Thursday, August 5, 2010

First Overnight

This week marked the girls first overnight at our sister's house. The main reason for having this overnight was the fact that Alex and I both have to work quite a bit this month, and after the expenses of the adoption we cannot afford a whole month of child care. Furthermore, I don't know that even if we could afford it we could find anyone that could do a whole month of four older girls. The girls had a blast. This was also marked by the fact that my sister Millie is visiting from Colorado and the girls got to meet 6 more family cousins. It's hard for them to keep up with all the names relationships etc. We took them on Sunday night and I picked them up on Tuesday afternoon at my sister Millie's in-laws. When I got there I don't even think they knew whose house that was. I kept talking about the owners of the house and they said " who are the owners of this house?" There were cousins on both sides of the family there and they played quite a few games with them even though they did not know who they were or their names ( or could speak back to them).
We are also trying to encourage the girls this month to sign up for fall activities. I am realizing that it is difficult for the girls to make decisions when they have never been given the opportunities to do so. So we are trying hard to encourage (strongly sometimes) but at the same time making sure they know it's their decision. This can be quite disappointing at times when the outcome is not what you thought it was going to be. Like the person we thought would never do sports is doing them and the person that said they loved sports choosing not to. I guess our job is to keep trying and to find alternatives to the alternatives. We are also a little worried about the girls academic skills especially in Math and hope that this month will help us do a little catch up before school starts. It's funny but people keep telling me not to worry about it, and that only takes on the opposite effect.
This week the girls also took a picture with my parents at a studio. We will be taking more family pictures this week. Maybe I can finally send those adoption announcements.
I wonder if anyone still reads my blog since I never have any more comments. Anybody out there?
I promise to put some pictures in when I have the time. Soon it will be time for work. Have a good day.

7 comments:

  1. Always reading Mercedes. This has eliminated a lot of questions for when we do finally get together.

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  2. I am a faithful reader, too, Mercedes and Alex! :)

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  3. Dear Mercedes,
    It's been so long since I've sent a message on this that I forgot my blog password. I guess I forgot you would continue to make entries. The beauty of the blog while you were in Columbia was that you were really close to us, even if far away. Tonight I read all of June July and August to catch up. Thank you for continuing. I think you will like having the notes and comments in the years to come.
    I am looking forward to having the girls here on Tuesday. My friend, named Jane Shero, is coming along to help me with the language. She has lived in Venezuela so is not alarmed about the possiblity of different vocabulary. She will be joining us for lunch here at home, for our trip to the Art Museum and the beach. It should be a good day. I'll see you at Hi-Way Harry's at 6pm. Love to you and the girls. Sis

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  4. Alex and Mercedes,

    Hello from the wilds of California. Like Sis says above, I've been reading all of your entries, and I've loved being a part of the story of your new family. But I haven't really gotten the hang of my password, and so I've never replied.... excuses, excuses!

    As a stepmom who gained an 11 year old daughter at the ripe old age of 44, I can fully appreciate how hard it is to start parenting older children. Its obvious how much time and energy and love went into all your planning for the girls' arrival -- and now that they are here, all you can do is take it one day at a time. Your are giving them your very best, and the chance to grow up in a wonderful family. In the years to come, you will all look back at this time with amazement. And Sis is right, it will be great to have these entries as a journal of the start of your family.

    We promise not to wait another 30 years to come to Wisconsin, but hope that we'll see you all soon. In the meantime, you are in our hearts, and thoughts and prayers.

    Much love from Margaret, Tom, and Sarah

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  5. I'm reading too!!! Although in spurts, like Mom. I'll get all caught up, after several weeks of being away. Keep writing! We love it. Really. :) Love, Laura

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  6. P.S. I have NO idea why my comment was just registered as coming from Sam! How weird. --LMV

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