We haven't gone to the beach, Washington, D.C., or even Williamsburg. We haven't even been to Monticello, or UVA Grounds, or the Downtown Mall. Mostly our days have been hanging out at home, doing math fact sheets, painting peaches, going to the pool, having dinner on our back porch, watching Pink Panther on YouTube, swinging in the tree swing, reading lots of Dr. Seuss, and riding BIKES! (Thanks, Joan!)"Papa, can you fix my wheel?""This is me with Josiah. He's blowing the driveway.""This … [Read more...] about For now …
Fugitives
This is what the Finleys would be if the children had their way and if Bill and I gave in to our hearts. "Why can't we just keep her?" And you know, I wonder the same thing. I don't understand why adoption has to be SO hard. I don't understand why it has to cost so much money and why there are so many hoops to jump through. Millions and millions of children around the world are languishing in institutions only to be turned out on the street at 15 with no chance for life. Sure, I know that … [Read more...] about Fugitives
Pysanky!
Katya is fitting RIGHT into the Finley Family. Finleys' favorite toys are homemade bows and arrows, mulch for drawing on the driveway, tree swings, and PEACHES. We have late peaches in our backyard. Right now, they are small and green. But, Katya thought they were perfect. So, she comes into the house with a bucket full of these underripe peaches. We cover the kitchen table with newspaper and pull out the paints and all the kids proceed to decorate these peaches. So, when life gives you … [Read more...] about Pysanky!
There are no Cyrillic numbers!
Thank goodness! Okay, so this is probably not happening in EVERY host family's home, but here in the Finley Household, summer school is happening. Today, as ususal, Piper had a math fact sheet to do. Just for fun, I gave one to Katya. Wouldn't you know, she completed it lickety-split! … [Read more...] about There are no Cyrillic numbers!
Freedom!
August 24, 1991 - Here's what Bill and I were doing You see that dress. I bought it right off the rack at Laura Ashley. We had only two months to plan a wedding and I liked Laura Ashley, As a matter of fact, I liked Laura Ashley so much that my poor bridesmads had to wear white and blue floral Laura Ashley dresses with white pumps. Of course, I was convinced they could wear them again. Weren't we all! Anyway, we were quite busy that day.Bill and I had met at Camp Seafarer during the … [Read more...] about Freedom!
“Sen-kyu” and “Happy 4th!”
Music to my ears! I had heard rumors that Katya had actually said, "Excuse me," several times, but I hadn't heard it. Today, as we headed out the driveway for 4th of July festivities, I heard "Sen-kyu Josiah." In case you can't read my butchered phonetical English with a Russian accent, that would be "Thank you, Josiah." :)We had a great day and I'll post some cute pics tomorrow with a few more stories. It's too late tonight to wax eloquently about freedom, so I'll pass. I hope your … [Read more...] about “Sen-kyu” and “Happy 4th!”