Culture Shock

The other day, Ian mentioned he would like to make a short video for mommy. Emily agreed and David didn't disagree so I started recording. This is what came out.

Last year, I asked our kids to pick out a few of their favorite things; 1 book, 1 movie and 1 toy they really like. I recorded them telling about their choices. You can watch it here . As it turns out, watching themselves talk about their favorite things is one of their favorite things to do. So, we decided to do it again. Here's an updated version of their favorite things: Enoh's Favorite Things Ian's Favorite Things Emily's Favorite Things David's Favorite Things (According to his siblings)

Now the oldest brother was more crafty than any other offspring of the home that the Bohall Family lived in. He said to the little brother, "Did daddy actually say, 'You shall not touch anything in the yard'?" And the little brother said to the oldest brother, "We may touch any of the toys in the yard, but daddy said, "You shall not turn the handle of the faucet that is on the side of the house, neither shall you touch it, lest you be sent to the naughty corner." But the older brother said to the younger brother, "You will not surely be sent to the naughty corner. For daddy knows that when you turn the handle your hands will be skillful, and you will be like daddy, able to fill the swimming pool." So when the younger brother saw that the faucet was good for drink, and that its red handle was a delight to the eyes, and that the faucet was to be desired to make one powerful, he turned the handle and drank and he also gave some to his litt...

We almost forgot. The Jurassic age that had arrived last week had disappeared over the weekend. We no longer had any expectations on Monday morning. So when we came into the living room to get ready for pre-school we were surprised to find our prehistoric friends very comfortable. We were still in a daze so we didn't even think about how they might have made the popcorn. But it turns out food is a major part of their lives.  There was no question their leader was beginning to assert herself more and more.  In fact, all of their personalities were beginning to come through.  After all the eating, terrorizing and building, they found some time for play. But now it was time to spend a couple nights at baka's  house. Would they follow us? Unfortunately, there were no dinosaurs at baka's  but as soon as we got home, we asked mom and dad if they had done anything else while we were gone. They said no, so we forgot about it ...

One of the things about culture shock is that you expect to experience it to some extent when you move to another country.  New faces, different mentalities and foreign behaviors are all things you're ready to be confronted by when mingling with a new culture. And even though it's sometimes difficult, any reasonable person is ready to make some adjustments to the new world around them. But what happens when that foreign culture enters your home? How is one to adjust to their personal space being invaded - especially when there's anthropomorphism and a time warp involved? Monday morning was supposed to be a normal get-ready-for-preschool kind of morning. Yet, when we woke up we happened upon the following scene: Our favorite peanut crunchy snack -  bobi flips  - were being consumed by prehistoric beasts! Yet, when we sat back and took it all in, there was something exciting about seeing dinosaurs outside of their natural habitat. Would this just be a one time occu...

It's been awhile since daddy posted. It's been even longer since he let us post. So we'll try to pick up the slack a little. No, this one doesn't have anything to do with culture shock. If you're looking for a more frequently updated American perspective on Croatia, head over to the zablogreb .  For now, here are a few of our favorite things:

Like most siblings, there are many characteristics Enoh and Ian share.  For example, they both enjoy their evening routines of reading, being carried upstairs and even brushing their own teeth.  The way  they brush their teeth though is a different story. Any idea which toothbrush belongs to which brother? Both toothbrushes were brand new a month ago.

We returned from America exactly a week ago. During our first dinner, Enoh looked around and said "I'm so glad to be home!" Then he sank his teeth into some burek .  Apparently the other two agree. Here they dance to their favorite Croatia song by October Light :

Milk has been on my mind more than you would normally expect a beverage of such bland taste to be.  Here's why: 1. Enoh spilled his milk the other day...and didn't cry. I gained some confidence as a parent when I realized that he is already following the advice of at least one famous proverb.  2. A friend came over to take care of Ian while I took Enoh to preschool and Petra was away. Being Croatian, she decided to warm up the milk in the microwave before pouring it on his corn flakes. Being American, I was repulsed. Being a toddler who eats just about everything, Ian didn't seem to mind.  3. After looking at the stats they keep here at blogger, I realized that the most popular post I have written in my 3.5 years of blogging is the one on acerpohobia . And you know what is even more bizarre than the majority of my traffic coming from a few thoughts about a phobia most people don't know exists? The fact that they are doing so because I spelled it wrong! So t...

