Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Michael lost his first tooth!
Friday, April 28, 2017
Post-Christmas (Jan, 2016, OUT OF ORDER thanks to Blogger inadequacy--it used to work before where the post would be dated by when it was started, but now anymore)
James: protesting, not putting plate back, throwing books and toys on the floor just to make mess.
Put your hands up, mama!
Bad mama.
Finally started chatting and singing at school, to big surprise to the teachers (and that haven't seen half of it yet!)
He now requests to be read to instead of sang to before bedtime. He actively participates in reading and chooses his books--at the moment, the favorites are any Cat in the Hat (like the one where the Cat entertains the boy and the girl on a rainy day), Clifford (especially the Halloween one, which was the other kids' favorite at the time).
He remembers things like 'don't look at the sun', and makes weird comments like, 'Mi ne jedemo cuku.' ('There is a dog. We don't eat dogs.')
Nikolas is spending more time alone in his room, reading comics. Every now and then he'll pop out to read us some funny lines. Instead of Minecraft (which he still enjoys) and Legos, his new obsession is Pokemon cards. He asked to spend his own money on new cards, and if I didn't have control over it, he would have spent it all to the last penny.
He is still very picky about what he wears and how his hair looks. He has his own gel in the bathroom that he uses every day--he definitely gives more attention to his hair than either mommy or daddy does. On the other hand, he constantly wears basketball/baseball outfits, quick-drying sleeveless shirts and shorts (no matter how cold it is), long socks in various colors, often mismatched on purpose.... I can't figure out where the 'style' is coming from.
Michael is copying him, although when it's time to look nice, he still looks all buttoned-up and polished, with perfectly matching colors.
Sonja loves skirts and dresses--she just needs to behave more girly to match the outfits!
Everyone is into Star Wars now. James says 'I'm Darth Vader.' or 'I'm Star Wars!')
Put your hands up, mama!
Bad mama.
Finally started chatting and singing at school, to big surprise to the teachers (and that haven't seen half of it yet!)
He now requests to be read to instead of sang to before bedtime. He actively participates in reading and chooses his books--at the moment, the favorites are any Cat in the Hat (like the one where the Cat entertains the boy and the girl on a rainy day), Clifford (especially the Halloween one, which was the other kids' favorite at the time).
He remembers things like 'don't look at the sun', and makes weird comments like, 'Mi ne jedemo cuku.' ('There is a dog. We don't eat dogs.')
Nikolas is spending more time alone in his room, reading comics. Every now and then he'll pop out to read us some funny lines. Instead of Minecraft (which he still enjoys) and Legos, his new obsession is Pokemon cards. He asked to spend his own money on new cards, and if I didn't have control over it, he would have spent it all to the last penny.
He is still very picky about what he wears and how his hair looks. He has his own gel in the bathroom that he uses every day--he definitely gives more attention to his hair than either mommy or daddy does. On the other hand, he constantly wears basketball/baseball outfits, quick-drying sleeveless shirts and shorts (no matter how cold it is), long socks in various colors, often mismatched on purpose.... I can't figure out where the 'style' is coming from.
Michael is copying him, although when it's time to look nice, he still looks all buttoned-up and polished, with perfectly matching colors.
Sonja loves skirts and dresses--she just needs to behave more girly to match the outfits!
Everyone is into Star Wars now. James says 'I'm Darth Vader.' or 'I'm Star Wars!')
We just had Aida with her family over for a week!
The kids played great together: Nikolas, Sonja, Michael, James with Basti and Emma. Despite the language barrier and a slight difference in ages, they got along wonderfully. Sonja and Emma drew together and made bracelets, Basti was tumbling with the boys, piggyback-riding, making tents out of living room furniture and blankets, everyone stayed up late watching Star Wars before passing out, and during the day they went to the pool a lot and a few more places like the beach, Zoo, museum (James did not like live butterflies in the museum at all!).
We miss them a lot!
General updates:
James is into Winnie the Witch books and the classic stories, esp. Snowwhite and Puss in Boots. I had one Croatian version of the Winnie the Witch, and then I ordered a collection in English--he knows which is written in which language so he was able to ask daddy to read him the English version.
