CHRISTMAS LISTS!!! 2011

PETRY WISH LIST 2011

Inga

interests: reading, cello, design, cooking, fashion, American Girl, i-pod touch

size 10

American Girl Doll stuff

Mini laptop

Clothes

Jewelry

i-pod touch

please ask for more ideas (work in progress)

Andrei

interests: Star Wars, geology

French Horn, discovery

Look on Amazon.com for updated gift ideas and books/CDs

size 10

legos of any kind

Star Wars

Geology books

Crystal rocks

remote control car

medieval costume (dress-up) size 10

Star Wars costume

light saber

bike (banana handlebars)

transformer

batting tee

nerf gun

toy guns

bionicles

pocket knife

spy gear

TRX suspension system

Theraband

Watch

nightlight

Superhero ring

Elena

interests: tomboy things, cello, art

size 9/10

light saber

gum

watch

remote control car

sunglasses

hat to keep sun out of eyes

wallet

football

baseball

Lord of the Rings toys

pocket knife

sonic screwdriver (10^th doctor)

toy pistol

toy bazooka

star wars figures

Indiana Jones whip

Alex

interests: piano, violin, collecting things,

learning, books, science

size 6

watch

coin collecting kit

Superhero ring (or boy ring)

Justice League action fingures (he asked for boys)

remote control car

bust of a past president

double light-saber (red)

General Grevious dress-up (size 5-6)

Darth Maul dress-up

rock collection with collection box

car that stops and goes with button

lego castle (Star Wars)

Star Wars battle droid

Bionicle

First aid kit

3 ninjas

Lord of the Rings toys

Sonic screwdriver (Doctor Who #11)

Indiana Jones gun

Bazooka toy gun

General Grevious Toy

Fake cobra snake

light-weight shield

Zing Shot launcher from Hearthsong

Jump rope

Jump rope rhymes book

Music headphones (to plug into piano for quiet practicing, basic quality)

Piano sustain pedal for electric keyboard

Sam

Interests: glasses, picture books

superheroes,

size 5/6

lego sets

double light saber

Ratchet Transformer

Optimus Prime Transformer

Green Lantern ring

Bazooka toy gun

Recorder radio

Star Wars dress-up (size 5-6)

remote control car

underwater goggles

case for glasses

Superman castle

sonic screwdriver (Doctor Who #11)

battle shield (light-weight)

small nerf football

rug with street scene on it (for playing cars on)

cars to go on rug

books on CD (fairy tales, etc.)

Knight costume

A clip to put little toys on his backpack—little toys to go on the clip

Elissa

interests: toys, developmental toddler

size 5

anything with chocolate in it :)

cute, unusual hair things

ask me for more ideas (work in progress)

magna-doodle (large)

I-pad apps (gift cards for I-store)

Jennifer

interests: writing, music, cooking, reading, traveling, therapy

anything kids are into

size 8-12

books and CDs (look on Amazon wishlist)

JJ Heller: Painted Red (CD)

Subscription to The Writer’s Magazine

Subscription to Locus Magazine

Cool Celtic Music

Books on how to make good movies from home

Jewelry from Etsy

Glass custard dishes

Music notation software

Chocolate molds from: http://www.bakedeco.com/dept.asp?id=347

Voice-activated software (Dragon—the kind that transfers digital voice recordings)

Tupperware (or similar quality) spatula

Li’l Davinci art frame

Cuddle duds (long underwear) long-sleeved undershirts, V-neck size medium

Nice pots and pans, bamboo steamer (ask Ben and Julie for brand recommendations)

i-pod with huge amount of storage

Bose docking station

Digital Dictaphone

Cook’s Online magazine subscription

All Kids

recess balls

sweatshirts for kids

art tray

crafts works for making cards

Dan

interests: teaching, learning, reading, traveling

classical Christian education

Mars Hill audio subscription

Teaching Company gift certificates

Canon Press gift certificates

Skyline chili

dress shirts (16 1/2, 34-35)

ties that match shirts

sit-up bench (adjustable decline)

Quotes

Inga--"I'm armless"

Alex--"I'm a handful" **

** Alex was actually trying to say "I am full of hands".

PETRY FAMILY WISH LIST for CHRISTMAS 2010

OK, this was not what I wanted to do for my first post in Lancaster. Ah, well:

For more ideas and details, our Amazon wish lists can be found at: http://amzn.com/w/2R51ATWJ0Y8SW

PETRY WISH LIST

Inga
interests: stylish clothes, Harry Potter,
jewlery (no pierced ears yet)
size 9/10
hair straightener
magnetic earrings
stylish clothes (size 10)
candy
lip balm
nail polish
bouncy ball
stylish sunglasses
matching suitcase and bag
swim goggles (like Marisol's)
Point of Grace-How You Live
Jars of Clay-Redemption Songs
They Might be Giants (anything except Flood)
spray-on lotion
toe-less socks

Andrei
interests: Star Wars, science, Greece and Rome
French Horn, discovery
size 8/9
remote control car
remote control helicopter
Star Wars legos
medieval costume (dress-up) size 8-10
cowboy costume with guns
Star Wars costume
light saber
hot wheels cars
bike pump
bike (banana handlebars)
motorbike for kids
piggy bank
books
transformer
t-ball set
play mat for wooden train
gargoyle play set
spy gear

Elena
interests: tomboy things, cello, art
size 8/9
light saber
cowgirl costume (size 8)
gum
socks with animals on them
watch
remote control car
sunglasses
hat to keep sun out of eyes
wallet
hopscotch carpet
books on CD (call to ask)

Alex
interests: piano, violin, collecting things,
learning, books, science
size 5/6
watch
Superhero ring (or boy ring)
Justice League action fingures (he asked for boys)
remote control car
bust of a past president
double light-saber (red)
General Grevious dress-up (size 5-6)
Darth Maul dress-up
rock collection with collection box
car that stops and goes with button
lego castle (Star Wars)
Star Wars battle droid
light-weight shield

Sam
Interests: glasses, picture books
superheroes,
size 5/6
sunglasses (Darth Vader, Spiderman)
light saber
Star Wars dress-up (size 5-6)
remote control car
underwater goggles
case for glasses
cape
battle shield (light-weight)
small nerf football
rug with street scene on it (for playing cars on)
cars to go on rug
4- or 6-scene sequencing cards from Lakeshore (http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/p%7CCG192~~.jsp)

