Wii verses Me!

Okay so today was a set back. And it has everything to do with Austin's new Wii game. He and Alex have been playing it NONE stop since we got it on the 24th. Alex probably more than Austin. This morning I made a decree that two hours of Wii is all we're doing...and that's per boy-it's a one player game so the other can watch and seriously, that's FOUR HOURS of Wii. Alex got up at seven as I was coming home from my bike ride and I explained the new rule.
At 9:30 his tutor came and besides rushing through his jobs and eating breakfast he had played Wii non stop. After his tutor came he got right back on, after about 30-45 minutes more I realized what he was doing, called him in for lunch and then told him no more Wii. He wanted to go to Brach's where Devree was babysitting. I told her no video games for Alex but first thing he did was try to play Halo at Brach's. Devree told him Mom said no so he stomped off and she couldn't find him. She called me and I had her look for him and she couldn't find him. I told her when he surfaces to have him call me. 20 minutes later she calls and hands him the phone. I asked where he had been he said "trampoline" which was a lie as Devree had checked the backyard while I was on the phone with her. I told him he already had three hours of Wii and why is he playing more video games? Nothing but silence. I asked him if he wanted to stay at Brach's or come home. Again, silence. I asked him to hand Devree the phone and nothing. I call Devree on my sisters home phone and tell her to send Alex home. Tell him he has 5 minutes. I wait about 8 and then get in my car and I can't find him anywhere. I go back home after driving around for awhile and apparently he's home-but I don't know this until I've looked through all the sheds, trailer and hollered around the back yard. I find him up in his room playing and I am STEAMING MAD! And I really yell. (I'm a yell-er, you can now confirm that with all FIVE of my children!) After my five minute tirade, I tell him he needs a nap and leave him on his bed and then go calm down. (Yes, I know I should have done that before my yelling fest but I was too mad to think straight!) When I came back in about 5 minutes we had a big talk and he admitted he had played Wii too much and we talked about expressing our feelings and saying how we feel, not saying NOTHING and pouting and not looking at each other. Our conversation ended up with me holding him like a baby and stroking his hair and kissing his forehead.
Later he came and laid against my shoulder and we watched a TV program together. I then left to get dinner started and I realized that it was awfully quite in the living room so I looked in and there was Alex, quietly PLAYING Wii!!!
I calmly asked him to turn it off and explained that he will not be playing video games for three days. He sighed and turned the TV off.
What's with this? I know this is not a language barrier, he clearly understands the rules, this is out right disobedience. I wanted to throttle him this afternoon but this evening I wanted to cry!
I asked him what he thinks will happen if I catch him playing Wii in the next three days. And he said "No Wii one month?" "Yes!"I said. (I was going to say a week but a month will be fine too!)
Am I being unreasonable? Is this game so addicting that he'd rather defy me then obey? Is he just seeing how far he can push me?
The good thing is he dealt with his punishment much better than my yelling tirade this afternoon. He didn't shut down and stare off and ignore me, he admitted he was in trouble to Austin and Austin (bless his heart) said "Dude, three day's? That's not good, I'm going to beat you!" (Referring to the game, not a literal beating!) Alex sighed again.
I have a sign on the TV reminding Alex no video games until Saturday.
On another note, Rylee made her first batch of cookies today. I caught her after putting in two cups of water and working on her third and asked what she was doing. "Putting in four cups of water." "Rylee, what does the recipe say?" You should have seen the look on her face when she realized she only needed four teaspoons of water not FOUR CUPS! I was very proud of myself for just telling her to start over. We all do this when we're first learning-I remember putting in a 1/2 cup of vanilla instead of a 1/2 teaspoon.
Kambree had her senior picture taken today for the yearbook and Devree started rehearsals for Annie. James comes home tomorrow and I am so ready for him to be home! Parenting in general is not for the faint of heart and single parenting-even for two weeks at a time- is even harder!!

More on Alex....

