TGIF

because that means in a week - Harry is free and we begin the fina paper chase - new birth certificates, adoption certificates, and a passport for Harry!

I’m happy to report the entire apt. was tucked in and asleep by 10:00 p.m. last night and slightly after 7 a.m. Harry woke up and came to greet me. I guess he was still tired because after hopping under the covers with me for a few minutes he wandered back into his own bed in the living room where he stayed until Skip woke at 7:30. French Toast went over well for breakfast and the boys were fed, had brushed their teeth, dressed and helped make their bed by 8:00 Progress! By 9:35 my morning stuff was done (i.e. laundry, dishes, straightening out, SHOWER) and we were ready to begin homeschool. Harry whips through his printing, knowing that he can paint next. The new water cups I bought are AWESOME! No spills! Around 10 Levi & Mike tried to videocam. It works really well on their end – using Skype – and okay on this end. The dial-up keeps dropping the calls, but, it works. We finally decided that muting the volume on the videocam & using the cell phone to talk works best. Its not perfect, but they get to see each other for a few minutes a day, and it’ll help. Harry loved seeing “his” dog, Sabaka.

After the video cam Harry was kinda wild and didn’t want to do anything constructive so I pulled out a sticker book I got last trip. The pages have shapes with dots in the middle that require the matching sticker. THAT he liked, and we were able to learn colors. We did red & blue & yellow dots today. He REALLY likes it, and it serves a purpose. I’ll have to pick up a few more of these from the bookstore. Skip got to paint while I did the sticker book, and then it was snacks – fruit for all – and then we were back to work. Skip did his math & language but struggled a bit with spelling. Too much time off lateley, no doubt! As for Harry, he busied himeslf ith a few sheets of paper and crayons. Lunch was a breeze with no complaints again. PB&J with chips and cookies for dessert.

I decided to take the boys out early today, and so we got ready to go out around 2, and headed down the stairs to the courtyard. I realized that we hadn’t used the sled yet that Irina had let us borrow – the kind that is so popular here for pulling kids around the city. I took the boys back inside and took it down off the closet shelf, grabbed a bungee and small blanket for cushion and we headed back out. Harry wanted to jump in it so we let him, and Skip helped me pull him. He sat there like a king, looking all around, and for once I didn’t need to worry about him running off. We pulled him to the place we stopped yesterday with the two slides and the boys spent about an hour playing on them. And as a bonus, I could use the sled to sit on while I waited…I liked that idea. After the playground it was a quick stop at the grocery store for water and ice cream. I pulled both boys on the sled to the store, and on the way back, Harry sat in it – along with two-five litre bottles of water!

Our afternoon was easy as it seems we’re all getting into something a routine. My biggest battle with Harry is one he will never win – battles of wills (Just ask Mike J)! He is as stubborn as the day is long – even more stubborn that Skip. In addition, spending the first 4-plus years in an orphanage has taught him it’s survival of the fittest. He’s rough and tough, but slowly learning to be gentle and learning the hard way that we don’t hit when we want our way! He has come to learn the timeout chair well – which to him is known simply as time to “sit”. When he behaves inappropriately I put him in it – and he hates it. His first reaction is to laugh – a defense mechanism he’s learned in the orphanage. It’s the “you can’t get inside my heart and hurt ME” attitude. Then it’s defiance – he stands back up. When that doesn’t work he tries screaming, then when its clear he must sit, he cries. When he is ready to say “I’m sorry” (which he can pronounce very well –due to the practice he has had already J) he’s allowed up. Another issue is trust. Hugs have to be on his terms and timetable. He is afraid to trust – THAT is easy to recognize. While the staff at the orphanages love them, and care for them as best they can – they are not a replacement for family. These kids don’t know what its like to be held, and kissed. It’s all foreign to them and Harry is no exception. Until a few days ago, if you went to kiss Harry he’d either turn away or put his hands up, as if in defense. We expected this. But the night before Mike left, just before Harry drifted off to sleep, I leaned over him and kissed his forehead – and waited for his response. To my delight, he simply smiled….This new chapter in our lives will be an adjustment for all of us, but one we anticipated. To say I’m happy with the way it’s played out so far would be an understatement. He has made huge strides in less than a week – and while there remains lots of work ahead, I’ve no doubt this family will emerge stronger than ever.