Summertime : Time4Learning?

Making two trips to China in only eleven months to add three children whose primary language is Chinese presented some unique challenges to our homeschool this year.  I've been looking for a way to keep all the children learning this summer, but let's face it.  No one (including me) wants to spend the summer with workbooks!  I've signed up to review a website that has intrigued me for quite some time, and this may be the perfect chance to give it a trial run.

Over the next 30 days, I will be reviewing Time4Learning. They offer an elementary school curriculum, middle school curriculum, high school curriculum, and tools like the Getting Started Homeschooling Guide. Be sure to come back and read about my experience!

My Little Princesses Meet the Disney (type) Princesses

On Friday night I took Tikvah, Jen, Abigail and one of my grand daughters to meet the Disney Princesses. (not sanctioned by Walt, I'm fairly certain!)  This was actually the recital of the voice students of a local music teacher.  They put on a great song and dance show featuring many of the most loved songs from the princess movies.  My girls had a wonderful time watching the show then eating treats with the princesses afterwards.  What a fun idea!

with Jasmine,  Mulan, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella

with Pocahontas, Belle and Rupunzel

with Ariel and Snow White

with the step sisters - who were quite hilarious!

Locals - Fundraiser Yard Sale!

I met a lovely Mama a couple of weeks ago who is working to raise funds to bring their child home from Taiwan.  If you are in the Cincinnati area, why not stop by this weekend, find a bargain and help her out?

May is Busy!

We've had a busy month, full of things to do.  The out of town adult sisters and their husbands, Grandma, and some close friends have visited overnight to get acquainted with Isaac.  It has been an active household, and at times probably too much for our shy Prince.  He never complains though.

Early in the month Tikvah turned twelve, and had her first overnight party with a few friends.  They included the siblings in some of the activities and of course in the cake and ice cream! (Seems Isaac's life is full of girls!)

A couple of days later WE traveled to Indiana to celebrate a grand daughter's third birthday!  The theme - what else?  Princess!

 

Isaac DID go to the party, but he mostly hung out in one of the other rooms with some of the guys playing games.  Princesses, it seems, are not "his thing."  LOL!

Then we celebrated the ending of a successful homeschool co-op year with presentations from some of the classes.  This is a scene from Tikvah's musical theater class.  Yummy snacks followed the presentations.

We're thankful for the happy times shown above where our royalty can just be "kids."  The month has also been full of medical appointments.   These revealed some significant health issues in Isaac, which triggered even more appointments and tests, which triggered even MORE ...well you get the gist.  Our Prince has some health needs that won't get better overnight or with a dose of pills. All these tests and doctors are hard on adults, so I'm not sure how a child deals with it.  We'd appreciate your prayers as we go to nearly daily medical appointments with one or another of them.  I confess to feeling overwhelmed at times, and am thankful for caring friends who step in to provide a meal or play with the other kids while we are at appointments.  I truly couldn't do this without their support.  Thanks guys!

Silly String!

What happens when four children get Silly String in their Easter baskets?  A few minutes of hilarious fun!

And no, the Prince wasn't exactly cowering.  He very quickly learned the art of hiding behind his hood while he shot his sisters!  LOL!

A Look Back ... Resurection Sunday/Easter Festivities

It seems as if the days just whizzzzzzzz by us in a hurry! I just realized that I never posted the promised Easter photos!  Our family (like many) has a tradition of hunting Easter baskets before church.  Since this was the first Easter with us for three of our kids, they weren't really sure what to expect.  The Little Princesses just followed Tikvah around for awhile to see what this was all about.  They were surprised at the table all set for lunch when they got to the dining room. 

It didn't take long for them to figure out the scoop, and they found their own baskets.

I love our porch swing and the little bonding times that take place on it. 

The Prince got up a bit later, so he opened his basket after church.

After posing for some family photos and lunch, it was on to the candy hunt in the back yard.

The candy hunt was followed with coloring eggs - yes, Easter is jam packed around here!

The Prince took a lot of time and really made some creations of art with his eggs.

I love these kids, and love introducing our traditions to them!

One Year Anniversary - Abigail and Jen!

What a difference a year makes! One year ago Princess A was literally drug to us by an orphanage nanny on each arm. The video would be too painful to watch. She wouldn't let me touch her for an entire week. Princess J was invisible. I don't believe she had anyone (except for her friend Bobby) who was even aware of her presence. I'm humbled and honored to be a part of their lives.  And the Prince? Wow! What an unexpected bonus!  I'm a very blessed woman!

Official adoption day, April 23, 2013

Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014