Elissa
interests: toys, ages 18 mos.-3 years
food, especially sugary desserts
size 4
anything with chocolate in it :)
cute, unusual hair things
cute dresses
soft shoes (size 7)

All Kids
walkie talkies (need 5 on same channel)
recess balls
sweatshirts for kids
art tray
crafts works for making cards

Jennifer
interests: writing, music, cooking, reading
anything kids are into
size 8-12
books and CDs (look on Amazon wishlist)
Classical music
JJ Heller: Painted Red (CD)
Adobe premier Elements 9 for Windows XP
or Mac laptop computer :)
10 sets of everyday dishware
Subscription to The Writer’s Magazine
Subscription to Locus Magazine
Cool candlesticks for the dinner table
Queen Sheets
Cool cookie jar
Cookie sheets, good quality (I have issues with cookie sheets)
The Carpenters
Cool Celtic Music
Juicer (wide mouth, white) from here: http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/juicers.aspx
Juicing for Life by Calbom & Keane
Calla Lilly
Turtle necks
Nice jewelry box
Books on how to make good movies from home
Jewelry from Etsy (example: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62416746/helene-14kt-gold-filled-chain)
Paper towel holder
Glass custard dishes
Tart pans for making pecan tarts for Christmas J like these: http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Platinum-Nonstick-Tartlette/dp/B00005NCWX/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2FJ9RA1B8UN3R&colid=2R51ATWJ0Y8SW

Dan
interests: teaching, learning, reading
classical Christian education
Mars Hill audio subscription
Teaching Company gift certificates
Canon Press gift certificates
Skyline chili
mac laptop computer
dress shirts (16 1/2, 34-35)
ties that match shirts

Household
You are Special plate
stereo dock for i-pod and CD combined (BOSE?)
digital video camera
apple laptop
large toolbox for all tools (to go in garage)
large print Bible (for kids to read more easily) with normal to thick pages (not those super-thin pages that tear so easily). New King James Version, please

Birthdays, Medieval Times and Crabs

On Friday afternoon Elena had her first birthday party, and invited several girls from her class over to celebrate. One of the games involved trying to drink from a cup like Lena. It was pretty funny!

On Saturday evening Inga went out with a couple of friends in her class to Medieval Times, a castle near Washington, D.C. built into the Arundel Mills Mall complex that hosts people for a medieval meal. While you eat they put on a show for you with a story line involving kings and kingdoms and amazing horsemanship. There was a lot of sword fighting and jousting involved, and each section had a particular knight to cheer for. Ours was the yellow knight, and when he won the competition he received a white carnation from the princess which he threw to Inga's friend. Inga insists that he looked at her when he threw it, but he missed.

On Sunday evening Dan and I went to a crabhouse and ate crabs steamed in Old Bay seasoning. It was quite the experience; a lot of work for a little bit of food, but great fun with friends. We saw some other people we knew there, too. Amazing that we have lived here this long and haven't done this yet. We are told we need to introduce our kids to this sooner rather than later, or they might get grossed out by the crabs. I can understand that...it was a little much like biology lab! Afterward we went over to our friends' house and introduced them to Dr. Horrible, which they appreciated appropriately.

I played in church this morning for the first time in a long while. I guess I should do that more often...

New Post!!

It has been an incredibly long time since I've posted, due to an amazingly challenging and full life recently. However, things are starting to get back to normal, which means things like: my husband has no job as of today, we lose our health insurance at the end of June, we might move, I might be homeschooling five kids next year, and we won't be home for most of the summer. Yup. Normal crazy.

Today was the last day of school. Inga was very sad saying goodbye to her friends and teachers, but she gets to go out with the girls from her class to something called Medieval Times where you can go to a castle, eat a four-course medieval meal (with your hands/feet, of course) with "royalty", and watch real live jousting with trained horses and "knights". She just finished a whole year of studying the Medievel Ages so this is my treat to her for a year of hard work. She also had a medieval feast at school, which will hopefully help prepare her for the real thing tomorrow.

Elena had her birthday party today. I've decided to give each gender a specific year for parties: this year the girls get birthday parties, and next year the boys get to have birthday parties. That way I don't get too worn out throwing the parties, but the kids know their turn will come and they won't have to wait too too long. I've also discovered that I'm not too bad at throwing interesting parties, which is nice. Maybe I can be a legitimate mom after all.

Dan is at school finishing grades and clearing out his room. It has been a long four years with St. Stephen's and we are finally done. Not having a job to go to from here has us all a little worried, but God is good and I can't be too concerned when He has taken us through so many miracles and hard times to bring home our kids. I would just like a little sneak peak ahead to know what to expect, though. Just a small one.

Dan also graduated recently, last week if my sense of time isn't too stretched out by now. Oh, it is--it was two weeks ago. Ugh. Anyway, the graduation ceremony was great, the trip to Idaho was a breeze (which I wasn't expecting with all the kids and 6 airplanes and two rental cars because we couldn't all fit in one vehicle--why don't places rent out 8-passenger vans, what is wrong with people?--and sleeping at Megan and Michael's little apartment on the last evening). I met some of Dan's professors and a lot of Megan's friends and we got together with the Mileurs who are currently in Idaho at the moment. Someone who was taking pictures at the graduation asked if we could come to the studio and have our photos taken professionally by him so we all trooped down there Friday morning and took lots of pictures, then he came over to our hotel and his kids swam with our kids in the pool. I hope he got some good photos, because we don't have a professional photo of our family since Lissy came home and it would be great if these turned out and we could order a few. All in all it was an incredibly refreshing trip, which was just what I needed.

Sam adores Michael, by the way.

I'm going to play in church on Sunday, for the first time in...years. It feels good to practice. I'm playing the first movement from Bach's second partita. I like it because it's dark, and that's my mood recently. I've also started writing a lot over the past year, in comparison with the year before that, anyway. I've added about 150 pages to my book, which may not seem like a lot but I revise as I go so it's a little more work than you might think. I think the final number of pages may be somewhere around 400, which when translated to publisher layout may just about equal 700 pages. That's too long if I want to publish it as one book, but I don't know how to turn it into a trilogy or a...what do you call it when you write two books? Anyway, I really like this book, I just don't know how to make it good enough to be marketable. I have a number of friends reading it and giving feedback, and it's a wonderful way to learn but I am only learning how much more I still have to learn before I think I'm good enough to sit back and say, "now I am ready to say this is finished; I've done the best I can."

