Talking up a Storm

Today, Annabel climbed up on the kid picnic table and said, "Papa, sit next me."

I am amazed at how quickly she's learning to express herself with words.

Milestones

This is a slightly sad one. Actually, many of Annabel's milestones are slightly sad for me because we don't plan on having any more children, so when she learns something new and gives up her babyish ways of doing things, those beautiful babyish ways are gone for good.

Of course, there are videos and pictures and memories, but there is not that sudden delight in the moment.

Annabel has learned to say, "here," when she hands you something, whereas she used to say, "me, me, me, me."

It took us forever to figure out why she always said, "me, me, me, me." I mean, we hadn't been showing her episodes of Beaker in the Muppet Show.

Finally, Michiel realized that she said it because we are always asking her to "please give that to me," or "can you hand that to me?" And she, being the lovely parrot that she is, tends to repeat the last word of the sentence said to her. Hence, "me, me, me, me," when she wants to give you something.

We had about a week to enjoy it with full understanding before she learned how to say, "here."

But, she still repeats the last word of sentences.

"Are you a good girl?"

"Girl."

"Do you want to go outside?"

"Side."

"Would you rather have a cookie or cantaloupe?"

"ca-lope."

I wonder how long I'll be able to get away with that one.

First Week of School

Alexander and Michiel have both started school again. Oh, where did the summer go? We could have used a few more weeks of it.

Alexander has happily slid right back into the school routine. Here, he is busy at one of his favorite activities: juicing oranges. He's not one of the youngest kids anymore, and it will be fun to watch him help the younger kids. It will probably go more smoothly than it does with his sister.

For Michiel, the transition is not so simple, but he is valiantly plugging away at his studies. In addition to working full-time, he has class 3-4 nights a week and most Saturdays. There will be some stretches where the kids won't see him for three days, since he goes to class directly from work. We have to remind ourselves that this too shall pass.

And Annabel? She tries to sneak (or barge) into Alexander's classroom every time I drop him off or pick him up.