The tooth fairy came to visit Alex last night. How funny that just days ago we had the tooth fairy talk. He lost one of his very ground down, cavity filled baby molars. (Hurray!) He kept telling me that I was the tooth fairy-which is hard to deny as Rylee is winking at me and whispering "I know it's you Mom." but he did put his tooth under his pillow so even if he doesn't believe in the tooth fairy, he believes in me...right?
This morning he was elated to find a dollar under his pillow. (Thank goodness I remembered-poor Rylee she's had to tell me a few times that the tooth fairy didn't come-I always tell her "Oh, I forgot to call- she'll come the next night!"Hum...maybe that's why she's figured it out?)
Not only did the tooth fairy come but so did Alex's social security card! (Another hurray!) Getting it was an ordeal. I waited until I got his certificate of citizenship in the mail. Went into the office with my stack of Ukraine papers, birth certificates, adoption decree's etc and was told I needed a Utah birth certificate-I'd been waiting over and hour so I wasn't about to be turned away. I told the guy that I read the website and was told I only needed his Ukraine birth certificate and proof of citizenship. He went ahead and submitted my information but told me someone will probably be contacting me as he didn't think this would be approved and less than a week later....we have it in hand! I'm so glad I was persistent! I'm so tired of paperwork and I think, we're finally done!
Swimming lessons were a hit. Alex is in a beginner class and he's much larger than everyone else in his class but he doesn't seem to care. He told me "Swimming fun, fun fun!"
He's figured out that I LOVE for him to talk to me about his previous life so last night when I was tucking him in in he told me. "Me talk you big" (I'm going to talk to you for a long time.) I asked what are we going to talk about? "My family-Ukraine-my bruder." So Rylee wanted to hear too and we sat on Alex's bed and he told us about the birthday and all the gifts his brother gave him. It was very sweet. It sounds like Ivan tried really hard to make his birthday's special. I have no idea where all these toy's are, chances are they got broken or stolen in the orphanage as he didn't have any of these toys mentioned.
He and Rylee had spent some time at Toys R Us yesterday and have decided that they are going to save up together to buy some electric car that cost $270. He told me that it was too much money for his birthday. Whew-that's a relief! I'm getting worried about this approaching birthday, the timing is terrible, James gets home the day after and it's right during our run of Grease. I want to make it special but I don't want it to be so big that he's disappointed for the rest of his birthdays. Then Devree's birthday is two days later and Kambree's four days after that...all during our run!
After our "big talk" which took about two minutes I told him I needed to get to sleep. He and Rylee had pleaded to sleep with me again but I told them I needed a night off from children. (Really, I do! The night before I discovered that Alex-like Rylee-also talks in his sleep only it's in Russian so I can't even figure out what he's saying!) He decided he wanted to talk to Rylee some more and Rylee happily agreed. I told them they could talk until 10:30 and then Rylee needs to get in her bed. I went to my room and got up around eleven to remind Austin and his friends to be quiet and play tooth fairy and there were Alex and Rylee sound asleep together in Alex's room! It was very sweet.
It's also so sweet that they read together each night. Last night they were laughing and telling me about a funny part of their book-it was like they had this private joke or something. It's so good to see them bonding and becoming such good friends.
Well, Alex is up-he just made a sandwich with pickle relish, tomato and a boiled egg. Not that bad of a combination but he didn't cut up the egg or anything, just peeled it and smashed it between the bread! He's now watching cartoons-which I think is better than playing Wii as he might actually pick up an English phrase or two. I love it when he says "What the heck?" and yesterday I got a "I love you so, so much!"

I'm scary....

