Having fun with everyday things

We are having a lot of action with a 6 year old and two 18 month olds. Everyone loves it when I pull out the sofa bed (except for grandma or the babysitter who are waiting for an accident to happen) and they can bounce around (or daddy can lie down), the top bunk is another favorite destination and we have had to put the ladder away so no more climbing up there.

They are not able to share a my lap, especially Troy and Claire who push each other off. Dino is always pointing to the kitchen counter and making sounds to ask to sit up there. And every morning the twins go to the cabinet with the cat food and exclaim “mama”, they each get a half cup of food in a paper cup, go to the balcony and feed the cats. It is super cute! Other words they are using:

One of their first words has been “Ay de” for moon–correct turkish is “ay de de” do they are close.

Cat, or closer to saying “kt” for cat

When Claire cries Dino says “agla” (cry in Turkish). When Dean cries Claire wrinkles her nose and makes a fake crying sound.

Claire call her brother “ba” and says “Ba gel” (gel means “come here”)

Claire uses baby sign language—for “cookie” and “more.” I am trying to teach “please,” Claire screams and Dean smiles.

Dean says “bo” for fish (balik), boats, and birds.

They refer to food and water as “mama.” I am trying to reinforce the word water or su but they have not picked it up. Claire has 5 teeth on the bottom Dino has two!

I will say they understand everything we tell them. So the words should come pouring out in a few weeks/months.

Troy is making huge gains with reading and writing. He brought home an excellent report card last semester, and his teacher has said he is making good effort with creative writing. For example, he was supposed to color a picture and write a story about it. The picture was of two kids on the seesaw. He did a sloppy job of coloring the girl in the seesaw all pink (pink hair, face, dress, shoes). In his short essay he wrote “The girl on the seesaw is seasick.” That’s effort!