Ok... not what you think. A friend from church brought over dinner due to Melissa's leg injury... it has been really nice of our Sunday school class to do so. I thought it was great... mashed potatoes over ground beef and veggies.
Dennis on the other hand didn't want it. He decided that while I was working that he'd put it in the sink... and then try to tell me he was "all done". Well he was "all done" alright. Of course then he threw a little fit when he didn't get ice cream... one of those moments where you wonder what he's thinking. He never gets desert when he doesn't eat his dinner... why would he think he'd get it when he dumps the food into the sink? Kids :)
He ended up on the timeout bench with some little battling here and there but eventually served his time quietly and patiently... ending with an "I'm sorry" and hug. Sometimes when he is on the bench and gets mad while I'm talking to him, he throws himself sideways to lay down on it. Unfortunately this time he wasn't paying attention and misjudged the wooden arm rest... I think he'll have a nice little bruise line tomorrow. After he served the timeout he did fine for a while and then decided to give attitude so he got another 10minutes which ended up being painless and he willingly sat himself down and didn't move. Woohoo!
This didn't keep him from asking for chicken, bread, and ice cream later on a few more times but it didn't prevent his compliance with requests so I ignored it. It's like him saying "no" to a lot of stuff but then complying... except for when he's obviously mocking, I try to let the actual words go by due to communication difficulties and pay attention to the attitude and compliance.
As usual, evening ended great with prayers and getting tucked in. He gets over stuff quickly and moves on.
Oh... and he's gotten a little tired of some of the mothering he's been getting from his siblings and wants a bit more independence. He's also proven to be a little tattler... I think I need to find out how to say "mind your own business and worry about yourself" in Russian... I'm sure there is a similar colloquialism :)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Family Rules
So I'll be frank, I so far absolutely hate this Family Rules program... but I'm trying to stick with it while we work the "tuning" out... but I'll rant anyways cause I feel like it...
Basically the plan works where the kids get cards to do stuff (clean, walk dogs, etc) if they break rules and rewards ($) if they obey during the day. It works fine for Sam but he's already compliant most of the time... pretty much any "system" works on him. We don't use it on Dennis cause it is too complicated for him to comprehend.
I have a couple issues with the cards but the fundamental issue is it takes too much time to deal with. You track the cards, check the work, stay on top of dawdling, etc. We've even instituted a 15min minimum time but that still requires disruptions over 12 times an hour as long as the kids have cards. I'm actually sure the system works fine for a stay at home parent but I get the kids off in the morning, work 50hrs+ per week from home, try to get the kids through their homework when they get home, half the time make dinner, and get the kids ready & in bed nearly nightly... besides taking care of the house and stuff outside. Not complaining, I enjoy it and being busy... but loss of privileges/toys, timeouts, grounding, and appropriately addressing outright defiance are much more immediate and efficient. This having to administer a program every 3-5 minutes just doesn't fit.
I finally gave up after 4 straight days of my oldest being difficult, ignoring the cards, and being snaughty... I "broke" the family rules guide to confront the behavior directly -- not just say "you earned a card for xyz" and write it down -- and within 30 seconds she had snapped out of it and was compliant... apologizing, hugging me, asking for forgiveness, and agreeing to try to work on the "family rules" program -- and no it did not involve a spanking. She is typically my biggest helper and since starting this system I've yet to ben able to get her back "on track" once she starts misbehaving. She is the girl that will find any possible way to manipulate a system.... she's really smart in that mischievous kind of way... I love that girl, she's a blast when she wants to be and a challenge when she doesn't! :)
I'm hoping we can work out cards that take an hour to complete or more. I think they actually enjoy the "positive action" cards too much and I'm not sure they aren't an incentive to actually misbehave to get cards. Even the "hard" cards like cleaning the shower have no teeth to them since they sometimes go through the cards frequently enough to where it hasn't had the chance to get dirty. I'm thinking one of those nazi prison camp tortures... moving a pile of dirt from one end of the yard to the other... of course I'm guessing my oldest would decide that looking busy outside in the sun all day was ok every day... maybe even get really dirty for fun :)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Made it
Wasn't sure D was going to hold it together this morning. He was a bit grumpy and then got angry over Sam and Amanda having money. They each get ice cream money on Monday if they aren't in trouble... Sam and Amanda saved theirs and Dennis spent his. I'm not sure if he didn't understand or didn't care but he decided to fixate on it.
We just kept moving this morning and D stayed just behind us saying he wouldn't do each thing and then doing it. When outside he went halfway to the bus stop and turned around to walk back to the house with a "baca baca". Ashley was quite concerned I was ignoring him and letting him go. Sure enough... a few minutes later he was standing behind me at the bus stop :) He is continuing to comply when he's upset easier and push much less hard or often... he gets we are serious.
Last night we had lamb for dinner... apparently dad makes good food... BBQ lamb and strawberries. Dennis had 3rds... more than I did.
We just kept moving this morning and D stayed just behind us saying he wouldn't do each thing and then doing it. When outside he went halfway to the bus stop and turned around to walk back to the house with a "baca baca". Ashley was quite concerned I was ignoring him and letting him go. Sure enough... a few minutes later he was standing behind me at the bus stop :) He is continuing to comply when he's upset easier and push much less hard or often... he gets we are serious.
Last night we had lamb for dinner... apparently dad makes good food... BBQ lamb and strawberries. Dennis had 3rds... more than I did.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter
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| Despite not wanting to get out of bed today he was quite the happy boy this morning. The weather looks to be hot, good thing we spent yesterday getting all his shorts out. |
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| The cooperative 3... the size is about right from a maturity/development standpoint. Keep in mind that Sam is 1.5yrs younger than D on paper. |
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| Mom and the "little" ones. |
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| Mom and the boys... Sam and the book he forgot he was supposed to read over break... ooops. We know what he'll be doing today. |
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| The boys... mom decided we didn't need flowers in the background cause we are boys. D really wants a tie... we'll have to deal with that soon. Dad has been working on everyone else's laundry and spring wardrobe this week... he's got his shirt on with a collar that is .5" too small... it was clean. |
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| You wouldn't know it by this picture but Ashley is having a really rough morning. |
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| Ashley had to get a picture in with little D. The smiles were encouraged a little by the incentive of including mom's behind in the picture... just missed it. I think Sam was helping me get a chair in the garage that blew away in the storms last night. |
Now off to church.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Coshca Vabbit
The Children's Miracle Network was setup at our local "Coshca" (Costco) and they had a big Vabbit (Easter Rabbit) outside. Dennis was quite enamored by it. I remember New Year's being Ukraine's big holiday with all the animals.
Tonight D got upset at something and kicked Ashley. Frankly I'm sure she was asking for it. I just reminded him he needs to be nice and not hit. That was it... he started crying, then got upset, and refused to eat dinner with the rest of the family... even his favorite... chicken, cake, and ice cream... can't beat that. Instead he sat at the top of the stairs talking to himself trying to get attention. One of the kids said it well about his little tantrums... "I don't think [the behavior] is working out so well for him". Fortunately stuff is really winding down with him... I think he's seen the lines consistently drawn and is getting more comfortable with it.
