soda overload...

I never buy pop in the States and usually only drink it while on vacation. I have to say.. I have had my fair share and then some. My poor kidneys have been assaulted. While I am not ready to go home yet, I am looking forward to my ice maker and my big 'ole water jug.

We are packing it up and getting ready to leave on Saturday. The boys say they miss the dog, but are not ready to go home yet. Both girls miss their beds and say they miss home and the dog.

We did not get our usual underwater handstand and night swim pictures this year even though we did both.  We may try one more time tomorrow.

Ownership

We have not done school yet this week (of course it is only Tuesday morning), but the kids have learned and experienced so much other stuff that I once again feel like it trumps worksheets.  The children have enjoyed a lot of "ladder ball" and surprisingly, Jeanna is very good at it.

I am having lots of feelings about posting highlights of our vacation, but really want to have the documentation. One of my favorite lines that the Judge says during the adoption process is that "...this child will now have all the rights and privileges of this family..."

It is my privilege to be able to share this life with my children, to see their faces of "first WOW's!!!" and hear them say, "Mommy look!" even if it is the millionth time they have done a flip in the water.

I own my feelings... I own my privilege.

Swimming



I heard: "un,  deux,  trois, GO!" about a million times during that week.  

We have had 4 great days in a row of swimming. First someone let the girls use their underwater camera for an afternoon and they took tons of underwater pictures.The next day ocean was FABULOUS and a whole crowd went body surfing. Jordan had a blast and it was pure entertainment for those of us who did not brave the waves. Last night on 11/11/11 there was a full moon. We had spent the night at a different resort for a few nights and they had a heated, salt water pool that was so warm that when Jackson stuck his foot in, he quickly pulled it back out... I thought he had gotten burned. We went for a night swim and it was wonderful. The moon was bright, the water was warm and we had the pool to ourselves. We had so much fun.

The Big Dipper

The evenings here are beautiful and the deck off the ocean is a wonderful place to spend time just before bedtime. We can see the stars so well as there are very few "city" lights. The 7 stars of the Big Dipper are very clear tonight and a neat experience for the kids.

Pictureless Post

It's weird not doing picture post this year while on vacation, but because my foster child is with us it is too hard to edit her out and really no fun to not be able to show her. She is really enjoying the beach and is slowly learning to swim.

Girl Speak

We met a new family this year from Quebec, Canada. While the mother does speak a very small amount of English, the rest of the family only speaks French. They have 2 little girls who decided before they came to try to learn a few English phrases. Jordan has been in girl power mode and so happy to have someone to play with again this year. She is learning so many French words, but mostly they play, swim and giggle together. Little girls giggling together is an International language!

It Has Been Nice

We are having a nice time. Getting through security was the easiest yet! My foster child (whom we will now refer to as "Jeanna") had a bit of a panic thing when they told her to take her shoes and backpack off and then put them on the belt to disappear into the black hole. LOL! But Jordan was very sweet with her and showed her that her things came out on the other side.

The flight was awesome and the kids received tons of compliaments because of their great behavior. It was a pleasure to fly with them. The new airport in Nassau is.....ummm.... interestingly not completed, but customs was extremely easy.

As it is with every new child, it is fun to see Jeanna experience new things. She loves the beach and swimming.

Peace