Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!

EmmaLi has been counting down the days to Halloween since September. She is so excited she cannot stand it. Normally we go to Country Adventures for the annual FCC (Families with Children from China) and AFG (Adoptive Families Group) where we participate in pony rides, petting farm animals, hay ride, pumpkin patch and ending with a weenie roast. This year we had a slight conflict with soccer so we didn't go. I didn't think EmmaLi would miss not going but she asked when we were going. Next year we'll have to go if we are still living here.

On to the pumpkin deets. This year she was flip flopping back and forth about what she wanted to carve on her pumpkin. At first she wanted a bat since that is what she will be tonight for trick or treating. However, she ultimately decided on an owl. Last summer she went on a field trip with the day care to the local zoo. Apparently, the owl there winked at her and now she loves owls. So we (I) carved an owl on her pumpkin. We bought two pumpkins not because I like carving pumpkins so much as we wanted the extra seeds for roasting when we were done. So I drew a regular Jack-O-Lantern face on the other and believe it or not, EmmaLi carved the second pumpkin. She did an awesome job. I did the mouth because she had gotten a little tired and the mouth is the trickiest after all.

Below are some pictures of her working on our master piece.

Friday, October 24, 2008

It's been a while...

So I thought I would post a few things that have been going on.

EmmaLi is having a blast in kindergarten. She LOVES school and she LOVES her teacher. She still has mini anxiety attacks every now and then regarding things she isn't sure how to do. For instance just last night she was a bit upset and was obsessing about some thing her teacher told her that she didn't understand. She said her teacher told the class that in the morning she wanted them to check out their name. She came in and asked me "Mommy, how do I check out my name?" I said I am not sure what you mean? Usually when some one says check out something they me to look at it." She said "Oh" and she went back to the living room. Then she came back about 5 minutes later and said "Mom, I really need to know how to check out my name. Mrs Ricard said that in the mornig we need to check out our name. I don't know how to do that." I suggested in the morning when she gets to class she ask Mrs Ricard how to check out her name. She said "OK." and went back to the living room. Five minutes later she was back upset more than before whining at me that she knows I know how to check out her name and wants to know why I won't tell her. Finally, I told her that I would call Mrs Ricard and find out what she means by checking out her name. I called and left a message for her teacher. Within half an hour Mrs Ricard called back and said that it was not to check out her name it was to check off her name on a clip board. The whole time I was talking to her teacher she was askling did she tell you how to check out my name? I nodded and she was happy again. When I hung up she immediately wanted me to show her how to check out her name. I explained that she wants her to check OFF her name not check it out. I made a list of several of her classmates and included her name on the list. I said to check off you name you look down the list, find your name and make a check mark like this or put an X next to your name. She was relieved and happy she would not be in class in the morning and not know what she is supposed to do.

EmmaLi has a special friend that visits her twice a week. O is a third grader who comes to the kindergarten class and works one on one with EmmaLi. They retreat to a corner in the room and work one on one. They read to each other, and play learning games together. EmmaLi had told me about her and said she had fun with her. There are only two children in EmmaLi's class who get to work with the third graders. Mrs Ricard told me last night on the phone that it pushes both girls to do well and challeges them both. EmmaLi has the best teacher. I was worried with no child left behind that my child who I personally believe is brilliant would not be challenged. She has the good fortune of being placed in a great teachers class and she truly does not leave ANY child behind including the advanced kids.

Soccer has started up again and I am the coach this year. We have a full team with 6 players but have yet to have all six girls at the same game. This is great for EmmaLi as she would play the entire game, all four quarters if it were up to her. Unfortunately, if all of the girls show up, she will only get to play two quarters per game unless one of the other girls decides she doesn't feel like playing. So far though that has not happened. She has gotten one goal so far this year and is stressing about not getting more. However, she still has a heart for soccer and loves it. Each game she starts off believing she will make many goals.

Baby guppies! We have given away more baby guppies but they just keep coming! LOL We have a fresh batch of babies almost weekly. Sometimes we can go two weeks without a fresh batch but then we usually have a couple within days of each other. I am looking for homes for some babies so if you are in the market for baby guppies (or grown guppies, let me know and we can hook you up.