Now A Family of *gulp* Six.

My friend's husband's sister (got that?) recently returned from Ethiopia with their new daughter. She's made the comment on her own blog that she is having a hard time organizing thoughts and starting to blog about their trip. For a variety of reasons, I know where she's coming from. I don't think I blogged much about Russia when we returned... the impact of a new kid in the house superceded for a long our impressions of our journey. Plus, we had the benefit of computer access (for a price, as everything in Russia) so we emailed our loved ones the pertinent information. We verbalized a lot with our pictures to those who were looking at them, but blogging... not so much. On the other hand I think, for people who are emotionally invested, although far away, from the new arrival probably want to hear about an adoption trip. People who are adopting soon, too, want details. It's hard... when pregnant, everyone close can share in the bulging belly, the monthly updates...

I went back today for the beginning of marathon meetings - 2-1/2 days of designing formative & summative assessments. Ack. Gag. Although it's not as bad as it sounds... the 8th grade Social Studies dept., usually known for being better friends with each other than most other departments (and therefore get less work done), actually created "Power Standards" and began aligning them with the summative assessments we already have. Impressive, no? Roman is showing all the signs of too much excitement back to preschool. Some of his buddies are trickling back from a summer away (Garrett was there today!) and his exhaustion and crying over silly things tonight is proof of an exhilerating day. Rebekka goes tomorrow for orientation from 8-11am; meet principals, tour the school, "student leaders" give talks, etc. I, meanwhile, am going to play the role of pushy parent and ask the office why her counselor hasn't called to create a schedule for her. School starts nex...

I did forget a funny thing he said in the car. Roman kept trying to roll down the window in the car. When we asked him why he had to have it down on the highway, he said "I need some fresh country air!" Too funny! I've attached a picture of Rebekka to the bottom of the post, although she doesn't look quite like this now. She had an appt. at a salon today (for free) and got herself a new hairstyle and some more natural-looking blonder highlights. Got herself some bangs and everything! It's been quite exciting around here the past two days due to the big thunderstorms. The civil siren went off both last night and tonight. Here they are very anxious; they set off that stupid horn just for "severe thunderstorms." On the west side, I don't think they ever use them except for high winds or tornadoes/water spouts. Here, now, I've heard it 3 times in six years. I don't believe I ever heard it living on the coast. Anyway, we headed to the basement las...

In the car ride on the way home from camping today, Roman was thoroughly entertaining. He would ask random questions, or say the funniest things. Here are two of my favorites: "Why do people have watches?" "Daddy, I love you. I love you as much as I want to play with the Legos in the box when we get home." Adventures for us this week: register Rebekka for school, get her state ID (so she can open a bank account), I am going to work a morning at school when kids pick up their new schedules, perhaps host one of Rebekka's friends from the girl's home for dinner (we've met the friend's family already), it's "Castles" week at preschool for Roman (dragons and make your own shield!), and I have to start getting my parent letter retyped and prepared. I have one week of summer vacation left.

We all had a vacation, and we all came back somewhat refreshed. Roman spent 5 days with my parents, Rebekka spent 5 days with her family, and we spent 5 days in SF with Doug's family. So everyone was happy. We missed Ro like crazy, worried about Rebekka, but still ended up having a very good time! We did Napa and hit 5 wineries, took a trolley "bus" tour, visited Alcatraz, and did some shopping both in the "high end" district & in Chinatown. Had some amazing meals, too. Even a 3-hour time change got us this time, however... we must be getting old. Posted all my pictures over at Snapfish. Email me if I didn't send you the link to see them. Riding a trolley car tour Waiting for my prison supplies at Alcatraz Checking our course on the Pampanito submarine

This is the first summer I think I'm looking forward to summer ending. Perhaps because so much is happening in August that I'm feeling rushed. Got a trip to California, a Family Camp, and then I'm at school. Rebekka changes things too, we have to help register her at school one of these days. Plus, my days here at home now are different than previous typical summer days, and I want to go back to what is familiar. Although at the same time, I'm not ready to meet parents, set up rules again, etc. I feel that my brain hasn't had enough "down time." In a couple weeks Roman will be back at his preschool for 2 days, and I'll be able to head into school and start organizing my space - and my head. This past week seemed so SLOW to me. So different with a third person around. It's not bad, just different. I'm in charge of Roman and I tell him how it is. Now I have to check with Rebekka, arrange things with her schedule. And Roman at VBS was strange ...

Today, finally, FINALLY... we applied for Roman's "delayed registration of foreign birth." Meaning, he can have a Michigan-looking birth certificate. We should have done this when we first got back, but we had to go downtown Detroit, Doug had to take a day off, etc., etc... and the months flew by. So we turned in the paperwork today at 1:30. When the cert. arrives in the mail, we can apply for his American passport, just like all the other millions of citizens who have to do it before 2008. But this really is the last step of the adoption... before he's 18 and has to (hopefully) give up his Russian citizenship. Otherwise, all is well here. Learning each other's schedules, habits, tastes. It's weird not having any time to myself at ALL now. Usually I would have Roman's rest time, or when he was at preschool... but not anymore! And talk about taxi driving... Rebekka was still going back for art classes to finish some things, so I'd take her out there, ...