School Today

Today we added some art to our school day. We read a book on an artist and the many beautiful colors there are - learning many color names the kids had never heard of. Then they all took some time to paint and mix colors together to make their own pieces of art. Bethany used her soft pastels instead of paint to mix and make her picture.They all had such a great time and we ended up spending a lot more time than I meant to doing this. But, it was worth it and we ended up having such a nice school day and learning some new things about colors, mixing, and jobs artists can have. We even had time for all our other subjects before the day was over. It was a good day. 

January

I have always disliked the months of January and February very much - just too cold and messy. This January has been a fairly pleasant month and it has seemed to go by quickly. Now, if February can do the same it would be great. We have read a lot this month and spent a lot of time on art and small projects and that has also made the month seem to go by fast. Bethany and Tess are getting ready to make the rag rugs that we read about in The Long Winter. I bought a craft book and a sewing book to go along with the series and there are some really nice projects we will be working on. Most of the kids love to do the projects and especially love it if we have some recipes we also make. 

I took this picture of Evelyn and Claire on Saturday. Evelyn said she was fixing Claire's hair for Sunday morning. 

Four Years Ago

Four years ago this month I was in China with my daughter, Abigail. We had traveled to complete the adoption of Piper and Tess. On this day four years ago we were just about at the end of our journey and would be heading home in a few days. When I look back to this day both girls look so small and sometimes lost. It has been a good four years with Piper and Tess. They have done so well, and I can't imagine life without them. Piper and Tess definitely know how to brighten up a day and bring enthusiasm to just about anything we do. I have never seen more enthusiastic girls in my life and we are so blessed that they are a part of our family. 

A funny little thing I remembered as I looked at these pictures today was that very frequently when I would walk with Piper and hold her hand she would pinch me - really hard. Though, once we got home she never did it again. 

Guangzhou, China - January 14, 2016. 

What We Are Reading

We just finished reading The Pink Motel by Carol Ryrie Brink. I remember how much my oldest daughter loved this book when she was a kid. Now her younger siblings have enjoyed the same book she loved so much years later. Then we started The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder. We read just about every book in the series last year, but we did not read this one for some reason. I'm sure this is a good choice for the cold winter days ahead. 

Again, this girl always smiles. She knows how to make a dark day bright. 

Fourth Try

We have been trying to get some dental work done for Sophia for over a year. It sounds unbelievable but every single time she is scheduled to go to the hospital she has a seizure and her neurologist and anesthesiologist have both agreed every single time that she could not be put to sleep and have the work done. Friday was the new scheduled day for the hospital. We went for the pre-op on Thursday and things were good. We got home and walked in the door from the pediatrician and she immediately had a seizure. I could not believe it. She had not had one in over two months. It was a small one so I called the neurologist and hoped he would say go ahead with the dental work. He actually left it up to the dentist and anesthesiologist this time. Our dentist said to go ahead and be at the hospital Friday morning. So, we go up at 4:30 am and went to the hospital to be sent home at 7:10. It was a no go - the fourth attempt! 

It seems like this dental work will not get done. She will go months with no issues, but as soon as we are scheduled for the hospital she has a seizure! The doctors said they just did not feel comfortable putting her to sleep. We came home and she did have another one that same day so maybe it was for the best. Now back to the neurologist. 

Haircut

I have been letting Bella's bangs grow out for quite sometime. We all thought she would look so cute with her hair pulled to the side and a little hair barrette. But, I just couldn't get used to it, and it was constantly messy with her barrette falling out. So, today I took her and got her hair cut and she has bangs again and I think I like it so much better. Maybe when she's a little older we will try again. 

Happy New Year

We have started off our new year by being lazy and the girls have worked on a few projects and built all kinds of things with their Snap Circuits. They are enjoying these days as they have been beautiful and warm. Hard to believe how nice it has been. 

Just a few pictures from today.