Tonight D got upset at something and kicked Ashley. Frankly I'm sure she was asking for it. I just reminded him he needs to be nice and not hit. That was it... he started crying, then got upset, and refused to eat dinner with the rest of the family... even his favorite... chicken, cake, and ice cream... can't beat that. Instead he sat at the top of the stairs talking to himself trying to get attention. One of the kids said it well about his little tantrums... "I don't think [the behavior] is working out so well for him". Fortunately stuff is really winding down with him... I think he's seen the lines consistently drawn and is getting more comfortable with it.
911
I don't think I ever posted about this... but it is from a few weeks back.
I get a call and caller ID is from the local sheriff. Says someone from our house called 911 and of course while I was on the phone dialing and you could hear it clicking. He took my name and canceled the call.
The kids tell me it was Dennis and someone had come to his class today and taught them how to call 911. DOH!
Anyways, that downstairs phone that is so tempting for the kids to play with has been disconnected and Dennis has been taught not to touch phones.
I get a call and caller ID is from the local sheriff. Says someone from our house called 911 and of course while I was on the phone dialing and you could hear it clicking. He took my name and canceled the call.
The kids tell me it was Dennis and someone had come to his class today and taught them how to call 911. DOH!
Anyways, that downstairs phone that is so tempting for the kids to play with has been disconnected and Dennis has been taught not to touch phones.
MRI
Dennis was great. He liked the noises and laid really still holding my hand through the entire thing. I got him smiling several times. So how many people get to see their own brain? not me...
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| "Me monster" |
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| This one is my favorite. |
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| And of course the normal one. |
I'm not a doctor but it looks all there to me :) We got the MRI on CD so we had fun looking at all the pictures. Some of them you can see his eyeballs, some his ears, a little of his spine, etc.
Ok... enough entertainment for now.
Singing away
Dennis has started singing in the car a lot this week. I noticed he did so in children's church a couple of times when he first got here in January but it has been continual now. We listen to WGTS all the time... or playlists the kids make of music I've put on their DSi's (Toby Mac and Geoff Moore seem to be favorites). The singing varies from almost humming to pretty clear... I'm surprised how much he's picked up. And it's pretty adorable in his Russian accent and lisp :)
This is the last week day of spring break... boy does D like to sleep in. Not like Sam who is up at 6:30a every day... D would sleep til noon if I let him. I do need to get the kids back to bed by 8p this weekend so Monday isn't so hard. I get really lax on vacation and they've stretched it out to 10p a few nights... mom isn't so pleased about that.
I'm going to have to get D up pretty soon. Today we go for his MRI to see if there is actually any brain damage associated with his condition. He clearly has hypotonia but the medical records were translated as hypoplasia... I suspect that is just wrong but not impossible either. Hypoplasia can affect the brain so the MRI would tell us that. D really is doing great... he's been running a lot more and falling a lot less while doing so. You should have seen him this morning... I was out walking the dogs and he comes running clear across (100ft) our lumpy, unmowed, yard to where I was. No more "stomp", was a little out of control, but kept coming full bore with no falls... wish I had it on video.
Behavior wise we have had a nice last two weeks. I'm hoping we've transitioned out of the 2-3yr old tantrum phases to 4-5yr old... I'm going to withhold judgement on that until I see how transitioning back to school goes next week.
This is the last week day of spring break... boy does D like to sleep in. Not like Sam who is up at 6:30a every day... D would sleep til noon if I let him. I do need to get the kids back to bed by 8p this weekend so Monday isn't so hard. I get really lax on vacation and they've stretched it out to 10p a few nights... mom isn't so pleased about that.
I'm going to have to get D up pretty soon. Today we go for his MRI to see if there is actually any brain damage associated with his condition. He clearly has hypotonia but the medical records were translated as hypoplasia... I suspect that is just wrong but not impossible either. Hypoplasia can affect the brain so the MRI would tell us that. D really is doing great... he's been running a lot more and falling a lot less while doing so. You should have seen him this morning... I was out walking the dogs and he comes running clear across (100ft) our lumpy, unmowed, yard to where I was. No more "stomp", was a little out of control, but kept coming full bore with no falls... wish I had it on video.
Behavior wise we have had a nice last two weeks. I'm hoping we've transitioned out of the 2-3yr old tantrum phases to 4-5yr old... I'm going to withhold judgement on that until I see how transitioning back to school goes next week.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Not more shots
Sam and I took Dennis to the doctor. He's never had a problem before but when he saw that needle his head went in his hands. He was a trooper but he was sad. He got hepA and MMR shoots... the blood tests showed he was missing one of the "M"s.
He recovered quickly and we walked over to IHOP for brunch... that was a BIG hit. Sam kept saying it was the best breakfast he ever had. We had plans for the rest of the day and next stop was the carpeting place. I was surprised at how expensive it is going to be but it has to get done... I'll work something out this week and get it scheduled.
Then Sam suddenly became really sorry he ate... he got really sick really fast. He also was a big trooper about it but we cut the outings short, got gas, and went home.
From there I conscripted Ashley and Dennis to go to Frederick (opposite direction then the morning) to finish our trips. Sears for stuff for the lawn "tlaktor", Walmart for misc household things -- got D a pair of shorts and sandals too --, Popeye's for CHICKEN, Michael's to pick up our family portrait, and PetSmart to grab some stuff for the aquarium -- everyone but D has something in the tank that is "their's" so he got frogs, loaches, and some plants.
The big thing for me was the family portrait. It has been a goal of mine since he got home to replace our family portrait with a new one. It hangs over the fireplace... I don't know if he sees it but I do.... a big glaring reminder that he's somehow different. Well, no more... he saw the old picture resting up against the wall of my office and we went looking for what is there now. When he saw the new picture he had a really BIG smile... and then asked about Snezhana in it... ouch. I told him he needs to tell Snezhana he wants her in this family.
He recovered quickly and we walked over to IHOP for brunch... that was a BIG hit. Sam kept saying it was the best breakfast he ever had. We had plans for the rest of the day and next stop was the carpeting place. I was surprised at how expensive it is going to be but it has to get done... I'll work something out this week and get it scheduled.
Then Sam suddenly became really sorry he ate... he got really sick really fast. He also was a big trooper about it but we cut the outings short, got gas, and went home.
From there I conscripted Ashley and Dennis to go to Frederick (opposite direction then the morning) to finish our trips. Sears for stuff for the lawn "tlaktor", Walmart for misc household things -- got D a pair of shorts and sandals too --, Popeye's for CHICKEN, Michael's to pick up our family portrait, and PetSmart to grab some stuff for the aquarium -- everyone but D has something in the tank that is "their's" so he got frogs, loaches, and some plants.
The big thing for me was the family portrait. It has been a goal of mine since he got home to replace our family portrait with a new one. It hangs over the fireplace... I don't know if he sees it but I do.... a big glaring reminder that he's somehow different. Well, no more... he saw the old picture resting up against the wall of my office and we went looking for what is there now. When he saw the new picture he had a really BIG smile... and then asked about Snezhana in it... ouch. I told him he needs to tell Snezhana he wants her in this family.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Assessor
I had to work today... trying to take most of the week off but only succeeded in taking off 1/2 a day so far. Had an email from my county assessor saying the letters were ready and that she'll send them tomorrow.
