May 31st, Oma Pake arrived. Such an excitement for the kids. Miss N went with P to pick them up from the airport. As usual, she was napping in the car when they arrived. According to P, she woke up, saw her grand parents, stared without any expression for a while and then the little lips started trembling, followed by a big cry. Now, she's a fan of Oma Pake.
The girls had their little piano recital. Both did very well. Miss A practiced the last weeks pretty often and her songs improved tremendously. I don't have to say anything about Miss F's piano, she's always practicing.
The school play, "the Gloaming" was last Friday. It was, again, so beautiful and amazing. Chapeau for all the hard work. Miss F was an element, one of the 'Sun's'. She did two cartwheels and a hand stand on the stage. she knows most of the songs by heart and I catch myself singing them with or without her.
We now officially have summer school. The last big event is Miss A's ballet recital next weekend. It's going to be busy.
Yesterday, we biked to school. We ran into Sara, Hetty and Fleury. Hetty and Miss F took off, followed by Sara. It took Miss A a long time to bike. She has her little four wheeler and the bike is just way too small for her. She made it though! On the way back, it was sticky hot and the road seemed more uphill. Poor little girl wanted to give up a million times but she went on, her cheeks red, her hair sticking to her wet with sweat forehead. Miss F got off her bike and pushed her many times, just so that she could climb yet another hill. She was so nice to her little sis. Love, love love these kids! We're now looking for a new bike for Miss A. I hope she'll get on two wheels soon.
We went to the open house at Ragdale. It was the same day as the piano recital. I had no idea how beautiful the Ragdale property is. Behind the house is a whole nature area, with studios scattered around. The kids did some art activities and we visited the renovated house. So gorgeous! Oma pake were very impressed as well. I ran into Hester Hershenhorn there. I didn't know she was teaching creative writing there before she moved to the city. I felt like 12 talking to her, meeting one of my teachers that I admire so much. She still remembered my 'Hawk' story and gave me some advise in two seconds. Since I talked to her, I've been more proactive about finding a critique group. Since my writing is not going so well and I'm still waiting to hear from this one critique group, I just started a new tennis drill. I'm supposed to be game ready in six lessons. We do it with Katy. It's a lot of fun. Every now and then I take some kind of lessons, but I still didn't get to playing regularly. I see it as an investment for the future!? Or am I just keeping myself busy so that I don't have to worry too much about my writing!
Last Sunday was Pastor Debby's last day at P's church. He was pretty emotional. I joined him at the church and said goodbye to the Pastor and her husband. I'm glad I got to know them.
We stopped with Miss F's swimming for the moment - it's enough, she's already so much better than me! Of course the real reason was schedule problems. Now Miss A's taking lessons. She's doing very well. I wish I could start Miss N with swimming lessons, too.
Now, after all the 'did this did that', let's see what Miss N is doing. She comes down often enough with a cute hairdo and a nice dress, all Miss F's creations. She's OK about it, keeps all the stuff in her hair. She loves shoes, like Miss F loved when she was little - oh well, she still loves them! She'll wear a pair from someone and walk around the house. It's hilarious. Last week, she decided she will climb to the top of the big slide in our backyard. The steps are thin round stocks and the distance between them is about 40cm. The climb is already life threatening, but on top of the landing, two sides are open. She runs from one side to another and escapes a big fall just by luck. She gave me an almost heart attack the other day. I couldn't reach her, she went running away from me, from one side to another, thinking it was a game. Pake had the same with her. She's still a water baby. She walks into the water whenever she can, another cause for heart attack. The only thing that stops her is cold, she won't swim in cold water. I cannot leave the shower door open, she'll just walk in - she's still taking standing showers - and she discovered -yuck!- the toilet pot. She's still calling everything Momma or Mommy, but sometimes some word comes out of her little mouth and we all think it sounded like something. It's unbelievable though how much she understands. I tell her to get a cookie, and she walks to the pantry. I ask her to bring me something and she does it. The amazing part is how she seems to understand all three languages, even English. What's going on in that little head? Wouldn't it be nice to know?
