Like Father Like Son

Dainis built a play station for the kids before we left for Colombia.  It has a kitchen where the kids can pretend to cook, a grocery store where they can start learning about money, and a tool bench.  They love it!  Juan got all sorts of Black and Decker plastic tools for his birthday.  It is so cute to see him using it all!  Dainis can't wait until he is old enough to work on projects with him outside.  Dainis really likes wood working projects.  Working on things together will give them lots of father and son time, while making lasting memories.

Play Dough Time

The kids love Play Dough, and it was a big hit with all of the kids at the hotel in Bogota.  We got out new play dough and all of the kids' new play dough toys this week.  They had a great time, and it was a lot of fun to watch them.  They are doing very well!

Time To Do Chores

We have now been home for a month, and the time has gone by so fast.  There have been a lot of changes for the kids as we have tried really hard to have structure and rules.  Now that the kids have gotten more settled and we are in a routine, we have started chores after breakfast and throughout the day.  Each child makes their own bed, carries their dirty clothes to the laundry room, puts their clean clothes away, and sets the table for a meal.  Juan sets the table for breakfast, Angie sets the table for lunch, and Ingrid sets the table for dinner.  They also each have an additional chore each day.  Juan is in charge of empting all of the trash cans, Ingrid unloads the dishwasher, and Angie vacuums under the kitchen table every night after dinner.  Our dog loves having kids around now who drop crumbs!

The Library

We have started going to the library, and the kids love it.  They have never been in one and were very excited to get their own library card.  There is a small collection of children's books in Spanish, that the kids really like.  They each pick out five books every time we go.  There is also a great selection of educational DVDs, which will be great for our home schooling units.  They are doing really well with their English, and it is hard to believe we have now been home for one month!

Making Cookies

We made chocolate chip cookies with the kids, and it was their first time!  They loved the cookie dough and had a great time making them and eating them..  It is great reminder of how many small things are kids have never done.

Lucky's Birthday

Lucky had his third birthday party this week.  We enjoyed a chocolate brownie, Lucky enjoyed a dog treat, and we all helped him open his gifts.  Lucky appeared on our door step three years ago and is so loved by everyone in the family, especially the kids.

Our Dog Lucky

Lucky has so many new little friends to play with and love on him now.  It is a big change for him, but he really loves the kids.  The kids love dogs and are doing great with him.  He goes to bed every night very tired!

Playing Dress-Up

Lori's Aunt sent our kids wonderful costumes, and they love to play dress up!  The girls can dress up as princesses, balerinas, or Minnie Mouse, and Juan has his choice of cowboy, magician, or construction worker for right now.  We have a wonderful collection and plan to rotate them, so they can play with new ones each week.  We are so glad to be home and have so many new things for the kids to play with, and this gives them opportunities to use their imaginations.

Lunch with Grandpa

The kids got all dressed up to go to Grandpa's office and out to lunch recently.  The had the opportunity to meet a lot of new people and most of the people that work for my Dad speak Spanish.  They love to dress up and were very well-behaved.  They had a great time!

Teddy Bear Tea Party

Lori's parents brought the kids big teddy bears to greet them at the airport the night we arrived home from Colombia.  The kids love them!  They play with them, sleep with them, and dress them up.  We now have dress up clothes for the kids, for their dolls, and for their teddy bears!  The kids got their bears all dressed up for a teddy bear tea party.

Swimming Lessons

The kids started swimming lessons today!  They love the water and are not at all afraid.  Right now, they have life jackets on and are playing all over the pool.  We are so excited for them to learn how to swim, and they did a great job.  Our pool is fenced in and the kids can't get into the pool area without an adult to unlock the gate, but it will make us all feel so much safer once the kids know how to swim without their life jackets on.  They are very tired tonight but excited for their next lesson!