Employment verification letter was delivered to get signed. Now just waiting to waiting to see the return labels get sent back.
Employment verification letter was delivered to get signed. Now just waiting to waiting to see the return labels get sent back.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Chicken food
The boys and I worked in the yard these evening. Planted 2 blackberry bushes that I'm sure aren't going to make it, fertilized the trees and blueberry bushes, and dug wider areas out around the fruit trees.
It was a few weeks ago that Dennis saw a worm, jumped back, and said "snake". This time we started finding grubs so Sam went inside and got a glass to put them in... food for our chicks. Dennis thought that this was great and proceeded to gather all the worms he could find. I would have rather left the worms for the trees but he was just so excited about it I didn't want to stop him.
The chicks didn't quite know what to do with the new menu... I saw them manage to devour one of the smallest worms. Some of those things were huge.... will be interesting to see what we find tonight when we check on them before bed.
D right now has his head in his hands at the table and is not saying whether or not he wants ice cream. I haven't decided if it is a good thing or not. It means he realized immediately he had disobeyed without ending up in a battle or tantrum over it. On the other hand he introverted. We'll see how it works out. We had pizza tonight and I caught him trying to sneak part of it to the dog -- minor infraction at our house. I told him no, not dog food and he stopped and went back to his plate. Then 20 seconds later he's trying to sneak a piece to the other dog. When I caught him he did the whole head in hands thing.
It was a few weeks ago that Dennis saw a worm, jumped back, and said "snake". This time we started finding grubs so Sam went inside and got a glass to put them in... food for our chicks. Dennis thought that this was great and proceeded to gather all the worms he could find. I would have rather left the worms for the trees but he was just so excited about it I didn't want to stop him.
The chicks didn't quite know what to do with the new menu... I saw them manage to devour one of the smallest worms. Some of those things were huge.... will be interesting to see what we find tonight when we check on them before bed.
D right now has his head in his hands at the table and is not saying whether or not he wants ice cream. I haven't decided if it is a good thing or not. It means he realized immediately he had disobeyed without ending up in a battle or tantrum over it. On the other hand he introverted. We'll see how it works out. We had pizza tonight and I caught him trying to sneak part of it to the dog -- minor infraction at our house. I told him no, not dog food and he stopped and went back to his plate. Then 20 seconds later he's trying to sneak a piece to the other dog. When I caught him he did the whole head in hands thing.
Started new blog
So along with starting a new dossier and adoption, I started a new blog. Just to leave this one focused on D.
Wow, what a happy camper
Mom is still injured and not coming to church today... I'm managing to get the family off for 2nd service which means D got to sleep in. He also took a shower. He is one HAPPY little guy this morning. Guess he likes his sleep... I suspect at the orphanage he was able to crawl out of bed at 8a and walk across the hall to school. Here he has to get up at 6:30a and get moving quick.
Ashley helped him pick out his clothes and did a really good job.
I was a bit worried... about D not the clothes. He got sick all over the bathroom Friday night and last night he told me he was really hot after prayers and didn't look so good... I looked at his bed heater and he had set it on "bake".
Finished letters for his Ukraine grandma and orphanage director last night. Melissa just needs to get pictures picked out.
I'll end with Sam's list of what he's grateful for... misspellings and all... this is one of the cards he pulled to do...
I'am grateful for my dad and mom
I'am grateful for Dennis and my sisters
I'am gratfull for you Lord and your son
I'am gratful for your world
I am gratfull for the cars that we make
I am gratfull for our nabors
I'am gratfull for our homes
I'am gratfull for money
I'm gratfull for the stores
I'm gratfull for me
I'm gratfull for Grama and Gamp
I'm gratfull for Ashley
I'm gratfull for Amanda
Ashley helped him pick out his clothes and did a really good job.
I was a bit worried... about D not the clothes. He got sick all over the bathroom Friday night and last night he told me he was really hot after prayers and didn't look so good... I looked at his bed heater and he had set it on "bake".
Finished letters for his Ukraine grandma and orphanage director last night. Melissa just needs to get pictures picked out.
I'll end with Sam's list of what he's grateful for... misspellings and all... this is one of the cards he pulled to do...
I'am grateful for my dad and mom
I'am grateful for Dennis and my sisters
I'am gratfull for you Lord and your son
I'am gratful for your world
I am gratfull for the cars that we make
I am gratfull for our nabors
I'am gratfull for our homes
I'am gratfull for money
I'm gratfull for the stores
I'm gratfull for me
I'm gratfull for Grama and Gamp
I'm gratfull for Ashley
I'm gratfull for Amanda
Friday, April 15, 2011
Run D Run
Kids got home and started spring break... Yeah! As soon as I got off work Dennis and I started tilling the garden for the final time... mixing in the fertilizer. I think he likes the idea of controlling the motorized equipment. Then planted the tomato, cucumber, strawberry, and onions. The other kids didn't get to participate as they were doing "cards" in the house.
At one point we needed to go get something back at the garage so I ran off. I turned to find he was following me running too. He did this a few times... first 2 he lost control and bailed in the grass. The last 2 he was solid... none of the CP "stomping"... he was keeping up, making turns, and handling terran changes. He was awesome.
The kids were all excited to have cold ham from earlier this week for dinner... so that was easy. Melissa has a kickball injury from playing little kids... so she got back from her MRI and is milking it for all it's worth. I'm going to give her a horribly bad time if she missed church on Sunday. One of the guys in church had his heart stop, was in the ICU, got a pacemaker put in on Friday, and still was in church on Sunday... she get's a little boo boo and she's bed ridden.... ok... so the pain meds make her sick so she can't take them and she hurts laying down, but it certainly sounds like a good story :)
Poor D got sick upstairs and felt like he needed to clean it up himself... seemed to think he was going to get in trouble for it too. Poor guy.
Tomorrow we call Snezhana. Though I really have to get requests for marriage licenses and Virginia background checks notarized and FedEx'd out tomorrow. With S, I will try to tell her "no S mama" and see if she understands... she should. Other than that I think I can live with her 3-way calling again until we get the opportunity to have someone communicate things specifically.
At one point we needed to go get something back at the garage so I ran off. I turned to find he was following me running too. He did this a few times... first 2 he lost control and bailed in the grass. The last 2 he was solid... none of the CP "stomping"... he was keeping up, making turns, and handling terran changes. He was awesome.
The kids were all excited to have cold ham from earlier this week for dinner... so that was easy. Melissa has a kickball injury from playing little kids... so she got back from her MRI and is milking it for all it's worth. I'm going to give her a horribly bad time if she missed church on Sunday. One of the guys in church had his heart stop, was in the ICU, got a pacemaker put in on Friday, and still was in church on Sunday... she get's a little boo boo and she's bed ridden.... ok... so the pain meds make her sick so she can't take them and she hurts laying down, but it certainly sounds like a good story :)
Poor D got sick upstairs and felt like he needed to clean it up himself... seemed to think he was going to get in trouble for it too. Poor guy.
Tomorrow we call Snezhana. Though I really have to get requests for marriage licenses and Virginia background checks notarized and FedEx'd out tomorrow. With S, I will try to tell her "no S mama" and see if she understands... she should. Other than that I think I can live with her 3-way calling again until we get the opportunity to have someone communicate things specifically.
