Next to rocks, Carleigh's favorite item is a coin. She loves to pick up pennies, nickels and dimes. Also, Mom and I have helped her distinguish between the three coins. She can correctly tell us if the coin in her hand is a penny, nickel or dime. This summer, I am going to work on quarters and dollars.
Also, I am going to teach a homeschool preschool curriculum that I ordered as a way to keep their skills "fresh." I am also considering a homeschool speech program. Both are improving in speech every day and Carleigh is starting to use possessive nouns like "Cody's toy" or "Sissy's bunny."
Friday, May 30, 2008
Adoption Etiquette
I found this article the other day and thought I would share it. I strongly believe in all of these do's and dont's.
ADOPTION ETIQUETTE: WHAT TO SAY--AND WHAT NOT TO SAY
"Your girls look so much alike, I bet people think they're really sisters!" I knew my friend meant well, but the remark stung. "They ARE sisters," I snapped.
Today, people are more sensitive about adoption but still may not know the right thing to say. So we've spotlighted five commonly heard faux pas and what adoptive parents wish you would say instead.
1. "You have a cleft chin just like your mother." My adopted daughter, Annie, didn't get her cleft chin from me but from her birth parents. As soon as she's school age, she'll understand that and this kind of compliment may feel false, even unsettling, to her. It's better to point out similarities that aren't genetically determined, like "You laugh just like your mom."
2. "Do you know how lucky you are?" Parents who have adopted often find it disturbing when people treat them as heroes who've "saved" children. "I hate it when people say this to my kids," says Laurie Amelung of Fort Mitchell, KY. Amelung has three biological children and adopted three more because she wanted a bigger family. "I don't want my kids to feel like we took them in as charity cases. I always respond, 'Our children have given us much more than we've given them.'" What should friends and relatives say instead? Simply offer, "You make a great family."
3. "Where is she from?" Strangers ask Cindy Carlson of Love Park, IL that question because her 4-year-old daughter, Alphia, has Asian features. Whenever they do, Alphia immediately feels self-conscious. "She'll say, 'I'm family, I'm family,'" says Carlson. Studies show that children in multiracial families often feel on display. If you're asking because you're interested in adopting, discreetly take the parent aside and ask if you can talk.
4. "Why did the birth mother give up her baby?" It's fine to ask, "Do you know anything about the birth parents?" But be careful about asking probing questions. Many parents consider the birth parents' history deeply private information. In fact, experts often recommend that parents wait until their child is emotionally ready before disclosing potentially upsetting details.
5. When introducing the child to acquaintances or friends, never introduce them as "their adopted children" as this can be damaging to the child and to the adoptive parents and family. Instead, introduce them as "their children" which is what they are. They are their REAL children just as a biological child would be.
Child magazine, November 2002
ADOPTION ETIQUETTE: WHAT TO SAY--AND WHAT NOT TO SAY
"Your girls look so much alike, I bet people think they're really sisters!" I knew my friend meant well, but the remark stung. "They ARE sisters," I snapped.
Today, people are more sensitive about adoption but still may not know the right thing to say. So we've spotlighted five commonly heard faux pas and what adoptive parents wish you would say instead.
1. "You have a cleft chin just like your mother." My adopted daughter, Annie, didn't get her cleft chin from me but from her birth parents. As soon as she's school age, she'll understand that and this kind of compliment may feel false, even unsettling, to her. It's better to point out similarities that aren't genetically determined, like "You laugh just like your mom."
2. "Do you know how lucky you are?" Parents who have adopted often find it disturbing when people treat them as heroes who've "saved" children. "I hate it when people say this to my kids," says Laurie Amelung of Fort Mitchell, KY. Amelung has three biological children and adopted three more because she wanted a bigger family. "I don't want my kids to feel like we took them in as charity cases. I always respond, 'Our children have given us much more than we've given them.'" What should friends and relatives say instead? Simply offer, "You make a great family."
3. "Where is she from?" Strangers ask Cindy Carlson of Love Park, IL that question because her 4-year-old daughter, Alphia, has Asian features. Whenever they do, Alphia immediately feels self-conscious. "She'll say, 'I'm family, I'm family,'" says Carlson. Studies show that children in multiracial families often feel on display. If you're asking because you're interested in adopting, discreetly take the parent aside and ask if you can talk.
4. "Why did the birth mother give up her baby?" It's fine to ask, "Do you know anything about the birth parents?" But be careful about asking probing questions. Many parents consider the birth parents' history deeply private information. In fact, experts often recommend that parents wait until their child is emotionally ready before disclosing potentially upsetting details.
5. When introducing the child to acquaintances or friends, never introduce them as "their adopted children" as this can be damaging to the child and to the adoptive parents and family. Instead, introduce them as "their children" which is what they are. They are their REAL children just as a biological child would be.
Child magazine, November 2002
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Last Day of School
Ahhh...today was my students' last day of school. It was a beautiful sunny day and the weather was just perfect. My stress level is starting to go down!! Just two more work days for me and I will be home for the summer! Cody and Carleigh's last day of preschool is Tuesday and Cody's class is having a party and an awards ceremony on that day so I get to come!! I am so excited to be able to come since I normally cannot make parties or field trips.
