summer fun

we've been getting into the swing of summer and since kola seems to love (and not be overwhelmed by) every field trip we take, we've been able to do some of our "old" favorites. kiddieland was a bit hit - so big in fact that my dad and i had to literally drag kola off his first ride. i didn't have the language established with him yet to figure out how to explain that you have to get off the ride to get back in line again to get back on, so my dad had to go in one side of a ride's train car and i had to go into the other to fish him out. but once we were able to show him more! more! he and ethan proceeded to go on rides, and rides, and rides for about 4 hours. when we were leaving the park, kola gave me 4 big hugs and kisses, which i think was his way of saying "this was the best day yet!" we all also experienced our first silent card ride ever, on the way home. i couldn't tell if their heads were spinning or they were just exhausted. ethan also had his first Tums that nite after eating an entire bag of cotton candy!

the zoo was also a big hit, where kola showed much enthusiasm for the diving seals (boat! boat!) and the safari ride (machina!) and the goats (barka!=dog), well, we'll get to the english names for animals sometime soon. ethan did a great job of showing him around and teaching him about the animals. we went with our friends lori and adrianne (her daughter, ethan's age) who were also patient and helpful in getting everyone herded in one direction. kola is teaching me more words and learning more every day, so i'm feeling more comfortable with the outings. he's learning more about rules, and staying with me, and when to stop, so he actually did stop when the motor safari started moving, actually did stop climbing under the fence to pet the tiger (cataka!=cat), and actually did come back to me even when something more interesting was up ahead. none of which would have happened the first week we were here.

altho it does sound like things are getting progressively easier, it's always 2 steps forward and one step back - my friends (and neighbors) jen and kelly were here for one of my harder days on earth a few days ago when the doorknob in kola's room fell off and we were all locked in there for an hour, just after i had to practically drag kola home from the park leaving friends to pick up a trail of kids and plastic vehicles. but it is still remarkable how well things are going and how fast kola is learning. but every new day as a family of four is becoming more fun and less about laying out the rules and playing referee. the weather has been so fantastic we've been lucky with run around time and adventures. more soon, thanks for reading! b/s/e/k

Beach Boyz

We're settling back in after a week at a cottage we rent each year in Sawyer, MI. Here's a pic of Ethan beaching during kola's nap - where he noted that the beach is more fun when kola's there. a heartwarming breakthru. we got lots of pics of E & K, but almost all on my film camera... It was a relaxing yet busy week, but with wonderful weather, we were able to enjoy the beach every day. lots of digging, splashing, water transport, sandy snacks, rock gathering, dam building/destruction/repairs, irrigation, exploring, chase -- you get the picture.

we had a great day at warren dunes with mike and liz and their clan + shari and her daughter. and my parents spent a couple nites with us and had some great time with the kids - it was so nice to have a long visit & chat and they introduced kola to the joys of ice cream, cupcakes, and sandcastles. grandpa found kola's rough and tumble side which earned big belly laughs and he toasted ethan's marshmallows just right. grandma brought her patented big hugs for the boyz. we set up the tent, made campfires, visited a train museum, watched the boats, played in the hammock. kola really had no trouble settling in and only protested coming into the house for sleep or sitting down to eat. did i mention i've lost 3 pounds in the 4 weeks he's been here?

the first word kola says in the morning is 'ethan' - they've become good friends and still test us and each other. but every day is getting a little more fun with gradually less time spent 'reviewing the rules.' the boys share a passion of electronics, interactive buttons of all kinds, and vehicles of all sizes and shapes. today they spent at least an hour riding the block on their big wheels.

the next two weeks we have 2 groups coming from early intervention to see how he's doing and if he needs any help to catch up. i'm thinking they might target just language for him, but i am amazed at the number of words he's already learned - the latest are 'not yet' (i never realized how much i say that!) and shelley next door taught him 'nice' and 'gentle' as he pet her dog maxwell. he likes language and tries to teach me a few ukrainian words and laughs when i say them - i guess it's my chicago accent. thanks for checking in, more to come!! b/s/e/k