Dossier quick start
Well, we weren't planning on needing to submit our dossier until August. Then they announced that the SDA will shutdown June 1st'ish just accelerated it. So now we have 3wks to get everything done... WOOHOO! Home study scheduled, contacts being reconnected with... I think the long poles are the Marriage Certificate (mom/dad might be seeing if you are headed to Sac any time soon) and Virginia State Police background check.
Ashley and Dennis are legally required to be interviewed this time since they are both 10. Dennis of course can't communicate and even in Russian he really doesn't. Ashley won't communicate... that should be interesting. I've impressed on her it is important.
Ashley and Dennis are legally required to be interviewed this time since they are both 10. Dennis of course can't communicate and even in Russian he really doesn't. Ashley won't communicate... that should be interesting. I've impressed on her it is important.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Woohoo
It's an awesome day, everyone made it to the bus on time, and everyone was in a good mood. Dennis seems to enjoy our little ticklefests in the morning to get him out of bed.... I can see his mouth smiling when I come in as he curls up into a ball to delay the inevitable getting cradled in my arms out of bed. I'm good with that... all our kids have gone through that phase -- still do to some degree just shorter -- , usually for a couple of years and I'm sure he's never experienced it.
D was downstairs and wanted me to put his DSi on top of the fridge... the "timeout" location for toys taken away. I asked him if he was sure, he thought about it a second, smiled, and said no. Took a little time to get him to take it upstairs to his room... counter, no... stairs, no... but he was compliant, just trying to be lazy :)
Amanda was funny as she tried to get away with wearing her dress shoes to school. I told her she could not leave the house without proper shoes. Thought I might be bringing her in tardy to school for once. Keep in mind Amanda is our child who seems to move in slow motion all the time... she comes running out of the house as the bus is pulling up... going as fast as she can. Albeit her running is actually slow and the backless shoes she found didn't help, she didn't stop running and she made it on the bus just as everyone was getting seating. phew.
Yesterday D was late to school again... I don't think the school looks fondly upon seeing me a couple of times a week with him. I don't think they understand what goes on with adopted kids... but that's ok. I've tried to explain. I know Ashley has even tried to explain but they don't seem to get it. Despite that I'm not going to fireman's carry a screaming/kicking 10yr old boy throwing a 3yr old tantrum onto the bus and strap him in for them... though sometimes I think I should do so just once. D was just Mr Grumpy yesterday but the little battle was over putting on his medicine for his post surgery care... he doesn't care since he feels fine and it was something he thought he could try to control. I told him if he didn't put it on "it" might fall off and he wouldn't leave the bench until it was done.... it took a while to sink in yesterday but eventually he apologized, hugged (broke down crying as he does when reconciling), and let me put the medicine on. Ever since he's been very insistent we put the medicine on and knows the schedule very well... heh :)
I ended up picking up Amanda sick from school yesterday. She seemed fine by the time I got there but it was fine. I think it might have been nerves from the play last night. She was in the play and it was pretty cute... and fortunately short :)
Please pray for us for this afternoon... we have some stuff to deal with this afternoon that, in the words of my oldest, are "stupid". Sometimes you have to deal with stupid things though.
D was downstairs and wanted me to put his DSi on top of the fridge... the "timeout" location for toys taken away. I asked him if he was sure, he thought about it a second, smiled, and said no. Took a little time to get him to take it upstairs to his room... counter, no... stairs, no... but he was compliant, just trying to be lazy :)
Amanda was funny as she tried to get away with wearing her dress shoes to school. I told her she could not leave the house without proper shoes. Thought I might be bringing her in tardy to school for once. Keep in mind Amanda is our child who seems to move in slow motion all the time... she comes running out of the house as the bus is pulling up... going as fast as she can. Albeit her running is actually slow and the backless shoes she found didn't help, she didn't stop running and she made it on the bus just as everyone was getting seating. phew.
Yesterday D was late to school again... I don't think the school looks fondly upon seeing me a couple of times a week with him. I don't think they understand what goes on with adopted kids... but that's ok. I've tried to explain. I know Ashley has even tried to explain but they don't seem to get it. Despite that I'm not going to fireman's carry a screaming/kicking 10yr old boy throwing a 3yr old tantrum onto the bus and strap him in for them... though sometimes I think I should do so just once. D was just Mr Grumpy yesterday but the little battle was over putting on his medicine for his post surgery care... he doesn't care since he feels fine and it was something he thought he could try to control. I told him if he didn't put it on "it" might fall off and he wouldn't leave the bench until it was done.... it took a while to sink in yesterday but eventually he apologized, hugged (broke down crying as he does when reconciling), and let me put the medicine on. Ever since he's been very insistent we put the medicine on and knows the schedule very well... heh :)
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| Amanda is the bunny on the far left in front. She had a speaking part before this singing part. |
I ended up picking up Amanda sick from school yesterday. She seemed fine by the time I got there but it was fine. I think it might have been nerves from the play last night. She was in the play and it was pretty cute... and fortunately short :)
Please pray for us for this afternoon... we have some stuff to deal with this afternoon that, in the words of my oldest, are "stupid". Sometimes you have to deal with stupid things though.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Drawing lines
So we got the transcript of the last conversation with S and the 3-way call. Apparently biomom was briefly on the call... D didn't say much though oddly said twice he wasn't learning English, probably cause he isn't in English class right then. Ukraine gma and biomom clearly haven't spoken to D enough to realize that his communication is limited. Even stuff like are you in school... well it is Saturday, so he answers no. Most of the time D just didn't respond.
Aunt on the other hand did well talking to Dennis and noted he even speaks Russian now better than when he was there. If true it's probably cause he's enjoying himself, working on speaking specifically (even if in Englsh), and healthier.
So now we have to figure out what to do. Need to talk to Melissa about it. We will probably have someone call with us this week and tell Snezhana we want to be the ones calling gma and aunt (?) so as not to lead to the confusion of Saturday. Also, that we don't want him talking to biomom... though we were just going to have him talk to gma, clearly D does well with his aunt and we are [probably] ok with that.
Aunt on the other hand did well talking to Dennis and noted he even speaks Russian now better than when he was there. If true it's probably cause he's enjoying himself, working on speaking specifically (even if in Englsh), and healthier.
So now we have to figure out what to do. Need to talk to Melissa about it. We will probably have someone call with us this week and tell Snezhana we want to be the ones calling gma and aunt (?) so as not to lead to the confusion of Saturday. Also, that we don't want him talking to biomom... though we were just going to have him talk to gma, clearly D does well with his aunt and we are [probably] ok with that.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Answers to unknown requests
There are a lot of things I'm proud of my daughter Ashley for and I get more proud as time goes on. One thing is that she has no fear of asking others to pray for her at church. Nearly every week she puts a prayer card in at church and, unlike dad would do, she explicitly marks it to be published in the bulletin every week... and of course it is. Nearly each week it is something praying for Dennis...
I looked this week to see what she put and sure enough it was about Dennis being able to call his sister which is often a topic... but there was another that was new. That D could talk to his Ukraine grandmother. If you read our last post "Ambushed" you'd know D talked to gma, aunt, and a cousin (?) yesterday... but that's not the important part, this was Ashley's unknown prayer request.
