killed, at least not right away. I'm sorry I hate snakes ok? I did what I felt appropriate and screamed. Well apparently it was an impressive scream because it brought all the guys running....wish that worked when it was time to help in the house.

The boys who have discovered several little snakes in the yard prior to this are not what I would call particularly brave (they will deny this and claim great heroic deeds) when it comes to this latest encounter....they too screamed like little girls until Mike and our dog got ahold of the snake, then it was a complete free for all. I put the mower in gear and left the guys, the dog and the snake in the dust. The guys and dog are still here, the snake is not!

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"This is MY Mom"

Friday was extremely busy around here as the last couple posts give you a glimpse. Yesterday at the track and field, Mike, Rachel and I were busy running between the Lucas and Eli's events to try to catch each of them.

Many times it's in one of these "new" situations that the boys are learning for the first time that they also manage to teach and surprise us.

Each time I came into the vicinity of Lucas he would run up, grab my arm and drag me to his classmates and say to them, "This is MY mom!" First time I was surprised (I've met some of these boys before) the second time he says, "I have a mom." He'd point to Rachel and say, "Rachel my sister." Ate' has been replaced with sister. He really wanted to make sure that his friends knew he had a family. This was his first foray into introducing us to someone instead of us introducing him.

For a group of 9 year old boys to patiently be introduced to a mom and sister they are a pretty neat bunch of kids. They probably wondered why Lucas thought it was so special but it's good that they just envelope him as being just like the crowd. It was kind of nice for me (cause I know this too will not last) that my son thought it was neat to have a Mom......I know the teenage years await.

Baseball Scrimmage

Lucas and Eli are now moving into baseball as we are finishing soccer. We asked them before signing them up if they were interested in all these sports.....yes I know stupid question! Friday night after a morning at track and field day Lucas' team had their first scrimmage game. For those of you with boy athletes I'll say use your imagination on Mike trying to explain to Lucas and Eli the "equipment" placement before they left for school that morning. No I didn't take pictures! But it certainly is burned into my brain. Unfortunately Dad ran late at work so wasn't home for the "mom no help with this!" moment when Lucas was dressing!

Track and Field Day

Lucas' face speaks volumes

Click on the picture above to get a closer look at Eli's expression

Lucas and Mrs. Armstrong

Mrs. Armstrong helps Lucas in the classroom

and is pretty neat in his eyes

Eli placed 2nd in the standing broad jump.

The faculty and student helpers were so great explaining the

events to the guys as they'd never seen most of them.

Lucas' game face before the tennis ball throw.

All concentration.

Friday was a big day for the boys at school. That's to say that they got to spend the entire morning outside in the sunshine at the school's track and field day. Pictures say a lot more than I can. Only one thing....Eli wants to do it again on Monday...ooops back to the grind Eli.

A Family Is What You Make Of It

Supper seems to be a really good time for the boys to unload and educate us on their lives and to expand our own. We hear all kinds of things; Filipino memories, friends new and old, aunties and guards from the orphanage, school happenings and questions on everyday stuff that they've been wondering about.

I can't even tell you what brought this conversation around but I said something about my dad. My dad died in 2001 at 86 years of age. We have a photo of mom and dad but for whatever reason until tonight it hadn't clicked. Anyway when I said, "My dad...." Lucas looked at me and said, "You have dad? He go away? He come here tomorrow?" (We have family coming for Mother's Day) So began the discussion of Dad's death, what caused it and lots of references to Lola Katie's recent death. Eli wanted to know if his heart was tired.

You could see the gears moving and practically hear them. Lucas looked at Mike and I was sure he was going to ask if Mike would die but he didn't. He was absolutely amazed to know that I had a Dad that isn't here with the rest of our family. He knows Lola Ruth is Mike's mom and Lola Dona Mae is my mom and that Grandpa Jerry is Mike's dad but hadn't questioned the absence of Dad. One more hole in the family bridge that needs to be built. Later Lucas pats my arm and says, "You my mom, me you family now." I just never thought of myself as an orphan but that's a connection Lucas seems to have made at a time when he is comparing everything past and present life.

I AM NOT SOCCER MOM MATERIAL!!!

One of the first questions when adopting that the agency should ask and is totally not (at least in my spotty memory) should be: How do you handle tense sporting situations? How would you handle your child being injured by (I am totally understating this as this blog is viewed by children) unsportsmanlike conduct?

