The Ping Pong Masters

Some serious playing in the Wii Ping Pong Masters with Grandma!

Maima Gets Braces

She chose pink, green and blue!

A Note From Maima

Maima is a very sweet girl and tries very hard to please. She is moody no doubt and can turn the tears on easily as she can get her feelings hurt quickly. The other night after a couple of rough days she left this on the table.

"to my moms I Love you are the Best mom I ever have thank you for all your help you have give me

Love
Maima
Knupp"

As I was tucking her in she said did you see my note. I had not so I replied no. She said go see it then come back. Pretty sweet stuff!

Easter Day

Easter was fun and a torment all in one. I am always left in the state of wonder over why both kids cannot simply enjoy the day at the same time. Maima had gone to a sleep over and stayed up all night on Friday leaving her exhausted and crabby on Saturday. We went to find an egg hunt and she was nearly unbearable. Then, on Sunday we went off again for another place that was supposed to have a helicopter drop eggs (plastic of course) with candy and prizes. This all went well but afterwards we went to lunch and Maima acted rude in the restuarant and when I reprimanded her she pouted and cried at the table then spent the rest of the day and the next barely speaking. Oh joy! Happy Easter!

April Fool's Day

Going to try to catch up in order of events.... (I know I suck at blogging these days).

April Fools - I had to teach Akins about this strange tradition and then sent him off to torment the teacher and class. It started with him telling the pre-care center teacher Ms. Kelly she had on two different shoes. Then later we decided to get him back. Some of you may remember the fudge story a year or so back where Lorea pretended it was poop and ate it, leaving Akins in a state of horror. Yes, I know we might need some help. Sticking to the poop theme, knowing how well it worked before, I smeared chocolate pudding under the lid of the toilet seat. Akins ran off to use the restroom and came out screaming saying Maima made a mess! Maima was at a sleep over so clearly this could not have been her issue. Therefore, we carried on about how could "he" have made such a mess. Okay, finally when the anxiety over the whole issue, after chasing him around the house with pudding poop on my hands was too much for the big guy. APRIL FOOLS!!!! I know, more psychological care needed in the future, I get it.

Basketball Jones

To some of you the title of this post will make sense. To others maybe not so much (song from the late 70's).... anyway Maima was on the Inola Girls 5th Grade Basketball team this year. I was amazed at the aggression that was displayed by these young girls. Here are some of the photos.I must note that it is hard to get good shots when everyone is running, jumping and well sometimes rolling on the ground. Mom, Lorea and I were calling it Basketball Derby. Maima is a good player runs fast and works hard. This has been a good experience for her in learning how to control that BIG temper of hers.

On the court wide open for the pass

Blocking

The reward!

Here is another fun story. One day Maima and Akins decided to play dolls. At first they were playing where each had a doll and they were the mommy or daddy as the case may be. Then Akins decided he wanted to be the baby. So, Maima swaddled him up just like a good mother would and held him in her arms, rocking him back and forth. After a little while she said "Mommy, Mommy-O, I think he really fell asleep". Sure enough, there he was sweet as a baby sound asleep in her arms.


Funny things:
Akins: What's an Eskimo? (conversation about his friend from Alaska)
Mommy: Someone from Alaska. Just like you are an African from Africa. Michael is an Eskimo from Alaska.
Akins: Being and Eskimo makes you electric?
Mommy: Dude, what are you talking about?
Akins: Michael is electric
Lorea: Oh, you mean allergic. (Michael has lots of food allergies)
Mommy: No, being an Eskimo does not make you allergic, Michael could have allergies even if he was from Africa.
Akins: I am electric too.
Maima: Dude, no you are not!
Akins: Uh, huh, I am electric to grass

Akins: Jordan, Jordan, Jordan on the River.

Maima's Court Update

Court went well on Tuesday. Laura arrived Sunday night as scheduled. Why she came in days before the court date I have no idea. She also never asked for assistance in getting to or from the airport to the hotel and I never offered. Let's just be clear I am not friends with this woman despite the fact that she may believe we are. I, of course,k will always keep it nice because she still has Maima's sister Tarry.

All of that said, my attorney picked up Laura and her grown daughter Buffi the morning of the court appearance and brought them to the courthouse some 20 miles away. She stood before the judge and relinquished her parental rights very willingly. The judge signed the order on the spot, done. My attorney sent me the adoption petition today for review and she will be submitting the petition and requesting a court date for me to appear.

At that point the name change and hopefully the birth date change will be granted. I am requesting a change in birth date to age 11 from 13. We have found some statutes that seem applicable and we are prepared to provide whatever the judge may ask for in supporting documentation. If this is granted it places Maima in the age group she truly is comfortable. A grade level that she can at least tread water in and a peer group with a stature of those that match her physically more closely, not to mention emotionally. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Regardless of the age outcome the adoption should be final soon. Depending on the court date I would guess within the next 30 - 60 days.

Comments -

Maima: Oh dude, your bald head is soft, it feels like socks

Akins: Girls are flowers and boys are trees