* We had tried to call before but gma's phone was "broken"
* We weren't even planning to call Snezhana this week due to Dennis' surgery and we didn't really want him confusing S about what happened
* We didn't actually call Ukraine gma but Snezhana 3-way called her while we were on
What a great way to teach Ashley about answers to prayer.
I was almost flattered by Ashley today too. Her "punishment" card this morning was that she had to write something nice about everyone in the family. Mine says I was funny... pretty much every dad wants that... especially when his wife no longer thinks so :) I was pretty happy until I noticed she wrote everyone was funny... except for Dennis who she likes to play with. Oh well... it was nice while it lasted.
Dennis woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Not sure what it is about Sunday's and being cranky... even went to bed on time. He likes going to church and does well. He ended up insisting he would control where/what we were going to eat (MCDONALD's, CHICKEN, PIZZA, ICE CREAM!!! <repeat>). Instead he ended up on the timeout bench missing lunch... and spending another 1-2hrs there until he decided he could apologize. He makes an excellent object lesson for the other kids... I get to ask them things like "What do you think the chances are he's going to get what he wants by this behavior?" ... fortunately each gave the right answer :)
Ashley's helping him stay "level" now that he's reconciled. She's such a big help.
I looked this week to see what she put and sure enough it was about Dennis being able to call his sister which is often a topic... but there was another that was new. That D could talk to his Ukraine grandmother. If you read our last post "Ambushed" you'd know D talked to gma, aunt, and a cousin (?) yesterday... but that's not the important part, this was Ashley's unknown prayer request.
* We had tried to call before but gma's phone was "broken"
* We weren't even planning to call Snezhana this week due to Dennis' surgery and we didn't really want him confusing S about what happened
* We didn't actually call Ukraine gma but Snezhana 3-way called her while we were on
What a great way to teach Ashley about answers to prayer.
I was almost flattered by Ashley today too. Her "punishment" card this morning was that she had to write something nice about everyone in the family. Mine says I was funny... pretty much every dad wants that... especially when his wife no longer thinks so :) I was pretty happy until I noticed she wrote everyone was funny... except for Dennis who she likes to play with. Oh well... it was nice while it lasted.
Dennis woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Not sure what it is about Sunday's and being cranky... even went to bed on time. He likes going to church and does well. He ended up insisting he would control where/what we were going to eat (MCDONALD's, CHICKEN, PIZZA, ICE CREAM!!! <repeat>). Instead he ended up on the timeout bench missing lunch... and spending another 1-2hrs there until he decided he could apologize. He makes an excellent object lesson for the other kids... I get to ask them things like "What do you think the chances are he's going to get what he wants by this behavior?" ... fortunately each gave the right answer :)
Ashley's helping him stay "level" now that he's reconciled. She's such a big help.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Ambushed!
Ok, it wasn't that bad but I was on edge. We called S today... decided that Dennis is in a really good mood so it was ok. Oddly, the surgery isn't even on his mind. She was washing clothes which she tries to do nearly every day. As expected, the shoes we sent her were too big but we sent money with a family adopting a friend of her's right now... so hopefully we can take care of her that way.
Suddenly the phone went dead and 30seconds later we were in a 3-way call with Dennis' gma. Last week we finally got the aunt's phone number and weren't setup to call on our own so we weren't planning to until next week. I thought about just hanging up but I watched Dennis' face closely and listened to the words I could pick up... figured if we are trying to make nice, hanging up is a bad first impression if I don't have to. His Ukraine gma has a VERY forceful voice... old school soviet, many of you know what I mean. It all seemed good but we'll get the conversation translated. Dennis' did his typical "good", "no", etc type of answers. Snezhana interjected once in a while in her distinctly softer and quieter voice... she confirmed with us that was gma and said it was all good.
Then the silence repeated and a different woman was on the phone. A much more gentle voice... from what I heard about biomom I figured it wasn't her so it must be aunt. At one point she asked Dennis who his brothers and sisters in America were and he named them off twice... she didn't understand the names but that's ok. A little while later a little girl... probably 3yrs old got on the phone in a sweet little voice and talked to Dennis. I assume a cousin.
Then that was over with more silence... Snezhana came on for a little bit and confirmed it was aunt. Then she said something to me quick and the connection ended. I think it was that the battery was dead as we tried to call back and got the out of service message.
So all-in-all I think it was ok... we still want to do a call directly once a month or so with one of S' friends in America "monitoring" for us. As long things are ok and they don't try to guilt or manipulate him at least. Of course now that I type this, I guess we should have the kids call their America grandparents monthly at least too :)
Suddenly the phone went dead and 30seconds later we were in a 3-way call with Dennis' gma. Last week we finally got the aunt's phone number and weren't setup to call on our own so we weren't planning to until next week. I thought about just hanging up but I watched Dennis' face closely and listened to the words I could pick up... figured if we are trying to make nice, hanging up is a bad first impression if I don't have to. His Ukraine gma has a VERY forceful voice... old school soviet, many of you know what I mean. It all seemed good but we'll get the conversation translated. Dennis' did his typical "good", "no", etc type of answers. Snezhana interjected once in a while in her distinctly softer and quieter voice... she confirmed with us that was gma and said it was all good.
Then the silence repeated and a different woman was on the phone. A much more gentle voice... from what I heard about biomom I figured it wasn't her so it must be aunt. At one point she asked Dennis who his brothers and sisters in America were and he named them off twice... she didn't understand the names but that's ok. A little while later a little girl... probably 3yrs old got on the phone in a sweet little voice and talked to Dennis. I assume a cousin.
Then that was over with more silence... Snezhana came on for a little bit and confirmed it was aunt. Then she said something to me quick and the connection ended. I think it was that the battery was dead as we tried to call back and got the out of service message.
So all-in-all I think it was ok... we still want to do a call directly once a month or so with one of S' friends in America "monitoring" for us. As long things are ok and they don't try to guilt or manipulate him at least. Of course now that I type this, I guess we should have the kids call their America grandparents monthly at least too :)
Friday, April 8, 2011
Good Sleepy
I think I might have a druggie in the making.. after he woke up completely he has told me several times "good sleepy" while making a motion of a mask over this nose and mouth. I'll be sure to keep glue bottles and aerosol cans away from him :)
He was a real trooper... the last time he ate/drank as 7p last night and the whole family helped to make sure he stayed that way. Making sure they ate before he came down, hiding all the cups, turning the water off in his bathroom sink, not talking about food/water, etc. I fasted with him just so he knew he wasn't in it alone. We left as planned right after the kids got on the bus and ended up at the surgery center 45min before we were supposed to.
We ended up in surgery WAY late. He watched the entire Shrek 2 movie in pre-op and we even stopped a couple of times for people to talk to us. He was ok until the anesthesiologist came in taking to him soon after we got to pre-op. He got upset for some reason and put his face in his hands. Then a nice nurse came by and got him out of it taking his temp, blood pressure, etc.
But then the gurney arrived... whatever his background, he associated that with something very scary. He started telling me he was all done with the bed, all done with the computer, wanted to leave. He was scared. He was sitting on the bed and eventually couldn't handle it so came to sit on my lap... instead I set next to him for the next 1hr+ on the gurney. He held my hand. Fortunately the staff realized he was barely holding it together and allowed me to get a robe/cap and join him to the OR.