I should probably be glad that they didn't ask that question cause my answer would be that my heart would be in my throat, biting my tongue, let my husband go to the field (cause I may injure the little poop who hurt mine and take out a few Dads from the other side who thought the head kick after the ball was dead deserved laughter) and I definitely would fail miserably in not embarrassing my kid during the 1/2 to check out his eye.

The jury is out on whether Eli will be sporting a black eye and a knot on his temple for tomorrow's double header. Lucas, Eli and Mike all assure me that it is fine (the kid got nailed by a soccer ball after the whistle - come on!) and the injury will just make him look tough. Probably will. Eli may have joined some tough boys club with his first soccer injury but this is not a mom who enjoys this at all. Now that I've cleared that from my mind, I will restart my heart and go check him one more time. Wonder how embarrassed he'll be when he reads this when he's 18.

Mother's Day Gift Brawl

Well....not exactly. Lucas and Eli are very excited about Mother's Day on Sunday. They have watched tv shows with Mother's Day themes and have lots of ideas. All of which they've shared with me every night, telling me which ones they want to do....I finally had to break the news to Mike that he may want to do some planning or Sunday morning could be a little rocky.

For two guys who have not celebrated this particular holiday they are sure enjoying the build up to it. It's really neat how we get to see things as new and exciting that we may have been taking for granted in the past.

For the past 2 days Lucas and Eli have been one upping each other in the gift category. So far they've not told me anything as the argument stops when I come in the room and they shoe me away saying secret, Sunday. Then when I leave the argument resumes with much, "No! Mom's Sunday me this or me that." Hope they enjoy the day as much as I have in the lead up to it.

Mom, You Smell!

Well not exactly what you want to hear first thing in the a.m. from your oldest sons' mouth. But I took a breath and said, "Oh?" What can I say it was very early there were no clever responses in my brain.

He did redeem himself though. Lucas said, "You smell good (perfume) just like flower in Philippines." Ok I'll take that as a compliment but I think he may need to work on his delivery before he gets a girl friend!

Horsing Around

Eli and Lucas and Will the Wonder Horse

Aunt Teddie, Lucas and Cousin Loryn (not sure who had more fun)

Lucas wants a horse - bet you all are surprised!
The boys have been looking forward to riding horses at Aunt Teddie's house since they saw her picture with a horse that we sent them in Manila last summer. The pictures can tell you how thrilled they were.

The Wisdom and Insanity of Road Trips

During the course of 5 days this past week we spent 36 hours in a vehicle with 4 of our 5 kids on the way to and from New Mexico for Grandma Katie's funeral.

My dad was always one for vacation road trips as long as they went to the Black Hills of South Dakota, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. I think he was either insane or brilliant to pack his kids and later his grand kids into the car and willingly drive away from home for a week to 10 days.

I have to say if you want to get to know your kids (any age) better this is a sure fired way to do it as long as you have a firm grip on yourself, your wallet and your sense of humor.

This is the furthest the boys have been away from home and the longest since we came back from the Philippines in November. They handled the whole trip pretty well, Alison and Sydney handled it pretty well (Rachel had college finals so she missed this trip). I should probably qualify this by saying they tolerated one another in an enclosed space for extended periods with only minor eruptions and sibling disagreements. I'm also pretty sure Alison and Sydney will not be getting into a vehicle with their brothers for awhile.

Below are some of the dialogue from the car:

• Eli -"me no like Sydney!"
• Lucas - "what is thees?" (Texas)
• Lucas - "me no like" (Oklahoma)
• Eli and Lucas to Sydney - "speak ENGLISH!" (she said caballo)
• Trying to get Eli to pronounce elasticman - came out Eli-astic
• Eli talking about the mountains in New Mexico - "let's go up!" Lucas -"no you fall down!"
• Sydney trying to get Eli to try strawberries - tells him he's never had them. He says he has......strawberry Poptarts

And so went the billion conversations throughout this road trip.

So while my dad certainly enjoyed our family road trips I'm betting he secretly loved being slightly deaf from the farm tractor.

Lola Katie Remembered

This past week our family lost a very special person. Mike's Grandma Katie, to Lucas and Eli she was Lola Katie. Grandma came to live with Mike's parents a few months before the boys came home from the Philippines.

You wouldn't think that 3 people so far apart in age, language and background would have much in common but they managed to bridge that gap and ignore the parts that were beyond explanation to a 94 year old and 2 little boys.

