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November 2009
Ivan took a nice cruise this summer to Europe. He stayed in London several days and also visited Estonia, Russia, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. He had a great going to some of the places he had never been to before. It was also interesting to see Russia again. It was not only a fun trip but also an education trip as well.
Ivan missed a lot of school the past two months. He just kept getting sick and wasn't able to shake it. Finally he is well and now he has the big job of trying to catch up in all of his classes. Definitely that's the benefit of home school. Traditional school waits for no man! Ughhh! I know how Ivan's going to spend his Thanksgiving week off. Bummer!
April 2009
Ivan went on another cruise during spring break. This time it was a 7-day Caribbean cruise starting in Puerto Rico. Despite some technical problems getting on the ship and transportation problems getting back to the airport Ivan had a great time. He enjoys learning and then sharing facts about the various ports-of-call. Just ask him the unemployment rate in St. Thomas or the what the flag looks like in Aruba! Ivan is very proud to be a card carrying "Platinum" member of Royal Caribbean Cruise line which means he has taken at least four Royal Caribbean cruises! He is already counting his points and trying to figure out how he can become a "Diamond: member in the fastest way possible. :-)
February 2009
Ivan has a wonderful time on the traditional week-long New Years Eve Mexican Rivera Cruise. Ivan loves his cruises. He always gets to share an accessible suite with Grandma Sue. This year the gang went on an older Royal Caribbean ship which was not as wheelchair friendly as some of the other ships. Nevertheless Ivan made the best of it. He was able to use the ships' pool and spa. Ivan was also able to participate in all of the land excursions as well. In fact last year Ivan met a man with a wheelchair accessible van This year Ivan was able to hook-up with the same man and thus has accessible transportation at one of the ports. Ivan is looking forward to going to Puerto Rico in April and catching another seven-day cruise through the Caribbean. What a world traveler he is!
November 2008
Ivan recently passed his written test for his drivers permit--on the first try! Now he is beginning to practice his behind the wheel skills. We were able to find an instructor who had a car with hand controls. Ivan has six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction then he will be allowed to drive with us. We have two cars with hand controls and our good friend, David Monson, also has a van with hand controls. Ivan is thrilled. Ivan and Michael are my only high school students, as of today, who have met my grade requirements to take drivers education classes (a "B" average). He is excited about this new found independence. He loves the idea of being able to drive himself to school instead of riding the school bus! Ivan should have his drivers license in the next few months. WOW!!
September 2008
Ivan spent several days in late August in the recording studio as we begin preparing our third CD! On this CD Ivan not only wrote some of the songs but also sang and played electric guitar on many of the tracks. We hope to have this CD completed after the new year. There are 20 songs total and we have completed eight so far.
Ivan is having a good sophomore year. So far Ivan has a 4.0 grade point average even with some difficult classes. Ivan is very motivated to learn and to get good grades. One of the things that is motivating Ivan is learning how to drive. We have told the boys that they need a 3.0 grade point average to get their drivers permit. So far only Ivan and Michael have shown any interest in getting their driver's license. Currently Ivan is studying the rules of the road and plans to take his permit test in the next month or two.
May 2008
Ivan had a nice 16th birthday over the Memorial Day
weekend. The best present he received was a Wii Game System.
Ivan is loving this elaborate game system and he is getting
quite a workout! Ivan also received some clothes from
Grandma Sue and the Rosetta Stone computer program for
learning Spanish.
Ivan has been working hard to improve his grades this
semester. Recently he fell a little behind, but is now
moving full steam ahead to get back on track. Ivan is a good
student with some learning disabilities. He also is a
student that does not cause any problems so he is often
overlooked by teachers. With the support of Ivan's resource
teacher, Ms. Perry, Ivan is catching up on some class work
and homework that he was missing in a few classes to get
back to his overall 3.0 grade point average. Ivan is excited
about taking drivers education next year. I told all of the
boys they must get at least a 3.0 grade point average for
two semesters in order for us to allow them to get their
drivers permit. Although we have six potential drivers next
school year (age 16 or older) so far Ivan is the only person
to be working toward the goal of getting the appropriate
grade point average to be allowed to enroll in drivers
education.
