African American Pilgrims

When we first met our kids over the summer our daughter was less than enthusiastic about having dark colored skin. She would tell anyone who listened of her desire for light skin, light eyes, long blond straight hair.  She said she hated her skin and many reports in her files said she would often scratch at her skin to make the "brown go away and be white".  We haven't had that issue since they moved in.  Kara and I got an awful sunburn while in TX and as soon as she saw us peeling and sore, she was thrilled to be African American!  She was also tickled that the tooth fairy had the same color of skin that she does.  Now, we get lots of pictures coming home- or colored at home- where every character has different colors of skin. 

While most kids learn that the Native Americans met with the Pilgrims (a bunch of pale guys who likely outlived a few sunburns in their lives)... My daughter colored her Pilgrim woman, brown... Not Native American brown... But African American brown. 

Beautiful progress!

Then there is my son... He acts younger than 8 years old.  Any given day he probably acts between 4-8.  Because he had been in so many homes and with his hearing loss he really is behind in a lot of areas since he never had access to language! You should see him now- just chats up a storm! That being said, you know the stage that kids go through when they love to play dress-up?  If their parents know anything about childhood development they know it is normal for them to try dressing up as the opposite sex.  I have to admit that I giggle when my son asks to wear his sister's dress or when he draws pictures of himself like I added here.  He drew himself "happy" and doing a sort of ballet move which he acted out with great exaggeration.  The very next picture was him and a buddy playing catch.  I know a lot of people would be worried about a boy wanting to paint his nails and wear a dress...but not us.  We know that he will be WHOEVER he will be... dresses, nails, football, mud and all.  He just is having fun expressing himself and for that I am blessed!