1st Annual Father/Daughter Dance

I just had to share how adorable my daughter is and what a proud papa she has. Jeff & Kasia had their first father/daughter dance at the school. They both had a blast.

Happy New Year!

The kids first Christmas with us was a huge success. We had fun making paper chains for the tree; making, decorating and eating cookies; and gifts galore! The kids continue to enjoy their gifts and even improvised with their new sleds. We had snow but no where to sled and because of where we live, our streets weren't plowed. So, when there's no snow on the ground/hill, sled down the middle of the street! Yes my kids did this!! We celebrated our New Years Eve with our friends/neighbors starting with dinner and then moving on to playing poker (this is a regular event with our neighbors). We all managed to stay awake until midnight (all except Kasia), but by 12:30 everyone was cleared out (I think it's an age thing ;). The kids were excited to get back to school and share with their friends all that they did on their winter break. I have to admit, I was pretty excited about them going back too after 2 weeks 24/7! Most recently, just this past weekend, Bartek & Kasia spent the weekend with their Aunt & Uncle in the mountains while Jeff & I went to spend a night in Estes Park, CO to celebrate Jeff's birthday. A good time was had by all. Happy New Year and wishing everyone many moments of making memories! A few pictures of what we did over Christmas break. Making Gingerbread Houses Decoratng the Christmas tree Making Christmas Cookies Miss Cutie Pie! Making Do With No Where to Sled (Short Clip Videos)

Wesloych Swiat

Wesloych Swiat - Merry Christmas!



To all my family, friends and new friends I've met thru our blogging, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I've dreamt of a Christmas spent with a loving husband and a house full of children, like my own childhood. This year my dreams have come true. And what a perfect time of year to remember Christ our Savior and all he's done for us all. I read something today that touched me deeply, "Man will live forever, because of Christmas Day".

Here's wishing everyone remembers what this season is really about and enjoy your many blessings.

With Love,

The good, the bad and the hilarious

I'm starting to get back into the swing of things and am able to update our blog more frequently.

The good news is, we took the kids to their doctors for a quick physical and their H1N1 shots. They're both very healthy.

The bad news is it was the worst day of my life. Kasia had to get two of her immunization shots updated. Not because she wasn't to date but because they weren't age appropriate while she was in Poland. So that was three shots in her little bitty leg. And did she ever scream!! I don't know who cried more, me or her.

Bartek did great! However every time he said he was ready, the nurse came towards him and he would shout wait! I think it was more the anxiety/anticipation of getting the shot. He had told us the doctors in Poland were awful and gave really bad shots. But he came through like a trooper.

Have you ever played operator? Where one person whispers something in some one's ear and they have to repeat it to the next person and so on.

The hilarious words out of child's mouth.

TV Show the Ghost Whisper: I see and talk to the dead.
Kasia: She talks to beds?

Also Ghost Whisper: Song playing "Good Love" (sounded like true love to me)
Bartek singing: Turn Left! doot doot do Turn Left!

Boy did I need those laughs.

Traditions

Just an FYI to my fellow parents who've adopted from Poland. I was speaking to my friend Izabela who's from Poland about Christmas traditions. She told me that in Poland they celebrate Mikolaj or the feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6. Which means St. Nick comes the night of Dec. 5 and leaves goodies (candies and small gifts) under the kids pillows while they sleep.

This will be a challenge as my son doesn't sleep very well and is awake very early in the morning. However, it's a tradition we plan to incorporate into our lives. Along with attempting the Wigilia (Christmas Eve) dinner and decorating of the tree Christmas Eve (although we may do it on Christmas Eve eve). Any suggestions on that one anyone?

Blessings on all your families and a very Merry Christmas!

Oops forgot the photos

I forgot the photos and another first: Kasia lost her two bottom front teeth.












And giggles galore!

I can't believe it's.....

I can't believe it's been nearly 2 months since my last posting. So much has happened, so many firsts and yet so common.

First let me say all is well with the family. We've just been enjoying getting to know one another. I've come to realize that, although we love these children with all our hearts, it's still a matter of blending 4 personalities, very strong personalities together. It's like being in a relationship, starting with the introduction, and trying to make it work. A little harder to mold their personalities when they're older, and not starting at a younger age :). However, we're committed to the end.

Now, a few firsts:

* I came to realize how much my daughter trusts me. When we first came together, she would never let me brush her hair. Said it hurt, even though when she brushed her hair, she would literally smack the brush against her head and rip it thru her hair. Then it slowly became the routine that I would brush her hair in the morning and at night. But just the other day, when Grandma offered to brush her hair, she said "no I want mama to do it". she trusts me, she really trusts me.

* As you know, they've experienced their first day of school, but now they've had their first progress report and are doing great. Kasia is doing above expected. Bartek is holding his own and getting B's & C's in his classes. Not bad for a 5th grade boy who's only been speaking English for the past 2 1/2 months. Both of them are doing great with their English. They still speak Polish to one another, but unfortunately they're forgetting some of it. I'm going to have to figure out a way to help them save it. Even though Bartek says he doesn't like Poland any more. This saddens me. But I know he's trying to fit in.

* They've had their first trick-or-treating experience. They knew what Halloween was and had experienced it in Poland but, never trick-or-treating. It took me 2 weeks to make both their costumes, but I managed to finish in time, even though I worked on them right up to the night they went out.

* We took our first road trip (20 hours in a pick-up) together, to Wisconsin. Where they met my dad for the first time, some aunts & uncles, and many cousins. Not all of them yet, but the majority of them.

* They experienced their first Colorado snowfall (2 feet in a 24 hour period).

* Their first s'mores. We couldn't camp outside so we had movie night where we all slept in our sleeping bags on the family room floor and watched movies and made s'mores in the fireplace.

* And, of course their first Thanksgiving!

Well, I think that's it or now. We're very thankful to all our firsts, and the fact that we're finally together as a family. Many blessings to all our new and old friends, and families. And just in case we don't make it back again for another 2 months, a very Merry Christmas and Happy Chanuka!