February 2008
Ivan has his I-pod set to count the days until his next cruise with Grandma Sue. Ivan has already been on two cruises, one to Alaska and the other to Mexico. Next Ivan will be going on a Caribbean cruise in March, during spring break. Ivan says he loves cruising. He especially loves sharing the suite with Grandma Sue. These cruises have been a very enriching experience for the boys. Not only do they have the fun of meeting new people and trying new foods on the cruise but they participate with the on-shore excursions at every port. The boys are learning about other parts of the world.
Ivan will be receiving a "Teacher's Choice" award later this month at Ocean View High School. Ivan has done very well in school. Although he has learning disabilities, Ivan always tries his hardest and never gives up. Ivan is a favorite among his teachers for his good attitude and class participation. We are very proud of Ivan's hard work in school.
November 2007
Ivan is enjoying high school. He says he likes all of his classes, but reading is his favorite class. Ivan is maintaining good grades in all of his classes. He was recently diagnosed with a learning disability and is receiving the supports at school that he needs to be successful. Ivan says he hopes to go to college one day and is trying very hard in all of his classes. Ivan is definitely a teenager who is motivated to do his best. This of course is very refreshing! Not that Ivan is only concentrating on his academics, he is also developing quite a social life as well. Suffice to say that Ivan has not missed a school dance so far, and in fact has all of the dances for the whole school marked on the calendar!
September 2007
Ivan took a seven-day cruise to Alaska with grandma Sue along with Nikolai and Alin. Ivan also had a chance to look around Seattle a couple of days before boarding the ship. Ivan loved the whole cruising experience. After the first couple of days exploring the Oosterdam, he became known all over the ship. Ivan enjoyed the variety of food and, of course, took advantage of the room service. Ivan went to all of the shows and said his favorite was the "Talent Night" where some of the passengers performed. Ivan talked a lot about the excursions and thought they were very entertaining and interesting. Ivan can't wait to go on his next trip with grandma Sue! Even after such an excellent vacation, Ivan was excited to get to high school. Ivan is a freshman this year and loving every minute of it!!
June 2007
Ivan celebrated his 15th birthday in May. Among other gifts, he received a weekend adventure to San Francisco with mom, grandma Sue, Michael and Alin. Ivan said that was the best gift he ever received. Ivan and the gang flew out of John Wayne Airport on a Friday morning and returned the following Sunday evening. Ivan got to pick the activities in the Fisherman's Wharf area that he wanted to experience. Ivan decided to take a horse and buggy ride around the city, to visit the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, fly on a sea plane, and take a cruise around Alcatraz Island and under the Golden Gate Bridge! Besides all of the fun activities we all ate at a number of different restaurants of Ivan's choice. Ivan and the other two boys loved every minute of the trip. It was a great opportunity for grandma and mom to get some quality time with the boys as well!
April 2007
Ivan recently started to participate in an adaptive rowing program three times a week in Long Beach. California Adaptive Rowing Program of Long Beach (
Carplb.net ) is an excellent program that we just discovered this month. With the assistance of volunteers Ivan is able to spend time working out on the rowing machines then takes one of the boats out on the ocean. Ivan is independent in this sport and can row long distances without any support. Ivan is exciting about participating and may row competitively in the near future. We are thrilled to find a physical activity that Ivan not only skilled at but he also enjoys!
February 2007
Ivan was very surprised when Grandma Sue broke the news to Ivan that she was inviting him, Nikolai and Alin on an Alaskan Cruise this summer! Ivan is thrilled!! He has never been on a cruise and has never been to Alaska. Ivan had only one question for Grandma Sue after she showed him the Holland America brochure, Ivan wanted to know if the ship has elevators! The trip is planned for late August. Since they will be departing from Washington, Grandma Sue and the guys decided to spend a day or so in Seattle. This is definitely going to be an exciting and educational trip for everyone!
