I'll kick you birds

So I just have to write this for memory sake. The summer before last we took a little mini trip to Ocean City as a family. The weather wasn't the best but we had a good time anyway. One thing I wanted to do with Brady is take him to feed the seagulls on the beach, a thing I loved to do with my dad. The problem was that since it was September these poor fat seagulls were starving. Brady had just turned 2 and Mac was only 8 months. When we started throwing out bread, the swarmed us and I was for real afraid. They were hovering right at my face and I paniced, Brady was at my feet crying and crying and he knew I was scared. Finally, I threw the bread and tried to grab him and run away. It was an embarassing and scary experience. Well for the rest of the weekend Brady was so scared of the seagulls and any time we had food they were right on top of us. We tried to help him be brave but he wasn't too good at speaking yet. We told him when the birds came up to him to just say "I'll kick you birds!" and run after them. The way he said it, it sounded like "I'll kick 'ew birds"... it was so funny. It worked a little bit. The funniest part though, is when we got home after a few weeks we were playing outside on the driveway with a bunch of toys and we heard the sweet little tweet tweet of a PA brid above us on the telephone wire. Out of nowhere Brady looked up at him and said (in his toughest voice) "I'll kick ew bird".

Fun in Athens

When Tony's parents were here visiting we had a great time. We did so much and just enjoyed it all very much. My favorite memory was the dinner we had in Athens in the evening looking at the Acropolis all lit up. While we were there I was asking the kids the only question they can answer in Greek. Can you figure out what it is?

What the boys are doing now

Both Boys go to school now and ride a school bus. We thought it would be best for them so that they can learn Greek and make friends. They have started to become a little afraid of Greek kids. We think it's better for them if they can feel a part of things early because 3 year olds aren't as mean as 5 years old. Already they are learning new words and although they cry getting on the bus they are always so happy and energetic in the afternoon when they return.

Brady. Well he is brilliant I think. His favorite thing to do it worksheets. I will have to teach my boys English and American stuff so I got a bunch of books from Ollies Bargain Outlet and have been working with him. He does so will an can spell his name. He has recently learned all of his letters and can identify them which just happened a week or so ago when Grandma gave him a Sesame Street place mat. He is learning how to write and can count to 39, we need to work on his tens because a lot of times he says twenty eleven for 21.

Mac. Greeks love him, he is so sweet they say. He really can't be taught much but learns well on his own. He can count to 13 skips 14 and goes to 16. All of which I couldn't teach him. Although he will not do it on command you just have to catch it. Also I've been working on his colors but he never ever gets it but then out of the blue he'll call out a Greek color correctly and shock the socks off of us. He knows his ABC's really well and loves to sing the song. Usually when he gets off the bus he says "I was crying, because I missed you", melts my heart every time. The boys sit together on the bus and have a great afternoon playing together when they get home.

Everyone loves our boys and they have brought a lot of joy to people here. They are doing so well and we are really proud of the way they have adjusted. It's hard to believe that they will be bilingual in a couple of months. (lucky kids)

Finding the Flush

When we first got off the plane in Austria on our trip over the ocean, Brady of course had to go potty. After a long but short night on the plane I took him. He has done so well being potty trained since June. He did his thing without problems or hesitation but when he was done and ready to flush he got stressed out. There is really no other way to put it except that he got noticeably anxious with the unfamiliarity of the potty and the location of "the flush" in particular. Here they could be anywhere. I say this story now because Brady has adapted so well that he can find the flush anywhere and it's become a game. Just one of the little adjustments we've all made.... did I mention we can't flush toilet paper?