Joe and Elle Adoption Profile
Education
As third-generation teachers, education is important to us. Joe has dual degrees in Sports Science and English with a master's degree in special education. Elle has degrees in Elementary Education, Spanish, Accounting and a master's degree in business administration. However, education for us extends beyond school to core values that must be instilled at home.
These include appreciation for other cultures and differing points of view, accepting responsibility for the environment, giving back through volunteering at church and community events, and independence of thought to make one’s own path in the world.
Technologies
The shark’s oil was cloudy. No fishing trip. Bermuda shark oil “barometers” are small amounts of oil extracted from a shark liver, sealed in glass. When the oil is clear, the weather will be clear.
When it turns cloudy, so will the skies. Nowadays, we have computers to inform us and having both embraced technology from a young age, we enjoy the efficiencies created in our everyday lives.
For example, through the use of cooking instruments we make our own pizza, pasta, bread, rice, sparkling water, gelato, donuts, and more. However, no technology (especially cell phones) during meals!
Reading
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. -- Dr. Seuss
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We love books for the knowledge gained and imagination fueled. While we enjoy paperbacks, Alex prefers reading books on his I-Pad except during bedtime. In addition to various genres, we have publications in English, German and Spanish.
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Our library has favorite selections (such as the old Britannica encyclopedias, road maps and Bible versions) which have been replaced by apps. Still, there is nothing as nostalgic as the musty, earthy, sweet smell of an old book.
Games
"I won!" Alex grinned ear to ear after winning his 3rd game of Uno. Stuffed from Christmas dinner, we could barely move but kept playing to keep Alex engaged during the family Zoom call. We love games as play is important to us. It fuels curiosity, sparks creativity and inspires a lifelong love of learning.
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Even as adults, we still learn skills that lead the foundation for success. When indoors, we all enjoy Chess, Monopoly, Life, Dominos, Chinese Checkers and Settlers of Catan to name a few. Outdoors, kickball, tag and badminton are top of the list.