Elissa is walking all over the place now, and is starting to say individual words. She consistently says: more, night-night, bye-bye, pizza, please, cookie, cereal, Mama, Dada, Inga, banana. It's soooo cute!! I've never really had a kid go through this little child phase. All of my kids have come walking and talking; it was just a matter of learning English. Elissa came essentially as a newborn, and I have had the opportunity to watch my child grow from virtual infancy up until now, where she is just about at the two-year old developmental level. Including the tantrums, I might add. Those are fun. I am so pleased with the progress she's making. She laughs and giggles all day long, and is usually quite easy to take places because she likes her stroller and she likes interacting with people now. She's a lovable little girl, and I can't imagine my life without her. She will most likely go to school next year, in a class specially for kids like her who need a lot of educational support and therapy. I visited the place she'll go and saw the teacher she'll have and I think she's ready and it's a good fit for where she is. This year the class size was four kids to one teacher and an aid. Elissa will also most likely have a one-on-one aid to help her with walking and snack and toilet training. She'll go to school from 9-12 every day, and if we want to she can even ride the bus (in a carseat) to and from school. It would be the short yellow bus--but I don't think she'll notice the stigma.

Annie comes on Monday, and we're all looking forward to it!

By the way--I saw that Samantha was "following" my blog, which I think means it will show her when I next post to my blog, and that is what inspired me to go ahead and post again. Thanks, Samantha!

CHRISTMAS LIST POSTING!!

Yes, it takes shameless greed to finally get me to post again to my blog. How sad. But hopefully this will make things easier all 'round. I will simply change the font color to red if I know someone is getting a particular item for someone. So please let me know what you're getting people in my family (through e-mail, phone call, or PaterKessler account) and I'll update this way...that should make it simple for everyone's list...except mine, of course.

We will be spending Christmas Day at home, and then heading out to Ohio to visit people the next couple of days after. It would be easiest for us space/time wise if you sent gift to our house for Christmas Day, but if you have other preferences then please do as you like :)

I'll be adding to this as we go along...

Petry Family Christmas List
(spoken-for items are in red)

INGA
CDs:
Point of Grace-How You Live
Jars of Clay-Redemption Songs
They Might be Giants (anything except Flood, which she already has)
Books--Look on Amazon wishlist (e-mail address djpetry@juno.com)
DVDs:
Scooby Doo cartoons
Little Mermaid 2 and 3
American Girl Doll
Books for American Girl Julie Albright
Klutz series (book on craft): room lanterns, window art, stencil art,
Potholders, etc. (not face painting or thick plastic “string” bracelet making)
Necklace and earring combo (clip-on earrings), bracelet, jewelry
Costumes (not princess)
American Girl doll clothes
Lotion (the kind you spray on)
Gum
Stationery
Really awesome clothes (shirt, pants, dresses)
i-Fan (fan you can hold that sprays water)
Sunglasses
Watch
Cool PJs
Kids’ make up (for summer theatre and dress-up)
Recess Ball
Travel hairbrush
Remote control car
Npower digital diary digital camera (iCarly)
Digital photo viewer
Lip smackers chapstick
Littlest petshop stuff (anything)
Hair colorist kit (So Chic Salon or similar)
Easy-Bake recipes
Poster
Kid’s pottery wheel
Disney fashion designer (Hannah Montana)
Hydropowered rocket


ANDREI
Books--Look on Amazon wishlist (e-mail address djpetry@juno.com)
Star Wars legos
Freckles (1904) by Gene Stratton Porter
Child’s magazine (comics, superheroes, nature, trucks/machines)
Books on how things work
Superhero toys (car, superhero)
Recess ball--Superman
Sunglasses
Superhero car (Batman, spiderman, superman)
Transformers animal (sturdy)
Radio-controlled car or helicopter
Books for ages 7 and up
Clothes (shirt, pants, shoes)
Baseball hat
Cool cup/plate/bowl combo (plastic or china/ceramic)
Cool clock for room
fun fuzzy socks (traction on bottom, please) or slippers
Educational games
Special bandaids
Cool PJs
Superhero coloring book
Semi truck with matchbox cars in it
Marshmallow bow and mallow
Transformers desert tracker Ratchet
GI Joe dress-up, fireman dress-up
GI Pit mobile headquarters (expensive!)
Transformers laptop
Star Wars The Force trainer
Imaginext bat castle
King Arthur Attack Action Warship
Hot wheels cars
Ultra blast batman
Remote control robot sergeant
Lego castle, lego Star Wars anything
Erector set multi-models
Model (basic—this would be his first one)
Wooden train track stuff (Thomas and Friends or compatible) –bridge
Bow and arrow set (Tucsan)
T-ball set (Sizzlin’ Cool)
Air Zone crossbow
Gargoyle playset
Bop bag
Shield
Puzzles (150 +)
Radio-control tarantula or car
Play mat for wooden train
Art supplies
Spy gear


ELENA
Books: look on Amazon wishlist (e-mail address djpetry@juno.com)
Glasses
Toy cat
Special bandaids (Strawberry Shortcake ?)
Special china or ceramic cup/plate/bowl combo for special meals
Cool Pencils and pens
Really cool cupboard/shelf combination for her to store her own things
Watch (Strawberry Shortcake)
Cool PJs
Toe ring
Horse things
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toys/interests/horses/index.cfm?source=google&kwid=horse+toys&gclid=CPz2y86Rv5cCFQECGgodu3KpRw)
stuffed doll (Woody) –rather large
Bakugan
Radio-control car
Poster
Lego castle (Star Wars)
Play mat for wooden train
Incredible hulk power glow mask
Puzzles (35+)
Yo-yo
Art supplies



ALEX
Books: look on Amazon wishlist (e-mail address djpetry@juno.com)
Radio-controlled car
Play mat for wooden train
Star Wars battle droid
Star Wars Battle Pack
batman dress-up clothes (batman with mask, etc)
Cool Cape
Coloring book
wallet
Educational toys
Special bandaids
fun fuzzy socks (traction on bottom, please)
Sunglasses
Clock
Watch
Superhero pajamas
GI Goe accelerator suit Duke
Imaginext bat castle
Star Wars the Force trainer
2-wheeler bike with training wheels
Good quality musical toys
Stuffed doll-Buzz Lightyear (big)
Guitar
Bakugan
Batman poster
Lego castle
Star Wars playdoh set
Thomas the Train wooden tracks and stuff (he has the basic track) –especially the signal house
Star Wars kite
AirZone crossbow
Bop bag
Shields
Yo yo
Puzzles (35+)



