Trip Plans

Pearl and I enjoyed an afternoon at the Prancing Pig.  She is such a careful, delicate painter. I find the hardest part is choosing a piece to paint.

People are interested in Ruby's language acquisition, and it is coming along. Three weeks ago she developed a habit of taking a very demanding "NOW!" on the end of her sentences, sort of the way I do when I've asked the kids to do something once and it doesn't seem to be happening. The result? A toddler who insists "Grapes NOW!" in that very tone. "Cereal NOW!" "Socks NOW!" It was cute, but we saw the need to put a stop to it *immediately*.

In June I'll be making a trip to Northern Europe. This week Pearl and I are studying Europe. We have found many neat chart and map-making sites online.  Here I've created a map of the cities and countries I'll be visiting (in pink). The ones I saw during a semester abroad trip in 1999 and my trips with Jasper are in green.  I'm very excited, especially now that the grueling decision making is over.  I enjoyed researching hotels and means of transport, but now I've booked what needed to be booked (thank you Rick Steves) and I'm just reading for fun.

My traveling buddy and I have decided to try a night train--and while I know it won't be anything like the huge train compartment I remember from the Cary Grant movie North by Northwest, I am still a little excited about it! We're also taking an overnight ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo, and then an amazing scenic railway tour across the Norwegian peninsula to the medieval capital of the country, Bergen.  I didn't even know Bergen existed four months ago!  to be honest, I wasn't really sure which Scandinavian country was which four months ago.  Finland isn't technically Scandinavian, but Denmark is.  And since we'll have day trip to Malmo, Sweden, we'll be in all three Scandinavian nations on this two week trip.  Plus, with my few days on my own, I'll be seeing Reykjavik Iceland (which I can now spell without thinking), Salzburg, Austria, and then Munich, Hamburg, and Lubeck, Germany with my friend.


Finally, here is the video I came home from class to find waiting for me when everyone else was asleep one night.  Note the pile of tissues--such trauma!

 

And here's a photo of Sapphire and one of Ruby so Uncle Cary can't say I left anyone out.

Musicals and Menus and Six Month Review

Last weekend we enjoyed a bounty of high school musicals.  Sapphire and I went to see "Annie" Saturday night.  She was thrilled to see her big church friends in the pit. The dog and the threat of bad guys were other highlights that occasionally stopped the squirming.  "Annie" is a fairly complicated plot for a three year old, I now realize.

On Sunday Pearl, Sapphire, and I drove up to see "Joseph" at the high school where my brother teaches.  The girls have these lyrics memorized, so hearing other voices and seeing a stage production was mesmerizing for Pearl, at least.  Sapphire loved the flashing lights and disco ball.  Pharaoh, her favorite character, did not live up to her image of him from the 1999 film version, so she was disappointed.  My kids always like the bad guys/autocrats.

During intermission we toured Uncle Matthew's very tidy classroom, and afterwards we went to a Thai restaurant.

We've all be studying South America as our current continent. I say all of us, because even Jasper can't walk away from the documentaries showcasing the Amazon or anacondas. The girls have been walking around in a dazzling red poncho he brought home from Bolivia in 2003.

On Friday we used this focus to try a Colombian restaurant in Lancaster named El Maizal (the Cornfield).  Of course Ruby ate everything. She's very into international cuisine.  The other two tasted a bit. Pearl liked the white rice and Sapphire finally found her favorite when the flan course came out.  Unbeknownst to me, I ordered a very think slice of breaded fried pork which tasted just perfect with a squeeze of lime.  It was just a tiny simple restaurant, but I enjoyed the experience.  Maybe someday the other girls will too. 

imitating her big sister's pose

A social worker from our adoption agency visited us Monday to complete our six month post adoption review. This is the second of six (I think?) that China requires of parents. It is a costly visit because of all the paperwork that has to be filled out and sent to China, but Jinny makes it very pleasant. Pearl took her on a tour of the house after Jasper and I answered the form questions and chatted a bit.


The tour includes the basement (formerly "the lair") and the attic.  Poor girl had to see my basement and attic in one day! I try to keep them tidy, but rotating three girls' clothing sizes, shoes, and toys does not make for a super orderly attic, at least not in this house.  It was another milestone in this year of firsts.

