What else is new? A couple of days ago we celebrated 3 months since Rachel came home. And you know what? All of a sudden I noticed that she started understanding more and more English, and even started to communicate in English! Just a couple of days ago I heard her saying to Victoria’s friend “Come here” and “I’m gonna get you”. Maybe for some kids it’s not a big deal, but for Rachel it’s huge, and I’m anxious to see the difference at 6 months’ mark!
This weekend we went to the Fish Hatchery at our local park, and the girls had a lot of fun feeding the fish with the special fish food. It was so cool watching the fishes jumping out of the water and opening their mouths to get the food!
We also went to the circus – the Damascus Shrine Circus was in town. Though Rachel has been to the circus in Odessa (there is a permanent circus there), she’s never seen the show on 3 arenas at the same time! The girls loved the show and especially the pony rides during intermission.
Another first for Rachel last week: a lawn mower! After a week of summer-like weather our lawn needed a trim. But that was something Rachel couldn’t understand! There are almost no lawns in Ukraine, so people don’t mow them! Can you believe that she’s never seen the lawn mower before?
And this is the last warm day last week (it was only 34 ° F this morning :). Rachel is reading "Neznayka" (a boy that didn't know anything) to Victoria. It was my favorite book when I was growing up, and it's so nice that my daughters like it too!
10 comments:
A lawn mower was a strange and wonderfully weird thing for Alex and Anna, too! We've been mowing a few weeks now. I am still amazed at the things I haven't thought about that would be new experiences for our kids. Who would have thought about lawn mowers being something new??? :o)
Wow, 3 months home...It seems hard to grasp...I know that our time has just whipped by and I am sure you are saying the same thing. The fact that she is using some English is great. She doesn't have to force herself like so many other kids coming over since you guys speak Russian, but it is interesting to see our Tanya at almost 10 think and answer her older sister in English even when the question is in Russian. For us 6 months is just around the corner and let me tell you, it is a world of difference from the 3 month mark. I hope you get some more warm weather too, it sure looked nice. God Bless!
It's great that Rachel is already starting to speak some English sentences.
In many ways, I think it's wonderful that she'll be able to maintain her Russian since you all speak it.
Leeza's picked up English very quickly and speaks it almost exclusively now. But sadly, she seems to be losing all recall of Russian equally as quick. Of course, in our family she has limited opportunities to speak in Russian and have us understand. Plus with Sarah talking to her non-stop, she has no choice but to learn English. I also think it's easier at 3 or 4 then older like Rachel.
I'm so glad things continue to go so well. Those "firsts" are great aren't they?
How about this cold weather NY is having. I refuse to put the heat on again. So we are wearing polar fleece!
Really hard to believe it's 3 months that Rachel has been home! Great that she has been speaking English much more!
Stefanie
That's great she has a pen pal! I wish we'd kept up more contact with Nicholas' friends as he's already losing his Russian. We try to ask him the Russian word for items around the house (some we know but most we don't) and he's struggling more and more to remember.
How nice for her to have a pen pal! And it's great her English is coming along. Most importantly, I'd say, is that she seems so relaxed and happy with her new life. I love the pictures of her and Victoria together :-)
Glad you liked the poetry video--it *was* so funny!
Wow! It has already been three months. It seems strange that Rachel has never seen a lawn mower but I am sure that there will many more firsts for her.
I have a bunch of pictures to post regarding our lawn mowing "entertainment" too! Isn't it interesting the things we don't give a second thought to?
Our pastor told us how he went to Russia once and asked the people he was visiting why they don't mow their lawns. The answer gave him pause; "Why should we?"
He just had to laugh and say, "I don't know!"
We, too hear the English phrases and rejoice inwardly. English is a slower process for the boys since they talk to each other in Russian. It is interesting, though that once they have an English phrase down well (like "close the door" or "come here") they replace their Russian even when speaking to each other.
How fun for Rachel to have a pen pal! And what a great way to practice her Russian writing!
Melissa E.
This last photo is so adorable!
What a great time feeding the fish and going to the circus! Riding a pony looks like fun. :) This is great that Rachel has a pen-pal and that she is speaking some English phrases. I am glad she will not lose her Russian because it is spoken at home. I am trying to find ways for Grisha to not lose his Russian.
I always love the pictures you post. :) They are just adorable.
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