How's it going?

We get this question a lot!  For the most part, things are going well.  We have setbacks and meltdowns, but what family doesn't?  We are only 3 months in and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Language
The boys are speaking more English every day.  They still speak mostly Hungarian to each other but they speak English to us.  I do hear them saying English words to each other but it's still mainly Hungarian.  They understand a lot of what we say.  I compare it to a 1.5-2 year old who's learning to talk.  We don't understand most of what they say, but they understand us. 

Getting along
For the most part, everyone gets along.  Gus is probably having the most difficult time adjusting to the changes.  He's had us to himself for almost 11 years and now he has to share us.  The boys are ok because they were used to house with 7 people in it, so only having 5 might be a nice change for them.

School
The boys are doing well in school.  They have ups and downs and the teachers assure us that all the kids have good days and bad days.  It's just hard to have good reports for several days and then go to school and hear that Drew bit his teacher or Sam spit on someone.  I think that it's still mainly a frustration thing that they aren't understood, but I know some of it comes from not getting their way.  We've met with both of their teachers so that we are on the same pages and using a lot of the same phrases/words for consistency.  I think it was a good decision to have them separated because they seem to be learning English faster and their personalities are blossoming.

Haircuts

For a long time, Aaron gave Gus haircuts.  This lasted for about 5-6 years.  Aaron would pull out the clippers and set up shop outside or in the living room.  I think they both always enjoyed this.  As time went on though, we just didn't have time and it was easy to just stop in some place and have Gus's hair cut there.  But now with 3 boys, Aaron is ready to be frugal again.  He decided to give all 3 boys hair cuts on Tuesday.

I'm a bad mom because I didn't get Gus's picture.  I went to the grocery store instead.

The big 5!!

Drew turned 5 on Wednesday.  We kept it small and just had pizza and cake here at the house.  We started talking about his birthday on Tuesday.  His teacher told me that he kept saying 5 all day Tuesday.  On Wednesday, he got a Happy Birthday ribbon at school and we had a cupcake party with his class.
 

I made his cake like I did for Gus when he was little.  It won't win Cake Wars, but it tasted yummy!!

Sam did not like that Drew was getting all the attention.  He kept pointing at the presents and asking "Sam?"  He would get so sad when we said no.  He also kept asking if it was his birthday and when we said "in 30 days".  Sam would say "OK" then ask us again in 5 minutes.  He's asked me every day since then if it's his birthday.

Outside dryer

I walked outside the other day and saw that Sam had discovered the outside dryer vent.  He had the biggest smile on his face and was so proud of himself for discovering a way to dry his hair.

Of course, by the time I went inside, grabbed the camera and came back out, he and Drew had pulled the cover off and pulled the tube out, disconnecting it from the dryer hose.  This is a staged photo after I put everything back together.

Lake trip

We took the boys to Lake Mackenzie this past weekend.  They had a blast!  We are pretty sure it was their first time around a lake, on a boat, fishing and maybe even flying a kite.  They took to all 4 pretty quickly.

Waiting is no fun!

Excited for his turn!

Sam kept saying "Fast, Dad, fast!"

Aaron brought all 3 boys Texas Rangers hats

Gus is getting so big and had a great time too!