Two Sweet Kids and One Lucky Family: Two Months Home

Peyton and Caleb have been home 2 months now. They are better than we could have ever expected them to be. They are so laid back and just go with the flow.  There is still much to teach them and sometimes I wonder why they were never taught to do this or that. Then I stop and just pause to be thankful that we are the ones that get to teach them.

Sweet Peyton is really starting to talk alot more now. Like a typical girl, there are some clothes that she doesn't like and won't wear and doesn't mind telling me, "Me no like." I just assumed since she was once an orphan she would be thankful to have clothes to wear no matter if they appealed to her or not but alas, I am used to raising boys so what was I thinking. She seems to be doing well at school as far as I can tell by the worksheets that come home.  She is in the 5th grade so that she can socialize with kids her age but she is pulled out some during the day to work on learning the alphabet and letter sounds and to help her get caught up with math. She is at about a 3rd grade level in math and at the beginning for everything else because of the need to learn English. She is enjoying school and seems happy to go.  I took her for an eye exam and she will need glasses. She is nearsighted and was seeing double out of one eye. When the doctor put lenses up to her eyes the amazement on her face that things were not blurry anymore was so funny. She is so excited to get glasses. Next up is the dentist but I haven't scheduled that appointment yet. We are taking the doctor's visits slow with her because it is rather traumatic. I have talked with her about the dentist, her teeth and that she will need her teeth worked on but she is not happy about that.  Every little test or procedure equals pain in her eyes and so I am going to have to do a little more talking with her before we go. This girl has come a long way in 2 months and it is so fun to experience life with her. And yes, everyone assumes she is my biological daughter and they can't believe it when I tell them she is from Ukraine.

Little Caleb always has a smile on his face. He understands most of what we say now but can't speak much English without prompting. I have been working with him on writing the letters of his name and he does pretty well for never holding a pencil or being taught anything. We are hoping in January to start him at the same preschool Carson is attending. He still is so excited about having a cat and is doing better at holding and touching her nicely. He seems to have an ear for music and someday I want to give him the opportunity to take piano lessons.  I took him to the eye doctor and he did so well. He is a little farsighted and I will take him back for a follow-up visit in a couple of months to see how we need to procede. He will also need to go to the dentist and I think I will take Peyton along so that she can see what to expect. He is just the sweetest little boy and has not once looked back to where he came from. He is happy and content with this life and there really has not been much adjustment needed with him. For that I am so thankful.

Here are some random pictures of the last week or so. Enjoy.

~Tina

Yes, Carson does like his candy!

wrestling with big brother, Theron

Theron traveled by train to visit his girlfriend for Chrtistmas.
He opened his gifts early and the kids couldn't wait to watch.

We were at a family dinner and who should arrive but Santa.
Carson, sitting on my lap, was just a little leary of him so
mom's lap was the best place to be.

That is Peyton behind the tree crying because one of the
two littles running away from her just threw a snowball
at her face. Oh the joy of little brothers.