Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Picture Of The Day
Our September/October fireplace art, showcasing the kids' best work, before coming down today to make room for November/December.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Friday, November 6, 2015
IAC 332 Results
The following results were issued in IAC Session 332 which was held on September 24, 2015.
1) Dutch dossier from October 2010 referred two brothers aged 5 years & 3 years and 2 months
2) Spanish dossier from December 2010 referred a female child aged 3 years and 1 month
3) Swedish dossier from January 2013 referred a female child aged 3 years and 1 month with features in health status
4) Italian dossier from September 2015 referred a female child aged 10 years and 7 months
1) Dutch dossier from October 2010 referred two brothers aged 5 years & 3 years and 2 months
2) Spanish dossier from December 2010 referred a female child aged 3 years and 1 month
3) Swedish dossier from January 2013 referred a female child aged 3 years and 1 month with features in health status
4) Italian dossier from September 2015 referred a female child aged 10 years and 7 months
Southpaw Cornucopia
As you know, Southpaw is our favorite, make-us-drool catalog and today we drove to their garage sale at their warehouse. We were not disappointed and bought lots of fun stuff for the kids at heavily reduced prices. We paid $183 total and, checking online for the real prices after getting back home, we realized that everything we bought would have cost us around $1200 at retail.
Some of the biggest finds: a maze balance board for $10 (retail $55), a scooter board for $35 (retail $150), a two piece floor seat with straps for Emilia for $20 (retail $350), two exercise balls for $1 each (retail around $20 each), a phonics modular flip chart for $10 (retail $55 or more), finger weights for $5 (retail $70). And $295 worth of books for about $10. You can't know ahead of time what they will have for sale at these events, but it's well worth stopping by. They had adaptive bikes and tricycles, tons of floor mats, weighted vests and blankets, exercise bands, etc. I wanted to buy everything, but the van is only so big. There were lots of OTs and teachers etc. shopping and I think as this sale becomes more well known, Southpaw will see even bigger crowds there.
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| Some of these things have been hidden away and will be Oma's Christmas gift to the kids |
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Escrow For Eden I
Our family knows Eden. We have seen her smile, heard her voice, and felt her touch. One of us used to sleep right next to her for years, bonded to her like a sister. This is why, as a family, we have been raising funds toward an agency grant for Eden to help alleviate the costs of adoption for a yet-to-be-found family who will eventually bring her home and provide her with the love, stability, support and medical treatments she needs.
Over the summer, we had a yard sale and also sold things at local consignment stores. Friends and family donated items they no longer needed for us to use for this purpose. Thank you to all who gave and made this fundraiser possible and to my cousin Maria for all of her help. Along with a few additional cash donations, we raised $550. The money has been paid into an agency grant fund designated for Eden at Hopscotch Adoptions and will be provided to the family committed to adopting Eden after a successful registration trip.
Stay tuned for more information on fundraising opportunities in the works and if you want to help, please contact me directly. For more on Eden, please email Hopscotch.
Over the summer, we had a yard sale and also sold things at local consignment stores. Friends and family donated items they no longer needed for us to use for this purpose. Thank you to all who gave and made this fundraiser possible and to my cousin Maria for all of her help. Along with a few additional cash donations, we raised $550. The money has been paid into an agency grant fund designated for Eden at Hopscotch Adoptions and will be provided to the family committed to adopting Eden after a successful registration trip.
Stay tuned for more information on fundraising opportunities in the works and if you want to help, please contact me directly. For more on Eden, please email Hopscotch.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Falling For Fall Part 2
Way back when in the summer, several families who adopted from Bulgaria decided to organize an autumn getaway to a horse ranch in Indiana. Last month our plans came to fruition when we all met in Brownsburg for a weekend of friends, food, and fun.
On our way through Indianapolis on Friday afternoon, we made a stop to meet a college friend of ours for a little while at a park. This was a great break from the drive for the kids as they got to play and run around outdoors on a gorgeous fall day while we chatted. Then we drove the final stretch to the cabin and settled ourselves in. As we waited for others to arrive, Craig took our Armenians to see the horses and, surprisingly, both loved them and wanted to try riding. We spent the evening catching up with friends, laughing, playing and eating.
The next morning began leisurely with a big potluck breakfast followed by exploring the ranch, riding, photo shoots, etc. Rex and Ella enjoyed their time with the horses and Rex started saying the word horse. We didn't even try to get our tiny Bulgarian homebody to ride, but she did like watching the horses and petting the goats and cats.
In the afternoon, we had a sensory saw dust search for the kids. Needless to say, everyone needed a bath afterward.
On Saturday night, we let the kids put on their costumes and play as they pleased in the cabin.
Us parents had the opportunity to sit and talk about our experiences. It's truly refreshing to spend time with others who get it, who don't judge, who can advise or simply relate.
After saying our goodbyes at the cabin the next morning, we headed to my alma mater to spend a little bit of time with two special young ladies who attend there now. They treated us to a tour and to lunch. Rex absolutely loved walking around campus.
And we were so thrilled to see our friends.
On the way home, the wee Martinis were all tuckered out from so much fun during a great weekend.
On our way through Indianapolis on Friday afternoon, we made a stop to meet a college friend of ours for a little while at a park. This was a great break from the drive for the kids as they got to play and run around outdoors on a gorgeous fall day while we chatted. Then we drove the final stretch to the cabin and settled ourselves in. As we waited for others to arrive, Craig took our Armenians to see the horses and, surprisingly, both loved them and wanted to try riding. We spent the evening catching up with friends, laughing, playing and eating.
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| Bedtime snack with my son |
The next morning began leisurely with a big potluck breakfast followed by exploring the ranch, riding, photo shoots, etc. Rex and Ella enjoyed their time with the horses and Rex started saying the word horse. We didn't even try to get our tiny Bulgarian homebody to ride, but she did like watching the horses and petting the goats and cats.
In the afternoon, we had a sensory saw dust search for the kids. Needless to say, everyone needed a bath afterward.
On Saturday night, we let the kids put on their costumes and play as they pleased in the cabin.
 |
| My girls loving on Olaf |
Us parents had the opportunity to sit and talk about our experiences. It's truly refreshing to spend time with others who get it, who don't judge, who can advise or simply relate.
After saying our goodbyes at the cabin the next morning, we headed to my alma mater to spend a little bit of time with two special young ladies who attend there now. They treated us to a tour and to lunch. Rex absolutely loved walking around campus.
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| My senior year bedroom and bathroom windows. |
And we were so thrilled to see our friends.
On the way home, the wee Martinis were all tuckered out from so much fun during a great weekend.
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