I Love Quiet Mornings!

I sit here watching the sun come up as I drink my coffee, thankful for a nice day.
The girls will be up shortly and another day of death defying activities (let's hope not) will begin.
Last night, after the girls went to bed, I put our dining room table together in the basement and set it up as a craft table. Our new house has it's definite perks, but a dining room is not one of them, so the table will work as a perfect craft area downstairs.
I have the girls watching different Leap Frog videos in the morning now. While their language skills have improved DRASTICALLY, they have hit a bit of a plateau over the last few weeks and I would really like to push through it. They love the videos and the info seems to be sinking so I am hopeful that Macie will begin to recognize some letters and maybe even spell a few simple word within the nest week or two.
Ella has reached this stage where she is either super sneaky, or super cuddly. She cracks me up. If she is doing something wrong and she knows it she will give me her best "What Momma? Aren't I cute?" face and pretend that being frozen in place with Daddy's hammer, Momma's cell phone, or any number of other do-not-touch items tucked behind her back is completely normal. I wish I could catch it on film. It is hysterical and usually I have to fight from smiling.
After doing her time (time-out) she will snuggle into my neck and insist on pressing her face as far into me as humanly possible and then giggling. She is such a nuzzler! Then the moment passes and she is back to finding something else to get into. It is such a neat phase (I say that at the BEGINNING of the day). The learning consequences, loves to cuddle, I think if I give her the right face I can get away with it phase. I will miss it when it passes.
Macie is taking on the older sister role quite well. She is very good at directing the activities that she and Ella take part in, as well as letting Ella know when she is doing something wrong. She has to be in the know about everything and well prepared for any changes in a day or a weeks plans. By well prepared, I mean any changes in daily routine need to be talked about before they are accomplished. From errand running to play time/play date changes, all of it is talked about so that she doesn't feel uneasy or uncertain as to what is going on.
I think much of that need comes from her age at the time she was relinquished and then brought home to us. Ella was young enough, that I think her memories of Ethiopia are fading quickly (if not already gone) although we try to keep the good ones alive as much as possible. Macie though, remembers bits and pieces still, and I think more importantly, it is the memories of separation and emotional upheaval that are ingrained in her little heart. It is the connection to that pain I think, that instills her need to know about any change, even simple ones, in a day.
We are learning so much about them still. We have talked to other adoptive families and agree when they assure us there is much change yet to come. They say it takes a couple of years to really learn your kids, especially when they are adopted as toddlers. Being where we are now, I can see the truth in that. They have only spent one month longer with us than they spent in the care center, so we are really just beginning to scratch at the surface of their little personalities. They really are amazing.... AMAZING kids. I couldn't be prouder.
Anyway, I thought I would give you an ACTUAL update on what the girls are doing/learning. It is a start to another day with no mistakes in it yet. The sun is out and the coffee couldn't be better. YUMMIE!!!!