Saturday

Sorry to be a couple of days between posts. We've been simply being a family.

Its funny, I continue to be amazed at the kids. I "told" on Paul when Marty got home from work for not picking up his things the other night and Marty looked at him and exclaimed.

"What? You didn't pick up your toys? No!!! You didn't do that, did you?"

He looked blank and confused. Then his eyes danced. The corners of his mouth quivered into a grin. And then he was beaming.

"You are SOOOOOO busted buddy" I told him. We'd heard while in Ethiopia that some of the older kids in the orphanage had passed along the information to "play dumb" to get away with things and to be able to do/get what you want. He's normal! :o)

Yesterday Marty had a meeting at work so I was here with all the children (Sarah and Andy included). We all ended up squeezing into the van (Andy between the two high-backed booster car seats in the back) and went to McDonald's. I deliberately picked between 10:30-11 so that we could miss a lot of the ruckus. We made sure everyone had shoes with socks so nobody was excluded.

And we ended up having a LARGE time. Even Julia who has never been too interested in climbing was convinced eventually to head up to the top and go down the slide (sandwiched between a brother and sister) with squeals of glee. She then proceeded to a table and pointed deliberately at the empty top. This gal means business.

So Sarah and I went to order just basic food (burgers) and Julia made sure we got the order right. She didn't ever fully return to play once we had food. The boys would stop and grab a bite or two then take off again. Mary? She simply wanted to be able to sip something cool and wet every so often - I'm not sure she ever took a bite. After about an hour and a half they were tired but happy.

Late yesterday afternoon we went to take a walk. Marty, Andy, and Paul took the three dogs to the bike trail for the longer version while Sarah and I took the girls and Sam around the "loop" where we planned on stopping at the playground. Sam has a habit of if something isn't going exactly as he desires he pulled the potty card. He asked me to carry him. We were three houses down. I explained that a walk means we should walk.

Twenty seconds later I was told that he was in dire need of bathroom facilities. It was urgent. We head back and Sarah and the girls continue. Of course we get home and he opens the door with such force as I have a dent in the drywall with chipped paint and he races to the bathroom to emerge . . . seven seconds later. He's normal too!

Yesterday evening we celebrated Sheryl's birthday, almost a month late. She was actually on a trip out of town with Mike when her birthday occurred and then we were preparing for Ethiopia when she returned . . . but this is her first Phillipson birthday and I wanted to make sure she felt welcomed with a cake . . . and the children more than agreed. The boys think it is a nice tradition. We had to relight the cake to allow Sheryl a chance to blow her own candles and it was simply fun.

Then Paul discovered we owned a Wii. We don't utilize it weekly - but it is something that we do for entertainment as a family. We bowled. Everyone got a turn and it was simply fun. We also had to do the game where you race while riding cows (you don't have to push a button) and it was a hoot especially when Paul and Sam were racing. Any attempt to guide them or assist was met with definite resistance! What fun.

Our first week is over. We had once instance where we caught Julia deliberately scratching and I was amazed at her attack on Mary for something she perceived Samuel to have done (Sam removed a toy from the couch that she and Mary were sitting on so Julia protested and attacked Mary). I had not seen this behavior since Julia first came home and although the children had reported it to me, I did not want to believe it was happening and certainly not to the degree I witnessed.

But we'll get through it.

Let me run. The boys are awake and I'd like to attempt to allow the girls, Marty, and the grown kids the possibility of being able to get more rest this morning. We need a sound-proof room for that to happen!