Today was an Ok but long long day. The kids were really good coming home Jorge sang several songs. Yamile had a ton of homework. She read two books, did some spelling, several ages of math and then worked in her work book- that’s a lot for a little person I think. Jorge who is one three medications was peppy peppy peppy. He is on singulair, amoxicillan (sic) and Zertec (sic)- sorry about the spelling but I am tired.

I worked on yamile’s pirate hat and dreadlocks for Captain Jack Sparrow. I used a shirt and the strings from a dress. It came out pretty good. I ended up making another one for Jorge. They both looked really really cute.

We went to Kemah today with my friend Monica and her son Bilal. Jorge called them his amigitos,very very sweet indeed I think. Kemah is on the bay and has rides, restaurants, and other amusements.

The kids were dressed in costumes for the day. Jorge was a ninja turtle (tortuga ninja) and Yamile was Captain Jack Sparrow. Bilal was Darth Vader. Sadly when we went on an insane and much much to fast speed boat Yamile lost her wig. Their costumes were a big hit people really liked Jorge’s outfit not bad for $15.00 He has already worn it about 5 times.

I am sitting here trying to figure out how to get the time to either buy her a new one or make her one. We need the outfit for literature day at her school on Wednesday. I was thinking of using these brown straps from an old dress and a dish rag for her braids and a do rag. Not sure how it will look but probably Ok. Or I could go to a store during lunch- if I don’t get paged. I probably make her one see how it looks and then buy one if we don’t like it.

We walked around Kemah- the kids loved it. It is very pretty but almost too pretty not very realistic. We then saw show-Jim did not like it very much. We then went on the speed boat and they went on a train. I have been taking antibiotics and being in the syum made me feeling kind of yucky. We then got something to eat.

A lovely day.

The doctor said he had an ear infection. She put him on an antibiotic and another allergy medication in addition to the Singulair. We  also bought him a teething ring and teething blocks. He keeps chewing on his blanket which the doctor thinks is adding to his allergies. The doctors said the allergy medication would make Jorge really tired. Well of course it had so such reaction on my son. He seems totally immune to these things. He was not tired at all. He actually got peppier Yikes!

Anyway we went out to eat then we went to Target. We had to get another costume for Jorge he must wear a Disney Costume for school. We could not find one in his size so we got him a fireman outfit. It is really cute. We also got Yamile another b/c although it has been in the 80s & 90s for months tomorrow it is due to be in the 60s and she just had an Ariel outfit. We got her Captain Jack Sparrow. She looks adorable. She tried it on and I gave her a little mustache (sic)

We are supposed to go to Kemah tomorrow- don’t know if Jorge will be able to go since he has been up most of the night unable to sleep from his coughing. My poor little man! Yamile thankfully has slept right through it.

First I would like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY- I miss you bunches and wish that you were here.

The kids are doing well. Jorge’s allergies are still a bother and we are going back to the doctor tomorrow. Yamile is fine. We had a small dinner party last night, Jim’s friend and colleague has been in town doing some work at MD Anderson. She spoke to Jim’s class at  our house and spent the night. The kids very much enjoyed their fiesta. We had good ole Texas BBQ Jim and I love. Yamile and Jorge tried it for the first time. Yamile liked it a lot. She is also a fan of Cole Slaw. That was good to learn. We are hoping to get to Yamile’s school for a party but may not be able to get there if the doctor’s appointment takes too long. On Sunday we are going to go to kemah that will be a lot of fun.

The kids are excited we are having a little fiesta tomorrow. One of Jim’s friends is in town for business and Jim is inviting students over for dinner and to discuss her research. There will be about 10 of us including the kids. They can’t wait.

The kid are doing well although they seemed to be limit testing. Jorge decided to throw Mr. Potato’s eyes at me since I would not let him hear a song for the third time in a row. It did not hit me but was pretty scary since I was driving.

