Getting into a routine

This experience will make me a better school psychologist. First of all, I can appreciate how difficult it is to simply juggle 4 children's home-school communication, lunches, and homework. Secondly, I now know first-hand what it is like to spend one hour on a simple science concept learned in school...or another hour on a worksheet that might take other students 10 minutes. The amount of patience and encouragement it requires to avoid shut down and to get optimal work out of them is HUGE. We are trying to remember how exhausted they must be. The language and new routines themselves are tiring. We want to focus on the basics and the most important things. The fact that they love school so much is such a plus. We are so proud of their efforts and progress!

Last night Pierre was able to contact his older brother by phone in Haiti. It is the only number we have that is going through at this time. He was able to talk with all 4 older siblings as they sat together somewhere in Port-au-Prince and asked Pierre questions (about the cold, food, and friends) and gave him instruction (to obey parents, eat what he is given, and not ever quit school). His brother was able to tell me in English that they are so happy for Pierre, and then he thanked me repeatedly. I asked Pierre to tell his family that WE are the ones who are so happy, and that we love Pierre so much. It was great to hear Pierre talk so fluently in Creole still...and to laugh as he explained that he is not cold...that he has lots of jackets! We're grateful for technology and that he has the ability to stay in touch with his birthfamily.

No Cavities!

We are amazed but both kids checked out with no cavities at their first dental appointment this morning! Considering their rice and beans diet and lack of vitamins in their early years, we were very pleasantly surprised. Pierre has a great set of teeth with only the one chipped tooth needing repair. He is losing the teeth one would expect of a child about his age, so this reinforced that he is just big for his age. Ange-Laurette, on the other hand, has not lost her bottom baby teeth yet and is just on the slower end tooth-wise. But she has strong, healthy teeth also! The dentist got a kick out of our story when Pierre lost a molar here a couple weeks ago. Pierre just came up to me with the large tooth in his hand and said, "Mom. Finished." and went to throw it in the trash. I told him that he could leave it out on the table overnight, and a tooth fairy would bring him money for the tooth. You should have seen his face...as if I had truly lost my mind! We Americans do have some doozies for traditions. He agreed to go along with the craziness and was happy to find cash there in the morning. :)

Hidden Talents

Ange-Laurette tried out her first night of dance class on Tuesday. She has two friends in the class, and we are friends with the teacher. She was adament that she was only going to "look" this first week, not dance. Knowing her better than that :) I talked her into wearing her sweats and tennis shoes, just in case. Sure enough, as soon as the Cha Cha Slide started playing, she took off her fleece jacket and joined the girls on the dance floor. She participated the rest of the hour, following each move a split second behind the leaders. The only difference was...Ange-Laurette had REAL rhythm. We South Dakotans only THINK we can dance!


Bruce had taken the boys along for an oil change. Nate always likes it there since he can get a slush and popcorn while they wait. This day, there was a man making animals out of long balloons. Pierre was intrigued. He came home, took their balloons apart, and put them together again and again into dog shapes. The next day we bought him a package of long, skinny balloons and a hand pump. He proceeded to form mice, elephants, and all sorts of dogs! I told him he could make a mint at birthday parties and carnivals if he kept this up. Ange-Laurette and Nate got into the action and learned to make their own flowers and long dogs. Who'd have thought!

Long-awaited first day of school ~

Today, to me, is almost as big as the day Pierre and Ange-Laurette arrived to South Dakota. The chance to receive an education was such a big part of why their birthparents chose adoption in the first place. I so wish there was a way to tell those mothers where their children are today! Pierre and Ange-Laurette seem to understand the importance of today. They were giddy all morning and wanted to dress up so nice. In the past two days, they have been working so hard on their reading skills. Just last night, Ange-Laurette read every word of Green Eggs and Ham. I about cried! Pierre is practicing on that story each day too. They both packed our two copies of that book in their backpacks, hoping to get to share them with the ESL teacher.


Tigi is the wonderful lady from here in Watertown who has been helping us as an interpreter for the kids. She was born in Haiti and speaks Creyole. She joined the kids today as they walked into their new school, and she will be shadowing them throughout the first 3 days. That way, we can be more certain that the kids understand directions/expectations/routines from the get-go. Tigi will also be able to reassure Pierre and Ange-Laurette and interpret any questions/concerns they have. What a blessing. As their mom, it was harder than leaving a kindergartener their first day! I am confident, though, that both kids will do well. Their teacher and classmates are so very excited and supportive. The entire elementary school has been so interested and encouraging. These are two very lucky kids! We cannot wait to watch them blossom.

We promise there is GRASS under there!

Can you imagine arriving to this winter? Even life-long South Dakotans are getting tired of the constant shoveling and cold. Ange-Laurette sang her own version of a song, "Go away snow. I want to swim." Pierre is always eager to help Bruce with shoveling, but soon the cough sets in. They must be wondering where in the world we have taken them!

A friend sent our kids supplies for snowman artwork. They know all about snowmen, snowboarding, and building forts now. Have you ever seen a snowgirl with pink feathers for hair though? :) IF they had snowmen in Haiti, I am sure they would all be as colorful as Ange-Laurette's version!

Shots were, in their words, "No Good!"

Before the kids could start school, they needed their first series of immunizations. I told them they would be getting two shots in each arm and that we'd go get ice cream afterwards. Ange-Laurette negotiated, "Four shots, four ice cream cones!" When we were called back by the nurse, she corrected herself, "Mom, no shot, no ice cream cone, ok?" :) Unfortunately, Ange-Laurette had a bad reaction to one of the shots, which led to a high fever and a week of arm pain with bruising. She slept most of two days, so it might have been another bug she had as well. But she is back to her super spunky self now!

Those couple days without speaking Creyole with Ange-Laurette and hanging out non-stop with Nate, Pierre really improved in his English. Bruce talked to him on the phone last night and even thought it was NATE that was speaking! Pierre is talking with all Nate's intonations and phrases. Pierre made a hat with string, like he had learned at the orphanage. Nate was a good sport and wore it for a bit. Both boys have smiles pasted on their faces nearly every hour of the day together!

One of those "Forever" photos

We had wanted to try to get a professional photo last weekend, but sometimes these "hurry squish together" shots are the best! Our oldest son and his wife were able to travel here from Minneapolis to meet Pierre and Ange-Laurette for the first time. It was one of those 'beaming parent' weekends, watching 6 very different individuals, at different ages, and with life experiences a world apart interact so well. Their was tons of laughter, foosball, games, and tackling! Bruce and I just really felt like everything was going to be ok. :)