Getting Ready for Halloween

It is hard to believe it is October already and time to get ready for Halloween again!  For the first few years, we took the kids to a pumpkin farm to pick out their own pumpkins.  Now we have resorted to Sam's or Walmart due to the busyness of other activities.  Here is a picture of carving pumpkins our first Halloween together in October 2011 and then this year.  The kids have grown up and have changed so much!

October 2011

                                              October 2015

                                                                      

Ingrid Goes To CA

All of the kids have had the opportunity to go on a class trip with their school each year.  Their school feels strongly about teaching the kids beyond what is just in the classroom.  It has been a great experience for them all! Earlier this Fall, Juan had the chance to go to Catalina Island in CA.  Ingrid has now had the opportunity to go to Astro Camp in CA.  She learned all about space and had a great time.  We are very thankful that they are having these opportunities, and they do so well away from home.

A Field Trip to CA!

One of the things we love about the kids' school is their emphasis on learning outside of the classroom.  Juan had the opportunity to go to the Grand Canyon last year and traveled to Catalina Island this Fall.  The kids spent time at the marina learning about biology.  One of many activities they had the opportunity to do was to go snorkeling.  He had a great time!

The Girls Play Volleyball

The girls played volleyball for the first time this Fall with their school's team.  They had practice every week and then had the opportunity to play in one big game called a Jamboree.  They had a great time and learned a lot.

Basketball Time for Ingrid

We have tried to give the kids different activities to try over the past four years.  It is hard to believe we have had the kids for four years now!  Ingrid has enjoyed ballet, soccer, swim team, and basketball.  Basketball is definitely her favorite so far.  We found a special league for her to play on through a local church, and we all love it!  She has practice once a week and a game on Saturday.  In the middle of each practice, they stop and do a small devotional with the kids.  Ingrid is the only girl on this team but doesn't mind it.  She is very fast and loves it. Like Juan's baseball team, the focus is on learning to work as a team and improving their skills rather than just winning or losing the game.

Ingrid Rides Her First Horse

For Ingrid's birthday, one of her special presents was to go on a trail ride with Dainis.  We were a little nervous, but she loves horses.  This was her first time on a horse, and she did great.  They went on a two hour sunset trail ride through one of the small nearby mountains.  She had a blast and would definitely do it again!

Baseball Time for Juan

Juan has participated in soccer and swim team in the past.  His older brother is very talented in soccer, but Juan is now getting excited about baseball.  He will be playing Little League for a city league for the first time this Fall and is so excited.  We love his coach!  He is very focused on helping the kids improve their skills, having everyone try every position, encouraging outside practice, and concentrating on becoming a better team throughout the season rather than how many games the kids win or lose.  We are excited to see Juan play, and it is great to have him find something he likes!

Dainis took Juan to a Diamondbacks game as part of his birthday gift from us last month.  They had great seats, and Juan got the autograph from one of the catchers.  On top of it all, he made the highlights on the sports portions of one of the local news stations!

Trumpet Time

Juan's school had a Patriot's Day where a small band played, poems that the scholars had written were read, those in our Armed Forces were recognized, and there was a moment of silence for all of those who died on 9/11.  Juan was one of the trumpet players chosen to be a part of the band.  He is doing great learning his instrument and practicing every night!

Back To School!

The kids are all attending Odyssey Preparatory Academy charter school again this year and love it!  It is hard to believe it is their third year there.

Juan is at the elementary school again this year and in the 5th grade.  This is his last year there, and he will move up to junior high next year.  So, this is a big year for him.  He really likes all of his teachers and got his favorite teacher as his home room teacher.  In 5th grade, the kids change classes for every subject this year. They stay together with their home room class except for Language arts and Math.  They break out to different teachers for Language Arts and Math based on their skill level.  Juan loves school!

Ingrid moved up to the junior high school this year.  Her campus is about 10 minutes from Juan's.  I take the kids to Juan's school every morning and the girls ride a shuttle bus from Juan's school to their school and then back to Juan's in the afternoon.  I then pick everyone at Juan's school in the afternoon.  Juan's school is only about 10 minutes away from our new house, which I love.  Although Ingrid was a little nervous at first, she really likes the school and her teachers.  She changes class just like she did last year in 5th grade.

Angie is in 8th grade this year and is now on the same junior high campus this year with Ingrid.  This is a big year for Angie as it is the last year before high school.  Angie doesn't love having her little sister at her same campus but they don't see each other much.  Angie changes classes but it is with a different group of kids each class based on her skills in each class.  She really likes all of her teachers.  Up until 8th grade, the kids have PE.  In 8th grade, the kids can chose between PE or Fitness Training.  Angie chose Fitness Training, and it is a lot more strength training.  Surprisingly, she loves it, which we are very happy about.

The one thing we are trying to do this year is really take a step back and leave the school work and communication with teachers up to the kids.  Their school is very big on having their students, called scholars, be responsible for their own work and accountable to their teachers.  We are excited for a good year for all three kids!

Special Times This Summer!

Our kids have an older brother and sister that were adopted by a family at the same time as we adopted our kids.  They live in WI.  It breaks our heart that they have been separated, but we try and do all we can to keep them in touch with each other.  We strongly encourage regular phone calls and try and arrange for the kids to be together in person every six months.  We planned a family vacation to WI in July.  The kids were surprised by the special gift of being allowed to stay for the whole month of July.  It was a chance of a lifetime experience, and we are so glad they had that time together.  There month together concluded in a road trip from WI to AZ.  The highlight of the trip was Yellowstone!  We know they made lasting memories together.