James the singer, Sonja's first lost tooth

Even though he keeps quiet at school (despite which kids obviously love him, approach him, even fight over his attention, boys and girls equally!), he memorizes every song in no time and sings away at home... I'm sure his music teacher would be shocked to hear how well he sings the songs she teaches the kids since she never heard him sing!
His repertoire, besides kids' songs like some pumpkin song, 'One little, two little, three little Indians', etc., includes Irish drinking songs, songs from 'Bijelo Dugme' ('S vremena na vrijeme', in particular), Yugoslavian kids' songs ('Preko brda, preko brijega', 'U jednoj zimskoj noci', 'Bila mama Kukutka, bio tata Taranta', etc.), one from my elementary school choir from years ago that I can still remember....Some of these are tricky to sing in tune, but this kids never misses a note!  And he is not shy about it--the only place where he doesn't sing is the school.
James is as perceptive and observant as ever.  Robb was joking the other day--telling the older kids what not to do to make me upset--and then he turned to James and said "James, don't smile."  He immediately turned the smile off and stayed serious for a few moment, until we burst out laughing and Robb said "OK, you can smile now."  Then he smiled.

 Potty training in September: various bribes in front of James -- they worked this time!

James learned in school how to push himself on a swing in September 2015--and he swings high!

Our little Halloween pumpkin

Sonja and her best friend Katherine

Michael, still chasing little animals

Nikolas is suddenly paying attention at his looks: he puts gel in his hair, takes more frequent showers, he is picky about clothes that he is wearing (I didn't get him a tie for a school concert so he kept hiding behind a classmate during the entire concert so no one could see him).

Nikolas and Michael both are doing an amazing job at painting and drawing--such creative, expressive, and unique art!  I want to save everything they put on paper.  Sonja's drawings are more girly and organized than theirs, not as dramatic for sure.  But she enjoys it a lot too.  Sonja and Michael will be starting the same art lessons as Nikolas with a local artist and they got very excited about it--Nikolas declared it was the best Christmas present ever.

Sonja lost her first tooth in early December 2015.