It’s not all that different from having biological children
Parents of biological children marvel how their kids figure out how to do stuff as they get older.
We have been marveling at what our children already know. It’s kind of the same principle. We as parents still ooooh and aaaaah, and have to brag to everyone and show pictures if we have them.
There was the gardening. At the Magic House yesterday (with my sister and her baby daughter), we figured out that they know their colors – Aman has just about all of them down in English. Food has been the most fun. We are always surprised at what they decide they like and what they decide they don’t like. Like typical preschoolers they may like one thing one day, but two days later, not want any of it. However, they are still most happy with Ethiopian food. We’re not complaining.
They are also keen observers. Thinking back, I did pull some weeds when I had them with me, so I think that’s how they figured it out.
On Monday, we went swimming for the first time. My in-laws own a little plot of land in this organized community out way past Union, MO. There is a pool there for the owners, which is very nice, and never crowded. Adam ended up having to help my father in law with something, so I took the kids with my mother in law and my two nephews – one is 4 and the other 8. The 8 year old has Downs and ADHD and is a real handful. So basically I was on my own with the kids. I consider myself a strong swimmer so I wasn’t too worried, but still a little nervous. They like the slip and slide ok, but we really didn’t know how they would do in a body of water (I’m sorry – it’s a body of wu-ha). We had been working on them knowing to stay with me when we go places and had been doing very well, i.e. I can take them to the grocery store without any problems. However, when they saw the pool, they both ripped off their T-shirt/coverup and flip flops, and before I could drop the towels, etc. to run after them, they were in the kiddie pool. By the time I got to the edge of the pool, Aman had swam underwater to the other side, and Serawit had gone under, come back up, and was spashing around laughing. I think they can swim. Come to find out later when I took them both into the big pool, they can’t tread water, but Aman is a little fish, and Serawit wants to be. I was so happy to find that out, but I’m also a bit scared because they have no fear. Whatsoever. We went out again today and they were just great. We can stick them in an innertube and I can do laps while pushing or pulling them with me – exercise! Once they learn some more English, they will probably be in swimming lessons.
Tomorrow, it’s the zoo in the morning, and back to the pool in the afternoon.