Yamile got really frustrated because she had a ton of homework. Yesterday she “forgot”/left it so she had yesterdays and todays. She got really mad at me. Boo hoo’d and hit me several times. I had to send her to her room. She was spelling all of her spelling words wrong and would not listen when I tried to tell her that she had the wrong letters.

She eventually apologized but did not mean it. You can really see the anger in her face and body language when she is mad. I told her that Lo siento is just words she needs to apologize with her heart. It took her a bit but then we hugged.

When she gets angry I try to put her anger in words when it is over to let her know that I understand. I said, in Spanish of course ”I think you are angry because you were alone for a long time when you were little and no one told you what to do. You decided to become a big girl and do things for yourself. Now that you have been a big girl for so long you have a mom and dad and it’s hard when they tell you what to do because you are used to doing things your way. You think- why do they tell me what to do now where were they when I was little. Sometimes that makes you angry”.

She shook her head profusely and said yes. yes. I said I know it’s hard not to be the boss. I reminded her that I was adopted too and can understand sometimes how she feels. (Please understand- I was not alone as a child I was adopted by a loving family but I can remember thinking what could have happened had I not been adopted.) 

Yamile was fine for the rest of the night and was actually very cuddly. She wanted lots of hugs. These espisodes are happening less and less and for a shorter duration : )

Our internet is back on yay. I am so happy, I have missed bloging and reading others blog and generally looking up stuff on the net. I have gotten into the habit lately that whenever I have a question that I can’t find the answer to I look online. I do it daily for so many things. I has been hard not having it.

We are doing well. The school is feeling that Yamile is ready for 2nd grade reading with some modifications. (Understand that this is all in Spanish- her knowledge of English is still very limited)

 I think that is great but I am a little worried about those spelling words it was taking her hours to do them at the beginning of the year! I can’t believe how far she has come. She could not even right on a straight line when we brought her home. Now she is almost at a 2nd grade level. We are so proud of her. Each night she is supposed to read for 20 minutes. We have bought her emergent readers so she really needs to read about 2 for her 20 minutes. Most nights however she choses to read 4. After each book we ask her basic questions to help with her comprehension.

She still gets frustrated easily though like tonight we were going to play spelling word scramble ( a Gina Dattilo orginal game with her spelling words) and Spanish sight word bingo but she almost passed out on the living room floor. So I said Ok it is time for bed. She and Jorge balled up a storm you would have thought they had gotten punished. Oh well no big deal.

Jorge is doing really well. He picks up a new phrase everyday. Favorites are “Yamile where are you”, “that’s funky”, “oh my goodness” “Everybody,Everybody”, “Come on” “let’s go” “thank you Jesus”, “I love you Jesus” “move it” - I could go on he has a bunch. My least favorite word that he has picked up is “stupid” - Apparently I say this to cars as I drive when they make an illegal and or dangerous move. Jorge has picked this up. I am making an effort to stop saying this- clearly this is unappealing.

I am also proud that Jorge has begun praying on his own. My big boy : )

God night and God Bless,

Yamile had her first tutoring session at the school today. It went well but I wish she did not have to go today. It was a yucky afternoon. It started raining and storming and if you know houston you that- that means trouble. Lots of bad driving and scary moves. I forgot my umbrella too. I had to get Jorge first he really is very scared of storms. Riding home was not too much fun for him. Yamile enjoyed the tutoring and has a few friends in there with her. It is first grade reading. When we came home she read three of her new emergent reading books. She then became very silly and played most of  the night but that’s normal she is 9!

Jorge did a little bit of work we used counting bears. His counting and naming colors in English is really good. It is very suprising to me. As you may know I tend to speak to the children in Spanish more but have recently been saying things in English and Spanish. Jorge is picking up the language from his friends. He really likes saying “everybody” and “teacher” He  is just so silly.

This is going to be short. We had a good day the kids helped make Tostones again. We have got to buy more green plaintains. Tomorrow is Yamile’s IAT. I hope it goes well.

We are looking for a tutor for Yamile who can help her with language arts in Spanish and help her develop some conversational English skills. If anyone knows anyone please let us know.

Buenas Noches,