Pencils Needed to Remember 1.5 Million Children

I usually do no openly solicit for things but I feel like this is an important cause. It is important that we as society do not forgot the Holocaust. The Holocaust happened because people did not respect people's religion, race, and ethnicity. We need to continue to teach our children that no matter what religion, race, or ethnic background you are, you are still a person.

On that note, I am soliciting for donations. Please continue to read below.

Did you know that 1.5 million children died in the Holocaust?

As part of our Temple's rememberence service, we have started a project to collect 1.5 million pencils. We have a hard time understanding the concept of a number that large. To show us how large a number that is, we would like to demonstrate it in collecting pencils.

Pencils for children who never had the chance to grow up and reach their fullest potential.

Please consider donating a box of new pencils.

I will be collecting them until Holocaust Remembrance Day which is April 21st, 2009.

Please email me at pencils4children@yahoo.com and I will send you my address to send the pencils to.

She Scores!

We spent the weekend afternoon's on the soccer field. Very difficult with an active two year old. He ate his way through the games.

Emily scored her very first academy team goal! Way to go Emmy Girl! Mommy and Daddy were very proud of her. She is learning so much this year.

Ricky was also very excited to see Sissy play on the field. Bill and Emily left the house at 2 pm on Sunday to go watch the A team play. Emily's B team didn't play till 4 pm. So Ricky and I left the house about 3:45 pm. When we got to the field and he saw Sissy on the playing field he immediately got all excited - pointing and yelling. He started to sign Sissy and pointing and clapping. He loves his Big Sister!

Birthday Pictures and an Update on the kids

Here are some photo's of Ricky's birthday party. It was just a small party with family. He definitely enjoyed his cake as you can see! By the time he was done he needed a bath and his high chair needed a scrubbing.

Emily is doing great. She is number 1 in her class for reading. She has already met her goal and the quarter isn't over yet. I cannot keep up with her and her reading. She is in 3rd grade reading at 6th grade level. This sometimes presents challenges because I have to make sure the books are appropriate for her. She was also voted on by her classmates to be YellowJacket of the Month. Basically students vote for the person who has a good attitude, helps others and does well in school. She is learning about rocks and minerals in science, and Indians in her Focus (advanced placement class). Finally, she has started her academy soccer. She had to try out for this and be accepted based on her skill level. She is probably one of the youngest on her team of under 10 year old girls. Right now there are two teams the A team and B team. Emily is on the B team - it is hard to go from superstar on the rec league to being just good on this team. Emily has to step up her level of skills in this new league. She is having fun and that is what counts. Her last practice we saw some new skills emerge - her coach even came up to her and told her this is what he needs to see out of her.

Ricky is doing good as well. Boy is he a handful. Bill and I are exhausted. He is 100 percent go from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to sleep. We cannot wait for 8 pm to come each day! He is trying to talk his words include

Sit, Hat, Hot, Eat, Socks, Book, Banana, Night Night, Bye bye and Hi. Of course he says these words his own way but I can understand what he means.

We went to the cleft team today. Ricky is headed back for surgery already. The surgeon is being aggressive with him because of his age. Ricky's soft palate (all the way in the back) has opened - we knew this. Plus too much air is getting out of his nose. So they are going to lengthen his palate. Not sure yet when this will be done but we are looking at December.

One year ago...

we saw this face that changed our lives forever. Happy Referral Day!

Happy 2nd Birthday Ricky!

Today is Ricky's birthday. We brought in cupcakes for his daycare class to help in celebrate. Officially we will celebrate with the family on Sunday, Sept 7th. We are having a small family birthday party then.

I'm also remembering Ricky's birthmother in China today. I would love for her to know that he is safe, happy, and healthy. I have to think that she is thinking about him around this time of the month.