Jaspher overlooking Machu Picchu, Peru, 2003

Williamsburg Getaway Part II

The second day of our trip we went back in time about 150 years from what we had seen the previous day in Williamsburg.  The rain scheduled to arrive around noon sent us scurrying to the Jamestown Settlement, hopeful that we could see the outdoor exhibits before it poured.  This is a much smaller deal than Williamsburg, but the huge parking lots suggested it becomes very crowded in the summer.  We, however, got the absolute best parking spot and were the first visitors the Powhatan Indian interpreters had seen all morning.

Burning the bottom of the canoe flat

We had watched youtube videos about this place, so we were prepared.  Sapphire saw a bear skin and instantly made friends with the interpreter, telling him all about Mordu from the movie *Brave* while he tried to work facts about Powhatan life into their conversation.  We saw deer skin covered beds, a smoldering canoe project, and oyster shells to scrape hides.  The girls hopped around from house to house, asking questions of the very attentive grownups in rawhide clothes.

of course she wanted to hold the sword

The tiny Powhatan village sidles up to Fort James, the recreated palisades and barracks.  Ruby liked the chickens, and Pearl enjoyed trying on the heavy armor and wearing it around.  At one point Sapphire disappeared, and when looked I found her posing at the church doorway for a crowd of Chinese tourists, all snapping away at her demure little act.  "They like to take my picture," she murmured, as she threw them a sweet smile, much sweeter than what she pulls out for me whenever I point the camera her way! These were the same Chinese tourists we met yesterday, and I chatted with one before they scuttled off. We meanwhile took our time and made the interpreters work. 

The rain began to fall as we climbed aboard the first of two ships at anchor in the man made harbor. It is shocking that people would agree to come across the ocean in such tiny vessels. I learned that in the smaller one, settlers had to sleep in the hold on top of the barrels of supplies, giving them about three feet of clearance and a very bumpy berth.  I also discovered that a distracted 2 year old can drop her tiny rag of a washcloth (we call it "washy") in many different hiding spots while on board a 17th century ship.  Somehow I found it each time. We saw a bald eagle and a blue heron.

Ruby on a Powhatan bed of deer hides

Pearl seemed to enjoy the indoor galleries we toured after lunch.  They had the dates pained high on the beams, and she really understood that we were seeing time speed up and the developments in the region.  Anything to do with Pocahontas was a hit, but they also sat through the few short movies with rapt attention.  We really just sped through it, but I was surprised how they handled the museum situation. In all, we did better today, but perhaps it was because there was less walking and no antiques. We could touch everything, and they pretty much did.

Instead of more learning, the rain drove us back to the hotel, but that was ok after our busy day yesterday. We enjoyed dinner at an Indian restaurant. Ruby and I love curry, and the other two made do with naan and rice.  It was a bit fancier than I expected, but I suggested we act like princesses, and the staff complimented us on how quiet the girls were.  They sound like angels, but I got indigestion trying to eat fast enough to get us out of there before Sapphire fell over the back of the booth and Ruby broke something.

The swimming was a huge hit, and the two big girls said that was their favorite part, although Pearl also listed the Palace at Williamsburg as a special place. Our trip home Wednesday went smoothly except for a gps problem and a fit Ruby threw in the car just when I was most lost.  We made it home in time for me to get to class, and the girls regaled their daddy with stories of the trip. 

We did it!

He had a funny woolen hat

Williamsburg Girls' Get-away Part I

The Palace

The girls and I embarked on a great adventure this week--a Williamsburg, Virginia girls getaway! It was partly to give Daddy a chance to finish a chapter of his dissertation, and partly an opportunity to embrace the schedule flexibility of home schooling.

The four hour drive was greatly enhanced by mom's Kindle and the movie Happyfeet.  Then, after a fairly hyper meal at IHOP, we jumped into the hotel pool.  This was Ruby's first swim with us since she sat, frozen, on the pool seat at the Inner Mongolia hotel.  This time she was absolutely giddy as she floated in her swimmies, eventually laughing pretty crazily when she first pushed herself off the step after me.  She looked like an astronaut unable to propel herself in space, but by the end of the stay she could kick a little.  Since I was the only lifeguard on duty, you'll understand why there are no photos of this cute milestone.

