Nothing Like A Child's Love

Xavier thinks we should invest in buying Fletcher a chef's hat.  I don't know why... He won't be cooking.

For a snack the other day, Lizet asked if I'd make her a hard-boiled egg. I thought about it... You know, the kids love hard-boiled eggs, and mayonnaise, and mustard.  So, I made deviled eggs. You'd think I'd discovered plutonium.  Lizet said - THANK YOU, followed by a VERY GOOD - stressing the double-Os.  She pronounces all double-O words the way Scooby-Doo is emphasized. Xavier was next - MUY BIEN, he tells me. Then, I guess Angela loved it since she shoved the other half in her mouth before finishing the first.  I'll turn them into Southerners, yet! They loved my meatloaf tonight, too.  I even got Angela to eat green beans;  of course, I guess it helps when you mix them up in your mashed potatoes. Whatever works!  I also went to Braum's today to purchase chocolate milk.  I figure that's better than soft drinks and they need the protein and calcium.

Xavier loves giving me kisses.  For a 13-year-old boy, that's a miracle!

Lizet loves to hum.  

Xavier and Angela are having their own private yo-yo competitions after school, in the kitchen.

Lizet loves me to help her with bath time.  She loves me to pour water over her head, dry her off, and comb her hair.  Tonight she wanted me to dress her, too.  She put her arms around my waist as I helped her with her gown.  Then I read (in Spanish) Mrs. Nelson is Missing from her school library, to both her and Xavier.

Lizet held me so tight, continuously saying, “Madre, Mamá, Mamita... I love you.”  She's excited about our "secret time" tomorrow.  We're going out to eat and then shopping for "cosmetics".  Sounds like we'll be hitting the Dollar Tree for lip gloss.  We're both very excited!      

And they love to pinkie swear.

    

     

Wishes and Spirits

When Dave told the children that he would be buying their mamí a new car in the next year... Probably an SUV, Lizet suggested it be pink.

Tonight, while helping Lizet organize her closet, she discussed with me something personal:

After asking if she could tell me something, she proceeded with the fact that last night she saw her mother come in and touch her face.  I told her that was natural and that she shouldn't feel afraid.  She had mentioned there were ghosts, or "fantasmas" in her room earlier in the week.  I actually reassured her by telling her a story from several months ago...  When your papí and I decided to adopt you, Angela, and Xavier, I told Papí that I felt a presence of your padres with us.  It was as if they were angels guiding us along the way to get you and let you into our hearts and home.  I still feel a connection to your mother every time I look in your eyes.  This information was surprising to Lizet, but quite bonding for the two of us at a difficult time in a 10-year-old girl's life.  She looked away, quietly for a moment, then wiped her eyes quickly, turned to me and said, "I love you, Mamí.”  I told her I loved her, too.  Then, she said in perfect English, "Okay, come on, let's go."  So, we continued to organize.

Xavier would still love a Rottweiler... and we still say no.  

Angela is such a good sister and daughter.  She is rapidly becoming a Daddy's Girl.  

  

Helpers

Tonight as I was preparing a chef salad, Lizet came in and without saying a word, washed her hands at the sink beside me and began helping.  She put her hand on mine as I chopped a head of lettuce, then she washed, peeled, and chopped the cucumber (with a much smaller and duller knife).  We diced tomatoes, cleaned and cut mushrooms, and put everything in separate bowls so each person could add what they wanted. I boiled a few eggs earlier, so she peeled those and sliced them for the salad.  We added chopped turkey, shredded cheese, and bacon bits to the table.  Along with a variety of dressings, we included crackers and toasted French bread.  They enjoyed their salad so much they forgot we had leftover chicken soup heating on the stove.  Lizet also set the table and Xavier helped clean. Angela did her part by sweeping.  Lizet finished by starting the dishwasher.

The activities of choice for the evening:  Xavier enjoyed an hour of Play Station.  Angela wanted to do Rosetta Stone, and Lizet chose Phineas and Ferb cartoons.  

We called my grandmother Mimi, (their "bisabuela") to wish her a happy 90th and as Lizet was talking with her, she ran to her room to get her Hello Kitty doll that has the "Happy Birthday" song programmed into it.  She told my grandmother... "Listen…" and played the song.  Mimi was so happy! She loved it!!  

Tonight is late night!  After their favorite show, they know they need to clean their rooms so they won't have so much to do tomorrow.  

  

Comfort Zones

Lizet voluntarily helped clean the kitchen tonight.  She called "Ma" when she was ready to learn how to start the dishwasher.

Angela has two new favorite stores:  American Eagle and Gap.

Xavier has the capabilities of someday becoming an architect due to his strong math, science, and illustrative skills, but enjoys the idea of being a massage therapist for dogs a little more.

Lizet put on her kitchen gloves and grabbed her "cell phone'' since Fletcher had a veterinary "emergencia" - not really, hence the quotes, but she massaged his stomach and kept calling him "Señor Fletcher".  Xavier was her assistant.

