Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The clocks are ticking




We want to thank everyone for their comments and well wishes. Those of you that have taken this journey know just how much it means. We feel truly blessed to have such support.

The boys are very excited to go to school in the morning and love to show us everything in their backpacks after the day is over. We spend a lot of time in the evening with homework and it surprises us just how much they have to do every week. We have signed them up for ESL summer school for the month of June. It is a half day and will be held at the school they attend. We will probably find something else after that as well.

We started with a new idea for getting them up in the morning and ready for bed. Jeison and Johnnatan can get themselves ready but most of our time was spent keeping them focused. So we purchased alarm clocks and made a list of morning tasks and evening tasks. Once they have these completed they receive a quarter, so fifty cents each day. This has worked really well and they get up, shower, dress and come downstairs to eat, then back up to brush their teeth. In the evening it is PJs, getting their clothes out for the next day and brushing their teeth. We will add Juan into this routine one day but for now he needs assistance. A bit later we will add some household tasks so they can earn more. They love to help around the house but we just like to take time between changes in routine or adding something new.

Each of the boys now have their own room. Jeison and Juan were sharing but kept asking when the room downstairs would be ready for Juan. So we let him try sleeping by himself to make sure he was going to like it and then decorated the room and moved his things. It is much easier for us as well since he is on the same level as us. He is usually the first one to get up in the morning and likes to crawl in the bed with us for a bit.

I (Ramona) went back to work on Monday which was earlier than planned. Since the boys are in school it was not necessary for me to be home during the day. I surprised myself at how much I missed the challenge work offers. I missed everyone there and looked forward to being back again. The company and managers have been very supportive and this allows me to work while the boys are in school but be there in time to pick them up. Larry takes them to school in the morning. I do miss seeing them in the mornings but would rather be able to see them after school and have time to spend playing and talking to them.

As you can see in the pictures a family donated a trampoline to us. The boys so love it! We also bought a very tiny pool. They cannot swim so we are afraid to get something any deeper. But the boys do not seem to care it is small. The trampoline and pool are the first things they want to do after school.








3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the update and pictures. Looks like alot of fun! We had neighbors that gave us a trampoline also and the boys love it! It's a great way to let them expend some energy (Mom and Dad too).
    Karen

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  2. boys and work are keeping both of you really busy. boys look like they are enjoying backyard gymastics and school. how is english speaking coming along? do they talk about colombia or are they putting that part of their lives behind them? well hope to all soon, love john and karen

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  3. What great pictures of the boys. I don't get to the library often so when I scanned through the pictures the family picture of you was wonderful. Just wanted to say Hi. Will be talking to you soon. Love, John and Karen

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