Last night Alex was telling me that our king size bed was so big that all our family could sleep in it. Mom, Dad, Kambree, Austin, Devree, Alex & Rylee.
I was trying to teach him the difference in the size's of beds. Mine and Dad's bed is king size and his is queen size. He looked at me with his puzzled look and said "Me girl?" (Like I have him sleeping in a girls bed?) No, I explained yours and Kambree's and Devree's and Austin's bed are queen size beds, mine and Dad is king size bed, it's just the size of the bed. Rylee sleeps in a twin size bed. Then it was as if a light dawned on him, "Rylee princess?" (Does Rylee sleep in a princess size bed?) Which actually makes all the sense in the world considering everyone else sleeps in king or queen a twin should be a princess bed and maybe a double should be a prince bed! His assumption made me laugh and I think from now on twin beds will always be referred to as princess beds!
Rylee and Alex have decided to rotate turns sleeping with me while James is at work-with me begging off ever so often to sleep by myself-anyway last night was Alex's turn and he started talking about what things are scary.
Alex says "I'm scary" and he makes thunder sound effects. "Oh, you are afraid of thunder?" "Yes."
I told him I'm afraid of birds. "I'm no scary birds" was his reply. Then he told me "I'm no scary spiders, snakes, monsters, aliens, vampires...." one at a time.
So I asked: Well, what are you scared of then besides thunder?
Alex: I'm scary Dad working.
Me: You're afraid when Dad is away at work.
Alex: (Nod)
Me: What else?
Alex: I'm scary Mom not home.
Me: You're afraid when I'm not home? Every time?
Alex: No, twenty five weeks.
Me: You're afraid when I'm gone for twenty five weeks?
Alex: Yes.
Me: Well, Alex I have no plans to go away for twenty five weeks and when I do go away I always come home. Dad is safe at work and he comes home too. He laid his head against my shoulder and sighed.
Then after me asking about a few more scary things I found another, he is afraid to go to the dentist. (Well, who isn't?) He wants the dentist to give him a shot and put him out for his dental exam. I told him the dentist will fix his teeth so cold drinks don't hurt his teeth and that I will be there with him and hold his hand and our dentist is very nice but I don't think that helped alleviate any of his fears. We go to the dentist on Thursday and I know he has cavities-we were told in October from the free dental visit that they're mostly in his baby teeth and they'll eventually fall out and if they're not hurting him then to just wait-but I know he has at least one in his permanent teeth and possibly more so he's defiantly going to need some work. I have a feeling this is going to be traumatic.
The fundraiser Saturday was fun. It's always good to see the other families and hopefully we raised enough money to bring the next group of kids over this fall. Amy and Mary did a fabulous job organizing this event. Rylee and I were walking across the park while helping set up and she was telling me how lucky she is we adopted because not only did she get a new brother she gets to go to this carnival every year and hang out with all these new friends. I'm glad Rylee has such a positive outlook about the whole thing. It's funny how our circle of friends has increased since this adventure. James compared it to being out of State and finding another Mormon, when you find another family that's adopted from Ukraine you just have this instant bond.
Oh, and by the way, Alex loved Scout camp. He was sure he was going to catch a fish the second day and bring it home to cook for dinner. I told him if he caught a fish and they let him bring it home he could defiantly cook it for dinner. (Crossing my fingers no such thing happened!) He didn't catch a fish but he did get to shot a bb gun and was pretty excited about that. He also spent his money on junky toys. (Which I need to point out was his OWN money, I gave him $3 the first day and he came home and gave me back "Moms money" and had spent his own-I'm not sure any of my other children have ever done that?) He and Brach both bought little plastic swords and he and his cousins and brother have had many fencing matches on the trampoline. Austin has had to glue the swords back together more than once. Alex mentioned when he's eleven he gets to sleep in a tent for scouts. He seems pretty excited about that. I was telling James about Alex wanting to bring home a fish to cook and he's decided that they're going to have a boys fishing trip when he gets home-so much for my luck in not cooking fish!
We start swimming lessons today. Alex is pretty apprehensive about it. He told me through pantomiming that he cannot do the back stroke. I assured him that going to swimming lessons will teach him to be a stronger swimmer and he'll learn new strokes but he was pretty sure he is going to choke and sink to the bottom of the pool. Finally I told him that I would be watching his swimming lesson and if he started choking and sinking I would jump in and save him. I think he felt better after that. He actually can swim, with a flailing kind of freestyle stroke-but he manages to stay on top of the water so I'm surprised he's so worried about this and after his success in jumping of the diving board about twenty times in the deep end, I'm even more surprised. He's taking lessons' with Rylee, Brach and Tyler so I think he'll see that it's actually pretty fun and not scary.
I got up to go to the gym today and explained to Alex last night that I would be back before he woke up but I was down on the computer writing this post when he woke up (an hour earlier than normal) and he came and sat on my lap and wrapped his arms around my neck and told me "Me sad, Mom no bed." What a funny sentimental boy.
Well, so much for going back to sleep before everyone gets up!