When we finally got to the operating table he was a perfect angel... still scared to death and wouldn't let go but he didn't fight, argue, or anything. They put the mask on him and a minute later he was out. He still had my hand clenched though and we had to pry him off even as he was out... that was hard.
He did well waking up... was in tears at first but calmed down soon after I got there -- wished they had gotten me before he woke up. He was dazed and wanted nothing for a while. Then got him naming colors... when he finally came around he wanted his "guitar shirt"... literally an electric toy guitar built into a shirt with an amplifier and a pick. We then went to McDonald's and promised, and home.
He was a real trooper... the last time he ate/drank as 7p last night and the whole family helped to make sure he stayed that way. Making sure they ate before he came down, hiding all the cups, turning the water off in his bathroom sink, not talking about food/water, etc. I fasted with him just so he knew he wasn't in it alone. We left as planned right after the kids got on the bus and ended up at the surgery center 45min before we were supposed to.
We ended up in surgery WAY late. He watched the entire Shrek 2 movie in pre-op and we even stopped a couple of times for people to talk to us. He was ok until the anesthesiologist came in taking to him soon after we got to pre-op. He got upset for some reason and put his face in his hands. Then a nice nurse came by and got him out of it taking his temp, blood pressure, etc.
But then the gurney arrived... whatever his background, he associated that with something very scary. He started telling me he was all done with the bed, all done with the computer, wanted to leave. He was scared. He was sitting on the bed and eventually couldn't handle it so came to sit on my lap... instead I set next to him for the next 1hr+ on the gurney. He held my hand. Fortunately the staff realized he was barely holding it together and allowed me to get a robe/cap and join him to the OR.
When we finally got to the operating table he was a perfect angel... still scared to death and wouldn't let go but he didn't fight, argue, or anything. They put the mask on him and a minute later he was out. He still had my hand clenched though and we had to pry him off even as he was out... that was hard.
 |
| The guitar shirt, at home after surgery. He wanted the picture to show up on the AppleTV when playing music. |
He did well waking up... was in tears at first but calmed down soon after I got there -- wished they had gotten me before he woke up. He was dazed and wanted nothing for a while. Then got him naming colors... when he finally came around he wanted his "guitar shirt"... literally an electric toy guitar built into a shirt with an amplifier and a pick. We then went to McDonald's and promised, and home.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
The knife
Tomorrow morning D goes under the knife... ok, minor thing but they do have to put him out. Hopefully I'll manage to not pass out on this one... I'm mean sheesh, no problem with my wife getting gutted with a C-section, even getting closer for a better view, but I'm on the floor with D getting blood drawn or after getting 3 shots myself... NEEDLES BAD.
He'll get his DSi back and I told him we'll go to McD's afterward -- though I suspect he won't even want ice cream for a while. He can't eat or drink until afterward and he's gonna be REALLY unhappy about that... I even turned off the water to his bathroom just so he doesn't try to get something. We'll actually leave a little early, right after the bus goes, and probably end up in worse traffic just so we don't end up in a battle at home over food and water.
We haven't explained anything in detail, pretty much just what we could in common language which isn't much. Figured it would cause more harm than good... just scare him. I'm sure he'd start thinking about everything he's been told in Ukraine about Americans cutting kids up for body parts... sheesh.
Speaking of that, when we were chatting with our Russian translator at the office in Baltimore we discussed this. She was aware of the whole body parts thing and just shook her head about it... something along the lines of silly ignorant paranoid people. She was very nice... I wonder if she just volunteers with the hospital.
He'll get his DSi back and I told him we'll go to McD's afterward -- though I suspect he won't even want ice cream for a while. He can't eat or drink until afterward and he's gonna be REALLY unhappy about that... I even turned off the water to his bathroom just so he doesn't try to get something. We'll actually leave a little early, right after the bus goes, and probably end up in worse traffic just so we don't end up in a battle at home over food and water.
We haven't explained anything in detail, pretty much just what we could in common language which isn't much. Figured it would cause more harm than good... just scare him. I'm sure he'd start thinking about everything he's been told in Ukraine about Americans cutting kids up for body parts... sheesh.
Speaking of that, when we were chatting with our Russian translator at the office in Baltimore we discussed this. She was aware of the whole body parts thing and just shook her head about it... something along the lines of silly ignorant paranoid people. She was very nice... I wonder if she just volunteers with the hospital.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Doctor
Melissa and I took Dennis to see a CP specialist in Baltimore... takes months to get on his schedule. We worked hard and were successful, I think, to finally get Dennis out of this bad attitude he keeps falling into the past few days. The place is really nice and a Russian translator met us for the entire 2.5hr app't.
Initially a nurse did the typically pre-check stuff. We spent much of the time showing off his knowledge of colors, relative size, shapes, etc.
We spent quite some time with a social worker getting background information and asking how things were going. He seemed very pleased with everything... which makes sense, stuff really is going very well.
Then we were by ourselves for quite some time. The Russian translator chatted a bunch with D and at some point he realized he hadn't been doing well behavior wise (probably all the mention of ice cream and broccoli) and ended up with his head buried in his hands. The translator felt really bad but we explained that is what happens when he realizes he hasn't been behaving and it'll be ok.
When the Doctor showed up, Melissa managed to us that to get Dennis to open up and he was from then on. He did really well... and confirming he understands English well he got nearly every instruction perfect. Honestly the only new thing we "learned" was that the Doctor believes he is too functional and improves too much too quickly to actually have CP... probably some much more minor disorder. On our request he prescribed an MRI and we scheduled a follow-up in 6mo. I think that'll be the last one in unless something enlightening happens.
Initially a nurse did the typically pre-check stuff. We spent much of the time showing off his knowledge of colors, relative size, shapes, etc.
We spent quite some time with a social worker getting background information and asking how things were going. He seemed very pleased with everything... which makes sense, stuff really is going very well.
Then we were by ourselves for quite some time. The Russian translator chatted a bunch with D and at some point he realized he hadn't been doing well behavior wise (probably all the mention of ice cream and broccoli) and ended up with his head buried in his hands. The translator felt really bad but we explained that is what happens when he realizes he hasn't been behaving and it'll be ok.
When the Doctor showed up, Melissa managed to us that to get Dennis to open up and he was from then on. He did really well... and confirming he understands English well he got nearly every instruction perfect. Honestly the only new thing we "learned" was that the Doctor believes he is too functional and improves too much too quickly to actually have CP... probably some much more minor disorder. On our request he prescribed an MRI and we scheduled a follow-up in 6mo. I think that'll be the last one in unless something enlightening happens.
And this morning
D: School Tomorrow
Me: Yes Dennis, School tomorrow, Doctor today
D: ICE CREAM ICE CREAM ICE CREAM
Ok... at this point I couldn't help but smile and chuckle. I had actually been concerned about his short term memory... you know past a few hours. No question now... hehe.
He ended up just sleeping in his skivvies last night as his PJs. He fought his PJs (I forced the skivvies) and I figured he'd have good natural consequences. I checked in a few times to make sure he was covered but he obviously wasn't comfortable and squirmed a lot.