SAM
Books and toys: look on Amazon wishlist (e-mail address djpetry@juno.com)
Coloring books with superheroes
Wallet
Cape
Special bandaids
Movie or superhero action figures (for little kids)
fun fuzzy socks (traction on bottom, please)
Super cool PJs
Superhero books
Recess ball
Watch
Raffi songs (we don’t have any)
Transformers that turn into cars (simple)
Spiderman laptop
Radio flyer tricycle
Riding helmet for bike
Spiderman action figure
Batmobile
Poster of Spiderman or Dragonball Z
Small nerf football
Batman bop bag
Large rubber shark


ELISSA
Toys: look on Amazon wishlist (e-mail address djpetry@juno.com)
Fisher Price corn popper
Playschool busy balls terrific textures
Fischer-Price riding toy (Little People time to learn to ride-on)
bath toys
Anything for 18 months +


ALL KIDS
Leonard Bernstein’s The Carnival of the Animals and Peter and the Wolf (CD)
You Are Special plate for special occasion meals
Heelies
Good-quality kids’ hand-bells for bellchoir (http://www.kidsplaymusic.com/?gclid=CM7PopqD950CFQRM5QodL1TvqQ)
Billy Joel CD:
http://www.amazon.com/Billy-Joel-Greatest-Hits-Vol/dp/B00000DCHI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1258692261&sr=8-1
Beethoven’s Wig 4 (CD)
Classical Kids Lullabys http://www.amazon.com/Daydreams-Lullabies-Classical-Kids/dp/B00000212O/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1258693750&sr=1-9
The World’s Very Best Opera for kids…in English! http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Very-Opera-Kids-English/dp/B0000C5ROP/ref=pd_sim_m_11

DANIEL
Subscription to Mars Hill audio magazine (http://www.marshillaudio.org/)
Books: look on Amazon wishlist (e-mail address djpetry@juno.com)
Gift Certificate to The Great Courses (www.teach12.com)
Gift certificate to Borders or Barnes and Noble
Gift certificates to Canon Press (http://www.canonpress.org/)
Gift certificates to Red Robin, Skyline
Books: look on Amazon wishlist (e-mail address djpetry@juno.com)

JENNIFER
Books: look on Amazon wishlist (e-mail address djpetry@juno.com)
Subscription to The Writer’s Magazine (Brad got me one last year)
Subscription to Locus Magazine (sci-fi and Fantasy)
Jennie—trac suit I can wear around the house and not look completely ratty
Headphones like these (noise reduction, great for listening to classical music or reducing noise so I can write my book
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/private_headphones_wireless-headphones_502384
Footie pajamas (fun ones—just google it)
Nutrimill Grain Mill http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/nutrimill.aspx
Bosch Universal Mixer + cookie paddles http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/Bosch_Universal_Plus_Mixer_MUM6N10UC.aspx
(these two can be combined for a large savings if anyone's crazy enough to get them for me)
Photos (in frames) of family
Warm fuzzy socks for around the house
Warm practical socks
Spoon holder for stovetop
Headphones--good quality
Cool candlesticks for the dinner table
Cool cookie jar
Cookie sheets, good quality (I have issues with cookie sheets)
Spatula for getting cookies off cookie sheets
Small but bright table lamp for reading in bedroom
Hands-free phone earpiece (for regular phone)
Really nice computer speakers
Bowls or, if you want to get extravagant, a whole new set of every day plates and bowls (10 each)
Books
· The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler
· Books for children on various composers by Children’s Press in Chicago
· Look on Amazon wishlist (e-mail address djpetry@juno.com)

Music CDs
Easy French books-on-tape
The Carpenters
Cool Celtic Music


THE WHOLE FAMILY
Family photos sitting and pictures from Olan Mills
Awesome lamps, floor and table (the entire house needs them!)
Fun Drinking glasses (for everyday drinking)
Cool doormat that will remind us of whoever gave it to us

Gift Certificates:
Amazon.Com
Home Depot or Lowe’s
Bed, Bath and Beyond
Red Robin (restaurant)

My Much Delayed Post

Christmas is over now and since Megan was able to update I guess I should fulfill my duty and update as well.

Life in the Petry household is busy as usual and yet routine enough to keep everything sane. Inga is in the third grade and participates in Choir and Taikwando. Andrei is doing well improving his reading ability and pronunciation. Yelena is enjoying half-day Kindergarten with Alex and is excited about going to Hilton Head for Spring Break this year. Alex is excited to befriend a new student in his class this month and is going to be celebrating his 6th birthday in April. And I've really been enjoying the quality time spent in the mornings with Sammy and Elissa as Elissa begins to scoot along the floor and take steps as she holds on to the couch.

Since December I've gotten one sister married off and in May I will travel to London to see my Brother and Friend be married. Dan has been busy keeping up with teaching here at St. Peters and continuing his education at New St. Andrews in Moscow. 

Elissa was recently baptized and mom and Papasan were able to drive down and join us for her baptism. Thanks Mom, you mean so much to me and my whole family!

Christmas Lists!

INGA
CDs:
Point of Grace-How You Live
Jars of Clay-Redemption Songs
They Might be Giants (anything)
Books in general for a 9-year-old
DVDs:
Scooby Doo cartoons
Prince Caspian
Little Mermaid (any)

Klutz series (book on craft): room lanterns, window art, stencil art,
Potholders, etc. (not face painting or thick plastic “string” bracelet making)
Shirt that says “Everyone Loves a Brown-Eyed Girl”, size 7
Disney and Me magazine
Necklace and earring combo (clip-on earrings), bracelet, cheap jewelry
A bear you can draw on with special markers (at most toy stores)
Barking, jumping toy dog
Costumes (not princess)
Mermaid doll that you can dress and take off the tail
Transformers (sturdy kind)
A girl lamp
American Girl doll clothes
Lotion (the kind you spray on)
Gum
Cool cup/plate/bowl combo (hard plastic or china/ceramic)
Stationery
Really awesome clothes (shirt, pants, dresses)
i-Fan
Sunglasses
Toe socks
Watch
Special bandaids
Cool PJs
Digital camera
Digital video camera
Kids’ make up (for summer theatre and dress-up)
EZ Bake oven
Bubble maker
Slippers
Scrapbook/photo album
Recess Ball (Princess)
Travel hairbrush
Remote control car