Save A Child Fund Raiser....

Alex running the basketball booth. ("Me okay Mom, you go!")

Austin not super thrilled about running his booth

Devree running her booth with not much enthusiasm.

Alex wishing they would hurry up and take this group picture. ("HOT!")

The Group Shot

Swimming!

Alex & Brach not just cousins but best of friends!

Kambree getting cooled off by Austin

Syd & Ry

Muscle Kids

Muscle Men

Alex's first time off the diving board...

And this is probably the 5th time! He loved it!

Rylee

Austin

Walken, Tooth Fairy, Sleep Overs & Name Calling

This morning I sent Alex off to Boy Scout camp for the day. He's quite worried that he'll be very tired as he's under the impression he will be "walken, walken" all day. This stems from the fact that Austin went on an overnight hiking trip last weekend with scouts and Alex thinks that's what he's doing. Alex's camp today is more like activity's and I think he'll have a lot of fun, he's not too sure about it though. I'm sure I'll hear all about it when he gets home this afternoon.
Last night Rylee was explaining the Tooth Fairy to Alex and he waved her off with a "I don't want to hear about this" hand wave. Rylee exasperated asked, "Alex, don't you want to get money for your teeth?" Then a little flustered Alex explained through pantomime and a few English words that he tried putting his tooth under his pillow in Ukraine, went to sleep and in the morning "No money!" Although he acted pretty disgusted about the whole event I could sense the disappointment he must have felt. Somewhere he heard about the Tooth Fairy and on his own he must have tried it out. At this point I spoke up and said, "But Alex you didn't have a Mom then, you do now, won't you try it next time you lose a tooth?" He looked up at me with watery eyes and nodded. Wow, everyday we seem to find out more about the loneliness & heartache of living in an orphanage and not having someone to love you.
James is gone so Rylee's been sleeping with me and Alex didn't seem to care one way or the other but last night he asked why Rylee sleeps with me and I asked, "Why? Do you want to sleep with me?" I got a big smile and nod. "Okay, you can have a turn." Rylee was pretty sad about it. "But Mom, I'm not use to other kids wanting to sleep with you!" After some negotiations I told her she could sleep on the chase lounge in my room. Alex was already in my bed and saw her come in and prepare to sleep on the chase lounge then he showed her that there was plenty of space next to him in my king size bed (sweet huh?) so I slept with BOTH of them. Lucky me. Between Kambree going to the midnight showing of Transformers, Ella barking to announce her coming and going, Rylee talking in her sleep, Alex making his little groaning noises, and my alarm going off at 5 am I got very little sleep!
Now the next part of this post I warn you is a bit crude. If you want to stop reading now-that is okay- if not....you have been warned!
Yesterday, Austin came in to the kitchen laughing and telling me, "Mom you gotta blog this!" Then he proceeded to tell me this story. Austin has this habit of calling his siblings Poo Head. (No, I don't like it and yes, we've talked at length about it but regardless he keeps calling them this lovely name!) So yesterday while playing Wii Austin called Alex Poo Head. And Alex came right back at him with a name of his own. Austin said "What did you call me?" Alex said (and this is verbatim) "You talk me Poo Head-me talk you Penis Head!" (translation: "You called me a Poo Head so I'm calling you a Penis Head!") Austin burst out laughing and came in to tell me all about it. Obviously, Alex has just moved up a notch in Austin's esteem. However-this is when I am very grateful to my years of comical theater training and the ability I have to not laugh even when something is very funny-I sat them both down at dinner and told them that name calling is unacceptable and next time I'm putting Tabasco in their mouths. I even went so far as to make sure Alex knew for sure what it was he was calling Austin and...he did! (Great! He can't remember the word for arm or leg but he's got penis down!) Both boys just chuckled between themselves and agreed not to call names anymore. Why do I feel like that is a futile promise?

My boys!

Alex before leaving for scout camp this morning...

And giving me a cheesy smile...

Austin came in to talk to me while I was putting on my makeup and proceeded to sit in my claw foot tub and eat cookies. It was so funny looking I made him promise not to get out while I get my camera. He refused to smile but did let me snap the pictures.