The basket maker

Monday we went to Colonial Williamsburg. We hadn't slept all that well, or at least the girls hadn't gotten all the sleep they needed, so Sapphire was especially tired and jealous of any stroller time Ruby got.  But we jumped into the history regardless.  We did have some great interpreters who latched on to our mention of the Felicity American Girls books we've read and happily pointed out items from her stories (the stories are set in Williamsburg in 1774). 

The ballroom at the Palace (Governor's mansion)

The Palace ballroom was a highlight, since we had just read a scene about it in the Felicity books.  The big girls admired the silversmith's precious metals and his friendly personality.  Pearl also seemed entranced by the blacksmith, while Ruby preferred to cheer on the horses any time they drove by.

with our friend from the Magazine

I enjoyed the colonial city in February. At 55 degrees, it wasn't freezing, and we had the place to ourselves. The gatekeeper at the Magazine said that usually hundreds of people go through his building in an hour, and today only 10-20 were entering each hour.  When we got to the top, an enthusiastic young man obviously used to speaking loudly for crowds gave us our own demonstration of the musket-loading process.  We had planned what buildings we wanted to see, and when we finally stumbled out of the gaol, our list was complete.  We boarded the bus and Pearl talked the ears off of some other visitors.

One thing I enjoyed, but the girls did not, was the coffeehouse experience. I've read about them in 18th century culture, but I got to see a place for newspaper-readers who enjoyed a nice cup of chocolate.  At the end they offered us a play which I could not follow because I was trying to keep the girls' from spilling their breakable cups of chocolate.  The thick, slightly bitter drink differs from our hot chocolate of today. I liked the flavor, but none of them did.

learned a new word: apothecary

We attract more stares here as an adoptive family than we do at home.  One man on a Chinese tour distracted his entire tour from the guide's speech about the gallows when he reported to the group that Ruby was from Ney Mongu (Inner Mongolia).  "Oh, Ney Mongu" they all chorused.   He had approached me to ask if she was from China. Then he asked "Why did you want to adopt a child?"  He seemed surprised, but then adoption is largely limited in China due to the one child policy.  I explained that we love children.  I was about to leap into an explanation of God's love when my lovable children started fighting in one of the gaol cells. Other folks asked less difficult questions, and I was proud of how I handled it.  It doesn't bother me the way I assumed it would.

at the milliner's shop

The day ended with a pleasantly perfect Chinese buffet that kept the girls glued to their seats. Then we headed to the pool, as promised, where I realized that all the walking had exhausted my legs.  That's not the only thing it exhausted!  Once we returned to the room, I told Sapphire to lay still in her "beautiful" bed, as she calls it, and pretend to be a princess. It worked! She fell asleep while Pearl journaled and Ruby rutched. 

Co-op & Puzzles

Our co-op started up again this week.  Living where we do, we have several co-op options.  The one we attend does not burden our schedule because it only meets every other week, and it offers a strong Christian fellowship.  This co-op is mainly for enrichment, so I do not have to orchestrate my weekly lessons around it; it merely provides extra opportunities in a classroom setting.

Last semester Jasper taught the older kids a karate class, but this semester I've organized a Maps through Stories class.  Today we worked on landform terms and ended with the children creating their own playdough maps.  I was pretty pleased with the lesson, except I planned too many things and ran out of time.  The two little girls stayed busy in the nursery just down the hall.  I like that feature too.

Pearl's other classes are literature and art. It seems strange that I should be the one not teaching in the humanities! But I do always read them a story.  

Here are Pearl and Sapphire wishing to record their Valentine treats before they disappear.  Pearl's Sunday School class got entrepreneurial and produced and 'marketed' these to help earn money for the church Building Fund.  Pearl is sure she made the pink one. 

Pearl is a fan of Valentines Day. The girls loved all the cards they received from friends and family.  Pearl joined me and Jasper at the church Sweetheart Banquet where I think she was the biggest fan of the family-friendly version of the Newlywed Game--we came in second, I believe. At one point, when Michelle guessed the right answer, I saw Pearl gasp in pure joy and clap her cute little hands.  How sweet that she threw herself into the game. She said she is definitely going again next year.