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Miss N's first bike ride
Yesterday was a first for Miss N. the weather was very nice, around 20C with a cool wind. we were pretty slow in the morning, still tired from Saturday. In the afternoon, we all needed an activity so we decided to bike to Elewa farm. I first had to install the baby seat on the bike and we went to buy a baby helmet - which still is pretty large! We all got on our bikes and got on the path. Miss N seemed very happy. It took us a while to get to Elewa, Miss A is biking with her side wheels still. On the way to Elewa, we saw Richard walking the path. I was very happy to see him. I was lately a little worried that I didn't hear anything from him, and with his cancer and everything... You never know. so we chat a short while. Then we ran into Shweta and family. Then we ran into - wow, come on!! - Kimberly from Miss A's ballet at the rec center. So no wonder why it took us so long.
The kids played nicely at the playground. Miss N loves the swings. However, the wind got stronger and cooler, so after looking at the animals by the farm, we left for home. Miss A, on her little bike got so tired, I got worried that she will not bike until home. Miss F fell once. Miss N got tired, too, she fell asleep on the bike. Hey, we saw that before, Miss F! Finally when we got home, Miss A was sweating and red on her face. I was happy that we all made it home! It's great that he weather is getting nice and we can bike again!
The kids played nicely at the playground. Miss N loves the swings. However, the wind got stronger and cooler, so after looking at the animals by the farm, we left for home. Miss A, on her little bike got so tired, I got worried that she will not bike until home. Miss F fell once. Miss N got tired, too, she fell asleep on the bike. Hey, we saw that before, Miss F! Finally when we got home, Miss A was sweating and red on her face. I was happy that we all made it home! It's great that he weather is getting nice and we can bike again!
Maple sugaring and Naper Settlement
I can't believe it's already March and this is my first post of the year. Little Miss N. takes all my time and whatever minutes I have left are used by the other two. Miss F goes to swimming club 3 evenings. Miss A still has her ballet and she'll do an art class. They take together ice skating.
I keep myself busy, too. I do a barre class every Tuesday and I swim once or twice at LifeTime. Miss N is doing well at the childcare.
Last weekend, we were with Carmina and her two girls to Naperville. I heard from Shweta over Maple sugaring fest. Naper Settlement is some sort of open air museum. There are old log houses and there are old shops. They show the way of like at the time of the old settlements. We saw a demonstration of the blacksmith and the printer shop. They were very interesting both for us and the girls. Then we saw the Maple sugaring, when they collect the sap of the maple tree. All four girls played tag in the fields. They play nice and then they have a fight then they play nice again. Little Miss N wants the follow the big girls but it's too hard yet!
It was already 2.30 when we finally left the Naper Settlement and found a restaurant for lunch/dinner. Naperville downtown is very cute, pretty European. People actually walk on the streets. I can't remember the name of the restaurant, but it was good food and they were very friendly, especially if you think that we sat there for 2,5 hours!
When we brought Carmina and daughters home, I realized we were close to Half Priced Books. I went there with my girls and gosh, we couldn't get out. When we left with 13 books and came home, it was 7pm. Exhausted, that's what we were. Miss N had a little fewer, probably from tiredness. Luckily, everybody was full from the late lunch and we went to bed early.
I keep myself busy, too. I do a barre class every Tuesday and I swim once or twice at LifeTime. Miss N is doing well at the childcare.
Last weekend, we were with Carmina and her two girls to Naperville. I heard from Shweta over Maple sugaring fest. Naper Settlement is some sort of open air museum. There are old log houses and there are old shops. They show the way of like at the time of the old settlements. We saw a demonstration of the blacksmith and the printer shop. They were very interesting both for us and the girls. Then we saw the Maple sugaring, when they collect the sap of the maple tree. All four girls played tag in the fields. They play nice and then they have a fight then they play nice again. Little Miss N wants the follow the big girls but it's too hard yet!
