Soccer camp and the competition

Hi, everyone! I did get to go to soccer camp! I had to miss Monday to get my ankle checked, but the doctor said it was well enough for me to go to camp, as long as I felt comfortable playing. I had to rest more than usual on Tuesday, but I played really well on Wednesday! The middle school coach was very pleased with me! I get to go to middle school tryouts! I just found out about five minutes ago! We're taking a break inside because it's so hot today.

I have good news from Katia too! Mom texted me to say she's skating very well and placed first in two of the four events she is competing in! She got first place in jumps and first place in spins. Later today, she skates her technical program and her artistic program! I hope she gets two more first places! Mom said she was only a little nervous right before her first event, and she didn't even get carsick on the way to Chicago last night. I'm so proud of my sister!

Well, our break is almost over. I'll try to post some pictures really soon.

I sprained my ankle! :(

I just can't believe it! It's so close to soccer camp! :( I was rough housing with my brother yesterday and somehow my foot got caught up and twisted. It doesn't hurt too bad, but I'm supposed to stay off of it until Monday. Then, the doctor is going to check it again. I will definitely miss the first day of soccer camp, but if it feels good by Monday, I might get to go on Tuesday. I really, really hope it gets better! In the meantime, my sisters are taking really good care of me! Justin kinda feels bad, but it's just as much my fault as it is his. Mom stayed home from work today to help take care of me. Katia didn't say anything, but I could tell she was really glad not to have Nanny Robin all day. I think she's getting used to her though. Yesterday, she asked her for extra pickles at lunch instead of making me ask. We took a few pictures of me hanging out in bed.

Me with my soccer ball, wishing I could practice

Ankle

The special penguin ice pack Justin got me

Lunch in my room alone was boring

But, dessert was fun!

Hanging with Katia

Then Mei joined us!

Now, for some good news! Katia is going to compete in the Chicago Figure Skating Club's Chicago Open Figure Skating Competition! She's going to be competing on the Pre-Juvenile level, which means she has to do her axel and some double jumps. She's a really good jumper though! Her coach wants her to do a double lutz then a loop for her combination jump, but Katia wants to do a double lutz double loop combination. She doesn't think Katia lands double-double combinations consistently enough, but I've seen her do them. She can do it!!! For her spin combination, Katia is doing a flying camel spin-sit spin-change foot-sit spin. It looks really cool! A flying camel is where you jump and land in a spin with your body parallel to the ice. Sit spins are pretty self explanatory. ;) The competition is on July 28th. Katia has been working really hard to get ready for it! Mei was supposed to go to this competition, but she decided to quit skating, so Katia got her spot. Mei is doing gymnastics now. She seems to like it so far.

My mom is going back to work!

Normally, this wouldn't seem like that big a deal, since both my parents are lawyers, but I'm really worried. Katia is just now getting used to us a little bit, and our nanny will be back full time on Wednesday. Katia's met her already, but she doesn't talk to her yet. She whispers to me, and I answer for her. She's really shy around Nanny Robin. Robin is really nice, but I remember being really intimidated by her at first too, so I understand why Katia is a little scared of her. She's Scandinavian and speaks with accent (most people at my house do). She's also pretty strict. She inspects our rooms every morning to make sure our beds are made properly, and we aren't allowed to refuse whatever she cooks for us. Usually, she makes things we like, but Katia is still getting used to food here. Apparently, she really likes cereal though. Tonight, Mom caught her sneaking Mom's Special K Blueberry into her room! At first, Katia thought she was in trouble, but Mom just thought it was cute. She's going to buy one of those variety packs of mini boxes so Katia can try a bunch. Anyway, I'm a little nervous about how things are going to go with Mom and Dad out of the house all day.

As for me, I'm going to soccer camp next week! I can't wait! It's not a sleepover camp, so I'll be home at night. I like it better that way because I can play soccer all day and sleep in my own bed at night! My coach says the middle school coach is going to be at our practice. If I do really well, I might get to play on the sixth grade team even though I will only be in 5th grade this year! I'm already running laps every morning. I hope he picks me to play for the middle school!

Katia got her own room!

Mom and Dad started taking us to family counseling. So far, it's only helped a little bit. Mei is still pretty unhappy. But, the counselor decided that it would be best if Katia had her own room because it might help with the tension in our house. So, Mom and Dad converted their office into a bedroom for Katia. Their office is going to be in the basement now. Here is her new room!

I love special days!

