Nati's Citizenship Party

After his US readoption, we had a citizenship party filled with "american" food, the citizenship oath, and pledge of allegiance. He doesn't have his official papers yet but we did the party still. Here's a video of his swearing in. Oath was administered by his Grandma Dot.

Culture Day at Preschool

Today was Nati's turn for culture day at preschool. All week he'll be the special helper and for 30 - 60 mins on a day convenient to the parent, we have to come in and present on our culture. Of course, we chose Ethiopia. Thanks to Sally, we had flags, suckers, and pencil drums to give to his classmates as souvenirs. She also picked up a copy of the children's book Kaldi and the Dancing Goats, the legend of Ethiopian coffee for me to read.

He and I both dressed him in traditional clothing. For a learning opportunity, I brought in a picture of a coffee bush and the red berries that grow on the bush. I also took some unroasted coffee beans, roasted coffee beans, and ground coffee so they could, touch, and smell the stages. The kids had a fabulous time learning about the animals that people use to get around Ethiopia, how to say hello and goodbye in Amharic, and all about coffee. And I survived my first experience of reading to preschoolers.

Here he is featured in his traditional clothing.

Happy Halloween

Apple Picking

Nati really enjoyed his day at the County Line Orchard in Hobart, IN with me and his Auntie "Greta" who's name is Henrietta. It's a ways from the city but well worth the trip.

US Adoption Day

We went to court yesterday, October 5, to get the ball rolling on the US readoption. Here's a photo to capture all those in attendance including the judge. We were joined by Grandma Dot, Grandma Lena, Auntie Henrietta aka Auntie Greta, the judge, and Auntie Sharon.

I'd like to point out I deleted some of the other photos taken that day like his summons. But we do have video of it.

Everything should be wrapped up by November 16th which is very close to his ET adoption day of November 20th.

Nati's progress at bedtime

Nati is making leaps and bounds with bedtime. Sunday night I asked him if I could move his little bed into his room and he said... YES! I was shocked. I knew he'd say no. I positioned it that he needed to move out so I could clean my room. There are twin beds in his room but I knew it'd be too much to ask to sleep in his own room. He said he wanted to help so I let him. He carried the pillow and the stuffed animals named Bear and Cat.

Sunday night (night 1) he lasted til 1:30 am. Monday (Night 2), I woke up at 3 to find him in my bed with the covers pulled over him. Tuesday (Night 3) was a full repeat of night 2. Wednesday (night 4) he didn't come in unitl 6:45 am. Yippee!

I'm making progress as well. My room isn't clean, that's another story, but I am sitting in a chair in his room for 10 - 15 mins after putting him to bed to wait til he falls asleep. That's working ou much better than the 1 - 2 hour of fitting over staying in the bed.

Now I just need to reorg the furniture so there's still room to move around in his room with 3 beds in it.

Progress all around.

My Senior Moment

Nati and I drove to Dunkin Donuts for some bagels. I then drove him to school. About 11 am I remembered I'd left the bagel in the car. At 3, I went to the parking garage to get my car so I could pick him up and go to Funny Bugs at The Little Gym. No car in my parking spot! I thought...OMG my car got stolen or towed right out of my parking space. But it's private property and I don't have any tickets so that doesn't make any sense. Then I thought maybe I parked it in the back of the building and forgot to move it after 45 mins which is how long we can park in back. No car! Maybe I parked it on the street. No car! I couldn't remember where I'd left it.

Then it hit me. I drove Nati this morning and then walked home. I walked over to school. There say my car. 7 hours later it was still there in the 15 min drop off zone valid from 7 - 9 am, 4 - 6 pm. It wasn't towed. It was still running and not ticketed. Amen! Thank you Lord!