Katie worried about the boys (as she did everyone) and the boys worried about her and when we could visit the next time.

This past week as we knew our time with Grandma was ending we slowly began introducing the concept to the boys that Grandma was very ill and wouldn't be able to get better. With no base to build on we were sailing uncharted waters with them. How to explain death and funerals to someone who has no base of reference.

Like so many things the boys have approached this unknown experience the way I'd wish adults could. They ask questions (sometimes uncomfortable ones) think over the answers, come back with more questions and have had the most loving conversations about and to Lola Katie. They worry about their other Grandmas and frequently ask about them.

When they talk about Katie it amazes me how much they have come to know her in this brief amount of time. Katie was an artist (the boys can tell you which paintings she did), she liked to read (Lucas is concerned if she gets to read in heaven), Katie had to use oxygen (the boys are glad she no longer has to drag that around).

Some people are freaked out when a death of a person and even sadly when that person is talked openly about and remembered. I am so glad that Lucas and Eli don't have these hangups. We're hoping that they can hold onto their memories of Lola Katie, she was a person who met them where they started in our family and never made them feel anything but loved.

Spring Soccer Has Arrived

Eli outrunning the opposition

Lucas after scoring the first point

Lucas and Eli have waited since January to play soccer. I don't think it's exactly the soccer they played in the Philippines but they are excited anyway. Mike was in charge of spring sports practices but due to his schedule last week and this week I have the duty of practices.

After last week's practice where we had much gazing off into the sky, running willy nilly everywhere but where they were suppose to and mid field dance moves I was more than a little apprehensive for Saturday's game.

You see we had once upon a time experienced soccer with our youngest daughter, Sydney. After her first game was when her sisters started talking about returning her to the Sydney Store. She was 5 and for whatever reason ended up as goalie. Being a girlie girl and a boss (don't know where she gets that) proceeded to stand in front of the goal and instruct the boys on her team to line up in front of her so the ball wouldn't "get" her. Yep her coach was not happy as they boys blindly followed her instructions.

Anyway we were happy when the boys showed no such tendencies, dance moves or sky gazing on Saturday. Their team won 3 to 1 with Lucas and Eli each scoring a goal.....thankfully they each scored as having only one score would have led to a very long, long week of lording it over the others' head. They had a blast so hopefully they think the wait was worth it.

Mother May I?

That is the game we played in the car tonight. Not on purpose just as a way for Lucas and Eli to try and possibly work something good out of a dreaded car trip (a whole 15 minute car trip mind you).

It started as we passed people walking 4 dogs: 2 huskies, a pug and a very ugly dog resembling a wolf. Rachel makes a comment on the wolf dog and thus Lucas asks for a wolf. "no". Then we see motorcycles, Eli says, "May I have a big motorcycle?" no. Lucas replies, "you get job." Ummm, ok. Then Lucas wants to know, "Mom, may I have a little motorcycle?" Nice try but not on my watch.

There were about another 2 miles worth of this (I'd love to be able to write these car conversations down as I never can remember all of them - can't remember jokes either) their game began to wear a little where upon I believe the words, "Boys if you want to eat at the restaurant stop it." Silence ensued until Lucas pops up with,"Mom may we have food?" Oops bad mom - I always hated that game when I was a kid!

Super Glue vs. Rubber Cement

You know when you are driving in the car by yourself and you don't turn on the radio and just have peaceful moments to THINK? Well this morning going to work was one of those slices of 15 minutes that probably save many parents' hold on sanity.

It occurred to me that a year ago in April we were taking parenting classes, waiting on the FBI clearances and hoping to schedule our home visits, all while buried underneath a mountain of paperwork. That led me to think about where and what the boys were doing a year ago.

They were still in Zamboanga, they didn't know about us and they were quickly becoming the older kids in the orphanage. The other thing was that they were united as two against the world. Stuck together as if by super glue, dependent on the other to watch their backs and to be the only constant in each others' world.

Last night Eli went outside to play by himself, Lucas went and got a book to look at in his room. Then Lucas went and rode his bike and Eli went and played ball in the yard.....so what you ask?.....well they did this separately. We are starting to see this a little more. The glue between them is still there just more of a rubber cement, they are stretching out and exploring their own interests and individuality. If we step back and watch and remember from back at the beginning what is evolving in their relationship is amazing.