A few times each month, Mom or Dad has a special day with one of us kids. We get to pick an activity and it's just one of us with one parent. I love these special days! Well, Mei and I decided to have our own special day, and it was so much fun! I think Mei is feeling a little better now. First, we had breakfast in Mei's room, just the two of us. Then, Dad took us to Panera and dropped us off at the movies. We watched Cars 2. It was really good! After the movie, Dad took us to the mall. He wouldn't let us walk around alone, but he did stay back so that we could have some space to look around and talk. Dad only complained about using his day off to play chauffeur once. Mom and Dad are both taking some time off to help Katia adjust. Mei still wishes Katia stayed in Russia, but she's not so mad at me now.

While we were having our special day, Mom took Katia for her own special day. They went to see a waterfall! I've been there before. It's really pretty. Here are some pictures.

Resting and looking at the Falls

Playing on a log

Playing on some rocks

On the beach (Katia had never seen sand!)

Pretty!

Next to the river

Mom let her wade

Isn't she pretty? Sometimes I look at Katia and wish I was as pretty as she is!

More challenges on the homefront

Today is Independence Day, but my family celebrated it on Saturday. We went to a big celebration for the city to eat picnic food, play games, and watch fireworks. It was fun, for the most part. Mei wasn't (and still isn't) speaking to Katia, so Justin took Mei and Ana to ride some carnival rides. Katia didn't want to ride rides because she gets motion sick really easy, apparently. Mom has to give her Dramamine every time we are going to be in the car for more than about 10 minutes. Dad was doing some networking for work, and mom decided to go with him, but she said Katia and I could walk around as long as we stayed together. We saw some friends, but Katia clung to my hand and hid behind me, so we only talked to them for a few minutes. She finally told me that she's shy because her English isn't very good yet. I think she speaks fine, but I'm used to teaching Ana English. So, after we talked to my friends, we decided to get some food. I got a grilled chicken sandwich, which was the healthiest possible option. Katia got a hot dog, which are really popular in Russia. Actually, she got 3. She's still adjusting to the healthy stuff we eat at home. Then, we watched people play games. Katia said we shouldn't waste our money. Finally, it got dark and the fireworks started. I wasn't sure how Katia would react to them, but she liked them a lot. Later that night, when we were in bed (she likes being close to me), she whispered that the fireworks in Russia are much bigger and better. I laughed because I was glad she was so honest, but it hurt her feelings. I tried to explain that her comment made me happy, but she turned away. I could hear her crying, so I put my arms around her. She let me snuggle her though, so I took it as a good sign.

On Sunday, Katia was completely silent until it was time for me to sleepover with a friend. Then, she cried because she didn't want me to go, but mom said I should go. Honestly, I was kind of glad because Mei is still really mad at Katia for being a better skater, so she's being mean to everyone, especially me because Katia likes me so much. It makes me sad because Mei is usually really sweet and is my best friend. Ana keeps trying to make things better, but it mostly makes things worse. When I got home today, mom said things didn't go well and maybe I should not sleepover at friends' houses until Katia adjusts a little more. Normally, I wouldn't mind, but at the sleepover I got invited to another sleepover at a middle school girl's house. And, I really want to go! I want to like my new sister, but things are really hard!

Sorry that was so long! If you read it all the way through, please give me some advice!

Another Dream

I've mentioned before that I sometimes have dreams about my birth family in Namibia. Well, I guess having Katia around has made the dreams come back. Wondering what her life was like before she came to live with us has made me start thinking about my birth parents again. Last night, I dreamed about my mother. It was about the last time I was with her. We were in a big crowd on the street. My dad was there, but not with us. I don't know what he was doing, but I think it was work. There were two big men with me and my mom to protect us from all the people. All of a sudden, there was a really loud noise. It hurt my ears bad. I was screaming, but my mom was silent. One of the big men protecting us ripped me out of her hands and jumped into a car with me. Before the car took off, she whispered, "Be a good girl, My Love, I hope I will see you again soon." Then she disappeared into the crowd. I never saw her again.

I hope Katia will tell us about herself soon! I need distraction, but I will not pressure her. She still doesn't talk much, but when you put skates on her, she's a whole new person! We went ice skating yesterday, and she pretty much took over the entire rink. Double jumps and camel spins everywhere! She's incredible! Mei is really jealous though because she used to be the best skater in our family. Mei only landed her single lutz twice the whole afternoon, but Katia landed almost every double jump she did, including double lutzes and a couple double axels. For those of you who don't live with figure skaters, here is the order you learn jumps from easiest to hardest: waltz jump, toe loop, Salchow, loop, flip, Lutz, axel. Then, you learn them all again as double jumps. I feel bad for Mei, but I want to be proud of Katia. I never thought I'd say this, but I think we have enough sisters now.