David Behayelu had some teeth pulled on Friday and was thrilled by a visit from the Tooth Fairy. He explains on video.
Category Archives: Family
Randy’s Birthday
We had a family day together for Randy’s birthday on the 15th, including some time at the park and a visit to the oral surgeon for Behayelu. We had dinner with Sarah, Kyle, Ilaria, Chris and Paul at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Playa Azul. Thanks for all the cards, phone calls and online greetings!
Randy and the boys
Birthday Thank You Notes
The boys are doing very well in “Mom School” as they learn about life in America. They are learning what school will be like and developing their reading and writing skills. Sary-Jo is doing an amazing job with them as she varies the activities and keeps them happily engaged in the mornings. Here is a sample of their writing and it shows that “school” time is also quite practical since they had many thank-you notes to write following their birthdays.
David Behayelu’s Birthday
At Point Defiance Zoo & Acquarium
Behayelu turned seven years old today! The boys awoke before Mom, so they climbed in bed with her and watched a few minutes of TV. Behayelu opened some gifts there. After an easy-going morning we went to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium with Sarah & Ilaria (thanks for the pass, Julie & Cindy). We saw many varieties of fish, sharks, birds and other animals. The sharks and walruses were especially impressive, and the otters were quite playful. The boys had a blast. They were so funny, as always.
When we got back from the zoo, we had fish sticks and mashed potatoes for dinner and then headed off to Bible Study Fellowship. The boys love going to BSF! They are making friends and, although they cannot yet complete or comprehend the lessons, they are memorizing God’s word like nobody’s business!! The evening ended with cupcakes, “Happy Birthday” and big smiles!!
My Name is Monkey!
Turn up the volume before playing
Birthday Festivities
Behayelu & Fraol
We had a great turnout for the boys’ birthday party in the park today. It was awesome, with clear blue skies and sunshine (although it got a bit cool after about 4:00 – it is October 11, after all). Our small local park was the perfect setting for a laid-back and unstructured party. We played various games, cooked hot dogs, and just generally had a good time (and, of course, the boys rode the bicycles). There were kids galore and the boys were overwhelmed with gifts (we’ll have to parcel them out over several days so they can appreciate them). Thanks to all who came; you made it a great afternoon!
The Titus family stayed after all the others had left and Jason broke out his kite, which was a great treat for the boys. Even though the wind had died down, all the kids had a blast trying to get the kite to fly. Later, after their bath (playing with new bath toys!), the boys put together the 3-D Lightning McQueen puzzle.
It was a great way to introduce the concept of celebrating birthdays to the boys.
Pumpkin Patch Fun
Group photo in the corn maze
We went to the Pumpkin Patch (at Spooner Farms) with Grammy, MacKenzie, Mason, Kyle, Sarah and Ilaria. Grandpa stayed at our house with the cats (and, more importantly to him, the University of Oregon game in HD). We went through the corn maze as a group, finding all six stations in sequence and in record time (especially compared to last year). We stopped for pictures along the way and just enjoyed it all.
After the corn maze, the kids (including Sary-Jo) each picked out a pumpkin to take home. Then we hit the snack bar and it was on to the pumpkin slingshot! The kids needed some help pulling against the slingshots, but we really enjoyed watching when they tried it on their own. We never hit the bullseye, but we came pretty close and had a lot of fun. Later this month, we’ll carve the boys’ pumpkins and post pictures of that experience. We’ll probably see some wide-eyes again!
After the pumpkin patch, the kids relaxed on our bed and watched TV with the cats for a few minutes.
Go Vikings!
Behayelu & Fraol with the Viking Mascot
We took the boys to their first sporting event – a Puyallup High School football game. We had a blast and saw a few long-time friends: the Smithhislers and the Malkuchs. As we left the stadium we ran into Lauren and her friends! The boys got their picture taken with the Viking mascot and one of the cheerleaders – both were very kind. And especially for Sarah, there’s a picture with Mandy Malkuch!