They still have the bungee cord recoil and come back together but they are definitely stretching out to meet the world.

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Things We Never Thought To Hear or Be Able to Accomplish!

Well a short-long 5 months ago we didn't think we'd get to a milestone that we've reached tonight (at least not this soon). And we even managed more than one. The boys started baseball practice and soccer this past week. Much excitement...except for the cleats....they definitely have the opinion that they play better in bare feet....sorry guys.

Anyway tonight at supper Eli, our understated guy, announces, "Me no want chicken, beef!" Ok for those unfamiliar with Lucas and Eli chicken is (or was) the holy grail of food. I am so unbelievably grateful for this change in dietary preference I can't explain, wait until their sister's hear!

The next pronouncement, again from Eli, "Mom, me tired, (someday we'll get the word I in his vocabulary) me shower, pajamas now." Huh? Never once in the entire past 5 months since arriving home have I heard either of them say they were tired. Sports exhaustion is my new bedtime friend.

And to cap of this evenings epiphanies, they both let me sit and rub their skin lotion in without complaint. Our weather is murder on their skin but having to slather on lotion is not "guy" stuff as I've been informed numerous times. For those of you reading that are parenting adopted kids you will understand that touch is so important and such a trust thing that tonight when I realized we were sitting on the living room floor rubbing in lotion to feet, hands, arms, legs and backs without a word of complaint and no squirming, I thought wow look how far we've come. Like all parents you anticipate a certain event or milestone and then when it occurs you are totally broadsided.

And for any naysayers out there, I chose to believe Lucas and Eli enjoyed this time and were relaxed and not just too exhausted to protest!

Refurbished and Enjoyed Balloons

The boys go to our local elementary, I work in a neighboring school district. Today my school was fortunate to be a pilot program for a program that encourages students to look at the positive things in their lives and to acknowledge those things, the people in their lives and the students' special talents, it's called the "Grateful Owl Program".

The kids at school are so excited by this week's kick off and to end the week there were special presentations and a party for all the kids. As part of the party decorations the sponsor brought in a lot of helium filled balloons. Well when clean up was done Ashley, our school based interventionist (and as we in the office call her our sanity checker) asked if I thought the boys would like them......uhhh - yep pretty sure they'd be a hit.

It took 3 of us to stuff them into the back of the Yukon and I was very glad to have huge side mirrors driving home. The pictures pretty much tell how much Lucas and Eli like the balloons. We only had 1 balloon fatality and an escape when loading them and only one escape at home. Now we wait for the helium to go out and we will have to air out the upstairs as it's really rubbery smelling. Oh well the balloons brought smiles to two different sets of kids! Thanks to Ashley and the Grateful Owl sponsors!

Mom Am I Brown?

That was the out of the blue question from Lucas this evening. Sitting down looking over their school papers after their showers and from somewhere this question pops into his head.

We've talked about skin color and culture before. The differences in our families' skin colors are wide ranging but it never seemed to be of much interest to Lucas and Eli so we decided to wait and take our cues from them. Well cue #1 slammed home tonight.

I said, "Yes you're brown." He then asks, "You white?" Yep I sure am. Then in typical little brother fashion he throws his middle sister, Rachel, under the bus by saying, "Rachel, she really white." Rachel is our very blond child from her hair to her skin. Once again I said, "Yes Rachel is very white." He said, "this ok, she white, me brown, I like brown". As he should.

So I dug through my supply of children's books to one that I had bought before the boys came home. "The Skin I'm In" by Pat Thomas. It's one the boys have looked at several times but I'll put it back on top of the books to see what other questions and observations they come up with. It's never dull!

Easter Day 2010

Today was the first Easter that Lucas and Eli have been home with us. They understood the church portion of the day but to say that there was no understanding of the non-religious part of the day is not a stretch.

Easter bunny, Easter baskets, coloring Easter eggs, Easter Egg Hunt totally new and somewhat confusing. I'm pretty sure that they think it's a variation of Christmas.

They got to play with their cousins Klayton and Landyn and it didn't take much explanation on the ins and outs of an Easter Egg Hunt.

Attached to this post is 2 pictures from this morning after we were finally able to get them into their Easter clothes (note to self do not give 8 and 10 year old boys candy before 9 a.m - duh!)