James already spelled all of his friends' names last fall, and now he writes his names very well. He never flips letters (S is usually the one kids tend to flip left to right in the beginning, but not James). He picks up everything he hears at home or school. His music teacher says he is the one who carries the melody when the kids sing together--he knows all the words, his pitch is on point, and he is not shy to sing loudly.
He is also good at expressing himself verbally: he tells me exactly what the plan for the day is: 'Kad dodjemo kuci, mama, daj mi zvaku i onda hocu da gledam Strumfove. Onda kad padne mrak, ja cu da obucem pidzamu i onda cu da jedem i ti ces da mi citas i onda cu da idem u krevet.' (When we get home (from school), I want a bubble gum and to watch the Smurfs. Then when it gets dark, I'll put pajamas on and eat dinner and then you'll read to me and then I'll go to bed.) For any variations in the day, he likes to give me an overview if it should include something that he wants.
He remembers phrases and words so easily. The other day daddy must have done something that he told the kids not to do, and James's response (in daddy's words from before) was, 'But you are daddy--you can do what you want', which is one of daddy's phrases. Or, as I was reading a book to him last night, I omitted 'snow' from 'snow boots' in the Winnie the Witch story, and he stopped me and corrected me ('cizme za snijeg'). He even helped the older kids with the Serbocroatian version of a few English words that they couldn't remember.
The kids played great together: Nikolas, Sonja, Michael, James with Basti and Emma. Despite the language barrier and a slight difference in ages, they got along wonderfully. Sonja and Emma drew together and made bracelets, Basti was tumbling with the boys, piggyback-riding, making tents out of living room furniture and blankets, everyone stayed up late watching Star Wars before passing out, and during the day they went to the pool a lot and a few more places like the beach, Zoo, museum (James did not like live butterflies in the museum at all!).
We miss them a lot!
General updates:
James is into Winnie the Witch books and the classic stories, esp. Snowwhite and Puss in Boots. I had one Croatian version of the Winnie the Witch, and then I ordered a collection in English--he knows which is written in which language so he was able to ask daddy to read him the English version.
James already spelled all of his friends' names last fall, and now he writes his names very well. He never flips letters (S is usually the one kids tend to flip left to right in the beginning, but not James). He picks up everything he hears at home or school. His music teacher says he is the one who carries the melody when the kids sing together--he knows all the words, his pitch is on point, and he is not shy to sing loudly.
He is also good at expressing himself verbally: he tells me exactly what the plan for the day is: 'Kad dodjemo kuci, mama, daj mi zvaku i onda hocu da gledam Strumfove. Onda kad padne mrak, ja cu da obucem pidzamu i onda cu da jedem i ti ces da mi citas i onda cu da idem u krevet.' (When we get home (from school), I want a bubble gum and to watch the Smurfs. Then when it gets dark, I'll put pajamas on and eat dinner and then you'll read to me and then I'll go to bed.) For any variations in the day, he likes to give me an overview if it should include something that he wants.
He remembers phrases and words so easily. The other day daddy must have done something that he told the kids not to do, and James's response (in daddy's words from before) was, 'But you are daddy--you can do what you want', which is one of daddy's phrases. Or, as I was reading a book to him last night, I omitted 'snow' from 'snow boots' in the Winnie the Witch story, and he stopped me and corrected me ('cizme za snijeg'). He even helped the older kids with the Serbocroatian version of a few English words that they couldn't remember.
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| Play at James's school |
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
James, the immitator (from summer 2016)
Summer 2016
Some funny things James does as he imitates the rest of the family:
Some funny things James does as he imitates the rest of the family:
- sitting with crossed legs at the table, like daddy.
- eating while reading a comic book next to his plate, like Nikolas.
- puts on his Superman pajamas and jumps out of the hallways in front of us, arms and legs outstretched, yelling: " supermaaaaan!" (equivalently, "angry biiiirrrds!", "traaaaaiiin (Thomas the train)")
California Family Reunion (Deka's 95th Birthday Celebration!), August 2016
We just spent two exciting weeks in Palm Springs. The big occasion was deka's upcoming 95th birthday, and for that we brought together a good chunk of closest family.
