Kindergarten is Exhausting

It really is.

But we are loving it.  From computers to music to seeing Mama and Papa at school, it's been fun.  Conleigh might be in for a rude awakening this week though.  Last week, after many days of fun, "let's get back into the routine" type activities, she informed me that kindergarten was so much better than preschool because you don't have to do worksheets.  I'm pretty sure that will not be true once things get going.

More Exciting News...I800 Cabled

Adoption Timeline for Zeke 
(Waiting child from an agency specific list)

Submit LOI (Letter of Intent) to China that identifies a child you'd like to adopt.  (Submitted LOI December 20)

Wait 1-4 weeks for Pre Approval/PA (Received January 3)

Complete homestudy and start assembling dossier (3-4 months)

*Complete homestudy (started mid December, homestudy completed by homestudy agency March 1)

*Send in I800a paperwork (can't apply for the I800a until you have your completed homestudy, application received by USCIS March 8)

*Be fingerprinted  (Received original fingerprint date of April 17, walked in to Omaha USCIS office to be fingerprinted April 5)

*Receive I800a approval  (Received verbal approval April 12, will hopefully have it in hand at the beginning of next week)

*Authenticate documents at the secretary of state's office  (All are done)
*Send documents to the US Department of State and then the Chinese Consulate  (Have to have the I800a approval authenticated by the secretary of state before we can send our documents)

Send dossier to China on May 11 (DTC)

Wait for LID (log in date) which is China acknowledging that your dossier has been received (LID of May 23)

Wait for LOA (Letter of Approval) which is China formally approving you as parents for your child-July 18

File I800, I864 (US immigration paperwork).  Wait for I800 approval (USCIS received our I800 7/23 and we received our approval letter back on 8/4)

Have I800 approval cabled to US Consulate in China (August 13)

Wait for Article 5 (2-3 weeks)

Wait for travel approval (TA), 2-4 weeks

It's shaping up to be an October homecoming.  Late September is maybe even possible.  Guess we'll just wait and see.  (And yes, one of the dates is Zeke's in our process is Zeke's birthday which I love.  Kenson shares my birthday, Conleigh came home on her birthday, and Zeke's USCIS paperwork was received by USCIS on his birthday.)

First Day of Kindergarten

Off to kindergarten...  

We had a few tears on Sunday night but there was no looking back on Monday morning.  Guess it helps to know Dad's at school with you.  My biggest worries?  Hoping Conleigh remembered that the lunchroom was called the cafeteria and not the cemetery and hoping Conleigh did not drive her teacher crazy with her newest learned skill, whistling.

Conleigh's apple skirt is so cute!  The body is apple trees and the pockets are shaped like ric rac with apple words like "Granny Smith" and "Golden Delicious."  Thank you, Hancock Fabrics!

What We've Been Up To

Well, because I apparently cannot stand dull and boring...in the 7 days we have done on birthday, a big move, and the first day of school.  (And managed to survive no Internet for a week.)

My family members:  be sure to note the cardinal solar light, a gift from the grandma.  I know you'll appreciate it.   We actually received a box of goodies for every room in the house so apparently the solar light was the outside.  

Not My Usual Post

A few weeks ago, it dawned on me that I was going to need to get a diaper bag.  One of those "we're going to have a 2 year old pretty soon" moments.  After looking at several options, I decided to order one from a small business on Etsy.  I just got it today and I am smitten.  It's made from oil cloth which is kind of like vinyl but better.  Beth at Beth's Market Bags has many different fabric choices and sizes.  You can mix and match fabrics, add pockets, add zippers, shorten straps, etc..  The bags would be great for so many things:  swimming, shopping, library totes...I think the list is endless.  Without further ado, here's the bag.

I800 Approval (14 days)

Adoption Timeline for Zeke 
(Waiting child from an agency specific list)

Submit LOI (Letter of Intent) to China that identifies a child you'd like to adopt.  (Submitted LOI December 20)

Wait 1-4 weeks for Pre Approval/PA (Received January 3)

Complete homestudy and start assembling dossier (3-4 months)

*Complete homestudy (started mid December, homestudy completed by homestudy agency March 1)

*Send in I800a paperwork (can't apply for the I800a until you have your completed homestudy, application received by USCIS March 8)

*Be fingerprinted  (Received original fingerprint date of April 17, walked in to Omaha USCIS office to be fingerprinted April 5)

*Receive I800a approval  (Received verbal approval April 12, will hopefully have it in hand at the beginning of next week)

*Authenticate documents at the secretary of state's office  (All are done)
*Send documents to the US Department of State and then the Chinese Consulate  (Have to have the I800a approval authenticated by the secretary of state before we can send our documents)

Send dossier to China on May 11 (DTC)

Wait for LID (log in date) which is China acknowledging that your dossier has been received (LID of May 23)

Wait for LOA (Letter of Approval) which is China formally approving you as parents for your child-July 18

File I800, I864 (US immigration paperwork).  Wait for I800 approval (USCIS received our I800 7/23 and we received our approval letter back on 8/4)

Have I800 approval cabled to US Consulate in China (2 weeks)

Wait for Article 5 (2-3 weeks)

Wait for travel approval (TA), 2-4 weeks

It's shaping up to be an October homecoming.  Late September is maybe even possible.  Guess we'll just wait and see.  (And yes, one of the dates is Zeke's in our process is Zeke's birthday which I love.  Kenson shares my birthday, Conleigh came home on her birthday, and Zeke's USCIS paperwork was received by USCIS on his birthday.)

Guess who's taking swimming lessons?

And guess who is also the "girl of a thousand faces?"

Highlights so far...bobbing, front and back floating, going down the slides and for Conleigh, jumping off the diving board