It was already 2.30 when we finally left the Naper Settlement and found a restaurant for lunch/dinner. Naperville downtown is very cute, pretty European. People actually walk on the streets. I can't remember the name of the restaurant, but it was good food and they were very friendly, especially if you think that we sat there for 2,5 hours!
When we brought Carmina and daughters home, I realized we were close to Half Priced Books. I went there with my girls and gosh, we couldn't get out. When we left with 13 books and came home, it was 7pm. Exhausted, that's what we were. Miss N had a little fewer, probably from tiredness. Luckily, everybody was full from the late lunch and we went to bed early.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Virginian Opossum
Such a beautiful day today with the kids. They didn't have school, institute day. The sun is shining and we spent hours outside. Miss A was invited to Teresa-Claire's for a playdate. While she was gone, Miss F, Miss N and I went for a walk in the nature, just behind the house. Then Miss F wanted to rake the leaves - all deep colors of red and yellow, so pretty! - and then climbed a tree so high, I couldn't believe. Miss N took a long nap outside, such a nice weather it was. Then in was time to pick up Miss A, and a little visit to Egg Harbor with Chris and Lauren. - Little argument with Miss F because of her table manners, but we made it up!
Back at home, the kids wanted to climb more trees and I made great pictures of them on the pile of leaves (they all need a bath tonight!). While I was busy with taking the pictures, I saw this weird looking animal crossing the back yard. I followed and tried to make pictures. It was pretty far to get a good shot, but I managed one from the side. Miss F checked it in the Audubon book and it's a Virginia Opossum.
I was sure I would be freeked out when I read about this animal. Since we moved here, I realize more and more how dangerous the nature can be. The sweet looking raccoons can attack you or you can get a parasite that can be pretty dangerous. I wrote about that the first year we were here. Then the coyote's in the backyard, the ticks and the lime disease which come with the beautiful deer, weird worms I found when I was cleaning the sand box... Yuck...
that's the mood I'm in when I find the Virginia Opossum article in wikipedia. Let's see how much panic it will bring. The Opossum in an opportunist and you can find the by your garbage bin - we don;t have one outside - (1 point for us). When you scare the Opossum, he goes in a coma for several hours. He looks dead and this way he may save his life - now that's an interesting characteristic - (1 point for the Opossum). He is NOT related to a RAT! (I give 2 points to Opossum for that!) and according to Wikipedia: "They rarely transmit diseases to humans, and are surprisingly resistant to rabies, mainly because they have lower body temperatures than most placental mammals. In addition, opossums limit the spread of Lyme disease, as they successfully kill off most disease carrying ticks that feed on them." 10 points to Opossum and a hug from me - could do it if he wouldn't bite me or go into a coma, maybe. I love that ugly animal!
Now, the girls are in the basement, Miss N is with me talking and crawling. The pumpkin seeds - oh yes, we also carved pumpkins - are in the oven. Have no dinner and I am not proud of it, but having a nice day with the kids. What can I ask for more!
Back at home, the kids wanted to climb more trees and I made great pictures of them on the pile of leaves (they all need a bath tonight!). While I was busy with taking the pictures, I saw this weird looking animal crossing the back yard. I followed and tried to make pictures. It was pretty far to get a good shot, but I managed one from the side. Miss F checked it in the Audubon book and it's a Virginia Opossum.