The first week was casual and relaxing, with just my mom and deka, and our family. When we were not chatting indoors, we were at the pool (usually just baka and the kids--somehow she even got James to go into the pool, which he absolutely refuses at home--but with baka he wouldn't come out!) or at the table tennis and pool tables. Nikolas and Sonja got pretty good at table tennis, actually!
We made two special trips to the San Diego area, one to the San Diego Zoo, and the other to the LEGOLAND. Both were huge successes! Nothing overwhelming like our Disney World in FL, both manageable for a day, and both with lots of interesting things and rides for all ages, and basically no lines. Not to mention the weather :) Breathing the fresh ocean air, not feeling the humidity.... it was like air massage.
Nikolas was thrilled to see his favorite animal, cheetah. We also had a close encounter with a tiger who was resting on the opposite side of a glass wall. James loved riding in the open bus with which we started our tour. He kept up with the rest of us (ok, we rented a stroller for him, which was a great idea) and stayed interested until the very end.
The drive to San Diego was worth mentioning, too! We drove over the mountains that separate Palm Springs and the desert areas from the ocean. The views were stunning as we climbed the windy two-way road through rocks barely dotted with cacti. The pictures don't do it justice. The kids loved it, and this gave them inspiration for new paisaje ideas.
LEGOLAND was exciting for the kids more for the rides and 3D movies (they scared James but the other three kids went back 3-4 times for the same movie) than for the actual LEGOs. Of course, Nikolas and Michael both tried to get me to buy them a couple of Lego sets each, which I told them to remember until Christmas (they were not too happy with that), but the rides preoccupied them more anyway. Only James played with Legos a bit at the end, while he waited with me and baka for the rest to see the 3D movie again (and again), and while we sat by a big Lego sculpture that was available to kids to touch up, he took maybe 3 pieces and asked me to help him make a 'pushka'. And he brought it with him. During all our travels, move from one vacation house to another in Palm Springs, plane rides, he still has that same set today. At least I have one kid who can meticulously keep track of his stuff--the rest can't even find their pajamas before bedtime!
After the first week, we moved to a villa where the rest of the family joined us: Sanja and Sonja with their families, Marko, Goca, and for one very special lunch we had more local family over: teta Rada with family, Shana with hers, teta Radojka, Lela and Mica, Mira and Julio.
The kids had so much going on at the house that they barely needed to talk to me and Robb: pool and mini-golf outside, arcade and a card game table inside, movies on TV, playing with cousins..... they all go along so well that we noticed at one point that no one every complained about anyone else, they all paired up with their favorite (age-appropriate) cousin, and had a wonderful time playing and enjoying themselves. James, at his 3 years of age, was so independent that it was amazing to see... he played with Braden like they were best friends for a long time--they would even collapse on the couch and fall asleep.
The first week was casual and relaxing, with just my mom and deka, and our family. When we were not chatting indoors, we were at the pool (usually just baka and the kids--somehow she even got James to go into the pool, which he absolutely refuses at home--but with baka he wouldn't come out!) or at the table tennis and pool tables. Nikolas and Sonja got pretty good at table tennis, actually!
We made two special trips to the San Diego area, one to the San Diego Zoo, and the other to the LEGOLAND. Both were huge successes! Nothing overwhelming like our Disney World in FL, both manageable for a day, and both with lots of interesting things and rides for all ages, and basically no lines. Not to mention the weather :) Breathing the fresh ocean air, not feeling the humidity.... it was like air massage.
Nikolas was thrilled to see his favorite animal, cheetah. We also had a close encounter with a tiger who was resting on the opposite side of a glass wall. James loved riding in the open bus with which we started our tour. He kept up with the rest of us (ok, we rented a stroller for him, which was a great idea) and stayed interested until the very end.
The drive to San Diego was worth mentioning, too! We drove over the mountains that separate Palm Springs and the desert areas from the ocean. The views were stunning as we climbed the windy two-way road through rocks barely dotted with cacti. The pictures don't do it justice. The kids loved it, and this gave them inspiration for new paisaje ideas.
