Skating with Santa

On Sunday we all went to skate with Santa (except San) at our local rink. It was nice to all be able to skate at the same time. Teddy is getting better, he still relies on the crates but can really make them move. Ollie is a one-footed pusher but cruises right along. Lil had some "private" lessons from a lady who used to teach for SCAD but has since moved out west. Max and Ollie wouldn't sit on Santa's lap and Santa told Lilly Max has been on the naughty list in the past. Lilly enjoyed skating with one of her friends, and Ollie still likes to throw the snow!

A early winter weekend

Even though the winter solstice has not yet passed, it sure felt like winter this weekend. We attended both performances of the Lyme Christmas Pageant and Lil did a great job with the bells. We got the rink up and started filling it and the kids went sledding. Max and Megan built an awesome gingerbread house, it took them 2 hours. It finished off with a few inches of fresh snow even though the forecast only called for one. San went to Boston and it sounded like she had a good time because of lots of food.

Max

Max wanted to know why he wasn't in many of the pictures with the Gingerbread Man post. I wanted to dedicate a post just to Max. Max is 17 and lives with 3 young siblings that just idolize him. When he walks through the door after school he's greeted like a celebrity. They want to play with him, they want him to pick them up and throw them around. They climb on him and poke him while he is trying to sleep. And if I had to get up at 4:30AM for hockey I couldn't come home and be as great as he is to them! When Teddy sees he is home he runs and get his mini hockey sticks and Max takes time to play with him. Max takes time to hang out with all three of them. Max will babysit for Ken and I. He will pick up and take them to their events. He runs to the store for milk for me. He pretty much does anything we ask of him. Max is fun to be around and can always make me smile even when I'm not too happy with him. I don't think we could ask for a better son and brother. We love you Max.

Because we all love pictures the best here are more

Snow and Gingerbread Men

I don't think Teddy has every played in the snow before. I had to force him to hold it in his hand! But he has taken right to it. He's great about bundling up to go out and play and I think he is loving wearing his snow boots. Then after playing in the snow what else can you do but have hot chocolate. It's so fun to watch Teddy follow along with family traditions with a smile always on his face. Then that night Gingerbread Man! Some years we do house and others Men. This year it was Men. And so much sugar! Teddy would have covered his man head to toe in candy it we let him. The only thing that was missing was Sannie.

Teddy update: This week he started ESL sessions. He will have them 2-3 times a week. We are having a hard time with him wanting to show off to any adult. I asked his teacher not to hug/touch/rub him. She wast so good at that Ill need to remind her. He is using only English now even though we encourage him to still speak Chinese. At school I had to let his ESL teacher know that she needs to tell him what they are going to do not ask him if he wants to do something. His response to doing work is "no thank you". He will act bored or tired if he is asked to do work. Then he needs a drink, use the bathroom or has some kind of boo boo. HMMMMM. But he is still doing well adjusting to living in a family and having more girls then boys around.

Tree lighting

We had a nice time at the Lyme Green tree lighting. It was a little cool, but the sky was clear and there was no wind. Santa came in on the fire truck and started the count down, and the tree came on as expected (unlike some previous years...). Then Santa sat and had children sit in his lap and handed out small candy canes. Ollie and Teddy did not go up, but Lilly did and asked for a Dora Links doll. We headed over to the church for goodies and hot cider. The sugar cookies were good, they had small chicken salad sandwiches which were very good, and lots of other choices.

The Tree is up

Our new tradition now that Sannie is in College is we put up our tree during her (short) Thanksgiving break. It was another wonderful sunny day and we were able to find our tree in no time. Teddy didn't have any idea what we were doing. He wasn't very excited that we were going for a walk in the woods, walking not being one of his favorite things. But he had lots of fun putting the ornaments on the tree! He is very good about not touching the village we put out and not pushing the buttons on all the noise making (I mean Christmas music) decorations we have (MOM) too much. Then came time to take the family photo. If I could write the dread into that line I would! So its not the favorite time for me family photo time. Usually Sannie CAN NOT keep her eyes open and Ken has even had to "fix" her in our photos. But San kept her eyes open in ALL the photos! Max wasn't feeling well but he looks good Lil and the little ones had the hardest time but its over.