Two. It's the only number you know how to say. And you use it to count everything. "Two, two, two...two." Today is your second birthday. Last year saw your hair grow curly. You took your first steps. You learned to eat by yourself. You began following your brother wherever he goes. You learned how to put puzzles together. You also continued smiling. Never lose that smile, Ian. It makes everyone else smile too...too...too. Ian Rahim - "God is gracious and compassionate." You are a gift to us. Happy Birthday Ian.  Volimo te do neba visoko! (Photo by: Jeremy Bohall)

For some reason, my boys take greater delight in eating their fruit when they each have a cow watching them.

I just realized another reason why Paul calls us Christ's beloved children in the same verse he calls us to imitate Christ. Today I was working with Ian to clean up his magnet letters.  He was having some trouble concentrating on finishing the job...until I helped him.  Then, the faster I worked, the faster he worked.  Before I began, I was concerned that my help would cause him to just stand by and watch while I finished the job.  But, knowing that we wouldn't do anything else until the task was completed, he imitated my pattern and did the same. There aren't many teachers that prompt us to do anything like children.  But Paul had seen the natural tendency children have to imitate and knew that there was no better relationship to call Christ's followers to than that of a child. Isn't it amazing that in the act of imitating Christ we work together to further His kingdom?

Teaching our kids two languages felt more like an experiment than anything else at the beginning.  We decided, when Enoh was in the womb, that Petra would speak Croatian to our children while I spoke English.  Enoh was confused for awhile - and he began speaking much later than many toddlers.  There were times when I thought maybe we were being cruel to the little guy.  But my wife deserves credit for convincing me to stick with it.   It's paying off.  Enoh seems to already understand who to speak to in English and who to speak to in Croatian without really thinking about it.  Of course, he doesn't know either language well yet.  But he gets by in both.  I've been surprised at how quickly he has learned. Here's a glimpse at what a bi-lingual conversation looks like at 1-and-a-half years old (Ian) and 3 years old (Enoh):

Daddy always said there's a reason why the words "creation" and "Croation" are so similar.  Well there's another wordplay mommy likes to point out - sLOVEnia.  We had the chance to make the 5 hour drive to small village Slovenia this past weekend.   Of course we got to spend time with our four cousins who live there.  We also saw some of their pigs.  My brother's not nearly as brave as I am so mommy had to hold his hand on the pig while daddy took the picture.    We also were able to participate in the annual Day of the Region.  They always bring out all the animals.  Again, my brother looked... ....while I was glad to touch.   Even daddy didn't care to pet this guy.  On May 1st they always decorate a really tall tree and put it up.  If you thought your Christmas tree was tall last Christmas, take a look at this one.   Here's the final product: We got thrown around a bit... My brother got to rock out with his cousin...

They say it was my "first Thanksgiving!"    I met some people who I've only seen on a computer before. They played with me.   And I played with them.  They also played with my brother.  While all that was going on my mama and oma cooked.   And stuffed.   And cooked some more.  We ate and were satisfied.   What does Thanksgiving mean to me? I'm not sure I can put it into words.  But I do my best to express it. I am grateful for all of the Bohalls who made my first Thanksgiving so amazing!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again; parents can learn a lot from their kids.  Ian is a smiler. He's had a bad cough for the last two weeks, and the doctor isn't sure why the anti-biotics haven't worked. But he's always ready to give a smile - even after a coughing fit. And when, as a parent, I see those smiles, it makes me want to pass along the joy.  Thank you Ian, for every one of your smiles.

I just turned 3 months old.  And I know you probably think I'm too young to blog.  But Daddy's posts are getting way too long.  And my brother?  There's nothing he likes more than playing outside these days.  Yesterday he rolled himself down the hill and fell face-first into a mud puddle.  I loved watching the various reactions: As for me?  I'm happy to just sit here.   Ian - the content younger brother

We have a visitor. No one's told me how long he's staying, but he seems to be making himself pretty comfortable. He sleeps. He cries He makes faces. And after he eats he does leg exercises. When he first got here I had a lot of energy.  But when I calmed down we got to hang out together.  His head is even softer than daddy's! Mommy and Daddy keep on saying "isn't it great how gentle he is?  But how long will it last?" I love him as a brother already.  Can he stay? - Enoh, the proud brother.