I was sure I would be freeked out when I read about this animal. Since we moved here, I realize more and more how dangerous the nature can be. The sweet looking raccoons can attack you or you can get a parasite that can be pretty dangerous. I wrote about that the first year we were here. Then the coyote's in the backyard, the ticks and the lime disease which come with the beautiful deer, weird worms I found when I was cleaning the sand box... Yuck...
that's the mood I'm in when I find the Virginia Opossum article in wikipedia. Let's see how much panic it will bring. The Opossum in an opportunist and you can find the by your garbage bin - we don;t have one outside - (1 point for us). When you scare the Opossum, he goes in a coma for several hours. He looks dead and this way he may save his life - now that's an interesting characteristic - (1 point for the Opossum). He is NOT related to a RAT! (I give 2 points to Opossum for that!) and according to Wikipedia: "They rarely transmit diseases to humans, and are surprisingly resistant to rabies, mainly because they have lower body temperatures than most placental mammals. In addition, opossums limit the spread of Lyme disease, as they successfully kill off most disease carrying ticks that feed on them." 10 points to Opossum and a hug from me - could do it if he wouldn't bite me or go into a coma, maybe. I love that ugly animal!
Now, the girls are in the basement, Miss N is with me talking and crawling. The pumpkin seeds - oh yes, we also carved pumpkins - are in the oven. Have no dinner and I am not proud of it, but having a nice day with the kids. What can I ask for more!
Monday, October 24, 2011
A husband's way of helping
When P says "I'll take the kids to school tomorrow", I try to calm down this little expectation. Sleeping in one morning, huh? After a night of I don't know how many feedings, staying in the bed till 8am is a dream. But husbands are funny creatures who have a diffrent view on helping out with the kids.
One morning like that, the alarm goes at 6.45am. Not mine - yet... Whoever invented the snooze button, well I hope he/she has to listen to his/her significant other's alarm twenty times every morning. Twenty might seem a lot, but it's the price for inventing such a nuissance!
Then around 7.00 am, my alarm starts to buzz. To be honest, I do snooze it a couple of times as well. It's just learning by example, not my character. All that buzzing finally manages to wake up one of the kids - couple rooms further, which surprisingly causes P to get up, go to the restroom, close the door and start to answer his email on his Blackberry - along with the usual business. I will never get to know why calling children triggers this reaction. Never!
While the sounds in the other bedrooms get louder, I hang on to my dream of a free morning and ignore all the "Mooooooommyyyyy"s. A slight irritation starts building up. The longwaited flush of the toilet is unfortunately followed by the sound of the shower. Meanwhile, "Mooooooommyyyy"s are unbearable, the prospect of having the kids at the breakfast table before 7.40am is low and there is no way I can go back to sleep, I get up.
There's work to be done in the morning, mothers know. Miss A is having trouble picking her clothes and she is not willing to try it without help. Miss F is sitting on her usual spot in front of the closet; the clothes will come to her?! I take things into my hand and 20 minutes later, the girls are downstairs, including Miss N - in clothes, clean dipered and nursed. The breakfast (cereal and a glass of worm Nesquik, I won't pretend I prepare pancakes during the week) is ready. While we are eating, P comes downstairs, with his perfect hairdoe, smelling aftershave. He eats with us, and helps me to tell the girls to prepare their lunch - it's almost time to leave for school.
Everybody is ready, the lunch baskets are by the garage door, Miss N sits in her carseat, my blood is boiling from all the "Hurry up"s and "we are late"s; P says, "don't worry, I will bring the girls to the school, you can have an easy morning."
"???!"
Oh I love my husband. He is a nice person, he is a good person. He is a good father. He works hard; and he is the son I never had, ha ha!
At 2.30pm pick up at school, Munisha says, "I saw P this morning, did you get to sleep in?" I tell her the story and I love the expression on her face. She understands.
One morning like that, the alarm goes at 6.45am. Not mine - yet... Whoever invented the snooze button, well I hope he/she has to listen to his/her significant other's alarm twenty times every morning. Twenty might seem a lot, but it's the price for inventing such a nuissance!
Then around 7.00 am, my alarm starts to buzz. To be honest, I do snooze it a couple of times as well. It's just learning by example, not my character. All that buzzing finally manages to wake up one of the kids - couple rooms further, which surprisingly causes P to get up, go to the restroom, close the door and start to answer his email on his Blackberry - along with the usual business. I will never get to know why calling children triggers this reaction. Never!