The first is what we call Eli's pop eye pose and the second is something we don't see often but Eli managed to gross out his brother. Lucas thought the robin's egg malted milk ball was a real bird's egg and Eli popped it in his mouth right before the picture. Lucas still won't try one.

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The Trials and Tribulations of Grandparents Day #1

Today was Grandparents/Special Person Day at school for Lucas and Eli. Mike's parents went in to school for the program and to visit their rooms. Alison went also as a bit of a safety net as this is the first "big" thing that neither Mike nor I were able to attend. Apparently a good thing.

Eli being "the supreme adapt and you'll never see me sweat" kid did well. Lucas had by some accounts a tough day. He doesn't do well with crowds and then he had his heart bruised when a little girl kicked him. (not totally clear on that story ~ will never get the unedited version out of him, probably training me for the teen years).

Then to top it all off it reached the high 80's today and for a kid who never drank milk before the last couple of months, he didn't get the memo about guzzling strawberry milk when you are overheated.....yep it came back for a visit. No details beyond that...first time he's been sick since coming home. He seems fine tonight but we'll see after bedtime as that is when he does his "worried" talking.

I have to say I was pleased to see him sitting on the back step when I pulled in from work waiting to tell me about the day (I'd had a heads up from Alison earlier). Usually we play 20 questions tonight it just took sitting down on the step and all the days problems came out. I'll have to remember this time as I'm sure this too will disappear into the teens.

See the Apples on the Tree?

There are a whole lot of things to explain to someone who has never been to the Midwest or to the U.S. for that matter. We knew we would be on a sharp learning curve (can you say almost vertical) but there are some things that I for one just hadn't thought about having to explain.

Temperature reached upper 70's today and we stayed outside until dark. The boys are so elated that their first winter seems to be over. Getting them to put jackets on is next to impossible even with goose bumps the size of walnuts after the sun goes down.

Anyway while outside they kept talking about an apple tree. I wasn't paying attention too closely because if you follow every conversation they have you'd be deaf and crazy before the day was out. Finally Lucas grabs me and points to a tree and says "Look Mom apples!" Huh? It's the last day of March in Iowa; the snow just melted and furthermore our last apple tree died last year. So I turned around to see what he was pointing at.....it was a maple tree which is budding. Try explaining tree buds to kids who still aren't convinced our trees have leaves. I gave it my best but once again I've been demoted to the most uninformed mom in the world. Oh well!

Elevation of My Parental Status

Everyone who has kids, was a kid or acts like a kid knows that growing up sometimes your parents were the absolutely most embarrassing people you knew. Even if they managed to do something cool (just by using the word cool I've put myself in the uncool category) you would never let anyone know it.

Tonight by being a freak of nature I attained both gross and cool in Eli's eyes. I have a "little" habit when I'm tired. I've had this fetish for as long as I can remember. Most people I know have seen me do this at one time or another. What? Well I have no cartilage in my ears and therefore can pretty much turn the upper portion into the lower. I don't know why, why does someone twist their hair or crack their knuckles?

Anyway driving back from supper I apparently was doing this. Eli apparently had never seen me do this. From the backseat with much shock and awe I hear him say, "Oh mommy, goodness what happened?" Oops, I've just traumatized him. I uncurled my freakish ear only to hear, "ooo! yucky! gross! COOL!" Lucas who apparently had seen this phenomenon before and ever the expert when explaining things to his little brother, pipes up and says, "Mommy no hurt ear, fold inside, POP out, cool!" Thank you Lucas for your support. I may be a freak when it comes to my ear but at least for right now he thinks it's neat. I'm not sure I want to know how he tries to describe this to his friends at school tomorrow.

I Said Stop It!

Today was a test of endurance or stupidity on my part. I took Eli, Lucas, Sydney, Rachel and myself for haircuts at two different places, then to lunch. Did I mention by myself? Now granted Syd and Rachel are fairly well in control until you add the "brother" factor.

They along with Alison have great fun in teaching them little"humorous" (translation - annoying) things while on car trips. Sounds, songs, phrases you name it they teach it. Then at times we add the sibling irritation to the equation where none of the four can look at any of the others without becoming disgusted.

Anyway Rachel and Sydney do a very nice job of trying to teach the boys correct grammar, letter sounds, etc. Ok I will be the first to admit partly because they want to be sure people (mainly Mike and I) understand clearly all their "cute" things they teach them. Needless to say their English is coming along and for the most part people can understand them. Even when we wish they couldn't.

