Matt and Maria are speaking more and more English every day. . We are speaking to them like we would Caroline and Luke. They are not asking "what is this...." as often as they were. These two are so motivated to fit in. Now, we just need to take that motivation and start reading. They are truly amazing. Someone came up to them yesterday at church and spoke Russian to them. They walked away. We tried to explained that they should not walk away, but Matt told us, "Only English. I am in America."
Also yesterday, they experienced fishing. They have been asking to fish for a few days. We purchased new hooks and corks and took them to the pond. They are so happy to be fishing. They kissed us over and over again. They just want to catch dinner. Matt wants to catch something for Mom to cook. Dad does not want to clean the catch. Maria just wants someone to bait her hook. We are calling this fishing program a "catch and release plan". In other words, no cleaning and cooking of the fish. They were so noisy fishing that the fish swam to the other side of the pond. What a time!
Today, Caroline decided to mow the yard with the riding lawn mower. Matt wanted to ride the mower, but Cindy said no. He was not happy, so he started up the push mower and just randomly started mowing the yard. He followed no pattern. Cindy tried to channel this energy to the front yard. Maria felt left out, so she started pushing the mower with Matt. So, let me further explain what was happening. Caroline is riding the lawn tractor. Matt and Maria are pushing the same lawn mower. Gretchen, our dog, is running wild with excitement. Cindy is stumbling around trying to capture all of this on her camera. Tom was in Rhode Island and telephoned home wanting to talk to his family. Cindy explained the above situation, and Tom just laughed. Tonight, the yard is cut. That is all that I can say at this time.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sunday June 24, 2007
Matt and Maria are busy enjoying their first American summer. They just adore swimming and cannot get enough time in the pool. Matt can keep himself afloat in the pool with no problems. He just needs to learn the strokes. Maria is starting to be more comfortable in the water and starting to keep herself afloat. She has more to learn. We plan on enrolling them in lessons in July. June has also been busy with sports camps.
Maria participated in Volleyball and basketball camps. She enjoyed both activities, but she will tell you that she likes basketball better. Of course, she is in Indiana. Matt had basketball camp two weeks ago. He won the passing contest and came in 3rd in the free throw shooting contest.
He adapts easily to any sport. Both children are playing tennis in July and on a soccer team in the fall. They cannot wait to officially play a soccer game.
Maria turned 10 on Wednesday, June 20th. As always, the Uhrig child having the birthday picked the dinner menu for the day. She asked for Polish sausage, french fries, broccoli and Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake. We all enjoyed the meal and the day. She liked opening presents. We even gave Matt a present, so he did not feel left out.
Luke is in China on a mission trip. Today, we spoke to him via a satellite phone in church. The kids are still wondering how we saw Luke on the screen at church and when will he ever stay home. One time Maria asked if Luke lived at school because she seldom saw him.
Our phone bill was higher this month but I can report that the random dailing has stopped. We are happy for that and no broken fingers.
Maria participated in Volleyball and basketball camps. She enjoyed both activities, but she will tell you that she likes basketball better. Of course, she is in Indiana. Matt had basketball camp two weeks ago. He won the passing contest and came in 3rd in the free throw shooting contest.
He adapts easily to any sport. Both children are playing tennis in July and on a soccer team in the fall. They cannot wait to officially play a soccer game.
Maria turned 10 on Wednesday, June 20th. As always, the Uhrig child having the birthday picked the dinner menu for the day. She asked for Polish sausage, french fries, broccoli and Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake. We all enjoyed the meal and the day. She liked opening presents. We even gave Matt a present, so he did not feel left out.
Luke is in China on a mission trip. Today, we spoke to him via a satellite phone in church. The kids are still wondering how we saw Luke on the screen at church and when will he ever stay home. One time Maria asked if Luke lived at school because she seldom saw him.
Our phone bill was higher this month but I can report that the random dailing has stopped. We are happy for that and no broken fingers.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Wednesday, June 7, 2007
Buttons, buttons, buttons. Matt and Maria cannot stop pushing buttons. They could be an elevator button, telephone buttons, TV remote or the garage door openers. Cindy has the homelink feature in her car. Homelink lets you use the button which is built in the sun visor to operate the garage door. Matt has reprogrammed that feature. We are trying to figure out how to restore it to its original state.
For the past few nights, the television has been on ESPN about 11:30pm. Cindy thought since school is out, the older guys are watching television late at night. NO, this is not the case. Someone programmed the television to come on at 11:32 pm. It will run for 2 hours then shut off. Tom figured out how to deprogram the TV.
Someone called our house last week and asked why we are calling their number then hanging up when they answer the phone. That was the last straw. Cindy told the kids that prank callers will have broken fingers. Matt and Maria have stopped the random dialing of the phone.
For the past few nights, the television has been on ESPN about 11:30pm. Cindy thought since school is out, the older guys are watching television late at night. NO, this is not the case. Someone programmed the television to come on at 11:32 pm. It will run for 2 hours then shut off. Tom figured out how to deprogram the TV.
Someone called our house last week and asked why we are calling their number then hanging up when they answer the phone. That was the last straw. Cindy told the kids that prank callers will have broken fingers. Matt and Maria have stopped the random dialing of the phone.
Monday, June 4, 2007
June 4, 2007
We have been in the US for more than 4 weeks. Matt and Maria really benefited from attending school. They can read about 100 to 150 words now. They are really trying to communicate in English. When Tom tries to speak Russian to them, they tell him, "No. Only English." We hope they retain their native language skills but are thrilled that they want to speak only English. At this time, Matt will speak Russian to Maria when he wants to make her angry. When he turns to her and starts speaking in Russian, we immediately tell him, "Be nice."
This past weekend, we traveled to Chicago to visit Tom's sister and her family. Maria and Matt did not understand cousins until now. Even though they have met Cindy's sister and her family, they did not understand the word cousin. Now they are speaking about their cousin, Stephen, who is close to their age. We also visited China Town and ate at a wonderful resturant. They did not like several of the dishes, but with time, they will. They like traveling and living a hotel, which as a pool. They are sad that we need to leave tomorrow.
Yesterday, we took them to the Shedd Aquarium. This is the first American Museum/Aquarium experience. They handled it better than they did in Ukraine. Their attention span is slowly growing longer. This is a good sign.
School ended last Thursday. Matt won a medal in a basketball contest. We do not know excactly what he did to earn the medal, but he is very proud. Maria and Matt just enjoy the school and were a bit sad that it was the end of the year. Little do they know, that summer school may be in the cards for them. We are still waiting to hear about this.
This past weekend, we traveled to Chicago to visit Tom's sister and her family. Maria and Matt did not understand cousins until now. Even though they have met Cindy's sister and her family, they did not understand the word cousin. Now they are speaking about their cousin, Stephen, who is close to their age. We also visited China Town and ate at a wonderful resturant. They did not like several of the dishes, but with time, they will. They like traveling and living a hotel, which as a pool. They are sad that we need to leave tomorrow.
Yesterday, we took them to the Shedd Aquarium. This is the first American Museum/Aquarium experience. They handled it better than they did in Ukraine. Their attention span is slowly growing longer. This is a good sign.
School ended last Thursday. Matt won a medal in a basketball contest. We do not know excactly what he did to earn the medal, but he is very proud. Maria and Matt just enjoy the school and were a bit sad that it was the end of the year. Little do they know, that summer school may be in the cards for them. We are still waiting to hear about this.
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