Today was Beach Day for preschool. They brought beach towels and pretended they were at the beach. Carleigh was so proud to show me how she can sit on her beach towel and sunbathe. She is quite the character if you have met her in person!! Monday is Pajama Day for Carleigh so she gets to go to school without changing her pjs!!
I planned our 10 year weekend trip to Brown County, Indiana. We are staying Friday - Sunday afternoon. This will be our first weekend trip away from the children. They are at the right age that I feel ok about it and they are staying with my family so I can rest assured that they will be well-taken care of or should I say "spoiled" while I am gone. I will be in shopping heaven as the city has over 400 shops!! Woohoo! It is like a smaller version of Gatlinburg.
Today was Beach Day for preschool. They brought beach towels and pretended they were at the beach. Carleigh was so proud to show me how she can sit on her beach towel and sunbathe. She is quite the character if you have met her in person!! Monday is Pajama Day for Carleigh so she gets to go to school without changing her pjs!!
I planned our 10 year weekend trip to Brown County, Indiana. We are staying Friday - Sunday afternoon. This will be our first weekend trip away from the children. They are at the right age that I feel ok about it and they are staying with my family so I can rest assured that they will be well-taken care of or should I say "spoiled" while I am gone. I will be in shopping heaven as the city has over 400 shops!! Woohoo! It is like a smaller version of Gatlinburg.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Forever Daddy's Girl and Boy
Carleigh wore her visor that she made in Sunday School yesterday. Of course Cody would not wear his. She waved at everyone in the parade and waved her flag like a true patriot!
Everybody loves a parade!
We went to the Memorial Day parade in Hamilton. Cody and Carleigh are mesmerized by the marching bands, flashing lights and noises.
Third Cookout!
We were invited to Michelle's friend's house for a cookout. The kids had a blast playing in the backyard and the best part was that we didn't have to chase them because it is fenced! Hopefully we will have our backyard fenced before our July cookout.
Tired
We finally got everyone calmed down and they watched tv for a short while. All the cousins were tired and hot from our first real humid day of the year.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Our Day in Indiana
After our Church fellowship following the morning service, our family changed clothes, packed the necessities and then picked up Mamaw and Papaw Hibbard (Jen's parents) and headed to Liberty, IN where Jen's sis Connie's in-laws have a huge spread of land, horses, cows, ponds, ducks, campground/shelter and plenty of trails.
We stayed until almost dusk and the kiddos had a blast!
Another hike!
We hiked down the hill below the camp and Carleigh was able to throw rocks in the creek! Matt snapped the picture of Carleigh and I while we were trudging back up the hill.
Strollin'
Matt took Cody in a stroller ride in the field and Carleigh pushed an invisible baby in her stroller. She strolled around for at least an hour!
Cookout
Top: Brittany helping with the mac n cheese and cheesy potatoes
Bottom: Jen's Mom and Dad
We had a FEAST for an army! All the women chipped in and some men grilled as we served: hamburgers, hot dogs, ham, cooked cabbage, green beans, mac n cheese, cheesy potatoes and corn on the cob with lots of fresh fruit including a fruit salad. Of course Cody loved the cantaloupe, oranges and bananas best! Carleigh ate an entire bowl of mac n cheese and a hot dog!!
Dune Buggy Ride
Uncle Jerry (Jen's brother-in-law) took Cody for a ride in the dune buggy which absolutely THRILLED Cody! Aunt Connie and cousin B. B. (aka Brittany) took Cody on a four-wheeler ride earlier but it didn't satisfy him! He loved it!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Lunch by the lake
We left for Houston Woods a little before noon. Mamaw & Papaw Schmidt came with us and we decided to have a picnic lunch by the lake. Carleigh was really tempted to throw things into the water...she sneaked a leaf into the lake. Opps!! After spending 3 hours or so, we went to Harbin Park. What a day! And tomorrow we are going to Indiana after church. We have a full 3 days of fun this weekend.
Nature Center
We went to the Nature Center at the park and saw snakes, turtles, bobcats, cougars, owls, hawks and lots of birds. **I decided to add this pic of me...not a good one with my hair pulled up!!
Feeding the deer
The white-tailed deer were REALLY friendly! We got to pet them and later fed them a loaf of bread. I think it was the first time that I fed deer before and boy did they wolf the bread down. Carleigh was a bit timid and kept saying that they were horses!!
Playground at the beach
We discovered this playground when we were turning around after feeding the deer. Carleigh spotted it and cried "Play!!" So of course we had to stop and let them play.
A hiking we will go
Matt and I used to hike this trail when we were dating and during B.C. (before children) times. I was itching to go on the trail. We decided to take the middle loop but little did we know that there was a BIG hill to climb which tired the old folk out!! Usually I take the longer trail but with the grandparents, I decided the shortest was best. Cody and Carleigh loved to check out the trees, leaves, rocks (of course!) and everything that we found on the trail. The weather was perfect...not too cold or too hot. We will definitely go back again.
Along the trail
Top: Carleigh and Matt on the bridge
Bottom: Papaw & Mamaw Schmidt....can you see the exhaustion on their faces??
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