Sometimes to add that little brother irritation factor they speak VERY broken English to the girls and tell them they don't understand, then giggle like crazy. Well today this had been going on for some time until the guys got on each others nerves and Lucas very clearly looked at Eli with an "I said to stop it right now!" Where then Eli shouts, "You don't scream at me!" ~ "You stop touching me now!" "Sydney help me!" (Sydney was of no help to either as she was howling with laughter.)

This is amusing on so many fronts;

1. They argued in English
2. I practically caused a wreck in city traffic from laughing (not funny at the time ~ probably not funny now either)
3. Sydney's follow up comment of, "Mom you don't need to worry about them learning English just keep them irritated and it's perfect." (thanks for that)
4. How they can scream full force at each other, sounding like death is imminent and then go back to playing with one another in under a minute.

I do not understand a little boys' mind~

Praise for the Men & Women In Uniform

We were sitting down Sunday evening watching Extreme Home Makeover (don't ask me but the boys are glued to the tv when it's on). This week's episode featured a family where the Dad was serving overseas in the military. The boys were listening to the opening and then when they showed the Dad in his military uniform Lucas jumped up shouting Philippines, America, America in Philippines then a whole string of Tagalog and Visayan.

We put on our Sherlock Holmes hats and finally figured out that we had read about 5 years ago the US Navy came into their care center and did some much needed repairs, brought gifts and played with the kids and sort of adopted the center. We had read about this project before the boys came home but since they would have been 4 and 5 at the time didn't think they'd remember much. Lucas was so insistent that the father on the show was one of those American soldiers that were his friends, there was no use trying to explain the difference between the army and navy. He clapped and jumped up and down when they revealed the family's new home.

So if you know a service man or woman and they ever wonder if the people and places they touch when they are on a tour of duty remember them....tell them yes and they remain in their hearts for much longer than perhaps anyone knows.

MOM ees hot!

These were the screams I heard when getting out of the car upon arriving home from work. We had our first "warmer" day today - 48 degrees - whoo hoo! Tomorrow it's suppose to be 65. The boys were so excited.

It struck me as a little odd that two kids from the Philippines should think that 48 is hot - goes to show just how long and cold this winter has been. Lucas was so convinced that summer was here and he would never have to wear his winter coat again. Sorry bud the weather man says rain and snow on Friday - yeah for the Midwest in March.

I finally broke the news to him at supper. Never a camera handy but his mouth dropped open and he screams (everything is screamed) NO! I HATE SNOW! Again it struck me funny that for kids who were so excited about their first snow they have truly joined with the rest of us that say enough is enough!

Past Due on Pictures!

This is what happens when Dad is talked out of a quarter for the gumball machine.

Thank goodness the sticky finally wore off, I thought he'd wear it to school!

Lucas' stuffed monkey may never recover from his facial hair experience!

Lucas and Rachel headed for the dance floor

Eli and Chris at Dad's Surprise Party -

Eli sporting his Sponge Bob bandaid which came with 2 lessons:

#1 - Never dart into street with Ate' Rachel within grabbing distance (she has sharp fingernails)

#2 - ALWAYS required to hold hands on sidewalks, streets, parking lots, livingroom,

(you get the picture - he got the reminder)

Eli Kayaking at a Birthday Party
All that practice he had sledding/canoeing paid off!

Happy Birthday Texas Style

Well today Mike has officially entered AARP status. Sorry honey - I'll catch up soon enough. Lucas, Eli and I took him to supper at the Texas Roadhouse where they were introduced to "Andy the Armadillo" in full mascot attire. Poor guy/girl inside that thing gave the boys enough high fives while we were there to have carpel tunnel!

Where on earth (or in their bodies) Lucas and Eli put all that food is beyond me. Even Eli's stomach bulge meter wasn't enough to slow them down. McDonald's has now moved to 2nd place in their hearts.

You BIG Dad!

Well as he is approaching his 50th birthday next Tuesday, we were sitting around the supper table explaining to the boys that we would be taking Dad out for a birthday supper this week-end when everyone can be home.

Lucas asked how old Mike would be. He told him 50. He swivels around to apparently confirm that Mike is not yet senile then in all seriousness swings back to Mike and says, WOW Dad you BIG! Yep - Happy 50th Birthday Dad!

