They say that it is much easier for kids to learn a language than it is for adults.  The kids seem to do really well communicating while playing together, and just about everything else for that matter – Noah was the foreman of the work project in the back yard yesterday, directing all the trench digging, dirt and rock  moving etc.  Then they took the old satellite dish and tried to mount it to the playhouse.  They loved riding scooters and Beza caught on quickly and caught up to the others.  Soccer was fun – mom & dad beat Noah and Wendemagegn, although they won’t admit it.  They love watching movies together and playing on the trampoline and with hotwheels.  We have a 2 week moratorium on Wii and other video games to allow the kids to play and bond.

Dad, however is possibly not quite as skilled in language issues… (just ask Julie about our adventure with getting a taxi in Berlin – that was a hoot!)- So,  trying to explain I’m sorry and I forgive you and it was an accident to Wendemagegn and Beza took about 5 minutes… possibly because they were in a sibling rivalry and didn’t want to make up with each other moreso than my language and intervention skills are bad.  But in the end I think I taught them I’m sorry and I forgive you and it was an accident in english, and we hugged and smiled and made nice, so score 1 for the adults.  I do think that maybe the english word for accident doesn’t translate well for what the Amharic equivalent… I got the feeling that Wend was defensive that he really didn’t do it, and accident was not acceptable to him.  Sure wish I had the gift of speaking in Amharic tongue :)