Mountain Adventure

Hello again! It has been quite a while since our last entry (last summer).

Since July, we have seen leaps and bounds in all kinds of areas!

Vivian and Annie Kate have come a long way with reading, and Vivian is beginning to earn AR (Accelerated Reader) points for hers! We are proud of both of our girls, who are now in 1st and 2nd grade.

Matthew is truckin’ along through 4th grade, and continues to have an insatiable appetite for knowledge. He loves to read, and has shown a particular interest in science.

 

Since last July’s post, we have seen another Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas go by, and each time is a different and richer experience since they have a much better grasp on the English language now.

…..which brings us to our latest adventure--Spring Break 2016 in Tennessee!

Gareth and Annie Kate went to the Mississippi State Spelling Bee (which Gareth’s student WON) on Tuesday, March 15. After the spelling bee, we all came back together to get in the minivan and head to Tennessee!

 

Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate had been asking to see the mountains and snow for some time; we didn’t tell them where we were going (to lower expectations and to minimize the exponential number of questions which would ensue). But we did ensure them that they would have a great time.

The kids were troopers in the car (with the help of music, movies, books, games, blankets, and pillows), and finally after eight hours, we arrived at our beautiful condo in Pigeon Forge. Our condo was situated on the Little Pigeon River (which had ducks).

If you know anything about the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg region, you know that there is a pancake house every ten steps. So naturally, we ate delicious breakfasts at pancake houses most days.

The first day we simply enjoyed the indoor swimming pool, and then played mini-golf! Annie Kate got a hole-in-one! They all loved it. It was just fun being together and cheering each other on.

The second day, Kim took the girls to a park while I (Gareth) took Matthew to the Titanic museum in Pigeon Forge. He has studied about it in school, in addition to recently reading a book about it. It was super-cool and legitimate, not just a hokey tourist trap. There are real artifacts, and lots of hands-on exhibits.

Later that night, we went to the Dixie Stampede for dinner. Our children loved the special effects, horse tricks, racing pigs, racing miniature horses, and all the other crazy antics it had to offer (not to mention the huge amounts of delicious food).

 We saved our most memorable experience for our last full day (the third day, Friday): SNOW TUBING! What fun! After driving on treacherous mountain roads, we arrived in Gatlinburg at the bottom of the mountain. We decided to take the aerial tram up the mountain. Matthew, Annie Kate, and Vivian were a bit nervous about the sky tram initially, but once it got going, they loved looking down at the tiny houses, trees, and cars. Occasionally, it would rock or bump, and Vivian would say that it “made her belly smile.”

Snow tubing in Ober Gatlinburg is such an ideal activity: it’s fun, there’s no special equipment needed, nor does it require special skill. They manufacture their snow, so even though it was 65 degrees, there was plenty of snow on which to tube. And the best part is...there’s a conveyor belt that pulls you back to the top of the hill!

Our three were a slightly anxious about sliding down the steep hill, but after their first go, they did not want to stop. Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate all squealed with delight as they sped down the hill on their tubes. There are a few pictures and videos if you would like to follow me on Facebook or Instagram @gbonner34.

After a lunch and some rest, the Bonner Five rode go-carts that afternoon. Matthew got to drive his own, and Kim and I each took a girl as a passenger. It was so much fun!

As all good things must, the Bonner Five’s mountain vacation had to come to an end. It was tough to leave, but we headed back Saturday morning to Petal.

And when the kids’ teachers ask them how their Spring Break was, they will have stories to tell.

Thanks for reading!

This Bonner Summer is Not a Bummer!

Even though the Bonner Five arrived in America on June 27 last summer (and had an entire month before school began), we consider this current summer as their first real one. Last summer entailed getting to know each other better, where the yard ends (not to check take the neighbor’s mail), how to play safely, and to grow acquainted with family and friends. Last summer, we were not quite ready to really get the kids immersed into extended family vacations and summer activities.

BUT THIS YEAR WE GOT OUR SUMMER ON.

