I’ve made the decision to cut back on my blogging for awhile. I still plan to blog often, multiple times a week, but not every day. First of all, because we’re at that point where things are pretty similar day to day. And secondly, because it’s hard to keep up blogging + everything else on a daily basis. Big L has expressed a desire to stay up later with me. I can’t blame her. A bedtime suited for a 3yo is not the same bedtime I’d give a preteen. I’ve already set the expectation that if she wants to stay up, she needs to take some time to do her own thing– read the Bible, do a puzzle, journal, etc., but I would also like to spend some of this time with her. AND get to bed at a reasonable hour. Blogging on a daily basis is the thing that needs to go right now.

My mom built the kids a teepee. So cool, right? And, Lena, Big L and I now all have matching toenails. Lena asked me this morning if I’d paint hers. I told her that I would in the evening, after I was done working. So, the second I was outside, away from my laptop she said, “Are you done working?” “Yes.” “Will you paint my nails?!?!” And then later, she told my mom that she looked “Adorable” with her nails painted.

These two being silly together. It’s so sweet.

And the month of June is almost over. Another month crossed off on my 365.

What a month. It was very full of excitement! I’ll do a separate blog post on my must capture list for June and my must capture list for July.

Today started off a bit rougher. My allergies were in full swing, but a morning with kids means getting together 4 bowls of yogurt before I’m fully awake. Plus at least 2 hugs and 1-2 children whining. All of this left me feeling rather cranky and worn out. Keeping it real, y’all.

I ended up needing to set a few boundaries with Big L. She really loves to be with me and be touching me. I try to welcome this as often as possible, but between her and Gus, I definitely get “touched out” and in need of space. And after she tried to read my email over my shoulder, I told her “Sometimes adults need space and privacy.” She looked confused for a second, then apologized.

I was worried that she’d feel bad or even mad at me. But, in hindsight, I think that was perfect. She didn’t seem upset with me at all, but has backed off on reading over my shoulder at least. While her English is still pretty rough, I still think that she understands enough to be nosey or catch something she shouldn’t. And, as much as I want to build our relationship, of course there need to be adult/child boundaries, too.

Our afternoon was a lot smoother. And, we all headed over to my sister’s house so that the boys could get hair cuts.

No, not one of the children getting hair cuts.

There’s one of the scrappy children desperately in need of a hair cut.

Big L wanted a shot of us making hearts with our hands together.

My mom with some of her grandkids. She is an amazing grandma. Obviously adored by all of her grandkids.

Here’s the boy getting his buzz. His hair took a lot of work, but my sister did a wonderful job. Thank you, Nicole.

Meanwhile, Gus was pushed in the swing.

And secrets were told.

Gus got more of a trim than a full blown haircut. Basically to remove the hair in the back that was too long and bit around his ears. He got to stay in the swing and watch his favorite TV show on my phone.

Another wonderful haircut by my sister. Glad for her help in getting the unruly creatures looking a bit more like boys again.

We went to the pool again after dinner.

Big L has started throwing Reed and his cousin, who is 6. She is usually chasing my older two nephews around, but will stop and toss these two when they yell “L, throw us! Throw us!”

I have seen Big L playing with each of my kids and their cousins. I like that about her– that she will interact with each child in their own way.

My mom has a waterproof camera, which I borrowed for a bit.

I have been trying to get this shot for awhile. These two run and jump into the pool holding hands.

It kills me with the cuteness of it.

V is really good about taking Gus. He’s quite fond of her, too.

Since he needs to be held constantly in the pool, it’s nice to have another set of hands to give me a break and hold him for a quick whirl around the pool.

She really loves the pool.

Just two silly shots from leaving the pool. On the left, Gus walked over to his littlest cousin and said “hi!” Pretty cute. On the right, brothers. These two crack me up together. While I’m sure they have their moments, they also seem to have such a fun, silly relationship.

I let Big L stay up after the younger 3 went to bed for a special girls’ night. We did clay masks and our nails. Here are some fake nails that she picked out. I am SO not a fan now, but I remember liking them at that age. She was clearly fascinated and they were what she wanted for her special choice at the store yesterday. They can only last so long, right?

We also watched Doctor Who together. She’s spent so much time doing little kid things that I think she really enjoyed this big girl night. I’m glad she stayed up a bit later with me. I think she really enjoyed the one-on-one time and doing something geared more towards her than my 3 little kids. It was a time to share something I love with her (Doctor Who) and also love on her (doing her nails & rubbing her feet).