Thanksgiving

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we all had. Teddy loved having the crowd around. I think that's the part of the orphanage he misses most is having a lot of people around. And then there was food everywhere and we allowed him to eat all the veggies and dip he wanted. Teddy loves his food so this was a great holiday for him! We had 12 people around our table a little crowded but the food and company was great. After dinner the girls wanted the Grandparents to see them roller skate so they all went out for a walk while I cleaned again and then the little kids helped daddy bury the hole Max dug for Ken to fix the basement leak. Work off the dinner! Our niece Jade came with Ken's parents that was nice for Sannie and Max to have someone their age and it was nice to have her.

Oops pictures didn't post

November in NH ?

Wow what great weather we have been having! So when it's a typical NH Sunday in November and the sun is out and its almost 60 deg, OH wait that's not typical end of November weather in NH!!! So we took advantage of this wonderful weather and got our Christmas decorations on the house, the wreaths on the barn and our outdoor tree up and it's to exciting to have it done and my fingers weren't numb. The kids loved the weather (they had their shoes off) and I could barley keep Ollie dressed. They all got out on the roof to help Daddy with the lights.
*Teddy update. He loves going to Chinese class with Lil but it doesn't start again til Jan. I really think he misses having someone to talk to who can understand him and talk back. His teacher says he talks constantly while he is there. We work everyday on colors, numbers and shapes. He and Ollie are pretty good pals most of the time. She likes her space and sometimes doesn't want Teddy in it. I asked at Chinese class for the teacher to ask him if he likes his name and he said yes. If someone calls him Ted he corrects them and says Teddy. Funny story he has been talking about "potatoes" a lot and I was surprised he new what they were. We've had them for dinner but I didn't remember him knowing what they were. Well today I found out its not "potatoes" he wants all the time its "playdough"! He must think we are crazy!!! We had out playdough about a week back and he's been asking to play with it again. Crazy mommy!

What's new?

Well I think its been about a month that we have been home. It's been busy with the end of Midget Hockey, States and Regionals. We got to go stay in a hotel! Even the girls weren't excited about that and they love hotels. Teddy got his first pair of Hockey skates and I took him skating with Lil and Ollie (sorry no pictures). Teddy didn't enjoy it, too much work. But we stayed on the ice for a good 30-40 min. Lilly and Ollie can skate by themselves so I gave Teddy some crates to balance with and they would come and check on him on their way around. We've had two IEP meetings one for Ollie and one for Teddy. Both of them are able to get wonderful services. We have a great school district. Teddy is saying a lot of phrases: No more, more please, water/milk please, get shoes, love you or love you too (Ollie says that a lot), books please, and he will repeat most anything you say or try and I think he understands a lot especially if you use hand gestures. BUT it would be nice to know what he is saying he talks constantly. And I gave him a hair cut tonight (he has sensitive hair :o) And yes those are Barbies in the pictures!!

Halloween 2

Trick or treating was a multi-generational event for us this year. It was great to have San home and Grandma and Grandpa usually dress up for work, so they were easy to convince. We went early because of a late hockey game and to try and beat the rain, the kids did great and stayed dry for the most part. Ollie ended up with more candy than the others, she was a little more aggressive on the help your self bowls!

First Week Home

How has our week been? Very busy. We got home on Thur night Ken and Max had two hockey games that weekend, Teddy went to his first hockey game. I think he's sold on hockey! Ken went back to work on Mon. Lil had a hard time getting adjusted to the changing back of the time and I kept her home one day and sent her late another. I haven't been able to stay up later then 9 and we are all having a hard time with jet lag. We've carved our pumpkins, went trick or treating, had guests, San came home for a long weekend from school and more hockey games. Enjoy the pictures I'll post more on adjustment later.

Last one from China

Well we are packing up and checking out soon.  We don't leave for another 4 hours so we are going to leave our luggage down stairs and venture off to McDonald's again.  Ken thinks he can get us there directly this time.  I hope so because another family is coming with us!  We enjoyed our last breakfast at the Victory this morning.  The food has been good, the kids and Ken seem to enjoy it.  Everything from Chines to American to European items to eat.  I stuck with toast and fried rice.  All my stomach could handle.  Lilly did a toast this morning "To home"  and that was a big cheers from us!  So next time we post it will be from Hong Kong.  Good buy China.