Dennis has gotten really good at recognizing his name and the individual letters in it. He spends a good portion of his time in church flipping through a Bible finding the letters in his name. He's also figured out his brother Samuel's name is in it so I think he's looking for his. I had a sticky note on my monitor about his surgery on Friday with his name in the middle of a bunch of other stuff... he found that and has probably shown me his name and spelled it out a dozen times now. I'm proud of him... remember he had no reading, writing, or alphabet skills in Russian so this is all new to him... he's 6yrs behind from American born kids.
He's doing very well given he has no foundation of language like most kids who are adopted.
Me: Yes Dennis, School tomorrow, Doctor today
D: ICE CREAM ICE CREAM ICE CREAM
Ok... at this point I couldn't help but smile and chuckle. I had actually been concerned about his short term memory... you know past a few hours. No question now... hehe.
He ended up just sleeping in his skivvies last night as his PJs. He fought his PJs (I forced the skivvies) and I figured he'd have good natural consequences. I checked in a few times to make sure he was covered but he obviously wasn't comfortable and squirmed a lot.
Dennis has gotten really good at recognizing his name and the individual letters in it. He spends a good portion of his time in church flipping through a Bible finding the letters in his name. He's also figured out his brother Samuel's name is in it so I think he's looking for his. I had a sticky note on my monitor about his surgery on Friday with his name in the middle of a bunch of other stuff... he found that and has probably shown me his name and spelled it out a dozen times now. I'm proud of him... remember he had no reading, writing, or alphabet skills in Russian so this is all new to him... he's 6yrs behind from American born kids.
He's doing very well given he has no foundation of language like most kids who are adopted.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I'm not sure that word means what you think it means
No brocolli, ICE CREAM... no ice cream -- I mean come on, have we ever allowed desert without eating dinner?
No brush teeth... teethed brushed
No brush teeth... teethed brushed
No shower... showered
No close door... door closed
Oh little "my will" attempting boy. The other kids are being very understanding even through the recent nightly ranting -- tonight around ice cream mostly. Sam, who shares a room with Dennis, came out asking if he could get toilet paper and stick it in his ears. Now D's shouting I love you mama, I love you papa... spooky night, etc... basically just trying to be defiant.
We'll see how "no doctor" works out for him tomorrow as we head to Baltimore.
He did have some fun today out walking our smaller dog out on his own in our yard. Think it made him happy he got to do something without direct supervision.
He did have some fun today out walking our smaller dog out on his own in our yard. Think it made him happy he got to do something without direct supervision.
My best friend
and I don't know it...
Dennis has been continuing to have a bad attitude, even through this morning. Got an "America bad" which it has been a while for that. He couldn't even get out a "money please" for his weekly ice cream money -- so of course he didn't get any. Ashley is really good to help coax him along trying to help him do the right thing and keep him out of trouble. She's pretty good at not overstepping her authority and responding to me when she is crossing the line. I'm certain he doesn't appreciate how much she helps him.
Dennis did actually make it to the bus this morning... much to Ashley's "let's go" encouragement... as D was saying "no" as he's getting down out of the car.
We'll see what the afternoon brings :)
Dennis has been continuing to have a bad attitude, even through this morning. Got an "America bad" which it has been a while for that. He couldn't even get out a "money please" for his weekly ice cream money -- so of course he didn't get any. Ashley is really good to help coax him along trying to help him do the right thing and keep him out of trouble. She's pretty good at not overstepping her authority and responding to me when she is crossing the line. I'm certain he doesn't appreciate how much she helps him.
Dennis did actually make it to the bus this morning... much to Ashley's "let's go" encouragement... as D was saying "no" as he's getting down out of the car.
We'll see what the afternoon brings :)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Prayer time
So I'll admit that we've never really done prayer time at bed with the kids. Bed time has historically been chaotic and when I was working at an office, rather than my home office, I was rarely home before the kids were in bed.
Since the beginning of the year I started putting the boys to bed with prayer time. Ashley and Amanda soon asked to join in as they were hearing what was going on. So now, nearly every night, we all gather in the boy's room for bedtime prayers.
The kids' prayers have quickly become a lot more grown up and they are getting good at praying in an orderly fashion without being given an order.
Since the beginning of the year I started putting the boys to bed with prayer time. Ashley and Amanda soon asked to join in as they were hearing what was going on. So now, nearly every night, we all gather in the boy's room for bedtime prayers.
The kids' prayers have quickly become a lot more grown up and they are getting good at praying in an orderly fashion without being given an order.
Productive... kind of
We got nearly all the wood chopped and split that was fallen on the property. Dennis and Sam helped a little in the morning and then I conscripted Ashley to finish it off this afternoon.
Honestly, Ashley was the only one who took advantage of the day. Well, the dogs "enjoyed" being tied up outside. Ashley spent the entire day outside with her neighborhood girl friends. They even hung out with her while she was helping me with the wood and were entertained for a while with the log splutter that Ashley was running.
Sam decided to play StarCraft II... and frankly I let him for much of the morning since he hasn't gotten to play in ages. I made him stop at noon and am not sure what he did the rest of the day. I think Sam, Dennis, and Amanda watched movies all afternoon. This is where the trouble ensued...
The chickens are in my workshop which the kids are not allowed to be in... except for the chicks. You can't lock the workshop [yet] though. Well, Dennis decided to go look around and he found the portable DVD players... so he's addicted to that. Mom and I are hiding the DVD players and his bad attitude at dinner and bed time lost him his DSi -- I think both will be gone all week. Can you believe he turned down pepperoni pizza followed by cake & ice cream so he could whine about wanting to watch another movie? Really, we made getting dessert REALLY easy tonight. The rest of us happily indulged.
Ironically after getting himself in trouble for hours yesterday over his bicycle, today he declined to ride it. I think in the morning it was because he didn't feel he deserved it but the afternoon was the movie distraction. Ironically after he was done whining about wanting to watch another move, then he moved on the to bicycle... it was all I could do not to laugh as it was getting close to 7p. I had to put his PJs on him and brush his teeth... his bedtime antics were rather short lived and mild though, still DSi bye bye.
The morning routine should be interesting... I would wager I will end up driving him to school after a timeout.
Honestly, Ashley was the only one who took advantage of the day. Well, the dogs "enjoyed" being tied up outside. Ashley spent the entire day outside with her neighborhood girl friends. They even hung out with her while she was helping me with the wood and were entertained for a while with the log splutter that Ashley was running.
Sam decided to play StarCraft II... and frankly I let him for much of the morning since he hasn't gotten to play in ages. I made him stop at noon and am not sure what he did the rest of the day. I think Sam, Dennis, and Amanda watched movies all afternoon. This is where the trouble ensued...
The chickens are in my workshop which the kids are not allowed to be in... except for the chicks. You can't lock the workshop [yet] though. Well, Dennis decided to go look around and he found the portable DVD players... so he's addicted to that. Mom and I are hiding the DVD players and his bad attitude at dinner and bed time lost him his DSi -- I think both will be gone all week. Can you believe he turned down pepperoni pizza followed by cake & ice cream so he could whine about wanting to watch another movie? Really, we made getting dessert REALLY easy tonight. The rest of us happily indulged.
