Circular thinking

This has been on my mind a lot lately.
Do I love my children equally? Well, I can honestly say yes. I believe I do.
But do I treat my children equally??
Besides the fact that "equally" is an ethereal term, subjective and hard to prove, I'm not sure I do. It is getting so that it all gets muddled in my mind. Did I spend as much one-on-one time reading books with Ryah as I did Elijah? Did I chose on the side of Alina more than Anastasia in disagreements? Was I more lenient checking Jonas' chore than Kristina's? Does Alina get to sit by me more times at church than the others? Do we go to Caleb's Court of Honor or Ryah's "Reading with the Teacher," when they are at the same time?
I know Jonas doesn't get the listening time the others do just because he isn't as loud and "in your face" about what he is saying.
Then there is the fact that I don't yet dare tell the girls the code to the front door. They've given our phone number out to strangers, how can I be sure that they won't give our house code? The older 3 have known it forever.
I could make myself crazy following these lines of thinking. There doesn't seem to be any end, any logical way to decide.
Am I going to scar my children for life?

Photoshoot teaser

I finally got the gumption and time to set up all the photo equipment and get birthday pictures. Here are some of the best. I was able to snag Elijah and Alina. Now to snag Anastasia and Miriam.

If you want to see more you'll have to ask me for my photo blog address.

New Yacht for our dentist

Well it was bound to happen.

And I have to say I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often, with as many kids as we have and how many of them are... shall we say, less than solid on their feet.

So I guess I can't complain.

But Anastasia can. And she did, but only a little. She was very brave.

Before school even started.

Before she was even officially "checked in."

Just as she was getting off the bus she wasn't watching, something about a sidewalk being there or not being there, or something like that. Anastasia did a nice little (or should I say BIG) face plant and bungered up her mouth pretty badly.

I got the phone call, rushed to get at least one uncooperative kid ready, called the dentist, rushed to the school and then rushed to the dentist (who is EVER so helpful and willing to squeeze us in, ask us. we know-- anyone in the area want a referral??). One lost tooth, two loose teeth and lots and lots of soft tissue damage. Luckily, all the teeth in question are still baby teeth. Dr Mikkelson numbed her up pretty well because she was in a lot of pain.

Prognosis?

She will heal.

Plan of action?

Take it easy for today, put neosporin on her lip to keep it soft and help it heal, eat soft foods for a week, and watch for signs the loose teeth need to come out early.

Down side?

Lots of pain!

Up side?

Lots of sympathy points!

Elijah is three!!!

Elijah turned three yesterday. He was so excited to open presents. Unfortunately, the kids didn't move fast enough and we almost made them late while he opened one present. Then it was torture that he had to wait until Dad got home from work, then Mom to take Caleb to YM's. But he FINALLY got to open the rest.

He loves books and is now starting to sit long enough for me to read the longer ones.

He loves this airplane. He carries it around by the little handle and puts whatever he can fit inside.

Dad likes it too. ;) Reliving some childhood memory or perhaps a midlife crisis?

He also got a renewed subscription to Animal Baby magazine (which he still adores, Mom, we have read all the past issues so much they are falling apart).

Elijah really likes Elmo. And I thought it would be an easy cake to make. But it must have been humid or something as the frosting wasn't cooperating. But he loved it anyway.

He loved the ice cream waaaaaaaaaaaaayyy more, however.

My baby isn't a baby anymore. :( Now if we could just get him potty trained. :)

Back to School

The older kids started school last wednesday. It was a trying week. The girls were ornery and everyone got on everyone else's nerves. Kristina especially had a hard time regulating herself. She also was extremely homesick for Ukraine. It seemed to help when she opened up one night (on her way to bed) and told me some stories about her "childhood." So last night for Family Night (sunday because there is a band/orchestra meeting tonight) we all sat down with the video camera and had the girls tell us what they remember about Ukraine, their Ukrainian family and the orphanage. Some of the stories I had heard before but some were new. All were eye-openers and quite a few shockers. I will probably post some snippets a little later (when I get a minute to learn how).

Anyway, here are the five in elementary. This first one is the traditional picture I take every year.

Anastasia.

Alina. She had me cut her hair since then, which is a post for a new day.
Miriam. I made her backpack for her birthday. I worried it was too small, and it is. But it works because it is wide enough to allow for folders.
Kristina.


Jonas.

Everyone watching the bus come.

And my middle schooler walking all by himself to the bus. Good grief, is he that old already? Am I that old already?

Then today was Ryah's first day. She was soooooooooooooo incredibly excited!!! I told her while I was making breadfast that she wouldn't go to school until after we ate lunch. She kept asking about going to school, and I couldn't get breakfast done so I told her that and sent her to play. Then after I came back from walking the other kids to the bus she said "Elijah, and Ryah, and Mom, eat lunch??" No, Ryah, we just ate breakfast. "I'm hungry." LOL.

So all morning.... ALL. MORNING. She would come down the stairs saying to Elijah "I got go to school." Then come to me and say, "I go school?" No, Ryah, not yet.

Finally it was time for her to eat a sandwich and get ready to go on the bus. Of course Elijah had to get his backpack on too. As we heard the bus turn on to our street and come up the hill she got so excited, but she also snuggled up next to me, a little nervous. But when the bus stopped she walked right on. I got on too and helped buckle her in her seat and she was eager to say goodbye to me. So hopefully she has a good day.

They look so little there walking to the bus.

Elijah and his back pack.

Ryah and her backpack.... and smirk.

Of course, Elijah wanted to go to school too. I told him he started school tomorrow. Which isn't exactly true. But not wholey a lie either. We have a meeting tomorrow with the parents who are doing a co-op pre-school. He can wear his backpack. :)

Oh, the sweet fruits!

This is watermelon from our garden. I've never grown watermelon before. This one was juicy, sweet and oh, so good! These pictures are in random order. The ones of Anastasia were meant to show her eating the watemelon (or water lemon as Alina calls it) then she started eating the rind. That is Anastasia for you. While we were in the orphanage with them all the kids were given mandarin oranges to eat. Anastasia very carefully peeled hers, peeled some of the white stuff off, then proceeded to eat the peel. She even eats the inside of the banana peel.
Oh, and we don't beat our kids. Elijah fell and hit his nose. I was sure he broke it. But Dr says probably not but watch it. How would it be to fall on your face and not break any bones.
Anyway, I dont' have time to put these pictures in order. So use your imagination.
Tomorrow??? Cantelope!