Daniel Fraol’s Birthday
Daniel Fraol Averill, Age 9
Fraol officially turned nine years old today – and what a day it has been! The boys slept in a bit (because they couldn’t get to sleep last night). When they awoke, Fraol opened a couple gifts and they came out to watch a movie (The Incredibles). For breakfast they had their first taste of Eggos. Then we went on a long bicycle ride from Orting toward South Prairie. We returned to Orting, had a picnic lunch, and the boys played in the park. Following that, we returned to Puyallup and our neighborhood park, where the boys continued riding bicycles. Sarah, Kyle and Ilaria met us there, as did Sarah’s friend Stella and her kids. What a blessing!
The boys explained that they celebrate the first birthday in Ethiopia, but not really any others. We don’t know if that applies just to them or if that is the cultural practice.
We had a low key day as birthdays go. We’ll have a gathering at the park on Sunday to celebrate both boys’ birthdays, since Behayelu turns seven on Monday. But we all had a great time doing the things that Fraol likes best. And, of course, we took a few pictures. Click on the one shown to see more photos.
Life With Boys
Daniel Fraol and David Behayelu continue to fit in well to the Averill household. They love to talk and they don’t really care that it takes a while to overcome language barriers. Since we love to share stories with them, it has been great in that regard.
Biking along the Puyallup River
They also love to ride bicycles (which is rather fun, especially considering they both learned how within the last two weeks). Behayelu learned two days after Fraol did. We were visting their cousins Mason and MacKenzie. Mason was a great motivator and then they (Mason & MacKenzie) loaned us some bicycles. I think the boys would ride their bikes for hours every day if we let them. We take them to a local park practically every day and we’ve ventured onto the bigger bicycle trails twice. They are getting used to riding with other bicycles, scooters, pedestrians, dogs, etc. (Click here to see pictures of our visit at Julie’s)
At the park with the Titus family
They’ve played with the neighorhood kids and make friends wherever they go. Nobody can resist their smiles and happy attitude. We continue to introduce them to friends and family as opportunities arise. We don’t want to overwhelm with new people every day, but it’s been great for them to meet Margie & Ruli, Mike & Mary, the Titus family, Rebecca and many others. At Margie & Ruli’s they enjoyed looking at Margie’s photo album and doing jigsaw puzzles. At Mike & Mary’s they consumed a number of cows (might be exaggerating here) and roasted marshmallows on the back patio (their first bonfire). We had a great time at the park with Jason, Katie and the kids, as well as Rebecca.
Their energy level is through the roof, as are their appetites! They can pack away the protein, whether it’s salmon, beef, pork, chicken or eggs. Peas and cheese are not favorites at this time, and they’re somewhat picky about fruit juices. They did share that “In Ethiopia, no full!” meaning they never seemed to have enough food. “Good morning… eat. Good afternoon… eat. Good night… no eat.”
They had their first ever dentist appointment. They did very well in terms of sitting still, opening their mouths, etc. As you might imagine, they needed a lot of cleaning but neither had a cavity, which surprised us. Behayelu needs some baby teeth (and fragments) removed and they both need sealants. Not bad!
They had school pictures taken and it is clear from that short visit that they will need much more adjustment before they are ready to join in regular school. They work with Sary-Jo (Momschool) practically every day and they really enjoy learning! They also started attending the children’s program at Bible Study Fellowship on Mondays (with Randy) and they love it! One of the leaders said that their first night attending was his best night in over 20 years of BSF!!! They enjoy memorizing their verse even though they cannot really understand or complete the lesson. They frequently ask if “Bible Study tonight? No? Tomorrow? Tomorrow-tomorrow???” They love it!
One day as we drove by the fairgrounds they got very excited. We received some free passes so we took them for a couple hours on the final day of the fair this year. They rode on a few rides, petted some animals and had a hot dog for lunch. They seemed to enjoy it a lot and have asked when they get to go again. We cannot seem to convey that it’s closed until Spring. (Click here to see pictures at the fair)
The kittens just climbed up on the desk to remind us to write about them. They are adjusting to a noisy household quite nicely. They love people now (they seemed a bit terrified by us for a couple days) and they are extremely cute. The boys like the cats now and enjoy holding them and petting them. The boys laugh like crazy when the cats run through the house at 87.3 miles per hour. Click on the picture to see more pictures of the cats.
Things continue to progress quite well. The house and the blog are falling behind as the boys (and the cats) seem to consume a lot of time and energy. But that’s the way it works with active kids at home.