More firsts

Venotjari went on her first "nature day" with the kindergarten. They made a field trip to a park/forest and spent the whole morning there. What impressed her the most was the ride with the "big bus" back and forth. When they got back she proudly went into her old group and announced that she had been on the bus. When we arrived at the kindergarten this morning, the kids from the both the dolphins and the butterflies were all in the hallway putting on their rain clothes. Venotjari immediately went to Elias and they started talking. Quite amazing that children of that age really have relatively proper conversations and it is cute to watch and listen to.
The result of the nature trip, is that she was extremely tired and has been whining and moaning since we arrived home. It is now high time for her to go to bed.

As for Unovandu, he has started pushing himself up on all fours - ready to start crawling. So he will be on his hands and knees and starts rocking his body back and forth. I should make a video of it, as it is quite amusing to watch. Watch this space...

Kids growing up

Venotjari has started playing with Playmobil or Lego figures and imitating some interaction between them. They talk to each other etc. She manages to keep herself busy this way for quite some time - and I am very happy about that. As of next week she will only be going to the kindergarden for 3 days a week. So I am anxious to see how the days at home will go with the three of us.
Today Michael dropped her off at the "Dragons" in the morning (normally we drop her off at the "Dolphins" and then they take her over to the Dragons). So this is a first and she apparently managed it quite. Maybe she has now accepted her fate and the move to the group with the older children. The teachers of the dolphin were saying that she was not learning anything there anymore and therefore it was time to move. Now she has started trying to recite the alphabeth and the months of the year. Let's see how long ot takes until she knows them :)

Unovandu is a very busy bee. He refuses to stay lying on his back (unless he decides that he wants to). Otherwise he tries to crawl and ends up all over the floor. It is just amazing to see how much the little man laughs and smiles - practically all the time and to everybody, everywhere. The only time he cries is when his sister is pinching or lying on him or when he is hungry. He is such a friendly person - it fascinates me all the time.
Yesterday we were at the Rhein barbecueing with Sergej and Natalie and the kids. We stayed there for maybe 3 hours and during that time, he was so content playing by himself. I honestly nearly forgot he was there.. :) ... Hope he remains content for a long time...

Pics

Bathing in pink water... looks crazy, doesn't it...

Am I not so grown up already....???

Breakfast with the Zatjirua/Grevings

Sleeping beauty

This is what happens when Venotjari spends the day at the kindergarten and then goes to "the other gym room" to do some exercises and gymnastics (this time fully participating and really doing something, instead of just standing around and mayby jumping on the trampoline - although she remains shy when it comes to the gym teacher Thomas)... she come home totally wasted... and manages to fall asleep on the couch like that...

New news

So much has happened in the past weeks. The first change is that we have cut Venotjari's hair. She is now boasting a near-bald head and she is wearing it with pride. I also think that she looks great. She is just too cute and good-looking; with or without hair. The only problem is that she has been sleeping very badly of late. She wakes up in the middle of the night and starts crying and refuses to be calmed down by anyone. she also cannot say what the problem is and why she cries. It is very frustrating, especiall because one does not know the root of the problem and cannot understand why she acts that way. I guess a little bit more understanding would be helpful for her - but like I said, it is very frustrating and difficult.
Also Venotjari's move to the "dragons" is quite difficult for her. She seems to be very attached to the "dolphins" and it places her under quite a bit of stress to move to the older group. I guess she just feels more comfortable with the little kids. Let's see how long it takes for her to make the step.
Unovandu is a busy bee. He has become extremely agile. He turns 360° in both directions and does not stay in one place. Leaving him alone on the couch is no longer possible. He lifts is backside quite high as if he wants to start crawling. He even pushes his upper body up with his arms.
What I also noticed his is preference for the colour blue. Even when we were swimming, he prefered going after the blue ball. But I have read in some book, that that was proven in some scientific study. Anyway, quite amazing to see that it also applies to one's child.

Growing up

Am back from Mbatata's wedding and the kids have grown so much in the 6 days I was away. Especially Unovandu - he is now has a good body tonus and does not wobble anymore; he holds his head very well. And he has now started practicing rolling from his tummy to his back. And I am also very impressed about his grabbing skills - especially when he is lying on his tummy and you hold up something high up infront of him. He really reaches up and tries to take it. Venotjari is still doing well and growing up too - becoming more mature somehow. I love my children :)