Men of the House

Apparently I have two little boys who think women need a man to "take care of them." Mike was at a meeting last night, Sydney went into church youth group. That left Lucas, Eli and myself alone for the evening.

From the time Mike left for the meeting, through supper, book reading, tv time, showers and bedtime they oh so helpfully instructed me on how to do everything. Very detailed, very regimented to the point I wanted to say - "Look I'm not new!"

TV watching even involved instructions. Mommy you sit here, then they sat on either side of me, put pillows around me and sat quietly (that doesn't happen) for the entire show. Now the quiet was enjoyable but I kind of felt like they thought I was either too senile to handle being responsible for them or that I was a ticking time bomb waiting to detonate. Either way I snuck some cuddle time in without them realizing! Ha! Who's senile!

Have You Ever Traveled With 2 Old Deaf Men?

Well we have just returned from an out of town wedding. It was about 4 hours away and we were fortunate (?) to have all 5 of our kids be able to go with us. This was the first long distance excursion with everyone.

The boys had never been to a wedding and the uncertainty and crowd was a little intimidating to Lucas. Eli.....well resilient should have been his middle name or maybe we should have named him George, as in Curious. Unfortunately I'm not sure how many heard his commentary on the wedding kiss, "Yucky!" It seemed really loud to his mom. Once we made it through the ceremony and dinner they finally unwound enough to enjoy the dance. Finally! Pickle's who dance! I think they thought the whole thing revolved around them having a chance to see some of their favorite people (Gene and Pam ~ parents of the bride). Who knew Gene had tux pockets full of suckers; outside of the boys who seem to have radar for candy.

Anyway, you know the saying that if someone doesn't speak English just talk louder and then maybe they'll understand? Ya - well even when you live with non proficient English speakers sometimes it's easy to fall into that mode when you spend 4 hours in an enclosed vehicle repeating, answering, repeating, inventing new explanations, repeating and oh ya repeating. I'm quite sure there are some towns in Kansas that think our vehicle had a radio turned up really loud.....nope just us talking as if we are all hard of hearing.

On the way home we stopped to eat supper at Cracker Barrel which happens to be by an Applebee's. Eli wanted to know if we were eating at applesauce. Well that took 4 of us to help him say Applebee's (still calls it applesauce). But it does explain some other conversations in the car with him when I couldn't figure out why he suddenly started talking about eating applesauce. The we went into Cracker Barrel. Eli asked again what it was called. Simultaneously Alison and I said Cracker Barrel which came out rather loud as we were both saying it... he looks at us (you know that look kids get that mom's just know something is going to come out totally wrong but there is no stopping it?) and just as loudly says "Crapper Barrel?" Here is Alison and I shushing and he just keeps saying it. Thank goodness it was filled with the elderly and hard of hearing cause no one seemed to notice. Ok it was funny!

Mastering the English Language is Wierd

I was speaking with a friend who came to the U.S. from Korea 6 years ago. She had to learn all her English starting at the age of 26. She is always very interested in how the boys' English is coming. It is the thing that she has found the most difficult outside of missing family.

I think the boys' English is coming along about on track for where we expected them to be. Some days are a little clearer, some weeks we have full sentences, others we're back to 3 words.

But then every once in awhile one or the other will pop up with a word that blows my mind. I'm concentrating on teaching I, we, they, today, tomorrow, tonight. Well tonight they've both got the sniffles and a cough so we gave them some cold medicine.

Eli takes nothing without a full explanation of what it is, what it will do, what it tastes like and who else has to take it. I'm waiting for him to ask for a complete listing of ingredients next....but I digress....anyway after taking the medicine he hands me the cup and says "delicious", huh? Delicious....really. We struggle with the word I but can come up with delicious. Go figure!

Remember Those Baby Pictures

I was working on the blog and looked up to see the header picture of the boys. It looked funny to me and then I realized, they don't look like that anymore. The picture is roughly a month and a half old and they have changed so much.

Glasses, lost teeth, about 2 inches in growth, a little heavier. Just looking more their ages...which is good but it's kind of like looking at your kids' baby pictures and then realizing that they aren't babies anymore.

While the boys weren't with us as babies the changes that they've gone through these past 3 months are really remarkable. I just hadn't stepped back to look at their physical growth. It's one of those "glad they are doing well, sad they are growing up so fast already."

We have a wedding this week-end, hopefully we can get a family shot that is updated. Need to pull the camera out again!

Oh! Mommy You Sick?

