Some events between July and December 2006

Here are some sections from the obligatory progress report to the adoption authorities in Sri Lanka that we think are interesting for you too.

In July we went to the Netherlands to our holiday house in “Hollandsche Rading” north of Utrecht). We bought a holiday house there in 2005 to give our children the possibility to have a steady place when we come for home leave. This place is very close to where many of our family members live, so that we can all easily be in touch with each other. The holiday house offers some sort of safe haven for the children (and ourselves!) during the usually very hectic weeks in the Netherlands where they can rest and receive visitors in their own environment. The boys really enjoy seeing their family . Saman is now old enough to know everyone by name and is very happy to see them. For the first time the kids stayed a few times overnight at the house of his grandmother. All involved had a great time!
We also celebrated 3 birthdays in the Netherlands: first Saman turned 4, then Eline 40, and finally we advanced Yekuno’s second birthday by a week to give him the opportunity of a personal party as well. The three opportunities brought many guests to our little house, not just close relatives, but also friends and acquaintances.
We did many unusal (as compared to Addis) things during our holiday, such as visiting a real castle, swimming -both outdoors and in a hall with all kinds of water jets-, canoeing and of course a lot of cycling. In August we had a lot of rain but Yekuno didn't mind so much. He loves walking in mud and splashing in puddles. We have to pay close attention to make sure he does not drink from every single bit of water he sees (jummie!).

The new school year in September brought quite some changes for our boys. First at Andinet International School around the corner from our house. Finally, after always seeing his brother to school, Yekuno could now also go - every week day from 8.30 to 12 in the Nursery class. In the beginning he cried but after a few days he quite liked it. Saman now started in (lower) kindergarten (Lower KG), which means that from now on he will also go to school in the afternoons. It did not take Saman very long to get used to the long school days from 8:30 till 15:30, though he had to learn that one box in his bag is for the mid-morning snack, and the other for lunch. Also, in the beginning he was rather tired but after playing quietly by himself at home, for half an hour or so after returning from school, he is usually fine.

In addition, we enlisted Saman at the ‘Taaltoekel’, the official school for Dutch language and culture located at the compound of the Dutch Embassy at the other side of town. Saman is in the first group, together with 7 other children, on Monday afternoons from 15:45 till 18:00. Since it is at least half an hour to drive to this school, on Mondays Saman only goes to Andinet in the morning. The Dutch school has to provide a 200 hour program per year in order to be certified, and in addition to the regular weekly class, all kinds of activities are organised. E.g. half October a camp-out was held at the school’s garden. It was the first time Saman slept in a tent without parents. It all went very well, Saman was comfortable with his friends, and he even had a good night’s sleep!

In December there was another festival of Andinet International School. No longer a new phenomenon for Saman, he was not nervous to perform at the large theatre. He showed to be an excellent dancer.

Halfway December Saman suddenly (well, of course after months of preparations from our side) decided that he wanted to sleep without night diaper. Already the first night he stayed completely dry, for 3 weeks now!