ANDREI (likes all superheros, especially Batman)
Star Wars legos
Freckles (1904) by Gene Stratton Porter
Children’s magazine on comics (Superman, Batman, Spiderman, etc), nature, trucks/machines, coloring, etc
Books on how things work
Curtains for bedroom (blue and red theme)
School desk
Superhero toys (car, superhero)
Recess ball--Superman
Sunglasses
Superhero dress-up—esp. Batman or body armor (size 7/8)
Desk
Superhero clock for room
Superhero car (Batman, spiderman, superman)
Transformers animal (sturdy)
Notebook or folder
Radio-controlled car or helicopter
Books for ages 7 and up
Superhero pillowcase and/or sheets set or blanket (twin size)
Clothes (shirt, pants, shoes) –especially superheros
Baseball hat (Batman)
Cool cup/plate/bowl combo (plastic or china/ceramic)
Cool clock for room
fun fuzzy socks (traction on bottom, please)
Educational games
Special bandaids
Cool PJs
Superhero coloring book
Semi truck with matchbox cars in it
Radio-controlled car

ELENA (likes Strawberry Shortcake!)
Books for ages 6 and up
Dress-up clothes for girls (she asked for Strawberry Shortcake)—size 6-8
Glasses
Toy cat
Notebook or folder
Special bandaids (Strawberry Shortcake)
Money-holding device (wallet, small purse)
Coloring book
Baseball hat
Notebook
Cool cup/plate/bowl combo (plastic or china/ceramic)
Cool Pencils and pens
Really cool cupboard/shelf combination for her to store her own things
Watch (Strawberry Shortcake)
Strawberry Shortcake toe socks
Cool PJs
Cool legos
Wooden kitchenette
Horse things (http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toys/interests/horses/index.cfm?source=google&kwid=horse+toys&gclid=CPz2y86Rv5cCFQECGgodu3KpRw)

ALEX (likes Green Lantern)
Books for ages 5 and up—he is a good reader (esp. beginning reader Superhero books)
Spiderman, superman, and/or batman dress-up clothes (batman with mask, etc)
Cool Cape
Coloring book
Cars
Spiderman web slinger (attaches to wrist)
Batman gun
Folder or notebook
wallet
Pillowcase (superheroes)
Educational toys
Radio car
Special bandaids
fun fuzzy socks (traction on bottom, please)
Boys’ belt holder for closet
Optimus Prime transformer
Sunglasses
Superhero cartoons on DVD
Clock
Watch
Trash can
Toy box
Binoculars
Lunch box
Superhero pencils and pens
Superhero pajamas
Recorder
Instruments for young people (like the use in early childhood music classes…wooden claves and rattles and tambourine, etc)

SAM
Coloring book
Wallet
Cars and trucks
Cape
Special bandaids
Spiderman car (or any superhero)
Movie or superhero action figures (for little kids, age 3)
fun fuzzy socks (traction on bottom, please)
Cool PJs
Really simple transformer
Superhero books
Recess ball
Superhero pillowcase
Watch
DVD of superhero cartoons
--basically anything on the other boys’ lists that a 4-year old “me too!” boy could wish for

ELISSA
—anything! She can always use more clothes, especially leggings, in size 2. She is still very baby-ish, so toys for kids 6 months+ is good, especially if they make noise. Crib sheets are nice, too—the ones she has now are getting worn and are mostly for boys anyway J

ALL KIDS
Little House on the Prairie videos (Seasons 5+)
Leonard Bernstein’s The Carnival of the Animals and Peter and the Wolf (CD)
Sturdy bean bags
Sturdy trucks and tractors
Toy bin or storage shelving for toys for basement



DANIEL
The Netflix Player by Roku (this is what he REALLY wants most)
ipod thing to play it in car radio
**Subscription to Mars Hill audio magazine (ask Jennifer)**
The Case for Covenant Communion Ed. By Gregg Strawbridge
Paedofaith by Rich Lusk
Bookends
Gift certificate to Borders or Barnes and Noble
Gift certificates to Canon Press (www.canonpress.org)
Gift certificates to The Teaching Company (www.teach12.com)
Gift certificates to Blockbuster
Gift certificates to Red Robin, Skyline

JENNIFER
Subscription to The Writer’s Magazine (Brad got me one last year)
Subscription to Locus Magazine (sci-fi and Fantasy)
Footie pajamas (Target, I think)
Photos of people (yes, I stole this off Anne Marie’s list)
Warm fuzzy socks for around the house
Warm practical socks
Comforter (King size)
Salad spinner
Cool trivets
Spoon holder for stovetop
Measuring spoons and cups
Headphones--good quality
Cool candlesticks and candles for the dinner table
Large dining-room type painting
Cool cookie jar
Small but bright table lamp for reading in bedroom
Books
· How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
· Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
· The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler
· The Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, Giving the Derivation, Source, or Origin of Common Phrases, Allusions & Words That Have a Tale to Tell (out of print, will need to search), by Ebenezer Brewer ISBN 0517259214 published 1988
· The Lost Language of Symbolism:An Enquiry into the Origin of Certain Letters, Words, Names, Fairy-Tales, Folklore and Mythologies by Harold Bayley
· Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language: Dealing with the Origin of Words and their Sense Development Thus Illustrating the History of Civilization and Culture, by Ernest Klein (expensive)
· Books for children on various composers by Children’s Press in Chicago

Music CDs
Brahms Symphonies on CD
Easy French books-on-tape
Carpenters
Cool Celtic Music


THE WHOLE FAMILY
Wooden Sitting/storage bench for hallway, for storing shoes
Towel drying rack (nice, for bedroom and guests)
Family photos sitting and pictures from Olan Mills
Bean Bags!!
Cool cookie jar
Awesome lamps, floor and table (the entire house needs them!)
Harry, Willy, and Carrothead Judith Caseley
Oliver's High Five by Beverly Swerdlow Brown
Drinking glasses (for everyday drinking)
Really cool and memorable throw blankets (to replace our two ratty ones)
Cool doormat
Collage frame

Gift Certificates:
Blockbuster
Borders
Amazon.Com
Home Depot or Lowe’s
Bed, Bath and Beyond
Jo-Anne Fabrics
HomeGoods
Red Robin (restaurant)

Catch-up Post (the guilt edition)

April is such an awesome month...so many births and adoptions to celebrate! Mom, Mandy, Annie, Megan, Sam, Alex, and Sophie were all born in April, and Elena was adopted in April (Alex came home in April, but was officially adopted in March). We of course have to eat some major sugar in celebration of the local occasions, and wish we could do more for those far away. Way more. Like our family for some reason was really swamped this month and I have a major guilt complex for not at least sending a card or something to my brothers and sisters on their birthdays. So I am hoping this blog will make up a leeetle bit for my falling behind on timely enthusiasm for my sisters and brothers and their special days. And I really hope I am not leaving anyone out!