Yep. Nothing freaks Lucas out as much as Mike or I not feeling well. I've had a nasty head and chest cold for the past 4 days and a headache that doesn't stop. Needless to say talking hasn't been something I'm doing a lot of right now and he's all about talking (loudly).

I must have looked particularly crummy Monday as he looks at me and says, "Mommy, you no good." Huh? He must have realized that didn't come out quite right as he backed up and said, "sorry, you sick?" Ok, I'll take that. Eli must have gotten the drift as I've gotten more hugs from him over the past several days. I'll just be glad if they don't get this stuff.

Last night Lucas instructed me, "you stay bed, sleep." He's not past that whole "take care of everybody" thing. I think I'll try cotton in my ears to deaden the sound when they get home today.

See Me Full!

Ok pull out your imagination for this post.

Lucas and Eli love to eat, eat pretty much anything, eat at great speed. Typical boys and I'm not complaining except for the speed part. They are learning to slow down but until they master it we usually have to give reminders and then at some point say I think you've probably had enough for now.

Well Eli has taken it upon himself to develop his own full monitoring system. He'll be eating along and we see him pull his shirt up and look at his belly. When it reaches a "Eli determined expansion" size, he proudly announces, "See...me full." Ok bud, I'm sure grateful that skin is expandable!

You Know When You Can't Make Ends Meet?

Well today was one of those days for us. Mike was called to an account late this afternoon, Sydney was going out of town with her speech team and I couldn't make it home from work until 45 minutes after she needed to leave.

Luckily Mike's mom and grandmother were willing to watch the boys for that gap time. Luckily for us all that the boys really like to visit Lola Ruth and Lola Katie. They had cake and snacks and colored pictures and watched tv. And oh did I mention that they rocked in the rockers? Yep it is one of their most favorite things to do. Rock in a rocker. Unfortunately when I picked them up I didn't have a camera, they looked like two little old men rocking away watching tv. When they watch tv they don't need their glasses but the rule is they don't take their glasses off without giving them to me (sometimes they actually pay attention to that rule) so this time they just slid their glasses to the ends of their noses thus only increasing the "old man" look. I'm not sure how may miles Lola Ruth's rockers are good for but I think the boys used up 1/2 their life expectancy.

"Explain I'm NOT Holding Them Hostage!"

That is the call I received at work this morning from Sydney. Let's back up, the kids' school started 2 hours late, mine started as usual. Mike got the boys around for school before he left for work and Sydney was to drive them all to school when it was time.

The boys were explained (apparently not well) that yes there was school but a little late starting. Mike thought it was covered when he left. Ummm....nope.

Sydney called to ask that I explain to them that no she was not being mean and refusing to take them to school. They had their coats, boots and book bags on and were ready an hour early.

First I attempted to explain to Lucas - his response, "no school now", "me go now" "Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. McGinn at school!" Finally hit on the phrase that no his teachers were not at school yet and he couldn't go until they got there. That seemed to work for the coat and bag removal - the boots stayed on. Then it was Eli's turn - "MOMMY, driver SYDNEY, school" - I mentioned before routines are big in their (and our) lives. I did the whole explanation thing again and finally ended with you take off your things and Sydney will set the timer, when it rings you can go to school.

It all worked, Sydney is a little traumatized, the boys have totally forgotten it - Alison and Rachel probably think Sydney's just getting a little payback for things she pulled with them.

Goodnight Mommy and Holding Hands

Well I posted earlier this evening and thought I'd follow it up with something that just happened at the boys' bedtime.

Bedtime is very regimented; bathroom, drinks, lights out, kisses and good night. Same thing, night after night. It has to happen in this order for the boys to be comfortable.

Eli is our son who has not been real comfortable with hugs, snuggling, generally touching. We let him initiate whatever he's comfortable with. It's gotten better and better over the past several months. He comes up and will give us a hug more spontaneously.

Tonight happened to be the night that I was the last one in the room. I gave Lucas his hugs and kiss good night and leaned over to do the same with Eli. Everything as usual except when I went to stand up he grabbed my hand (he's not into holding hands at all) in both of his, pulled me down with our hands to his cheek and just held it there. Pretty soon (not nearly long enough for me) he let go and said goodnight Mommy. At a quick glance it probably doesn't seem like much but in Eli's world pretty bold move. Maybe he knew the "working" mommy needed a little bit extra tonight.