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.