So, we are now getting settled. It has taken longer than we expected, but we are finally starting to get there. We take many taxi trips to get the things we need (ie plates, cups, needed furniture) We have to remember while we are out that we can only buy as much as we can carry and still fit in the taxi. The taxis are small and hold 4 people comfortably, but the other day we managed to fit 11 people in one...I couldn't believe it. I should have taken a picture. What was I thinking?! But I was in the front seat with two little people in my lap. The picture above is just outside of our place. The kids like looking at the fish.
One of the things that we have done that has played a big part in making this home for the kids is getting out to buy them bikes. And yes, Benjamin has a pink one. It was the only one his size that we could find. He really doesn't mind and lots of boys here wear pink. Hopefully he won't be mad at me one day :)
Katherine wasn't able to ride any of the bikes, so we let her get a scooter. If you look hard, you can see the apartment complex playground in the background. We try to go out to this playground at least once a day. It is pretty much a guarantee that we will get to practice our new language there.
One thing that we bought was a bunk bed for Benjamin and Lauren. It's the first big girl bed for Lauren and she has done great! Benjamin was thrilled that it was orange and white. I will try to put pics of our apartment soon and you can see his room with the bed all together.
Another thing we did this week was register Katherine for "Kindergarten." No, she is not old enough for what we think of as kindergarten, but kindergarten starts at 2 1/2 yrs here. The only catch is that they have to be potty trained. So, we went cold turkey and she has been doing great. She had one day of LOTS of accidents, so we told her we were going to have to take the backpack back to the school...ever since she has done great. Part of registration was getting to take home her uniform, quilt, pillow, and backpack. She is so excited to start! OH, it's not in English either. I have a feeling that she will surpass my language skills quickly.
Regan being a good big sister and reading to her little sister. I just thought it was a sweet picture. The older two kids don't start school until the 30th. Katherine will start on the 23rd.
We have had some fun games of twister. It is really hot here and we spend the hottest part of the day indoors. It's ok though because the rest of the country does, too. Just about everyone takes a nap for about 2 hrs. I'm trying to convince my oldest that she needs one too (no luck with that one).
More exciting news: Benjamin has lost two teeth and has a third that is loose. He was very excited that the tooth fairy could find him here. Regan was a little upset that "he got more money" but in reality they got the same. I tried to explain that it was really the same as the US dollar amount. Oh well.
We have decided to make McDonald's our weekly Sunday meal. They give little baby cones out for free. We have been letting the kids get the big ones though because we can buy 3 for about $1.00. I am still trying to figure out how to order and get what I want. I was very excited this week that I was understood when I asked for a Sprite. This was a major break through! :) Now, if i could get them to understand when I say, "only pickle." I tried using a dictionary translator thing and it translates the English word into characters...we are learning that it doesn't work. I typed in pickle and it translated it pepper.
Bicycle parking at the shopping center.
I wondered how the lady knew to tell her child to say "hello little sister." Then I remembered. The little ones here have split bottom pants, so i guess it's obvious if it's boy or girl.
The playground is very crowded in the evenings. If you want to swing, you better be ready to run for it!
I'm really glad Lauren doesn't seem to mind that the kids just can't keep their hands off of her. They just love all those blonde curls. Kids will just follow her around wherever she goes on the playground. I think she really enjoys all the attention :)
So, we are now getting settled. It has taken longer than we expected, but we are finally starting to get there. We take many taxi trips to get the things we need (ie plates, cups, needed furniture) We have to remember while we are out that we can only buy as much as we can carry and still fit in the taxi. The taxis are small and hold 4 people comfortably, but the other day we managed to fit 11 people in one...I couldn't believe it. I should have taken a picture. What was I thinking?! But I was in the front seat with two little people in my lap. The picture above is just outside of our place. The kids like looking at the fish.
One of the things that we have done that has played a big part in making this home for the kids is getting out to buy them bikes. And yes, Benjamin has a pink one. It was the only one his size that we could find. He really doesn't mind and lots of boys here wear pink. Hopefully he won't be mad at me one day :)
Katherine wasn't able to ride any of the bikes, so we let her get a scooter. If you look hard, you can see the apartment complex playground in the background. We try to go out to this playground at least once a day. It is pretty much a guarantee that we will get to practice our new language there.
One thing that we bought was a bunk bed for Benjamin and Lauren. It's the first big girl bed for Lauren and she has done great! Benjamin was thrilled that it was orange and white. I will try to put pics of our apartment soon and you can see his room with the bed all together.
Another thing we did this week was register Katherine for "Kindergarten." No, she is not old enough for what we think of as kindergarten, but kindergarten starts at 2 1/2 yrs here. The only catch is that they have to be potty trained. So, we went cold turkey and she has been doing great. She had one day of LOTS of accidents, so we told her we were going to have to take the backpack back to the school...ever since she has done great. Part of registration was getting to take home her uniform, quilt, pillow, and backpack. She is so excited to start! OH, it's not in English either. I have a feeling that she will surpass my language skills quickly.
Regan being a good big sister and reading to her little sister. I just thought it was a sweet picture. The older two kids don't start school until the 30th. Katherine will start on the 23rd.
We have had some fun games of twister. It is really hot here and we spend the hottest part of the day indoors. It's ok though because the rest of the country does, too. Just about everyone takes a nap for about 2 hrs. I'm trying to convince my oldest that she needs one too (no luck with that one).
More exciting news: Benjamin has lost two teeth and has a third that is loose. He was very excited that the tooth fairy could find him here. Regan was a little upset that "he got more money" but in reality they got the same. I tried to explain that it was really the same as the US dollar amount. Oh well.
We have decided to make McDonald's our weekly Sunday meal. They give little baby cones out for free. We have been letting the kids get the big ones though because we can buy 3 for about $1.00. I am still trying to figure out how to order and get what I want. I was very excited this week that I was understood when I asked for a Sprite. This was a major break through! :) Now, if i could get them to understand when I say, "only pickle." I tried using a dictionary translator thing and it translates the English word into characters...we are learning that it doesn't work. I typed in pickle and it translated it pepper.
Bicycle parking at the shopping center.
I wondered how the lady knew to tell her child to say "hello little sister." Then I remembered. The little ones here have split bottom pants, so i guess it's obvious if it's boy or girl.
The playground is very crowded in the evenings. If you want to swing, you better be ready to run for it!
I'm really glad Lauren doesn't seem to mind that the kids just can't keep their hands off of her. They just love all those blonde curls. Kids will just follow her around wherever she goes on the playground. I think she really enjoys all the attention :)
