Octopus made from a hot dog. Super simple to cut the legs. Talk about putting some fun and wow into a lunch.
Dill pickles and cloud/bird shapes from swiss cheese using Kotobuki Vegetable Cutters
Good Stuff & Giving Back
Bento of the Day
Adoption Process – My Other Part-Time Job
I’ve resigned from other extra-curricular and volunteer positions so that I have time to breathe and balance my most important commitments. Regardless, I don’t feel like I have any extra time because the adoption process is like a part-time job. The difference compared to my part-time practice is that my chiropractic job is really a full-time job+ with the hours it accrues each week. Parenting and being a wife and keeping a home–that’s a full-time job.
So, throw in 10+ online hours of Hague convention training, adoption paperwork, appointments, and required text readings (several chunky books), and I feel like I’m in school again.
So far, we’re in the home visit aspect of the process. We only have a handful of minor details to complete before we’ll get a social worker scheduled to meet with us in our home. We’re getting a little bit closer!
Today, I took our four year-old son Calvin to a lab where they drew four vials of blood (after sticking his vein twice). This was a necessary test to prove he doesn’t have tuberculosis. Yes, we could have done the Mantou skin test, but since there are several studies and reports indicating possible serious side effects in children (similar to having a negative reaction to a vaccine), we opted for a blood draw. It was somewhat traumatic for Calvin. He was probably expecting it to feel more like acupuncture needles (he’s used to those needles and they don’t bother him one bit). Although, I tried to prepare him for the uncomfortable sensation–he sat on my lap, and I coaxed him to turn his face away, he was utterly surprised and mad as a hornet once the needle was in. After some thrashing about, it was out, and jabbed back in.
The venipuncture technician allowed him to take a breather, sip on water, and try to calm down before she made a second attempt. I assured him that it would be over quickly, but if he kicked and the needle slipped out, we’d have to do it yet again. I urged him to sit still, and the second time he did. As soon as the event was over, I praised him for his bravery and told him we could go home.
On the way out of the lab, he told me with utter distaste, “Mommy, I do NOT like that place. I don’t EVER want to go back there.”
Me: “It’s not fun like Mommy’s office, is it?”
Calvin: “Oh no. It’s not fun. At. All.”
Me: “But, you were SO brave. I’m so very proud of you. I can’t wait to tell Daddy.”
He didn’t want me to tell Daddy. He was in a sore mood and ready to think about something else. So, we went home where he relaxed on the couch and I let him watch a Leap Frog video while I prepared dinner.
Even after a shower and a show and tell session with Daddy where he showed off his bandage, he continued to remark how sore his arm was after the blood test.
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All three of us have to make some significant sacrifices for the adoption, but as of late, I don’t think any of us sacrificed more than Calvin. He was somewhat prepared for his role in lab tests and physicals after reading the book A Sister for Matthew
Bento of the Day
Mixed greens with Tillamook cheese and red bell peppers and dried cherries drizzled with a lemony italian dressing are garnished with a fish-molded hard-boiled egg with sesame and nori seasoning. My son took one look and declared “Yum! I like stars!”. I think this bento will return home empty.
When Kids Play
Rough and tumble wrestling in piles of leaves and competitive foot races were the highlights of Thanksgiving when Calvin played loud and tough games with his slightly older cousin Jonah.
Such a stark contrast to Christmastime in Pennsylvania where Calvin and his five year-old cousin Livia spent the better part of most days playing contentedly in their grandparents’ basement. Sometimes they’d play video games, but usually, they played games directed by Livia–house and parents.
Curious, I entered their playhouse realm and snapped a few photos while they posed for the camera in their superhero capes. A few days earlier they had dyed the play silk scarves with packets of kool-aid, vinegar, and water.
“Hi, Mommy. We’re playing parents. Livie’s the mommy and I’m the daddy. We’re going to have a birthday party for the baby!”
The table scape has place settings for 3, and the little muffin tins are full of Lite Brite
While I snapped this photo, the kids had just taken their seats at the table and folded their hands. Calvin asked his cousin to pray . . .
“Dear God. Thank for our baby. Amen!”
By this point, I was dying of giggles from the utter cuteness of these two darling children.
Baby’s in her high chair, while the “parents” are set on the birthday party tea. If you look very closely, you’ll notice that Livia is wearing blue eye shadow. Oh yes, this little lady got all decked out for pretend play today.
It was so sweet to see how gentle our energetic son could be when playing with a little girl. Also, he was just as happy playing “parents” and “house” all week as he is at home playing with dinosaurs and trucks. I think Calvin is going to be a wonderful big brother.
Bento of the Day
Using leftover baked chicken from last night’s dinner, I heated it up and chopped it finely. Then, I rolled it with leftover rice and nori. After slicing the pieces, I dusted the top with seaweed and sesame rice seasoning. Due to my son’s special request, the sushi was garnished with red bell peppers.
This lunch was completely devoured when my son came home from preschool.
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