I attempted to teach Elsa sign language during her pre-verbal months, and although I can't say it was entirely successful (she only knows 4 signs), it has had a lasting influence on her perception of the world. Well, at least her understanding of the kids classic "This Little Light of Mine".
Elsa's sign for "banana" is holding up her pointer finger and her thumb in an "L" shape and moving it back and forth--or, exactly how you would hold up your little light for the song. Recently I realized that when we sang "This Little Light of Mine", and got to the part about not letting Satan blow it out, Elsa was blowing on her finger and saying "Shh manna"--or in other words, don't let Satan blow your banana out.
Yes, indeed. Don't let Satan blow your banana out.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Dehna Nachihoo! Igzhaibier Yimesgin!
Welcome to our world of the Amharic language. We are now starting into our fourth week of language school. We've been fortunate thus far, the first month of school is done phonetically--meaning that we haven't yet had to quadruple our concentration level to wrestle with the 230+ Amharic Fidel (an alphabet that does not use our script, rather symbols similar to what you would associate with Hebrew and Arabic). That is what awaits us, though, after this next week.
But our first month has gone well. We've found a great nanny named Tizita to watch Elsa and Ezra while we are in school, and we are fortunate enough to live right here on the same compound as the language school. That has made the transition much easier, because I can still come up and feed Ezra and check on both of them. Tizita has been very good with them, we feel lucky to have found her. Although Elsa spent her first week manipulating Tizita into giving her minute-by-minute snacks and movies until I finally realized what was going on and told Tizita that it is more than okay to tell the little girl 'no'!
The kiddos are definitely experiencing the benefits of being in one place now for more than 3 weeks, which I think was our record the last 3 months or so before we left the States. It has been great to see them settle in, start to sleep better, eat better, and feel secure in their home. Elsa has now joined the contingent of wandering little ones who make themselves at home in neighbor's houses here on the compound.
Our minds are being put to work after a long time of disuse, so you can pray that we can absorb the language learning to the best of our abilities! Other than language school, we really do not have much else going on right now--well, I guess with 2 under 2, there's always something going on. But our time is for the most part our own, so Caleb and I have taken to fighting over who gets to do laundry in our new semi-automatic washing machine. You wouldn't believe the satisfaction that comes from seeing all your clean laundry hanging on the line to dry. Ahh...simple pleasures.
But our first month has gone well. We've found a great nanny named Tizita to watch Elsa and Ezra while we are in school, and we are fortunate enough to live right here on the same compound as the language school. That has made the transition much easier, because I can still come up and feed Ezra and check on both of them. Tizita has been very good with them, we feel lucky to have found her. Although Elsa spent her first week manipulating Tizita into giving her minute-by-minute snacks and movies until I finally realized what was going on and told Tizita that it is more than okay to tell the little girl 'no'!
The kiddos are definitely experiencing the benefits of being in one place now for more than 3 weeks, which I think was our record the last 3 months or so before we left the States. It has been great to see them settle in, start to sleep better, eat better, and feel secure in their home. Elsa has now joined the contingent of wandering little ones who make themselves at home in neighbor's houses here on the compound.
Our minds are being put to work after a long time of disuse, so you can pray that we can absorb the language learning to the best of our abilities! Other than language school, we really do not have much else going on right now--well, I guess with 2 under 2, there's always something going on. But our time is for the most part our own, so Caleb and I have taken to fighting over who gets to do laundry in our new semi-automatic washing machine. You wouldn't believe the satisfaction that comes from seeing all your clean laundry hanging on the line to dry. Ahh...simple pleasures.
Ezra and Elsa eating Grandpa Swart's mangos! 
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