We had our first full week of summer break from school but much to Ella and David's disappointment, their mother did not let them take a break from school work. I have had it in my head since Emily was small, not to let the summer go by without reinforcing the skills and knowledge the kids have learned the past year at school. I have several workbooks, flashcards, and dry erase boards that I'm using in this pursuit. I set to work by getting into our "summer routine". This sounds a lot more impressive than it actually is. The kids get up, eat breakfast, get dressed, brush teeth and then I allow a small amount of time for PBS on the tv. Once this is done Ella, and David have a couple pages in their workbooks to complete, handwriting to practice and for Ella, multiplication facts to review. I have actually brought Masamo in on the action too. I have some flashcards that go over colors and shapes and we're reviewing those as well as working on coloring and using scissors. You may be wondering, well, what about Emily? My goal for her this summer is to read her assigned summer reading for Honors English and to learn more household skills. She's not too excited about this but she does have dishes, laundry, bathroom cleaning, and some cooking all in her domestic tool bag. Last summer was so hectic for her, with trying out for the high school soccer team (which she is not doing again) that this summer is going to be a lot more relaxed.
Last week we had vacation bible school (VBS) at our church. The kids were learning about "Journeying with the Holy Spirit". They had an awesome time and love all the activities and crafts provided by the large team of volunteers at our church. My mother and I volunteered in the nursery and had to our surprise, one baby to watch. To add to the complexity of watching this lone child, we were unable to feed him because mom is breastfeeding. The good news is that our job was relatively easy, the bad news is that our time went by very slowly. We decided to try Masamo in the 2 & 3 year old class. They enticed him in with hotwheel cars and he never looked back. I would peek in on him from time to time and from all reports he did very well in his class. I did notice though, that by Wednesday, he had withdrawn a bit from me (small things that only a mother would notice). I am happy that I noticed this and so took it upon myself to make sure we had more one on one time together. This seemed to help him and he bounced right back to his normal loving self within a day or two.
We are continuing to work on Emily's bathroom and I am happy to report that it is now painted! The color was chosen by Emily herself and I hope she doesn't change her mind anytime soon! We were hoping to have the whole project done before leaving for vacation but it does not seem like that will be the case. The flooring we ordered only came in yesterday and there is no time to put it in before our departure. BUT, once the floor has been put in, the rest of the bathroom will fall into place very easily!
This is showing the doors on the new closet, pre-paint of course.
Looking straight into the bathroom (closet on left, shower on right).
Shower, toilet and bathroom door on far left (picture taken from closet door frame).
Bathroom door on right and spot where sink and medicine cabinet will go. Closet door frame on left.
A few notes on Masamo........
Masamo has been home for four months now. Thinking back on what the past months have held for him and how he has changed really takes me aback. Although things happen slowly and progressively it's amazing how far he's come in such a short amount of time. He has fit right into our family, God's grace, mercy and omniscience amaze me every time I ponder how He knew Masamo would be a part of our family and how many lives would be touched as a result. We truly do serve an awesome God.
I wish I had this blog when all my other kids were small so I could record for them the adorable and wonderful things that they did as they were growing. I guess I could have done it in some other way but time has passed and there is no looking back. At any rate, here are a few cute Masamo stories from the past weeks...........
The big toy at the moment is Duplos. His favorite thing to do is to build towers as high as he can get them and then, of course, knock them down! He laughs so happily when those blocks come crashing down and it's fun to see the joy on his face. Everyone else has joined in his game and last week he and Jason built a tower that nearly reached the ten foot ceilings we have in our house!
This tower in particular was built by Ella
* While sitting by Masamo's bed one night (he was to be going to sleep) he randomly said "grilled cheese". I looked at him and repeated what he said with a question in my voice and we both started laughing. I just have to wonder what was going through his head!
* I asked Masamo for a kiss when I got home from work last week. He was playing with two hotwheel cars and then turned his head away from me and said "Masamo busy." OUCH! That one hurt, gotta watch myself more carefully! I tend to tell him I'm busy when I'm in the middle of something and feel I cannot be disturbed. I giggled when he said it and so it became a game after that point.
* Yesterday, David and Masamo decided that they were tired of summer and started making it "snow" cotton balls in the house. This went on for a half hour, glad it didn't melt!
That's it for this post, the next one will be once we return from our vacation at the beach with my whole side of the family, YAY!!!! Until then!
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