Lena has been home with us now for two whole years. She is a fantastically fun-loving, determined little girl who lights up our lives with her hilarious quotes and views of the world and her all-out love for her new family. Happy Adoption Day, Lena!



Mom is full of fun and still learning to do new things (like taking voice lessons!) at her advanced stage of living :) She is full of character and strength even when things are difficult or she is in pain. I enjoy having such a close and wonderful mother to laugh with, ask advice of, pray with, and just to talk with! Happy Birthday, Mom!!



Alex is joyful and energetic, quick to see where others need his help and so caring when others are hurting whether it is physical pain or emotional. What a beautiful spirit lies within this sweet son of mine. Happy Birthday, Alex!


Sam is my childhood companion and champion, full of wisdom and learning and quick to empathize in times of need. I love playing duets with you, Sam--I only wish you were closer so we could share the every-day sort of stuff that comes with being in the same time zone! Happy Birthday, Sam!


Mandy, I am so glad I got to hang out with you last summer and get to know the adult "you" better than by just reading your blog. You are so thoughtful and caring, and your patience with living in the same house as 5 summer-soused children was amazing! Happy Birthday, Mandy!!



Annie, I can't believe you are graduating next month!! You have grown so mature in the past year, so thoughtful and sensitive of others. Your notes of encouragement to the kids and to me are still on our bulletin boards, and those bandaids are still in full use! Your enthusiasm for life is, in my opinion, your best quality and your most unique one. It is infectious, and I look forward to experiencing it more as you head my way for college. Happy Birthday, Annie!





Megan, you are a wonderful companion and sister, always making time for a quick phone conversation and caring for the kids so sweetly. You are thoughtful about the things that are gong on in my life even though they are so far from your own, and quick to visit whenever you get a chance. I love to see the person you are becoming. Happy Birthday, Megan!


Dearest Sophie Eleanor, I can't wait to get to know you as you grow and mature and become the person God has for you to be. Your future is limitless; so amazing, so humbling for those who will be involved in your life and influence you as you grow. I hope I can be a good Aunt to you. I hope your cousins will be good examples for you. Happy Birth Day, my newest niece!

The difference a year can make

Tomorrow is Sammy's first adoption day. He has no idea what it means, but he is really excited about getting to pick out what kind of cake and icing he will get to eat. And ice cream. Don't forget the ice cream, beloved.

It is amazing how he has changed during this past year. For some reason I have noticed the change in him more than I did the others because he had such a difficult transition into our family. He fought like a wildcat when we first brought him home, hitting and biting whenever he was frustrated, which was all the time. He threw constant temper tantrums of the classic variety, which involved throwing himself onto the ground and pounding anything available with hands and feet while screaming so hard and so long he would turn purple and do that "silent scream" thing for up to a minute until I was sure he was going to pass out. Nothing would calm him down, and he is very strong for his age so he could really hurt people and he did. My other children often sported several bite marks, some that would bruise up nastily and last for weeks. Sam was so frustrated at losing his language, unable to communicate with us and with his world and as a consequence he would become angry beyond reason. He refused to share, he took everything he saw might be important to others, and he put everything he touched into his mouth, even if it was dangerous. He often choked on things. He drooled constantly, he was afraid to be lowered onto a changing table or placed on his back under any circumstances, and he is the only child that has peed directly on me...several times. He would wake up screaming throughout the night, about every hour, and be nearly inconsolable despite all we could do to comfort him. After his afternoon nap he was so completely grumpy as to put a whole new level to the phrase "woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Nothing but nothing would snap him out of his dark mood. When we went out in public I would get stares from strangers and occasional haughty comments from those who thought my parenting style was in question to have produced such an ill-behaved child. I would apologize and then make a point of kissing him, and he would kiss me back sweetly if he was in the mood, and this would mollify their instinct to lecture because who can berate a mother who is being kissed by her wayward child? That is one thing that Sammy did well...cute gentle baby kisses. I held on to that for a long time as the only way we could connect, and it gave me hope.

Fast forward one year. Sam is a sweetheart, charming everyone he meets with his ready smile and his sunny disposition. He can still become frustrated easily, but pulls himself back from his personal thundercloud when reminded and wipes his own tears away. No more biting, no more hitting (well, almost), and he actively loves his brothers and sisters and is very concerned if anyone is hurt or upset. He sleeps through the night most of the time, he no longer panics when I lay him on his back to change his diaper, and he hasn't turned purple with raging suffocation in months. He talks a mile a minute, he tells stories, he is deeply passionate about superheros of any variety (most recently he is obsessed with Yoda), and he dresses up in any pajamas that have a logo on it that he can find. During the day. Right before we need to leave to go somewhere. Especially if we are late already. He is a wonderful helper, cleaning up the kitchen with Mommy and making muffins or pudding or whatever he can stir. He follows directions in gymnastics and is now mature enough to be in a class without his Mom to help. He is full of laughter, quick to smile, and a very handsome little boy who delights everyone he meets. I get compliments on how well-behaved and smart he is, and people go out of their way to come play with him or talk to him. He still kisses me, but now he says "I love you, Mommy," and it is clear that he knows what that means and that he means it with all his heart. He is loved, he loves, and he will be loved forever, and I look forward to celebrating that tomorrow with him whether he understands it or not (although of course he will understand the ice cream!). What a difference a year makes!

I guess it's all about America

Hmmm...I guess I knew this already. Thanks, Mandy, for the idea.

I've been sick recently, really sick. Fever, exhaustion, lying in bed and unable to teach or do much sick, for a week and a half. The kids have been awesome, taking care of me by bringing me books and fluffing my pillows (on the couch) and stroking my head and I have responded by allowing them to watch movies. A good deal all around. Andrei actually got antsy that he was missing so much school and he asked me to teach him math from the couch. He's such a great kid!

