Every once in awhile, it’s time to do a general review of where the kids are. This web site can easily devolve into an uneven and occasional review of what the kids have been doing lately, without giving anyone a general idea of how they are. Arun’s suddenly started making a whole new level of changes. This largely seems tied in with his still rapidly moving language skills. We’re told by people at the preschool that his English is much better than that of most kids a bit older. He speaks both English and Khmer with a great deal of fluency now, and switches appropriately between the two depending on whom he is speaking with. It’s a little harder for him to switch to Khmer from English than the other way around, but his fluency level in both is about equal. His newfound English skills are wonderfully cute. He’s trying to reconcile himself to a new place regarding both his parents and his younger sister. The other day, I was holding Nahanni in my lap, and he crawled up. He pointed to Nahanni, then to himself, saying:

“This is Nahanni. This is Arun. Daddy got two babies.”

And he’s right.

Oh yeah. That was priceless.

His new language confidence comes at another transition. He’s suddenly gotten a lot less negative – he’s still a 2 year old, and says ‘no’ to just about anything, but the worst seems to have faded – for the moment. But at the same time, he’s developed a real fear of the dark, and finds it very hard to go – and stay – asleep. So, as usual, big changes marked by a disturbance in sleep. Hopefully this won’t last too long, but the other aspects are wonderful.

Our discovery of the Cheng Heng Cambodian restaurant has really made him happy. We went three times last week, and every time he gorged himself. He’s adorable in the restaurant, and really well-behaved.

One of the times, my parents went with us. They liked the food, too!

We’d only been there twice when the lady who owns the place called Leah on the phone (having asked for it earlier) and invited Arun and us to her daughter Sarah’s 8th birthday party! We accepted gratefully, and went on Saturday. It was a great afternoon, with lots of interesting and friendly folks of all sorts of backgrounds and interests. We all left the party in a great mood.

Love to all.