Both girls take Fletcher out to potty at night and turn their backs so he can have privacy.  

Xavier is already looking forward to October.  He wants to buy a troll for his room, as they bring "buena suerte" - good luck.  He would also like a skeleton with angel's wings.  

    

Simple Pleasures

The Roof Dog run was great!  It was a great day of fellowship with friends and church family. Xavier and I participated in the mile walk, along with one of my best friends in the whole world - Annie!  She's even sponsoring one of the kids at the casas...  Angela's best friend.  

My parents gave the kids each a harmonica since they demonstrated an interest by playing my dad's when last visiting Texas.  I think Daddy would be impressed to learn that Lizet has learned to play it using her nose.

Lizet has been singing "Viva, Las Vegas" a lot.  I'm not too concerned since she won't be going until she's at least 21, and I won’t exactly be encouraging at that point.  

Lizet also loves to sing hymns to Fletcher, not to mention dress him every morning.

How many times do we need to tell the children we can't afford horses? Just wondering...

The children would love for Fletcher and Stormy (Stormy is my in-laws' Cocker Spaniel) to get married!

Dave took Xavier and Lizet to a traveling circus in town last week.  They were a bit disappointed to find out the only animal was a miniature horse.  

There's nothing like sitting in church and having a child spontaneously kiss you.  If you guessed Angela, you'd be right!

  

  

 

Pudding in a Cloud

You'd think I'd just graduated from a culinary institute with all the accolades I received from my kiddos regarding my... drumroll, please... Pudding in a Cloud.  Okay, Cool-Whip, check!  Instant chocolate pudding, check!  Milk, check!  I even caught Angela stuffing mouthfuls of my creation in her mouth throughout the evening.  Glad she didn’t catch me doing the same!  

It's not just pudding, though.  Apparently, my hamburgers were a hit - considering Xavier had three!  Yeah, I said it.  Ground beef, steak sauce, and plain bread crumbs - that's it!  Dave cooked them on the grill when he got home and voilà - hamburgers.  Lizet helped set the table, including all the necessary condiments.  Angela helped clear.  And the pudding countdown began.

The kids have had a wonderful day!  I think they're understanding their new American schedule and rules within the family structure.  One funny tidbit the children shared with me yesterday was this:  In Peru, the mother is the one who screams.  I thought that was funny.  Especially, considering the majority of the time, it's just Papí raising his voice to get their attention.  

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children:  Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.  

                                                                                                                        -The Book of Common Prayer 

Miscellaneous

Yesterday morning (Labor Day), Dave took Xavier and Lizet fishing. Dave bought Lizet a Barbie fishing rod and reel.  Yes, Dave... My husband... David Nelson.  

Angela and I spent the day together:  lunch at La Fiesta, a trip to Hobby Lobby, and a visit to Classic Pets.  Angela held her nose the whole time we visited the pet store.  

Lizet made a 100 on her spelling test.

Dave is teaching them to tithe by giving ten percent of their allowance either to the church, or to Casa Hogar San Jose.  They opted for San Jose.  

We took the kids to feed the ducks.  Angela chose to stay in the car with Dave, while Xavier, Lizet, and I fed a few ducks.  

 

  

Tidbits

Angela and Xavier's Spanish teacher called to let me know how respectful they are in class.  She also let me know how interested the other students are about them and how desperately they would like to communicate.

Lizet always likes me to choose her clothes in the morning... but she always picks the best shoes.

Lizet discovered the karaoke machine and I overheard she and Xavier pretending to be DJs.

We went to Sonic after school the other day... I bought them an afternoon snack.  I had out my cash and was showing the kids the presidents on the bills.  George Washington was the first President, I told them... Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth.  Xavier asked if they are dead.  I told them, yes.  I explained how Lincoln was shot while at the theater and Lizet then asked if I saw it.  Oh dear.

The three kids were so fascinated by the rain the other day... Standing on the patio, with their arms around each other, in awe.  Before the lightening and thunder, Lizet was prancing in it.

Xavier's science teacher called to inform me of my son's intelligence - WOW!

I caught Lizet drinking from the Hershey's syrup bottle yesterday.

Xavier killed a wasp that got in the house and saved it to show Papí.

Lizet informed me that Fletcher is El Rey - The King (of the house).  And yes, there’s a costume.

The kids love my Kool-Aid.  I think no matter who makes it, it's the same.

Angela hasn't been eating her lunch.  She says there are too many people in the cafeteria and it makes her nervous.  However, with the kids buying their lunches today, she didn't have a problem.  She still says she likes my lunches better.  Or maybe she's just being polite.

Xavier made a 100 on a math test!

Lizet plays the piano every day.  

I took the girls to Hobby Lobby tonight.  They love it!  Angela used her allowance to purchase a latch hook kit - a pink heart with purples and yellows, while Lizet chose a fashion designer kit. Angela also bought some candy for the family.  I showed Angela how to do the latch hook (having done many of them when I was her age) and she asked that I demonstrate one more time...  I did... Then she did, and said “Yippee!”