I've been reading the book Anne gave me for Christmas (thank you, Anne!!) by Barbara Kingsolver called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle--it's really great. It puts me in the mood for Spring because it is all about buying local food (and organic) and preserving varieties of vegetables and fruits by thinking outside the box and growing your own stuff which gives you more options than the "chosen for travel hardiness" varieties available from California. It also discusses what the "big corporate business" mindset means when applied to food and this involves pesticides and massive amounts of corn and soy which is turned into wonderful products such as high fructose corn syrup etc. which is of course in a lot of pre-prepared or fast foods Americans eat and which gets into the whole "overfed but undernourished Americans" discussion. Sorry, long sentences with total run-on issues but this illness has fried my brain as well as my body. I am so ready for Spring, now!! Anyway, I have been leaning more and more toward local produce recently anyway but this book does an excellent job of putting into words all of the thoughts that have been running around my head since we first started our elimination diet craze.

Reading this book has also made me think a lot more about buying American, and what that means in the big picture. I'm still figuring it out, but this ties into my thoughts on getting a larger van in the near future...can't help but buy American there, since there really aren't any other options. So count me in for being patriotic!

I remember

Tomorrow is January 21. She was beautiful, smart, quick to laugh, full of love and kind acts, and very intelligent. Happy Birthday, Susan.

Deadbeat Day

Today was an amazingly deadbeat day. Nothing happened of significance, nothing got done that should have gotten done, the house is a mess and so I am procrastinating by doing this blog entry so I can finally feel like I got something accomplished!

We had a snow "storm" yesterday (by Maryland's standards), and so the school opened late today. We all spent those extra two hours sleeping in. Then I taught strings class, which happens before school, only I was wrong about the start time and we ended up having a half hour more time before school started than I thought we would. This would normally be a good thing since our concert is not too far in the future and we could use the extra rehearsal, but I had made a doctor's appointment for Inga since she is in pain and acting like she has bronchitis, and I had scheduled it based on when I thought class would be over. Somehow Dan knew school started at 10:30 instead of 10:00, so he didn't show up with the rest of the kids until it was too late to make the doctor's appointment on time. So I had to reschedule the appointment, take everyone home for 10 minutes while I picked up some letters I needed to bring with me, and then off we went to the doctor to find that Inga does not in fact have bronchitis, it just sounds like it. But they gave us medicine for it just in case it turns over the weekend. Then we all got the flu shot. That was probably the most productive part of my day--holding screaming children while the nurses systematically performed acts of torment with needles on them. Boy was Pavel mad, because he wasn't expecting it (even though he went last and he was in the room the whole time...what goes through his head?). So we went home and had lunch and Inga insisted I take her back to school because she wants to get a perfect attendance record for the year. So I took her, came home, put Pavel down for a 45 minute nap (he usually naps for 2 hours), made an attempt to clean the house but really, nothing happened, woke him back up (again, mad child, mad, mad child) and got everyone in the van to go pick Inga up. When we got to the school I taught a student for half an hour, then we all went home, had snacks as fast as we could while Andrei and I changed into our Do Boks, and then we all went to Tae Kwon Do. Dan met us there, and the children watched Andrei and I take our separate classes. They are such a good cheerleading squad for me, even though they really should just sit quietly. The instructor worked me hard. I could barely move by the end of class, but neither could anyone else. At one point he said whoever gets to the other side of the room first didn't have to do ten push-ups and I was first. I hate push-ups, with a passion. Plus the flu shot in my arm was bothering me because I am a wimp.

Then home, with the five kids, while Dan went back to work (Dan usually works late on Thursdays because parents get a grade update on Fridays in his class and so he has to actually grade all those assignments he gives them. He has a reputation for giving the most work in the school). I fed the kids, and put them to bed immediately because no one had naps today and everyone was exhausted from doing nothing all day.

Usually I can say at the end of the day, "I got laundry done," or "the children are all bathed and clean," or "I wrote a little in my book today," or "we got a lot of good homeschooling done," or at least "I paid some bills." I need to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day, no matter how small. All we did today was what we had to in order to survive, and I'm not used to that. It's time for some chocolate chip cookies (although I count that as negative productivity because, really, I'm going to be the one to eat most of them and how many calories is that?!)

Now I am going to force myself to go down to the kitchen and clean it, and before I get into bed tonight I will think over the day and at least I will be able to say I posted to my blog.

Don't Hit the Potty!

I have had so many ideas for posts that I no longer know what to say. So I'll say a little bit of everything:
Ben, Happy Birthday! Enjoy your last year of the 20's...you are yet young. Although in many ways it doesn't seem like you are my "little" brother any more. At some point in the last couple of years I ceased to feel like your "big sister" and instead I simply feel like your sister, an equal and comrade in sibling-ship. Does this make you older or me younger? I hope you have had a wonderful year and enjoy many to come!

Dad visited with Sandra recently, and Mom came shortly after. I was afraid when we moved here that we wouldn't be near anyone so no one would come to visit us. Instead we are ON THE WAY for everyone and we get one-nighters with lots of traveling relatives. Way fun!

Inga loves school, and she's good at it. Her teacher told us last week that she and another girl are the top readers in the class. That's pretty amazing, since she only really learned to read around a year ago and boy, did we struggle to get there! But when she got it, she got it.

I was telling Lena that I would love her no matter what, trying to hint around the idea that no matter what she looked like or what parts she might be missing this in no way affected my devotion to her. She wanted to know if I would still love her if she got her legs chopped off. I assured her I would. Then she asked about her ear. Of course, I would still love her. I got enthusiastic and asked her what if her nose got chopped off? She gave me a horrified look and said, "Oh, no, Mommy, then all of my boogers would fall out!"

Big huge topic of the month: should we have a sixth kid? It's Fall, and as Ben K. can attest I seem to start adoption paperwork right before Thanksgiving (and call him with the onerous request of picking up my Ohio marriage license from a usually over-crowded Department of Public Health or some such important location), so out of habit I am starting to think toward that direction. No answers yet. Just lots of questions. And yes, there is a specific child in mind.

Annie, thank you for the awesome letters! I haven't had time to write back, but the kids loved them and I loved my birthday letter. You have an amazing way with words. I can't wait to see you at Thanksgiving!!

Mandy asked if I got my quote at the top of the blog from a forum. Umm...what's a forum? Since I don't know, I don't think so. But I did steal it off someone else's quote on their website. It was authored by anonymous, according to this person. I like the quote...I want to have that attitude, and most days I achieve it (at least usually I have to take a shower the next morning).