While the sounds in the other bedrooms get louder, I hang on to my dream of a free morning and ignore all the "Mooooooommyyyyy"s. A slight irritation starts building up. The longwaited flush of the toilet is unfortunately followed by the sound of the shower. Meanwhile, "Mooooooommyyyy"s are unbearable, the prospect of having the kids at the breakfast table before 7.40am is low and there is no way I can go back to sleep, I get up.
There's work to be done in the morning, mothers know. Miss A is having trouble picking her clothes and she is not willing to try it without help. Miss F is sitting on her usual spot in front of the closet; the clothes will come to her?! I take things into my hand and 20 minutes later, the girls are downstairs, including Miss N - in clothes, clean dipered and nursed. The breakfast (cereal and a glass of worm Nesquik, I won't pretend I prepare pancakes during the week) is ready. While we are eating, P comes downstairs, with his perfect hairdoe, smelling aftershave. He eats with us, and helps me to tell the girls to prepare their lunch - it's almost time to leave for school.
Everybody is ready, the lunch baskets are by the garage door, Miss N sits in her carseat, my blood is boiling from all the "Hurry up"s and "we are late"s; P says, "don't worry, I will bring the girls to the school, you can have an easy morning."
"???!"
Oh I love my husband. He is a nice person, he is a good person. He is a good father. He works hard; and he is the son I never had, ha ha!
At 2.30pm pick up at school, Munisha says, "I saw P this morning, did you get to sleep in?" I tell her the story and I love the expression on her face. She understands.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Dinner with friends
We had a lovely dinner yesterday with Alison and Erik at their house, with Blai and Carmina. All very entertaining people, enjoyable company. It was too cute when Dagny showed her room to us, the place where Miss F knows too well!
Today, Leo and Carla came to visit us with Alex. First get together after more than a year. Always nice to see old friends! Carla is running the Chicago Marathon. I hope she'll survive it, she has problems with her feet and leg. Crazy lady, still doing it. Good luck Carla!
Dagny had her bday party today, so Miss F went to the farm. It was a truly beautiful day for that!
Tonight was the school fundraising dinner at John and Dianna's. Although none of us felt like going, the evening turned out to be very pleasant. It was a big dinner and the wine was amazing - not a coincidence if you think about the host - and everyone was quite relaxed and social. We had a sitter problem and we had Alia last moment. Diana was very nice to let us bring Miss N and let her sitter take care of her. She slept like a baby! upstairs while we were dining. The dinner lasted longer than we thought, when I arrived home Fauzia was sitting with Alia in our living room. Poor Alia looked so tired! P stayed longer and drove back with Tricia.
Gosh, got to go to sleep, it's too late!
Today, Leo and Carla came to visit us with Alex. First get together after more than a year. Always nice to see old friends! Carla is running the Chicago Marathon. I hope she'll survive it, she has problems with her feet and leg. Crazy lady, still doing it. Good luck Carla!
Dagny had her bday party today, so Miss F went to the farm. It was a truly beautiful day for that!
Tonight was the school fundraising dinner at John and Dianna's. Although none of us felt like going, the evening turned out to be very pleasant. It was a big dinner and the wine was amazing - not a coincidence if you think about the host - and everyone was quite relaxed and social. We had a sitter problem and we had Alia last moment. Diana was very nice to let us bring Miss N and let her sitter take care of her. She slept like a baby! upstairs while we were dining. The dinner lasted longer than we thought, when I arrived home Fauzia was sitting with Alia in our living room. Poor Alia looked so tired! P stayed longer and drove back with Tricia.
Gosh, got to go to sleep, it's too late!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Summer in brief
Just back from a lunch with Fauzia, I will use my last hour before I have to pick up Miss A to write. There are several things I should mention here. so much is happening and so little time to write, I'm chronically behind this journal.
