My kids are funny...sometimes living in a cross cultural setting they think of things and say things they probably wouldn't if we lived in N. America. Often when they are playing together they talk about where they are travelling to. Usually they are on an airplane flying off to Germany, Austria, Columbia, Canada, America, Australia- all places we have either been or have good friends from there. They often remind me that when we go visit the grandparents it will be 2 airplane rides...a shorter one and then a really, really, REALLY LOOONG airplane ride. If it is not an international destination they have in mind, it is to other cities in our adoptive country. Places I had never heard of and couldn't even pronounce 2 years ago but it is a fact for them and part of their lives here. I am thankful for children who travel well and enjoy it.
Since our kids are still young and they don't actually remember Canada or USA, they are home here in this culture and they make us laugh when they do things that is such a part of the culture here but something we as adults had to learn when we arrived here. Most of their play-acting is not done in English, and as I sat in my language lesson the other day struggling with the negative tenses and 2nd person usage and proper formatting of compound sentences, my almost 3 year old came in to the room to see what we were doing.
She knows when to use which language and with who, so when my language helper asked her where her brother was and what he was doing, she answered accordingly. What she said was, "he is downstairs but he isn't playing, he is just doing something" of course my helper, was very impressed that she answered correctly and had all the grammar, tones and body language correct. I am not ashamed to say that she both speaks and understands better than I do. She is still only 2.
I wish I could spout out sentences as easily and naturally as her.
I love watching my kids thrive and flourish here in this culture. It is a culture that I struggle to identify with. Things that don't make sense to me or that I find difficult, the kids see as second nature and understand it. I wish I felt as at home as they do but its hard when I have the language ability of a 2 year old and feel like I am in a goldfish bowl when I go out especially if its with all the kids. Thankfully the kids are oblivious to that or just used to the attention and it doesn't bother them the way it used to when we first arrived.
On another unrelated topic, we are in the midst of a full on blizzard! We rarely get snow and it usually only lasts for a day or so but last night it started and has not stopped. Apparently a thunder snow (a snow storm with lighting and thunder) is rare but we have been having one all day and we also had one a few weeks ago too. The kids were excited to go outside and play in our street (we have no backyards here). We managed with the help our our wonderful friend and helper Z to build a snowman and in local fashion we used olives for eyes and a carrot for the nose. It is their first snowman ever I think. I really miss having a yard that I can just send them out and play in so it was helpful that Z was able to take the kids out for a bit and I could join them later with the baby. We have 4 flights of winding stairs to get outside to the road so its not easy especially with 3 kids and all their snow gear on. Now they are having hot chocolate and warming up while I have a few minutes to admire the storm and write on this blog. I sure hope Z is able to get home later as her road has been closed from the snow and that my hubby who is on the other side of the city taking a course is able to get home.
This was rather random. I will try to update more but for now I am going to go and enjoy watching the weather and playing with the kids.