There is a port-a-potty at the end of my driveway. They are re-paving our whole area (called Hernwood Heights) where we live and the workers chose our little neck of the woods for their loo placement. The problem is that they put it right opposite our driveway, so when we back out I almost hit it, every time. I have trained the kids to remind me by saying, "Don't hit the potty, Mommy!" every time I start to back out of the driveway. So far, I have avoided spilling the contents of the port-a-potty all over our little dead-end street. When the tractors finally made it to our part of Hernwood this morning I was all happy. Surely they would be finished with their project soon and not only would we have a newly paved street with a more level sewer connection but I would also no longer have to be worried about inadvertently destroying state contractor temporary toileting facilities. They did move the port-a-potty this afternoon before they finished for the day...and left a large bull-dozer sort of thing with a caterpillar attached to it...right across from my driveway. This is much bigger than the Tardis-sized toilet box. I must now put our van through several contortions to get out of my driveway--that is, if I remember to do so instead of simply plowing into the thing before checking in my rear-view mirror.

Alex is a hot dog

Alex goes to sensory integration therapy, and for the first time our insurance is actually covering it. This comes at a perfect point in our lives because he has been having a hard time recently. I think it is because he is putting all of his energy into learning the things we are doing in school, and his focus gets tapped out, and then he starts acting "sensory", as we call it. I am learning a whole new level of parenting.
At his sensory therapy lessons he spends an hour getting all of the sensory input he craves. It is amazing how much pressure he asks for...way more than I as an adult would ever be comfortable with, and sometimes more than the therapist feels she can safely give him. They come up with all sorts of ways to work with him, but the cutest is the hot dog. He dresses up as a hot dog, and they squish him in a huge bun-pillow, and put long yellow and red sandbags on top of him (mustard and ketchup) while he listens to a song about being a hot dog. The amazing thing is how still he becomes when he feels all enclosed and weighty. He gets a certain look in his eye, as if he is going far away. Usually he is fine for the next several days after therapy, and then he steadily falls apart until his next session. The therapist says it is fantastic that he is able to benefit from it for that long...most kids are falling apart again after less than a day. Her comment reminds me that there are so many reasons that Alex is a great kid--and I enjoy finding them out, one by one.
Inga's teacher has cancer. (Stay with me--this is actually related to my "Alex" topic, but you have to read on to the end.) For a while her doctors were uncertain how far it had spread, but now they are saying it is contained and if they perform a total hysterectomy she should be fine. Her surgery is scheduled for the end of October, so my little girl will have substitutes for a month. I am so glad this teacher's prognosis looks so good...she is a wonderful teacher, a fantastic person, and a friend of mine from church.
Another friend of mine also has cancer...melanoma. Of course I cringe when I hear that, especially around this time of year. She had a mole removed that turned out to be cancerous, and not benign. But it had not yet had time to spread, and so the doctors think they got it all and she should be fine. She sent out an e-mail to all of her friends letting us know the good news, and encouraged everyone to get any suspicious moles biopsied earlier rather than later. She was very insistent about it, since an early biopsy had probably saved her life. But I did not mind the authoritarian tone she took because she had every reason to warn me, and guess what...I'm going to go get a suspicious mole biopsied.
This is how the cancer digression relates: My son has FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). I love him fiercely, but I also have to stand by and watch every aspect of his life, especially his schooling, be affected by the choices his mother made while he was in utero. I have every reason to warn those I love to totally abstain from alcohol during their pregnancy, and if you compare my situation with that of my friend who has cancer, I should be able to take an authoritarian tone with my warning. But I hesitate. Social drinking is just so...fun. Who am I to spoil someone else's good time? And people can quote outdated medical articles stating that a little alcohol will not hurt the fetus. There are plenty of them out there, and doctors who still believe this is true. Who am I to argue with that? Except that I have lots of more recent articles I can refer to that prove that just one drink a week can affect the brain of a developing child. But no one wants to hear it. It's unpopular. It's hard. And people have been drinking during pregnancy since alcohol was invented. So they tell me that my sources are not professional. The Surgeon General, however, agrees with me, and the Center for Disease Control website states:

When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her unborn baby. There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink while pregnant and there also does not appear to be a safe time to drink during pregnancy either. Therefore, it is recommended that women abstain from drinking alcohol at any time during pregnancy. Women who are sexually active and do not use effective birth control should also refrain from drinking because they could become pregnant and not know for several weeks or more.

Please listen, and spread the news.

How could you not?

OK, surely someone would comment on that last blog, I thought. Cute pictures of little children playing a game that Anne Marie in particular loved when she was in her youthful prime...Jennie actually admitting that she doesn't mind a sport...how could my family resist commenting? At least something like, "How can an armless kid be a goalie? Did she let any balls through?" or "You guys sit on a blanket when you watch the games? Really? Why don't you get regular folding chairs like all the other cool parents?" But nothing. Is anybody reading this?!
(dramatic pause for nose-blowing and pathetic sighing)
Boy, glad I got that off my chest.

Inga: "Are those bugs male or female that suck your blood?"
Me: "You mean mosquitoes? Female."
Inga: "So if they get some of my blood in them, that means we are half-sisters!"
Me: "Hmmm..."

Soccer!

Sometimes I forget how much I thought I would hate this part of life: the soccer mom part. Inga, Andrei, and Elena are all in soccer and they each have practice 1-2x per week and games on Saturdays. Each team requires each family to volunteer for snack shack or information booth, and each team requires each family to bring a snack to at least one game for the team. Oh, and you have to watch your kid play soccer out in the sun where there is no mercy from the heat and you have to somehow seem knowledgeable about what your kid is doing out there on the field while your other kids are driving you nuts with their antics. Of course I would hate this. But...amazingly...I don't. I love to see my kids working hard toward a goal with their team, I love to see them push themselves to keep going even when they are exhausted and I especially like it when they look like they actually know how to play this game. Because I never did. I remember going to Anne Marie's soccer practices (most memorable moment: I bit into a Star Crunch chocolate-y thing and got a mouthful of little worms and eggs and never ate another one again), and although I love Anne Marie (please let me make that clear), I hated watching her practices. Hated it. I recall thinking I must be receiving some sort of sisterhood points for caring and that is what helped me through it...but I swore I would never put myself through it again, so my children would just have to learn to live without sports. And then I married Dan. And found out that when it is your own kid out there, everything changes.


Oh. And it is really easy to get sunburned. (Like the shirt? It doesn't fit Dan, so he gets to enjoy it on me :)