*From Daddy Charles)

 

Well, this is our second try at this entry - the first one disappeared into cyberspace.  Frustrating, considering we have been trying since we got home to do another entry.

 

We have been home about 10 days now, and things are progressing nicely.  The boys are settling in OK - we are homeschooling at least for the rest of this school year, as our primary focus is to get them sufficient English to function outside the family.  So, every school day includes English lessons - words and simple sentences right now for Charles (we have labels on most of the items in the house right now, so he learns the names and can read the lettering - Latin instead of Cyrillic), letters of his name right now for James.  Charles also does math and some geography and reading, in Ulrainian and English.  Charles is pretty much up to his grade level in math, but the other subjects are harder to judge without the language skills.  However, he really takes it hard when he does not do well at a lesson - devastated hard, tears and all - so we are working on helping him understand that everyone fails, that it is part of learning, that it is not the end of the world and we are not going to take him back to the orphanage.  James is also learning colors and simple words like please and thank you, hello and bye-bye - his accent is adorable!  He is usually shy around anyone outside the family, whereas Charles is quiet rather than shy.

 

We are also finding that, in spite of their older ages, it is really like having two toddlers at home, because EVERYTHING is new and unknown!  Not only language, but hygiene, table manners, general manners, please and thank you, yes and No - right now, everything is NO, even when they have no idea what they are saying no to, and they are still learning that No is not an option when Mommy and Daddy ask or say something.  We have had to have a couple holding sessions with each of the boys recently, in addition to James' lessons with timeouts, especially around eating and bedtime.  Charles tends to sulk and pout if he gets told no to a request, while James tend to just get bad-mannered or throw a tantrum.    

 

*From Mommy*

 

Heavenly Father chose the perfect boys for our home.  They are a wonderful blessing to us.  Jennifer and John are getting along with them really well and they boys are loving playing with their older brother and sister.

 

Home school is a lot of fun actually.  Charles is a smart boy and catching on to english quickly.  As Daddy said - he is devestated when he gets something wrong....but only if he has done it himself...as in a worksheet that I haven't sat with him while he works it.  If we are working on something together and I correct him - he seems Ok.

 

James loves his school time.  You should hear him say "bye bye"  it is the cutest thing you ever heard!

 

We have done a lot of doctors this week.  We had the blood drawn this morning.  I think there were eight vials for each boy.  Wow!  We took them to McDonalds afterwards to make up for taking them in the "machina" before they got breakfast.  Charles wanted to go home and eat breakfast.....Ok - I admit it - I introduced them to cereal. 

 

They are eating well - good at meals and great in between LOL.  Mostly fruit and cheese between meals - but they would eat constantly if we let them.  We are developing a rountine though - so a snack between breakfast and lunch - a snack between lunch and dinner - and a snack after dinner is the usual.  Charles has gained a little weight in the last two weeks.  James hasn't that I can tell yet.  They are constantly on the go and talking and exploring.   It is NEVER quiet here anymore - well between 7:00am to 9:00pm anyway.

 

We have been to church twice since getting home.  The first week James was having NONE of the childrens classes - even WITH mommy there with him.  This week he actually participated in the classes - although he never let me get out of arms reach.  Charles is doing very well in his classes.  I'm sure they will be much more fun for him when he learns more english.  He starts cub scouts this week.  They are not doing anything alone yet though.  We make sure we are with them at all times.

 

I think Daddy mentioned that we have had a couple of "holding" sessions with each boy.  James is bonding well in general.  He is working on a"no" and "listening" but in general I don't have any worries about him.  He has quit rocking himself and gives hugs and kisses and plays little games with us ... he also is constantly worried about where we are if we are out of his sight....so when daddy is upstairs - he needs to know "Where is Papa" or when Mama has run to the store - "Where is Mama".  Charles on the other hand is older and has been through more .... it is harder to convince him - will take a lot more than a couple of hugs and some banana - that we love him and will be here for him forever.  I know that he is happy to have a Mom and Dad and good home but he is far from bonded.  We had the strangest session in Kiev - he was telling us that we were not his mom and dad and he didn't love us and we didn't love him and we told him we did love him and we WERE his Mom and Dad forever and then we showed him is new birth certificate.  It was like someone shut off the water valve......all of a sudden everything was Ok and he wanted to know if he could use the computer.....it was the strangest thing I've ever seen - but it told me a lot about what he needs.

Penny and Charles,
I am so excited for your family. The boys are beautiful! I think the word adventure describes it all perfectly! Georgia has been a wonderful adventure for us. Everyone is doing well. James is only a few months older than Erin. I found this site in a search engine using your names. If you would like to take the boys on a trip to show them the beginnings of American history we would love to see you all. It is very beautiful here, our new homw only 6 miles from the beach and islands. Lots of history. I am so happy for all of your family and I think Charles even resembles Charles from the pics. I think these boys were always meant to be in your family. I read all the entries this morning. It was so fun fun and informative. Charles how sweet to say how much you love your wife to all the internet. It brought tears to my eyes to think about what a loving adventure this has been for you. I would love to hear from you all. I know your hands are full. I mean really full. But isn't fun?! I would not trade my group for anything.
Love,
Jessica:)

Hey penny and charles it's really good to hear they and you all got home safe and got the boys!! Thay are so cute and I hope everything works out for you all so tell them I said hi although they dont know me but yes I would like to meet them if ever come vivist you all!!

Kayla:)

Just wanted to say Congratulations!!!!