LEGOLAND was exciting for the kids more for the rides and 3D movies (they scared James but the other three kids went back 3-4 times for the same movie) than for the actual LEGOs. Of course, Nikolas and Michael both tried to get me to buy them a couple of Lego sets each, which I told them to remember until Christmas (they were not too happy with that), but the rides preoccupied them more anyway. Only James played with Legos a bit at the end, while he waited with me and baka for the rest to see the 3D movie again (and again), and while we sat by a big Lego sculpture that was available to kids to touch up, he took maybe 3 pieces and asked me to help him make a 'pushka'. And he brought it with him. During all our travels, move from one vacation house to another in Palm Springs, plane rides, he still has that same set today. At least I have one kid who can meticulously keep track of his stuff--the rest can't even find their pajamas before bedtime!
After the first week, we moved to a villa where the rest of the family joined us: Sanja and Sonja with their families, Marko, Goca, and for one very special lunch we had more local family over: teta Rada with family, Shana with hers, teta Radojka, Lela and Mica, Mira and Julio.
The kids had so much going on at the house that they barely needed to talk to me and Robb: pool and mini-golf outside, arcade and a card game table inside, movies on TV, playing with cousins..... they all go along so well that we noticed at one point that no one every complained about anyone else, they all paired up with their favorite (age-appropriate) cousin, and had a wonderful time playing and enjoying themselves. James, at his 3 years of age, was so independent that it was amazing to see... he played with Braden like they were best friends for a long time--they would even collapse on the couch and fall asleep.
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| Deko with his daughters (and niece Goca), granddaughters, and grandchildren (and a few in-laws!) |
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| Deko with all his great-grandchildren! |
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| Mama with her daughters, and their families. |
Sunday, December 13, 2015
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.
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| James learned in school how to push himself on a swing in September 2015--and he swings high! |
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| Our little Halloween pumpkin |
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| Sonja and her best friend Katherine |
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| 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.
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| Sonja lost her first tooth in early December 2015. |
Friday, September 4, 2015
Some updates on kids!
James: sings perfectly:
- Irish drinking songs
- Good night songs: 'U jednoj zimskoj noci', 'Laku noc, laku noc, laku noc mali Guguli', 'Spavaj, snivaj, cedo moje malo',
- Bijelo dugme: 'Ruzica si bila'
- He is picking up songs in English from school after his first week there (they must have recited an Eric Carle's book because I hear him reciteing it rhythmically at home now).
- He is starting to draw while sitting neatly at the little table, just like the older kids. He'll put a bin of crayons and a bin of colored pencils next to his paper and look very focused as he draws using both left and right hand at different times. We can't tell yet if he is a leftie or a rightie.
Mikica: he draws well and has very interesting ideas (always some people/soldiers/animals in motion). He pays attention to little details of his drawings. His handwriting is neat too, except that he tends to bunch words together (he is finally making them look like words and not a single word 2 rows long), but he is still flipping a lot of numbers and letter left to right (esp. J, 5, 6...)
Sonja: She used to usually draw a house and family in front of it over the past year, but now she likes color and abstract with lots of hearts and decorations, so her pictures resemble notecards.
She enjoys playing Othello, Backgammon, and Uno.
Her math is great, all addition and subtraction for her grade she is finding easy.
Both Sonja and Michael hover over Nikolas's shoulder when he gets to play Minecraft on weekends, that he completely hooked on since last winter.
Manners:
James beats the rest of the kids by far! During meals, he sits properly at his little table facing the table, uses utensils (if I forgot to give him a fork or a spoon, he'll ask for one). Nikolas usually stands at the table or leans with a knee on the chair and makes most mess. Michael still takes forever to finish his meals, gets distracted by TV or by Nikolas, and Sonja mastered spreading food she doesn't care about all over the bowl to maximize the leftover and still be able to say that she is done. I can always count on James to bring his plate back to the kitchen when he is done, while the others always need to be reminded.
James always says 'please', 'thank you', 'bless you' (after someone sneezes). The other kids... not so much. Nikolas isn't bad, but he is not as good at mannerism as James is.
In Serbocroatian, James says 'hvala mama' nicely. I have to teach him to say 'nazdravlje'.
When he asks for something, he says 'Meni ... ', like 'Meni meka.' (asking for milk), whether he is speaking in English or Serbocroatian. In English, he always adds 'please' at the end. He knows to ask for 'pelene' (diapers), tene (tennis shoes, as opposed to crocs), shorts, majica (shirt).
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