He's the BOMB!

That was Andrea's comment after her brother delivered his 3 minute speech to the School Board on Tuesday evening!  We were so proud I could barely contain the tears of joy!  How blessed we are with two incredible children, who are also so bright!  We couldn't get a decent picture in the auditorium due to poor lighting - so here's a pic taken at home in his "I'm going to deliver my speech to the School Board" outfit.

First Broken Bone!

Today was a day that every parent dreads, but most assuredly will happen in the course of 18 years.  Having just been parents for two years, James and I  were just bragging about how neither of the kids had had any mishaps requiring a visit to the emergency room.  Well that ended today! 

About 10 minutes before school got out for the day Justin hurt his hand (right one of course) and the nurse thought it could be broken - well that nursing school paid off - she made a correct diagnosis.  Of course we headed to the emergency room where the MD, with many more years of medical training than the school nurse, took just four and a  half hours to determine the same thing. 
So, we leave the hospital having had  two different sets of xrays - one to determine the diagnosis and one later to be sure that the doctor had set the bone properly, lots of questions - including are you safe at home - which cracked me up since it happened at school, a splint, an ace bandage, and 5 sheets of instructions including a page on the benefits of quitting smoking (I guess that is information required to be given to all 11 year olds who break a bone), and the peace of mind knowing that in 6 weeks his hand will be back to normal. 
At least it wasn't anything worse~ Justin's big concern is not the pain or the healing or the not being able to take a shower without a big plastic bag around his hand . . .no!  It is "How do you expect me to just sit there and watch the other kids do PE or play at recess??????? This is not FAIR!"

The Phone Rings . . .

. . . and the school number pops up and it is not one of the daily annoying robo calls reminding me that it is early dismissal day or they are selling 500 calorie, $3.00 ice cream bars after school in the rain - no it is the principal - loud and clear - not on a recording asking for MRS. DAVIDSON!  Now the kids had been home for about an hour and neither had confessed to any wrongdoing at school so I did respond softly and hesitantly with "This is she."  Fortunately, the principal quickly assured me that nothing was wrong and I could resume breathing.  So here's how it went . . .

Justin has been nominated by his teacher of 4 days to speak at the school board meeting on September 28th.  He needs to write an essay on they joys of being a student at his school for the past 2+ years and and then deliver that in a speech to the school board, oh and by the way Mrs. Davidson you and your husband MAY attend the meeting.  Are you nuts (I'm thinking) we will have his whole fan club there!!!!!
Of course, I say, we will clear our busy schedule (dinner, bedtime, etc.) and Justin will be happy to spend the next 20 days writing the perfect speech and delivering it to the school board and anyone else who just happens to be there.  And is there anything else my perfect children can do for you Mrs. Principal???? Just let us know . . .
Another proud mama moment  . . .

First Day of School (or Bragging Mother)

Believe it or not this is already our third year at our local elementary school and it will be just 2 years on October 22nd that the kids came home to live.  When they entered school with us Andrea was in the second grade and Justin was in third.  Each school year has been amazing as we have watched them develop emotionally, socially, and academically. 

We feel so blessed to have very bright children - Justin was placed in the GATE class this year and Andrea is with a very strong teacher with high expectations.  They both did extremely well on their STAR testing. James and I are constantly amazed that despite their less than desirable beginnings, and the adjustment to a permanent adoptive home, that they are both demonstrating the love of learning, and are enormously successful students.  Oh no,  am I turning into "ONE OF THOSE PARENTS" again . . .  now I get it . . . you just can't help yourself!!  So proud!

Oh and by the way did I mention they are beautiful, too? ? ? See for yourself as you view their first day of fourth and fifth grades!