They were hooked.
That was how I convinced Iceman to not complain about church. He kept whining, "No, No, No", when he heard he was going to church. When I told him he had to go or else we couldn't swim, he was okay.
I find I have to negotiate often with him. He wants his way, all the time, but I know the word for "house" and "swim". I give him the choice and he always obeys.
Zane said Iceman "REALLY liked" the kids group at church. I believe it.
These kids have changed so much in the past few days. We've had no issues with jet lag. Yesterday, Iceman had to go to the bathroom 3 times at Schlitterbahn. We're praying that the food we're trying to stick to his bones doesn't continue to pass on through!
Next to "Mami", Iceman's favorite word might be the word for bicycle. Can't get him to stop asking to ride! It's hot out there and one of us has to supervise.
Yesterday, as I woke up... EXHAUSTED... I put on 25 minutes of cartoons while I prepared their breakfast. It worked! And I didn't think they had any interest in TV! J has been so exhausted and continues to want them to sit and watch TV with him. They generally don't.
I have so many great pictures of their faces. It's a shame I can't post. You can text me and I'll send you some.
If they had a choice, they'd swim everyday. And, let me tell you... you have have probably never seen swimming like these kids. Picture a bear crawl, in the water. They flop around, very awkwardly. They make big splashes for such tiny creatures. They do look silly. A lifeguard was even making fun of Sunshine once. That didn't make me happy.
Ray and I have been trying to help them straighten their limbs.
I was talking with Shelia today and her host daughter, from the same town as mine, swims the same way. They flail around in the water, like they might drown. They're actually okay, though. Iceman still needs a life jacket for Schlitterbahn, but Sunshine is perfectly fine... she just looks a
strange.
Iceman prefers to do the strange bear/drowning swim and then lay there, floating in a ball. I've seen a lifeguard or two look at him, for a long time.
All in all, Schlitterbahn elevated my stress levels. There were so many people there. The host kids are so little. They were AWESOME at staying with us at all times... even though Iceman continued to want to do his own thing. Sunshine continues to be quiet, smile and just go along with anything we're doing. I don't know what she's thinking about much. She seems to like all the clothes she has... except for some board shorts I bought her. They were too big and her face said, "Are you crazy, making me try these on?"
Iceman makes us laugh... continually. He mimics all we say... to learn English. He's just soaking it all in. Things could be stress filled one minute, but he will bring joy when he opens his mouth! {except when he just says, "Mami. Mami. Mami" constantly, while trying to get me to understand his language. His joyous, curious character covers that annoyance, though.}
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. Psalm 92:4
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