Lex learned five words right off. They were:
- hug,
- sucker (as in lollipop),
- car,
- bread
- and peppermint tea.
So we were off to the store (after our bike ride that we only made to the park where the ducks/geese almost attacked us for our "kreb" which is how bread sounds in Ukrainian). I take him to Smiths to the cars and "no, no" so we wander around Smiths and he's says "two ma-ha-zing" which I've come to learn that "ma-ha-zing" means store. Obviously he wants to go to a second store. I'm thinking what the heck? He must have a certain thing in mind? However, I wasn't born yesterday, I'll take him to All A Dollar and he can have anything wants in the whole darn store!Nope, All A Dollar doesn't have what he's looking for either. Well, they almost have it.....they do have CASES for I-pods!! He's thinking I'm going to buy him an Ipod?? Ohhh..I'm getting mad. I explain that they're too much money, that Austin doesn't even have one. He starts his sulking thing again. We leave, we go home, we don't talk, he goes up to his room, I putter around the house and then collapse on the couch. After about 45 minutes I'm thinking that we probably look like Rockefeller's to him and maybe I just need to do some explaining about the facts of life here. I begin typing.
Afterwards, I find him downstairs playing X-box. I ask him if soup is okay for lunch? He smiles (like nothing has happened) and comes up and shows me the Costco size box of hash browns in the freezer. (He told me potatoes were his favorite so I bought this box worrying that we will never get through them but that is not going to be the problem. This child could eat any full grown man under the table. Serious!) Okay, hash browns it is. While he was downstairs I had written and translated an epistle about our family rules. Here's what I put:
1. We love each other
2. We don't hit.
3. We ask before we use others things.
4. We support each other.
5. Children do chores daily around the house.
6. Children save their own money and buy things they want.
7. Parents buy things for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas.
8. Parents expect children to go to school and do their best.
9. We go to church every Sunday.
10. We ask before we eat things. (Okay, so my kids aren't great at this either but I thought it was worth a shot!)
I explain that these are most of the rules but not all of them, that I would still reward him with a one dollar toy for each five words he learns. I also explain that we are not rich. We have a nice home, food and a car but we're not rich. Does he think he can obey the rules and be a part of our family. Can he be happy here? If so, give me a big hug.
He read everything, nodded enthusiastically and I put out my arms and he ran into them and wrapped his arms around me.
We then went to Ry's school to see if he would like to play with the kids during P.E.. Nope, he just laid his head against me, and watched. So after about ten minutes I suggested we go to the store. He has by now learned 15 words. So in the car I give him three dollars. His face just lights up. I don't know if this child has ever had his own money. He tucks it in his new jean pocket with the zipper and we're off to Smiths. Nope, not the store he wants. Okay, I just start driving he keeps asking me if office builds are stores. Finally, I take him to Shopko where I bought his pants and shirt Monday. Yes, this is the store. He is very clear that he only has three dollars and so overly sad when he sees how much thing cost. (He should be an actor in a melodrama!) I just say nothing and follow him around. (The whole time thinking, what in the world is he going to find for three dollars?) He finds a Bat Man notebook (clearance for .69) and I try to explain he can get three but he doesn't want three, just one. Then he finds some kites (clearance to .49....can you believe it?) and he gets two, then he decides on gum, no Mento's (.99 ) He wants me to pay and hands me his money. Nope, you need to pay. The clerk gives him back 20 cents and he tries to give it back to her. I obviously didn't explain cents to well and how can I possible pantomime tax? Anyway, he's glowing. "Da-doma, Da-doma?" Which is "go home?"
We get home and the girls are home from school and he immediately puts together his kites. Kam asks if he wants to go to the park and fly them. He does but when she suggest they bike over he says no and pantomimes driving. (I think I'd be afraid to ride a bike with a kite too after only knowing how to ride for two days!) She drives them over and before he leaves I lean down and hug his shoulders and tell him to have fun and he turns his face up to me for a kiss. It's the first one he's ever offered. I've kissed him on the forehead each night but I think today he saw me kiss my kids goodbye as they left for school. It was so sweet. My girls were like, "Wow, mom....a kiss?" I said, "Yep, my first one ever." and walked off so no one could see me, grinning like a fool. I didn't want him to feel like it was anything weird or out of the ordinary. But I was pretty happy about it.
I now have a few minutes of complete silence and peace. I should go shower. James will be home soon but instead I'm blogging so I can remember. I want to remember every little part of this experience as it just seems so fleeting...
