Big Boy

W. is not a baby or toddler anymore- he is a little preschool boy. He says, "Let's play outside forever!" He loves it. Our 12 year old neighbor loves it too... a Mongolian 12 and an American 12 are very different. So our 4 year old plays great with him.
Here is an example of how age is different here: Our neighborhood boys, ages 12, 15, 17, were outside yesterday with a length of rope. What did they do all afternoon? Jump rope while counting- the highest they could jump to was around 10 and they were cracking up the whole time- completely entertained. I'll wager 1,000 tugrics (.96 cents!) that you could drive around the whole of America and NEVER find teenage boys jumping rope all afternoon!!!
Anyhow, W. and Tugiee are playing now, and mommy is keeping a close ear and eye!! ;) What are they doing? Running with sticks, spitting, throwing rocks, making mud, playing tag and race car and having a good time. All of this with very little speaking. Tuggiee doesn't speak English. W. doesn't speak Mongolian, but I am hoping he is picking up a little.
W. is not interested in learning a new language as long as everyone plays what he wants!!! It causes his mind stress. He likes things to be just right so he gets frustrated really fast. I don't make him speak. I know that he is listening and that when he speaks Mongolian, it will be better than I ever will!! I am sure he will be a "genkin mongol" a real Mongolian. That is what they call people who take to the culture and language well.
Garden update-- everything is up and growing well except a few broccoli and melons... nothing to complain about.