It has been three months since our last post. We have been fully involved in summer fun and activities.  Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate all did some schooling during the month of June to strengthen their English proficiency even more, reinforce the skills they learned over the past year, and prepare them for the upcoming school year.

Next, they had a great time at two different Vacation Bible Schools (Mom and Dad REALLY enjoyed it too!). It gave our three a chance to experience activities at church that are specifically tailored to their age groups, as well as a chance to see some of their friends.

Matthew attended a local one-week soccer camp. He loves soccer and is good at it, but more importantly, we want him to learn the importance of hard work, discipline, and being a good team player. He had a great time and got to see some boys with whom he played spring soccer.

We spent two days in New Orleans checking out their animals at the aquarium and zoo before the weather turned insanely hot like it is now. Both were a lot of fun!

Another fun activity we have done is swimming--anywhere we can. We have been swimming at the local YMCA as a family, and all three kids have taken swimming lessons. They have improved tremendously in their confidence and skill in the water. Our three have learned everything from “your instructor does not want to drown you” to precision movements such as streamlines and breast strokes.

The Bonner Five visited Destin, Florida, with Poppa and had a great time playing at the beach and swimming in the pool. We even went on a dolphin cruise!

 

Our second beach vacation for the summer took place in Navarre Beach, Florida. Gareth’s family has taken this trip since 1986, and we want the Bonner Five to help maintain this special tradition. Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate most definitely livened things up for errrrbody.  They absolutely loved waking up to see the ocean, and then heading straight out to the beach and pool. Matthew and Annie Kate enjoyed the ocean the most; Matthew built innovative sand structures, and Annie Kate loved the constant movement of the water. Vivian said the ocean is not her friend because it has grass in it and puts salt water in her mouth. She would much rather play in the pool where it’s easier to pretend to be a dolphin, without all that other intrusive sand and marine life.

Making the most of the last few weeks of summer, we headed to our state capital to see a baseball game! It was kids' night, so the park had lots of fun jumps and activities for the kids to enjoy during the game. 

Matthew noticed some other boys catching foul balls, or asking players to throw them a ball during transition times; he was beginning to be a little sad about not having a real baseball from the game. We were moments away from telling him to get over it, when an elderly man came and sat down next to him. He asked Matthew if he had gotten a foul ball, and Matthew answered that he had not. The man proceeded to pull a ball from his pocket, explaining that it was a foul ball he found in the parking lot.  What a blessing!

Not long after, Vivian got a stray ball! A player threw it in the stands and it narrowly missed her. That would have been dramatic. Really dodged a bullet there.

Matthew and Vivian even got their baseballs signed at the end by one of the players. 

Next on our agenda is celebrating our favorite ten-year-old boy who will turn eleven next week! Can't believe we've been at family at home a full year! Not only have their sweet little faces grown and changed, but also their hearts, attitudes, behavior, and love.

We'll leave you with a few funny sayings from these three:

Annie Kate:

"Happy Valentine's Day!" for Mother's Day.
"No more school! It's Valentine's!" for the last day of school.

Vivian:
"He not be nicing!" Tattling on her brother.
"Look at that something!" She uses "something" for any word she doesn't know. It's so cute!
"When I get big, I will cut somebody's hair." Telling us what she wants to be when she grows up.

Matthew:
"I like these chicken nuts!" (nuggets)
"I like that man. He was a gentleman." His thoughts on our waiter.

Growing Like Weeds!

Spring is officially here, and the Bonner Five kids are growing like weeds! 

We finished soccer season, and it's on to other springtime activities (and looking ahead to summer).

Both girls got a haircut! Annie Kate got just a trim, but Vivian surprised us with her request for "little" hair.

Vivian's long hair has always been her defining characteristic, her glory. But one morning, she decided that she wanted it cut. So she, Mom, and Annie Kate went and did it! We are donating 12 inches of her locks to Wigs for Kids. 

It was a big step and an emotional experience, but she is very happy with her new look.

Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate got to experience their first Easter. It was a privilege to share the story of Jesus' death and resurrection with them; we used the Resurrection Eggs, as well as various Easter books. We also dyed and hunted eggs (multiple times!). They told us for Easter in Hungary they used to get something like a bowl of candy, but they had not colored eggs or played "hide and go seek" with them :)

Kim's family came over on Good Friday for an Easter celebration, and then the Bonner Five travelled to Waynesboro to see Gareth's family on Sunday. Everywhere, we go, people remark at how well the children are doing (regarding adjustment and language), and how much they are growing!

Family Easter picture at church

Looking at cows with Poppa

Hunting eggs at Mammaw's

We are coming up on the one year anniversary of being home as a family! Just today we got an email from our agency requesting pictures and asking to schedule our post placement visit! Hard to imagine all that we've been through and the ways we've grown and changed as a family in such a short amount of time. We are thankful for this journey and the friends and family who support us along the way! 

It's a New Year!

Over the Christmas holidays, the Bonner Five ventured north to Sevierville, Tennessee, where our dear friends, the Grizzles, housed us for a few days to celebrate New Year’s. Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate got to meet the dogs, play in the snow, and eat some delicious home-cooked meals.

Exploring the Smoky Mountains!

January 31 marked the one-year anniversary of our learning about a Hungarian sibling threesome who needed a home. Wow! Can't believe we are starting to hit the 1 year anniversaries of milestones in becoming a family.

Our three got to experience their first American Valentine’s Day. They had a great time making Valentine cards and exchanging them with their classmates.

 Annie Kate's artwork was picked to be in a student art show! She won 2nd place in the cosmopolitan club art contest with this piece. We are proud of her hard work!

We started soccer!! 

When it was time to sign up for soccer, we asked them if they wanted to play. They all said, "yes!" None of them had ever played on a team before. It's been a good learning experience for all of us. These three are learning how to be a part of a team, follow directions, and work hard. They've learned about commitment, and get a little better week by week. (I've learned to wash soccer socks immediately following practice and games!)

We are just getting back into the school routine after a nice week of Spring Break. We journeyed to Huntsville, Alabama, with Poppa to see the Hills (Gareth’s sister Gab, her husband Joseph, and sons Banks and Jude). Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate got to spend some quality time with the boys, visit the Space and Rocket Center, play at the EarlyWorks museum, and swim in the indoor pool.

We know you've all been checking the blog daily mostly for the poetry, so we will conclude with this:

First Holidays for the Bonner Five

New memories and opportunities come constantly

for Matthew, Vivian, and Annie Kate,

to be experienced with a forever family.

with every new American holiday.

Perfect for new citizens,

Independence Day was their first.

Since July, learning, progress, and attachment

have come this new year with a burst.

October brought Halloween,

where candy leaps from every house

and door to door the Bonner Five sprinted,

Ninja, Fairy, and Minnie Mouse.

November brought Thanksgiving,

and we certainly have reason to celebrate!

Though limited by language, grateful prayers around

the Bonner table were easy to communicate.

And December, most memorable of all,

came, of course, with presents no doubt,

But this forever family also shared books and stories

of Who Christmas is all about.

Daddy’s birthday came in January,

time for the big 3-0.

Mom and the kids made a cake,

as well as heart-shaped love notes.

Valentine’s Day came the next month,

complete with cards, candy, and parties.

Pink and purple, red and white,

suckers, taffy, and Smarties.

Sprink Break came at the perfect time--

Time to go to Huntsville!

Time with the Hills, Banks and Jude

brought many a playful squeal!

To the museums and Rocket Center,

they learned through sight, sound, and touch.

We also swam in the indoor pool,

Oh, how we loved it all so much.

Challenges abound, and lessons get learned,

Improvements are made through the happy and the sad.

But through it all, memories are formed,

by Matthew, Vivian, Annie Kate, Mom, and Dad.

This forever family has been together

for ten months, the annual is near!

And we long to see how our sweet ones

will grow from year--to blessed year!