I have to go back to summer first.
In June, we had Miss F's school play - was beautiful - and Miss A's ballet recital. Recital was two days in a row. P came to the Friday recital and missed Saturday, he was leaving for Europe. Miss A did a cute job. She did show how lefty she is, while all the girls were jumping right, she was jumping left. Well, we have it on DVD, so no more details. Miss A's group got the most applause for sure!!
After p left, I packed our stuff to leave for Turkey. But before we left, two things happened. Miss A lost her first tooth and Miss N discovered her hands. Both are moments to reflect on. Gosh they grow fast!
It's not the first time I left for Europe without my hubby, but it was the first time with three kids. Adding my usual stress about flying, I was beyond tiredness and stress when the limo came to pick us up - by the way, P ordered the limo for 2 hours before the plane left mixing up who's taking the plane, so I changed it to 3 hours before. When I'm over tired, I usually become very calm. So that was how the trip went. The kids did great in the plane and at the 7 hours lay over in Munic(love the business lounge!) For the first time, my parents couldn't come together to pick us up, we wouldn't have fitted in the car.
We spent the first two nights in Izmir, I wanted to meet my friends. I had a lovely dinner with Asli, Deniz A. and Hesna. On Friday, we left for Oren in two cars, we had Yanki with us. The first thing my father did - and it was great - was to take the kids to the shop and buy them new bikes. And those bikes were ridden!
I'll go over the vacation very quick, I have many pictures anyway. First 10 days, we had Yanki. Burak and the rest of his family joined us for a couple of them. Serap Abla was in Oren with the little daughter of Sedar Abi. The little girl and Miss F, almost same age, became friends. Then P's parents and Gerald, Edna, Sheila and Aaron arrived. P's parents had their little house 2 minutes from my parents' and the cousins were at Orient club. we travelled to Bergamom and Assos all together,, had dinner at the fish restaurant, at my parents and at Orient. Good days! Then everybody started leaving one by one. P was the last one and we realized I was leaving with the kids in two days and by the time I was in US, P was not back from Europe yet. So we decided to stay couple more days. Poor P had to call for hours to United to finally arrange tickets for us for a week later. By the time I was packed and unpacked twice.
The extra vacation was more than welcome. Miss A and Miss F had the chance to play more with their new friends. They were kids or grandchildren of neighbors, some speaking only German. The kids communicated in Turkish or English. They were all older then the girls which was maybe even better. Miss A and Miss F were like dolls. Miss A was always carried on someone's back playing hide and seek.
We also had the chance to stop by Foca, at my aunt's. Uncle Murat's daughter Lilya was there with a friend of hers. The last night before going to Izmir, Burak and I went out to Foca. I hardly ever spend alone time with my brother, so it was very special. We walked around the whole village and talked. After picking up Lilya and her friend who were also spending their last night in Foca, we went back to my aunt's. we, four kids, decided to have some ice cream before going to bed, which was too noisy for my dad. Just like little kids, we were shooed to our rooms - giggling!-
Going back to US after five weeks was nice and sad. It was probably the best vacation I had in Turkey with the kids. we landed O'hare almost at the same time as P who was coming back from Texas. We drove home together.
This vacation was special for me for another reason. I had to chance to talk to Serap Abla and heard how she was alone and bored in Oren when she was growing up. It was the proof that I was not weird, doing something wrong or paying the debt of anything. One day we visited her mother, Suna Teyze. The girls went to play right away and my mother, Serap Abla, Suna Teyze and I were talking. Suna Teyze said from out of blue how she thought I was such a lonely child with no kids around to play and so good at entertaining my self. This was a breakthrough for me, maybe a little late in life, but I feel like I'm freed of some long lasting issues this summer. I just feel better. Plus the girls found friends in Oren -because unlike when I was growing up, there are kids in Oren - I'm just happy and excited to go back next year.