Any host families have good ideas for boundaries and/or bonding to share?

Well, first thing we did today was a puzzle. Big L and I did most of it together, but Lena helped a bit. I haven’t done puzzles in years, but I’m finding them so relaxing.

Then the mail came. My mom recently read the book Infinitely More by Alex Krutov. It is SO worth the read if you haven’t already. He grew up in the orphanage system of St. Petersburg. He talks about visiting the US and how difficult it was to see his host mom throw away mail, even junk mail, because he’d never gotten mail for himself.

My mom made sure that Big L got her own mail.

And, I decided to post on Facebook asking for people to send cards. A simple card just to say “hello!” or share a favorite Bible verse.  The response has been wonderful and I’m so excited to see her reaction. I cannot wait for her to begin to realize that so many people care about her.

In the afternoon, we went on a crazy shopping adventure. I needed to return something to a store and we needed to grab a few essentials for Big L. Lena tagged along and it was a fun little girls’ shopping trip. We also picked up Big L’s glasses. She refuses to wear them. If anyone has any great tips on encouraging a preteen to wear glasses, please let me know.

Big L is really silly and does ridiculous stuff like this when we go shopping.

In the evening, we went to the pool with my sister and her family. Everyone got to spend time with their cousins. 10 kids and they all play together pretty well, especially with the pool involved. Everyone had a blast.

Out of focus, but oh well. Cousins holding hands and jumping into the pool together.

Gus and Big L. I love how he says her name. The L turns into a W and it’s simply adorable. She is wonderful with him– picking him up when he’s upset and I am busy, helping him with his clothes, tickling him, unbuckling his seat when it’s time to get out of the car, etc. He was the last to accept her, being a bit uncertain about having another person around, but he loves her now.

That’s our Saturday. Full and fun.

Big L finished this huge puzzle today. 

She loves dogs. Which is good. ‘Cause, you know, we have dogs.

This is my sister’s dog.

I’m not sure if Lena is Leif’s biking coach or if Leif is Lena’s running coach.

I got the kids sunglasses awhile ago for 99 cents at Children’s Place. I finally remembered to give Big L hers and they’re a big hit. They also perfectly match her swimsuit.

She asked me to help her download some music today. She spent the evening listening to it. I was going to ask her to help with dinner, but she was really enjoying listening to it. After so much English for the past week, I’m sure it’s nice to listen to something familiar.

This happened. Magically. I only had to bribe one of them. My bribe was a reminder that it was…

Movie night, of course!

Today also marked one week down. In a way, it’s hard to believe it’s only been one week. 8.5 weeks left.

Today was a lot better than yesterday.

We started this puzzle. Reed and Lena really wanted to help…

Big L suddenly turned super camera shy. She and my nephew were playing a camera of avoiding the camera. But, she told me that she doesn’t like how she looks in photographs.

We talked for awhile tonight via Google Translate. I told her that she needs to let me take her photo, so I can make her a photo album. I told her that I want lots of photos of her because I will miss her when she has to go back. We also talked a little bit about our beliefs and I told her how I believe that God made her and that’s she is beautiful because God made her. She told me that she does not believe in God, yet she seemed to like the idea that she is beautiful because she is created by God.

I also took about 500 selfies and and let her take 500 more ridiculous photos. I made the least flattering faces and she was just laughing and laughing. I was going to share some, but they’re on my phone, and I’m too tired to get them…

After all this, she seemed to believe me. She was back to smiling for me, instead of dodging the camera. It’s something that I really want her to get, not so that I can take pictures, but because I think it’s so ingrained in her sense of self that she is not beautiful. And she’s at such an impressionable age for her body image. We talk about a lot of things– how good she is at cards or knitting or making bracelets. How helpful she is. How she has strong muscles. All of that she will believe, but she yells “NO!” if I tell her she is beautiful. I look forward to talking with her more about it later. I really hope to build up her confidence in herself this summer, not physical beauty, but to really know that she is priceless.

She let me take this cute picture of her with Reed.

Then she turned full on adorable silly for me.

I think she’s adorable and I’m glad she’s sharing more and more of herself with me. After all of our talking and silly picture taking, she shared some Russian music with me and asked me to download it and play it for her. Of course. I’m glad to be getting to know her better.