Pretty Little Liar

     Nastya told her first ever fib. Developmentally it is a milestone and they consider it a good means of recreating a memory. They say that children don't have memories until 3, however I believe differently. If children don't have a memory till 3 why is it that at 1 week or 1 month old they know who their mother is? They can smell their mother up to 100 ft. if the mother is around. Yes, maybe it is not a complex memory but any memory at all is considered a memory right? I know that the question may be a valid or invalid question but for me as a first time mum I consider it a valid question. On to the little fib. I can always tell when Nastya poops, she doesn't hide or run away she squats right there where ever she is. She pooped, I asked her "Nastya did you go kaka?" Nastya replied "No". However I could smell it and I knew she did. What was the first lie your child(ren) ever told and was it a little lie or a big one?

Ugh Oh!

Have you had a child ever say a word, however when they say the word it is a curse word? It has happened to us. Nastya doesn't get the paci (soska) unless she is going to sleep. We were learning new words and Nastya asked for her paci but called it a bitch. I asked her what it was and she called it the same word. So now when she ask's for suka we all know she is saying soska.

At some point in our lives we learn those big bad words that our parents never wanted us to say and now mine has picked one up. I know she doesn't understand what it means and I know in due time she will be corrected. I have to say it was really funny when I first heard it. One of my little sisters used to say F**k for fork, so I know that it isn't any different in a different language. What does you child say wrong?

Family

     My side of the family...ugh I get so frustrated. My side of the family has this brain malfunction that tells them "You live in America so speak English". First of all America doesn't have an official language so don't tell me I need to speak English, this is why we have a diverse place. This way of thinking started with my Great, Great Grandfather who made the mistake and didn't know until too late. It has been passed down for a little too late. It started from my Great, Great Grandfather Barrel, then to his daughter my Great Grandma Cele, to her son my Grandpa Dick, to his son my father Brian and to one of my sisters Tiffany. They have such a hate for other languages. I understand when they don't understand something but to be rude or make smart remark is very uncalled for and it hurts my feelings.

     My Grandmother has the same feelings and she feels that Nastya wont learn English when she should and will have a hard time with it.I explained to her my thoughts and my feelings on this and she still insists it is bad. She has a valid point but at what point to we say that the way of their thinking is old and more as a racial discrimination. She asked that in her home if I would speak English to her. Out of respect for my Grandmother who I adore and care for very much I will respect her. So now begins the lesson of teaching her English.

     Now if I repeat words its ok repetition is the key!

New words

Bottle

Boo-till-ka

Blow dryer

Fan

Ball

My-atch

Balloon

Sh-ar-eek

Sweater

Svee-ter

Lips

Goo-bee

Peas

Gorokh

Watermelon

Ar-boos

Pear

Groo-she

Tomato

Pamee-door

Cucumber

Ah-goo-rets

Pickle

Sa-loinee Ah-goo-rets

Ring

Kal-stou

Could She?

     Once a week I get an update for Nastya about her developmental part of her life. This weeks asks the question "How To Tell if Your Preschooler is Gifted"? I started to read it and it makes me wonder if she is. One thing I noticed very well is that she can memorize things like no other. For her birthday from our neighbour she received a number of developmental puzzles for her age. I also use it as a learning tool to learn new words. I did it once, the very next day she comes to me and shows me the "anasam" how she says it. Pineapple is a complicated one because it looks weird but after one time she understood what it was. So below are some of the focal points for checking to see if your son or daughter is gifted.

Signs of giftedness in a preschooler

Your 2- to 4-year-old may be gifted if she has some of these characteristics:

• Has a specific talent, such as artistic ability or an unusual ease with numbers. For example, children who draw unusually realistic pictures or who can manipulate numbers in their head may be gifted.
• Reaches developmental milestones well ahead of peers.
• Has advanced language development, such as an extensive vocabulary or the ability to speak in sentences much earlier than other children of the same age.
• Is relentlessly curious and never seems to stop asking questions.
• Is unusually active (though not hyperactive). While hyperactive children often have a short attention span, gifted children can concentrate on one task for long periods of time, are passionate about their interests, and like to be challenged by difficult activities.
• Has a vivid imagination. Gifted children often create a vast and intricate network of imaginary friends with whom they become very involved.
• Is able to memorize facts easily and can recall arcane information learned from television shows, movies, or books.

