Although our boys weren’t available for the pic, these are the daughters that we homeschool. This picture was taken 1 week after there arrival to Hawaii from the Philippines. The youngest in the middle (Gracie) arrived 2 1/2 years earlier from the Philippines as well.  School began June 3 in the Philippines so we decided to get started early on the new school year.  English is our main study this semester.  Funny (and sad) in the Philippines all of their instruction was in Tagalog, but the placement testing is in English.  I was told the country tried to develop a test in a local language, but  could not agree on which language to use since there are at least 3 major languages (that I know of) still in use, so they decided to keep testing in English.

I administered Saxon Math placement tests on Monday, but these proved to be very difficult so this summer we are going back to grades 1 and 2 for Math (the girls would be going into 3 and 4, but they seem to understand and are okay with reviewing to help their language improve.)  Both of them read fairly well, but I don’t think they understand most of what they are reading.  So I am trying to find fun, easy books that will help them develop an understanding of typical American children’s vernacular.  Allysa is 11 and seems to like Junie B books.  They have so many colloquials that I think she will pick up a great deal from this series.  I am still looking for a good series for Alanis, age 9.  Picture books will have to do for now.

In the meantime Gracie is totally enjoying her new sisters as are the rest of the family.  We have been bonding through games such as Sorry, Trouble, and Xbox Kinect games.The girls have also been watching old Brady Bunch reruns and name each of themselves as the pictures play during the opening theme song!  They have also been going to the children’s church at New Hope and appear to have a good time there.  Allysa told me that three of the girls in her class spoke Tagalog to her!  It is a chance for them to get away from each other and meet children their own age.   I hope to post more later, but have been quite busy these last few months geting ready for these adoptions!  Our life now has a new “normal”.