I have to go back to summer first.
In June, we had Miss F's school play - was beautiful - and Miss A's ballet recital. Recital was two days in a row. P came to the Friday recital and missed Saturday, he was leaving for Europe. Miss A did a cute job. She did show how lefty she is, while all the girls were jumping right, she was jumping left. Well, we have it on DVD, so no more details. Miss A's group got the most applause for sure!!
After p left, I packed our stuff to leave for Turkey. But before we left, two things happened. Miss A lost her first tooth and Miss N discovered her hands. Both are moments to reflect on. Gosh they grow fast!
It's not the first time I left for Europe without my hubby, but it was the first time with three kids. Adding my usual stress about flying, I was beyond tiredness and stress when the limo came to pick us up - by the way, P ordered the limo for 2 hours before the plane left mixing up who's taking the plane, so I changed it to 3 hours before. When I'm over tired, I usually become very calm. So that was how the trip went. The kids did great in the plane and at the 7 hours lay over in Munic(love the business lounge!) For the first time, my parents couldn't come together to pick us up, we wouldn't have fitted in the car.
We spent the first two nights in Izmir, I wanted to meet my friends. I had a lovely dinner with Asli, Deniz A. and Hesna. On Friday, we left for Oren in two cars, we had Yanki with us. The first thing my father did - and it was great - was to take the kids to the shop and buy them new bikes. And those bikes were ridden!
I'll go over the vacation very quick, I have many pictures anyway. First 10 days, we had Yanki. Burak and the rest of his family joined us for a couple of them. Serap Abla was in Oren with the little daughter of Sedar Abi. The little girl and Miss F, almost same age, became friends. Then P's parents and Gerald, Edna, Sheila and Aaron arrived. P's parents had their little house 2 minutes from my parents' and the cousins were at Orient club. we travelled to Bergamom and Assos all together,, had dinner at the fish restaurant, at my parents and at Orient. Good days! Then everybody started leaving one by one. P was the last one and we realized I was leaving with the kids in two days and by the time I was in US, P was not back from Europe yet. So we decided to stay couple more days. Poor P had to call for hours to United to finally arrange tickets for us for a week later. By the time I was packed and unpacked twice.
The extra vacation was more than welcome. Miss A and Miss F had the chance to play more with their new friends. They were kids or grandchildren of neighbors, some speaking only German. The kids communicated in Turkish or English. They were all older then the girls which was maybe even better. Miss A and Miss F were like dolls. Miss A was always carried on someone's back playing hide and seek.
We also had the chance to stop by Foca, at my aunt's. Uncle Murat's daughter Lilya was there with a friend of hers. The last night before going to Izmir, Burak and I went out to Foca. I hardly ever spend alone time with my brother, so it was very special. We walked around the whole village and talked. After picking up Lilya and her friend who were also spending their last night in Foca, we went back to my aunt's. we, four kids, decided to have some ice cream before going to bed, which was too noisy for my dad. Just like little kids, we were shooed to our rooms - giggling!-
Going back to US after five weeks was nice and sad. It was probably the best vacation I had in Turkey with the kids. we landed O'hare almost at the same time as P who was coming back from Texas. We drove home together.
This vacation was special for me for another reason. I had to chance to talk to Serap Abla and heard how she was alone and bored in Oren when she was growing up. It was the proof that I was not weird, doing something wrong or paying the debt of anything. One day we visited her mother, Suna Teyze. The girls went to play right away and my mother, Serap Abla, Suna Teyze and I were talking. Suna Teyze said from out of blue how she thought I was such a lonely child with no kids around to play and so good at entertaining my self. This was a breakthrough for me, maybe a little late in life, but I feel like I'm freed of some long lasting issues this summer. I just feel better. Plus the girls found friends in Oren -because unlike when I was growing up, there are kids in Oren - I'm just happy and excited to go back next year.
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