And Sapphire has been giving us some interesting days. On Saturday I couldn't find my contacts because she had woken early, and just before waking everyone else up (early) she opened my contact case and fiddled around with the tiny clear plastic lenses.  When asked where they had gone, she said they were in her eyes, and she pulled at her eyelid in a very good performance of how I do it. Fortunately they were old 2 week disposables. They were not in her eyes.  Her education into reality (we *always* see the candy hiding in her hand) is entertaining but exhausting. 

Fortunately Ruby is much less interested in pulling our house apart, though we do save activities with tiny pieces until her nap time.

I heard from her group home in Beijing today. They will be celebrating a 10 year anniversary and asked if we could create a video of Ruby sending her regards to encourage the nannies in their daily ministry of childcare.

These last pictures just show what life is like around here--dressing up in vintage aprons made by my great-grandmother (I'll bet she never realized they make excellent capes, dolly blankets, and head-coverings!) and working on puzzles. 

Very proud she can put puzzles together now too!

CNY & Valentines

Three celebrations this week have kept us jolly: a birthday, Chinese New Year (Sunday) and Valentines Day.  Our adoption agency families met in Blue Bell for a CNY lunch. The girls enjoyed crafts, noodles, and a magician. Pearl assisted with the very first trick, which made her day. Sapphire sat with Nana and kept hollering at the magician "How did you do that?!)"

When we chatted with other families, we compared memories about the epic trip to China.

Here is Ruby checking out the money envelope typically handed out for CNY. The girls were thrilled to each get a "lucky penny" that is really a dollar coin.

We really appreciate our agency, and all the prayer and care that they have put into our family. We were able to at last meet the social worker who stayed up late one night to match us with Ruby at last.  The families were clearly a special group of people, and it was a very positive experience.  

Maybe when the girls are older we will travel to a big city to see how Chinatown celebrates CNY.  We'll have to see real dragon and lion dancers at some point.  

The night before we got the aunts, uncles, and dogs together for an amazing meal. Warning: grown ups just can't manage to blow out their own candles any more, especially now that there are three big helpers. 

And finally, a special message to all our friends and family:

Hands on House

Our family can now evaluate the difference between the two children's museums in our area.  Sapphire has stated she prefers the Hands on House in Lancaster.  While Port Discovery of Baltimore is about 12 times the size of the little Lancaster place, the Hands on House allowed the girls all-day face painting, and they made use of it. 

Both places kept them busy. The 2 story jungle gym in Baltimore made them giggle just to look at it, but the Hands on House was cleaner and quieter--less class trip, more family day out. 

Their little stations offer a chance to build styrofoam snow forts (to pummel with soft bean bag snow balls), pick and sell corn, and run an assembly line, among other things.  The girls really enjoyed exploring this all together. 

The face painting was the highlight, though, and they kept going back for more.  Ruby was not a fan of paint on her own face, but she eventually saw the beauty of having a father who would sit patiently while little girls stabbed near his eyes with paintbrushes.

There is Sapphire's special smile again.  The place was only open from 11-4pm, and though we took an hour break for lunch, we used up just about as much of the time there as we could.  It kept them busy.  The older two especially seemed to enjoy the toy assembly line of wiffle balls and blocks at the end.  Their daddy and I wished there was a nap room--watching them have so much fun wore us out.

Side note: I've been prepping for my trip to northern Europe in June. I *love* planning things out, and the friend I'm traveling with is very busy, so I get to mull over all sorts of details. A planner's delight. Soon I'll turn my attentions to the revisions to the Christmas book the editor suggested or VBS (coming this August!), but for now I love wandering the streets of Copenhagen and Oslo in my mind (alongside Rick Steves, my tour guide of choice for this trip). 

Next week marks Ruby's sixth month anniversary with us. We all talked about Family Day during lunch (that's the 1 year anniversary of being all together). This is my preferred term for Gotcha Day. Gotcha is not a word!  The girls thought Family Day would be all about Ruby, but I want us to see it as a celebration of our complete family, not just one person.  We'll have to talk about this more as a family.

I sent a 6 month update to Ruby's foster home and got an immediate, encouraging reply. It is so nice to have that contact! 

This was Sapphire's third and final face painting of the day. They really developed, didn't they?

She didn't want to wash it off.