PS (As I was typing the last bit Lex ran in with a "Mom, mom"- which doesn't sound like it types or like my other children say it-I can't figure out how to type it-and he brought me the mail and now he's off to ride his bike!)
Afterwards, I find him downstairs playing X-box. I ask him if soup is okay for lunch? He smiles (like nothing has happened) and comes up and shows me the Costco size box of hash browns in the freezer. (He told me potatoes were his favorite so I bought this box worrying that we will never get through them but that is not going to be the problem. This child could eat any full grown man under the table. Serious!) Okay, hash browns it is. While he was downstairs I had written and translated an epistle about our family rules. Here's what I put:
1. We love each other
2. We don't hit.
3. We ask before we use others things.
4. We support each other.
5. Children do chores daily around the house.
6. Children save their own money and buy things they want.
7. Parents buy things for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas.
8. Parents expect children to go to school and do their best.
9. We go to church every Sunday.
10. We ask before we eat things. (Okay, so my kids aren't great at this either but I thought it was worth a shot!)
I explain that these are most of the rules but not all of them, that I would still reward him with a one dollar toy for each five words he learns. I also explain that we are not rich. We have a nice home, food and a car but we're not rich. Does he think he can obey the rules and be a part of our family. Can he be happy here? If so, give me a big hug.
He read everything, nodded enthusiastically and I put out my arms and he ran into them and wrapped his arms around me.
We then went to Ry's school to see if he would like to play with the kids during P.E.. Nope, he just laid his head against me, and watched. So after about ten minutes I suggested we go to the store. He has by now learned 15 words. So in the car I give him three dollars. His face just lights up. I don't know if this child has ever had his own money. He tucks it in his new jean pocket with the zipper and we're off to Smiths. Nope, not the store he wants. Okay, I just start driving he keeps asking me if office builds are stores. Finally, I take him to Shopko where I bought his pants and shirt Monday. Yes, this is the store. He is very clear that he only has three dollars and so overly sad when he sees how much thing cost. (He should be an actor in a melodrama!) I just say nothing and follow him around. (The whole time thinking, what in the world is he going to find for three dollars?) He finds a Bat Man notebook (clearance for .69) and I try to explain he can get three but he doesn't want three, just one. Then he finds some kites (clearance to .49....can you believe it?) and he gets two, then he decides on gum, no Mento's (.99 ) He wants me to pay and hands me his money. Nope, you need to pay. The clerk gives him back 20 cents and he tries to give it back to her. I obviously didn't explain cents to well and how can I possible pantomime tax? Anyway, he's glowing. "Da-doma, Da-doma?" Which is "go home?"
We get home and the girls are home from school and he immediately puts together his kites. Kam asks if he wants to go to the park and fly them. He does but when she suggest they bike over he says no and pantomimes driving. (I think I'd be afraid to ride a bike with a kite too after only knowing how to ride for two days!) She drives them over and before he leaves I lean down and hug his shoulders and tell him to have fun and he turns his face up to me for a kiss. It's the first one he's ever offered. I've kissed him on the forehead each night but I think today he saw me kiss my kids goodbye as they left for school. It was so sweet. My girls were like, "Wow, mom....a kiss?" I said, "Yep, my first one ever." and walked off so no one could see me, grinning like a fool. I didn't want him to feel like it was anything weird or out of the ordinary. But I was pretty happy about it.
I now have a few minutes of complete silence and peace. I should go shower. James will be home soon but instead I'm blogging so I can remember. I want to remember every little part of this experience as it just seems so fleeting...
PS (As I was typing the last bit Lex ran in with a "Mom, mom"- which doesn't sound like it types or like my other children say it-I can't figure out how to type it-and he brought me the mail and now he's off to ride his bike!)
Chilling with Rylee and having a Popsicle. Banana flavored of course!
2 of my blog friends said something...:
Wendy,
I am bawling my head off reading your last few blogs. What an experience! My brother Craig was adopted from Greece when he was two years old and he just latched on to my mother also. Reading this has been so very touching and reminding how my brother was when he came into our home. You are growing along with him. There really much be a reason all this has happened.
Sandy
I tried to post here yesterday but it wouldn't let me for some reason (your blog must be sick of me :). So, those family rules that you listed are exactly what I love about you - you try to teach your kids to work hard and to appreciate what they have and to treat others how they would want to be treated. You should raise all our kids - Lexy really lucked out when you picked him.
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