Other signs of giftedness may be a little harder to discern. Some gifted children realize that they are "different" from their peers. This can make them feel isolated and withdrawn. It may also make them likely targets for bullying.

They may begin to experience intense frustration because they can think more rapidly than they can express themselves, verbally or physically. If your child appears unusually angry or frustrated, you may want to consult a mental health professional.

     The last 2 bullets is what I see for Nastya she does a lot of imagination and she can memorize like no other child I know, however one of the questions is this for people who live here in the States who speak another language do these same rules apply?

Never Say Never!

    Yes I brought it up. I have never herd a child learn so fast. Nastya is just as similar to a sponge, especially in the way you squeeze the sponge and then go over the water with its yellow holy body and then you let go and it just takes the water in its belly. This week has been a tremendous break through on both of our parts of life. One it seems as if she learns 5/10 new words a day; digests them for a couple of days and then again. These new words are over this week but it is great.


*Whale

     Keet

*Orange

     Apple-seen

*Russia

     Russ-eeya

*Bread

     he-leyb

*Mouse

     Mish

*My self

     Sama

*Train

     Poi-esed

*Ugh huh

*I love you

     Ya te-bya loo-bloo

*Blanket

     Ah-dee-alla

*Hot Cocoa

     Ca-cow

*Shorts

     Sh-or-ti (the ti is in the back of your throat it is a hard e)

*Pants

     Shtugh-knee

*Socks

     Na-ski

*Book

     Knee-ga

*Stroller/shopping cart

     Kugh-lyas-ka

*Oh my

*Sit down

     Sugh-dees

     Some of these words she just picks up we would say it once and that is it, she knows the word. She is such  a smart little girl it is just weird to know that I say the word once and she repeats it. This has also made me curb my appetite for cursing. I don't want her going to school and the first word out of her mouth is fuck or shit. Neither does Pasha. The words Nastya learns in both languages is awesome. I find it soothing now that she can say what she wants, we still struggle with the unknown words but that is in every family whether English or Portuguese.

Frequently Asked Questions!

     You see that Mum over there behind you at the park who is speaking in a different tongue than you? It is very common here is San Diego to be a foreigner, we have Mexico 1 hour away, Camp Pendelton 1 mile away, and Hawaii is a 4 hour plane ride. We are a collective city for many people who want to be at the beach and Legoland and Sea World so of course it is a world conglomerate of people.
 
     I get asked questions every time I go out of the house so I have put together a list of five questions I always get asked.

Q) What language is that? French or Spanish?

     A) No you dim wite does it even sound close to that...ok that is what I am thinking. I kindly answer Russian. They reply with a awe that is so cool but some tell me it is bad and that we live in America so speak English...sorry to burst the bubble but America has no official and declared language so who cares.

Q) Does she speak English?

     A) No and thank goodness. I understand to have a good job here in the states you need to read, write and speak English fluently but com on she is 2.

Q) Will you teach her English?

     A) Nope, she picks it up already by the time she will be in Kindergarten she will know it fine.

Q) How old is she 4/5

     A) Umm no she just turned 2. Yes she is on the larger scale for a 2 year old but she is slowing down thankfully, well sort of. She is like me long legs and long arms, but her body I am not sure yet where it comes from. Most Mums ask this question its a routine one.

Q) You don't feel that you are doing a disservice to your child by not teaching her English?

     A) No, I feel that teaching her another language is a blessing. It helps Nastya understand that America is a melting pot of many nationalities and that you should accept where you came from and not be ashamed. One thing I noticed is that more and more Russian Mums and Dads are leaving tradition behind and adopting the American way of life. I don't think it is bad but I also believe in keeping traditions alive and well passed down from generation to generation.

     When my grandfather died the last of my Russian heritage died with him. The last of the family stories of when they came and crossed to pond to America. What life was like for them, what they ate. How the ancestors came and why. I know that my grandfathers mother and sisters and brothers only spoke CCCP (Sovetsky Soyuz) Russian when they didn't want the children to understand what they were conversing about. The difference is not huge but still a different pronunciation, how a vowel sounds.