Smart is the New Gansta

Loving the little gym.. you should see this girl shake a tail feather. Winter "Show" is next month :-)

It's hard to believe it's been almost two years since I adopted Hannie.  Time has flown, each day continues to be a blessing, especially now that we seem to be leaving the terrible two's behind us (although word on the street is THREEnagers are much worse, uh oh).  I can't believe I am actually starting to look at preschools for next August.  It may seem early, but in fact, I am probably about 3 years late.  Parents camped out for 10 days last week in freezing cold temperatures here in Cincinnati for a shot at getting their kids into the German Immersion Magnet School.  The Academy of World Languages is even harder to get into, not to mention it's an hour drive from our house.  But it's really important to me that Hannah grow up with a global awareness and perspective.  I want her to be, as her Godmother puts it, "At Home In the World." So what to do?  Do we move? Spend summers abroad?  Do we go with the local preschool and get a language tutor?  Lots of tough decisions to be made between now and then.  I read recently that companies on the S &P 500 generate 46% of their profits outside of the US.  And yet, only 37% of young American's can find Iraq (a country troops have been in since 2003) on a map.  But that is a soapbox rant for another day.  If anyone has any suggestions on education, they would be appreciated.   

In other news, I am probably going to be changing the focus of my blog. For so long, it has been adoption centered, and, although I will always be an adoption advocate at heart, at this point in my life, my total focus is on being a parent.  I recently ordered an online home-school curriculum for Hannie and I am happy to report she has proven to be a bright and enthusiastic little scholar.  In the past week, she has learned to identify coins, recognize 10 sight words, comprehend basic comparative and superlative terminology, and use basic scissor skills.  If anyone is interested, I have videos of all of her lessons (I'll post sight words below).  I wish I could go back 3 years and tell panicked pre-adoptive parent compulsive worrier angst ridden me that there would be days like today, when my child impresses me so much it actually takes my breath away.  Good for her. Clearly, smart is the new gangsta.

What has also captured our attention lately, as the frigid temps set in, is arts and craft projects. This is funny because we Herman's are not what you would call Do It Yourself-ers.  My dad once tried to jump a friend's car and, long story short, was declared legally dead for three minutes (joking).  In college, we had to build a mechanical model of the human larynx.  I thought I had done but a pretty good job until I came out of my room one morning and found mine just sitting on the counter....Spontaneously on fire. You get the picture.

  But if at first you don't succeed, right?  So here is a sneak peak of our projects....

Project 1: Treats for Hannah's upcoming 1st Annual Christmas Tea Party (courtesy of Pinterest)...
              

Project 2, Hannie's Dress Up Clothes Bin Christmas Present (made for less that $30)...If anyone wants the directions, just shoot me an email.










Project 3, dress making for Hannah's Christmas Picture.....





So I know I said I was getting away from adoption, but just remembered a couple of things.. HERE is a great product called Leaves of Love which is actually a Family Tree Kit for adoptive families. Also, THERE is a great list of stories explaining adoption to children.  Also, sad to report that Peace Corps is LEAVING Kazakhstan.

So I guess that is the direction my blog is going...sewing, cooking, adoption building, crafting, maybe a little photography, traveling with kids, etc. And I'll do it as long as it keeps making me happy.  And of course, I'll keep adding pictures of a super cute, tenacious, terrific two year who calls me Mom. Happy Thanksgiving, Turkeys! ~Erin