December 2006
Ivan recently purchased a guitar and is anxiously awaiting his first guitar lesson this month. Ivan wants to start a family band so when the third family CD is produced his band can perform the music. So far, Alin and Ivan will be learning how to play guitar, Michael is interested in bass and Jordan is learning drum. It will be interesting to see if everyone will stick with their instruments long enough to actually get together and perform a song or two.
Ivan continues to try real hard in school. This year he was taken out of the special day class and instead he has resource support along with several regular education classes. It has been a struggle academically for Ivan this year. Even with modifications, Ivan needs lots of support to be successful. We are proud of Ivan's "never give-up" attitude.
October 2006
Ivan is enjoying the challenge of regular education classes this year. While it is my of a struggle to maintain his straight "A" average, Ivan seems to enjoy the challenge. Ivan's written language in English has really improved since he started using the Internet on his laptop computer. Ivan practices his reading and writing daily by sending e-mails to his friends and family members.
Ivan is also enjoying spending time with grandma Sue and grandpa Jim. Twice a month or more he spends the weekend at their house. Once a month Ivan helps grandma Sue order authentic Russian food for a small party with a few of the other boys. Ivan really looks forward to these special times with his grandparents.
July
2006
Ivan finished seventh grade with a straight "A" average
throughout the year. This is the second year in a row that
Ivan has been a straight "A" student. Ivan loves school and
is looking forward to 8th grade.
Ivan is disappointed that his
teacher, Mr. Todd, would not be returning to Sowers Middle
School in September. Mr. Todd played a large role in Ivan's
success at school. We will all miss his ability to work
successfully with all of our boys and their various
temperaments and academic levels.
During the summer Ivan is
attending several summer camp programs, spending the night
at his grandparents house, and seeing the latest movies.
Ivan has also been very helpful with James as he transitions
to our family.
 
March
2006
Ivan (13) has been a tremendous help since Jim's hospitalization. Ivan has been very good about working with the younger boys to straighten their rooms and make their beds. Ivan has as much patience as Jim when it comes to teaching the other boys different skills and the younger boys really respond to Ivan. Ivan also helps every night with kitchen clean-up and getting everything ready from breakfast in the morning. Ivan also does the weekly grocery shopping for the family. He, along with Nikolai, inventory our supplies and handle all of the shopping. Ivan is especially skilled at finding a bargain! Any time I ask Ivan for any help, he is always right there. I couldn't ask for a better helper.
Ivan is also making it a point to visit Jim in the hospital at least five to six times a week. He gladly gives-up his free time to sit at the hospital and watch television with his dad. Ivan is such a giving and loving son, we are very lucky to have him!
January 2006
Ivan is enjoying seventh grade. He continues to do well in school and his English skills are improving daily. Despite having limited educational experience prior to joining our family, Ivan is an excellent student with good study skills. Currently, as he was last year, Ivan is a straight "A" student.
Ivan has big plans for his future including going to college and getting a degree. Although he is still young, Ivan has a clear understanding of the importance of a good education.
During the Thanksgiving holiday long weekend Ivan enjoyed a trip to Las Vegas with Alex Daniel, Nikolai, and mom and dad. Ivan loved the buffets and walking up and down the strip. Ivan also liked attending the musical "We Will Rock You!" Ivan enjoys the night life in Las Vegas and insisted on seeing all of the various shows outside of the hotels. He says he liked the Pirate Show in from of Treasure Island Hotel and the erupting Volcano in front of the Mirage Hotel. Ivan plans on making another trip to Las Vegas in February.
Ivan also went skiing this month. He took lessons on a mono-ski at the Big Bear Adaptive Ski School. This was the second year Ivan participated in the adaptive ski program. He absolutely loved skiing and was eager to go on the fastest and most difficult runs. Ivan has a great sense of adventure. He is usually willing to try anything at least once. Maybe this summer he will try some parasailing!
  
 
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