Wishes....

Tonight I took my youngest children to Mimi's Cafe. Devree is at Oakcrest, Austin went to Lagoon and Kambree had rehearsals. (I didn't, one of the great things about having a small part-they don't need you every night!) And the little kids had free kid meal coupons. We invited Brach too and had a great time. Our conversation was a little strange, the boys kept trying to tell us about video games and blowing up aliens. They'd just laugh and laugh at each other and their sound effects and seemed to know exactly what part of the game each other were referring too. Rylee and I were lost.
I was so impressed with Alex's willingness to converse. We talked about places we ate in Ukraine, about our day swimming, what he read with his reading tutor today. I think not having the older children around made it easier for him to try new words and be a part of the conversation. Dinner time is often chaotic with everyone trying to talk and you really have to concentrate when Alex talks and listen intently-not an easy feat when four other children are vying for my attention. At one point during dinner tonight, Rylee was sharing how she wished she was Elastic Girl from "The Incredibles" and she could just use her elastic powers to step over to Disneyland for the day. Alex-wanting to share his wish-said, "Me wish- good family." It took me back for a second then I realized this is what he HAD wished for so I asked if he got a good family and he nodded vigorously with a big smile.
How bittersweet. How many of us at ten years old wished for a good family? I just took mine for granite. It's a little sad to think that children wish for good families and yet it made me happy to hear that his wish had come true.
I over heard Rylee tell Alex that she loved him today. He just sort of shrugged-typical boy fashion-then she asked for a hug and apparently he cooperated by picking her up (he is two inches taller) and hugging until she told him she couldn't breath. I guess this is his rough and tough way of showing love?
I made a salad first thing this morning to take with us swimming and Alex chopped up the tomatoes for it, he went on and on about how good the salad smelled and how much he loves salad. He kept trying to wave the smell of the salad up to his face. How funny.
When I told him we'd be going swimming again today he kissed my cheek about five times and gave me a tight hug. He LOVE'S to swim! Today we spent the day swimming with the Rast and Bunch girls at the Milne's pool. It was a fun time and before we knew it three hours had flown by. Thanks Lucinda for the invite.
Tonight I had this brilliant idea to have Alex read a page to Rylee and then Rylee read Alex a page. This way they can BOTH get their reading in for the summer reading program. It worked marvelously at least it did tonight, we'll see how long it will last.
Fathers Day yesterday was a little lonely. James was at work and Rylee refused to sing with the Primary because her Dad wasn't there. My Dad wasn't there either so I couldn't pull the "sing for grandpa" card and Alex just brushed off the idea of going up on the stand. As the kids were coming back to their seats he loudly said. "Me no sing. Me no Dad here!" But I had to chuckle because Alex was mouthing the words to the songs as the children sang.
Well, it's time to tuck in my children for the night. The other night I went to tuck in Alex and he had the worst ONION breath. Apparently he had taken a large bite out of raw onion before going to bed. Yuck! Who would have thought.....

Finally the sun came out (for one day) and we went swimming!

Kambree and her friend Camille

Alex & Ry

Then it rained Saturday and Sunday but Monday we had another great day and went swimming at the Milne's with our Ukraine friends!

Here's almost everyone!

Tonight it was just Alex & Ry & I for dinner so we went to Mimi's to use their free children meal coupons. Brach came along too!

My newest plan for reading! Alex read a page to Ry, Ry read a page to Alex!

They look so sweet!

Rylee helping Alex with his pronunciation!

Just A Little Plug For Our Fundraiser!!

Save a Child Foundation Fundraiser

Where: Layton City Park
When: June 27th, 2009, 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
What: 5k race, carnival, benefit concert
Visit: www.saveachildfundraiser.com
Who: Everyone! This is a fundraiser to raise money for the foundation and the upcoming hosting expenses. Please invite your friends, neighbors, families, co-workers, relatives, etc! It will be a lot of fun for a great cause.

For more information, contact Mary at saveachildcarnival@gmail.com or call her at 801-643-6654. Or,Amy at Amyjson@msn.com or call 801-776-3570,