Ironically after getting himself in trouble for hours yesterday over his bicycle, today he declined to ride it. I think in the morning it was because he didn't feel he deserved it but the afternoon was the movie distraction. Ironically after he was done whining about wanting to watch another move, then he moved on the to bicycle... it was all I could do not to laugh as it was getting close to 7p. I had to put his PJs on him and brush his teeth... his bedtime antics were rather short lived and mild though, still DSi bye bye.
The morning routine should be interesting... I would wager I will end up driving him to school after a timeout.
"Free" day
I only have one meeting -- I'm on vacation -- , weather is supposed to be fantastic, and I think mom is working from home, No requirements on anyone for the most part so we are going to "work" hard on having fun. Hopefully it'll be good for D to have a nice relaxing day... I know it will be for me... get some wood hauled and split, garden fertilized and tilled, etc.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Chicken
Dennis seems to like the same kinds of foods I like to cook -- and eat. Earlier this week was Brisket and rolls. Tonight was BBQ chicken thighs and mom grilled potatoes. I didn't make D go out and chase down the chicken, though I think he forgot there is a BBQ outside as he did think it was funny I was going outside to cook it. The local Giant grocery store had chicken thighs onsale for $0.99/lb... I think we need to go get a LOT more tomorrow. I'm pretty sure all the kids would have eaten twice as much... next time we'll need to add rolls and salad.
Afterward Dennis, Ashley, and I decided to make a cake. We totally cheated with a cake mix but I'll survive. The most entertaining part was when I let D turn the mixer on. As I was speaking the words "just a little" he pushed it into a high speed and we all got dusted with cake mix.
The cake was a big hit... Dennis downed his bowl of cake and ice cream before I could finish serving up the other 4 of us. He was very pleased.
Tomorrow he goes to the Doctor to get his MMR immunization. Our Doctor had blood tests run to see what shots he had really had. Apparently one of the "M's" is missing so that will get taken care of. Fortunately D doesn't care at all about shots... does way better than me.
This week he's going to miss most of school. Monday is a day off -- and awesome 78degF weather --, Weds is the trip to Baltimore to see the specialists, and Friday is some minor surgery he needs... he'll get knocked out for that so it'll be interesting to see how he does.
Afterward Dennis, Ashley, and I decided to make a cake. We totally cheated with a cake mix but I'll survive. The most entertaining part was when I let D turn the mixer on. As I was speaking the words "just a little" he pushed it into a high speed and we all got dusted with cake mix.
The cake was a big hit... Dennis downed his bowl of cake and ice cream before I could finish serving up the other 4 of us. He was very pleased.
Tomorrow he goes to the Doctor to get his MMR immunization. Our Doctor had blood tests run to see what shots he had really had. Apparently one of the "M's" is missing so that will get taken care of. Fortunately D doesn't care at all about shots... does way better than me.
This week he's going to miss most of school. Monday is a day off -- and awesome 78degF weather --, Weds is the trip to Baltimore to see the specialists, and Friday is some minor surgery he needs... he'll get knocked out for that so it'll be interesting to see how he does.
Note to son
Not sure what you were used to but, as a rule, constantly yelling you want you bicycle while in timeout is not wise. It neither satisfies the timeout or gets the bicycle.
I think we are into age 3... good that Melissa gets to enjoy this one first hand :)
I think we are into age 3... good that Melissa gets to enjoy this one first hand :)
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Friday, April 1, 2011
Progress
Apparently I already had a blog entry called Progress... oh well. Work with Dennis on patience. Today after school he wanted to go bike riding but knows he can't go in the rain even though he says he doesn't care. As soon as the sun came out he was in my office asking. Ashley had a few things to do so he couldn't go outside until she was done. Instead of having a tantrum, as usual, he went and helped her so they could go outside.
Later in the day he came back in and I needed him to wait just a couple of minutes for me to finish with the work I was doing on a door in the house... then go find out where Ashley was to watch him. This time he decided on a tantrum... didn't turn out so well with him. A bit of a battle so he got some discipline and racked up 20minutes on the timeout bench. After he served that I asked him to come over so I could talk to him about apologizing and he refused.... 3 times. When I went to put 10minutes on the clock for his next timeout he suddenly came over... but when I told him to go sit on the bench he said no and refused... 15min... NO... 20min... bottom in seat. We had an uneventful 20minute timeout and when he was done he happily have me a hug and said he was sorry.
Out he went on his bike with Sam for 30minutes before deciding it was too cold.
Right now he's figured out how to use one of the nerf guns in my office. I'm glad he's getting the dexterity to do so... it will be useful in this family, especially when water and hoses are involved :)
Another thing that snuck up on us this week... Dennis has started speaking in actual "sentences". They aren't sentences exactly but it isn't just "mine", "water please", or the one "May I have..." sentence. He's expressing things like "Ashley, Dennis room, Ashley room" to tell us that Ashley is in his room and he wants her out :) Today he had some even more complicated examples but I was too shocked to remember :)
Tomorrow we try to call Ukraine gma and Snezhana... please pray for that to go well.
Later in the day he came back in and I needed him to wait just a couple of minutes for me to finish with the work I was doing on a door in the house... then go find out where Ashley was to watch him. This time he decided on a tantrum... didn't turn out so well with him. A bit of a battle so he got some discipline and racked up 20minutes on the timeout bench. After he served that I asked him to come over so I could talk to him about apologizing and he refused.... 3 times. When I went to put 10minutes on the clock for his next timeout he suddenly came over... but when I told him to go sit on the bench he said no and refused... 15min... NO... 20min... bottom in seat. We had an uneventful 20minute timeout and when he was done he happily have me a hug and said he was sorry.
Out he went on his bike with Sam for 30minutes before deciding it was too cold.
Right now he's figured out how to use one of the nerf guns in my office. I'm glad he's getting the dexterity to do so... it will be useful in this family, especially when water and hoses are involved :)
Another thing that snuck up on us this week... Dennis has started speaking in actual "sentences". They aren't sentences exactly but it isn't just "mine", "water please", or the one "May I have..." sentence. He's expressing things like "Ashley, Dennis room, Ashley room" to tell us that Ashley is in his room and he wants her out :) Today he had some even more complicated examples but I was too shocked to remember :)
Tomorrow we try to call Ukraine gma and Snezhana... please pray for that to go well.
April Fools
I don't think Dennis gets it though I'm certain the other kids don't. I think the funniest part of the morning was I didn't have to force Ashley out of bed... apparently the thought of mischief got her going. I caught her putting peanut butter in my sandals, then she and Sam tried to sneak an extra soda while they were getting me one from the basement -- they knew I'd catch on --, and then Sam locked everyone out of the van to taunt them. Dennis tried to pull locking himself out of the boy's bathroom so he didn't have to brush his teeth... that didn't work.
My contribution was with Sam as he came into our bedroom this morning to say hi...
Sam: I didn't see you there (to me under covers)
Me: So today everything we eat is going to be orange
Sam: No, really dad? <pause>
Sam: OH, I know what you are doing. April Fools
My contribution was with Sam as he came into our bedroom this morning to say hi...
Sam: I didn't see you there (to me under covers)
Me: So today everything we eat is going to be orange
Sam: No, really dad? <pause>
Sam: OH, I know what you are doing. April Fools
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