Catching up

This year we went to three different Chinese New Year celebrations. One with International families of adoption, another at the Discovery Center and last but not least we were invited to participate in the MSU student celebration. There were about 250 Chinese students in attendance and Luke and Lily and Daddy performed on Chinese instruments and sang a song in Chinese. The kids do not seem to mind performing in front of a crowd, just give Lily a microphone and she is set.

Luke was extensively tested through the Springfield public schools to see if he qualified for preschool special services. Although the caseworker and other teachers felt many of his skills were in the emerging category (meaning he was progressing forward) they decided to give him a boost of special skills to prepare him for school ahead. He is receiving 1 hour of special education, 1 hour of speech therapy and 1/2 hour of OT per week. The really nice feature is that the teachers go to Luke's preschool to provide the services. We had originally thought we would hold Luke back a year before starting kindergarten. He turns 5 in April. The teachers have told us another option would be to send him to kindergarten and if necessary he can repeat kindergarten. We had not thought about this in the past as an option. We are taking the wait and see approach to make sure he is emotionally ready. The neighborhood elementary school does have three K classes so he and lily can be separated. His attention span has improved so much and he is now spelling the letters of his name and pointing out the letters as we drive down the road. It is hard to judge how far along he may be 6 months from now when school starts. He does tend to "zone out" as I call it, not really in the moment of things happening and it is my concern that he will miss important instructions during class. Once he has a concept though, it seems to stick with him well. We will just move forward and register both of them for school but can always decide right up until the last moment not to send Luke. I just wonder how he will feel if Lily gets to go and he does not.

Luke has started Taekwondo and I think it is very good for him. They really teach self control and following instructions and hold them to task if they do not follow through. The instructor is with them all the time guiding them through the moves. In gymnastics they showed the kids the skill one time and then left them off on their own to "practise". That just gave Luke the opportunity to run around the room. I like the fact that Taekwondo is different in that respect. Luke seems to really enjoy it as well.

We had a surprise visit from Aunt Susie this weekend. I knew she was coming of course but left it a surprise for the kids. We showed up together to pick up the kids from school on Friday. Luke saw her from the window and had his face pressed up against the glass when we made it upstairs. Lily was outside on the playground and let out a loud "Aunt Susie" when she looked up and saw her. The kids were showered with gifts for their upcoming birthdays and we hung out at home that night until we both fell asleep (Aunt Susie and I) watching Toy Story with the kids around 9pm. The kids of course were still wide awake! Aunt Susie had to leave the next morning to go down and visit our parents in Bella Vista. I had made several dishes and froze them for her to take to them. Since our Dad is doing all the cooking these days (and he does not cook) I figure some good homemade food is well appreciated.

Well, that pretty much catches up on the happenings around here. I'm working on the summer schedule of events for the kids and hopefully some family reunions with our adoption families around the country.