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February Stories

At the beginning of February we enjoyed a visit from an old friend and colleague. Shirley Unger and I taught together at Vienna Christian School—we met 10 years ago. Time flies. Now she is in Germany as a missionary with EuroTeam. She was in Houston as part of her support raising. We had a good time, and Elisabeth just loved her. It didn’t take long at all for Elisabeth to warm up to “Miss Siryee.”

We tried to show Shirley a bit of Houston, but I think she ended up seeing the toddler’s version. We made a visit for the first time to Mercer Arboretum (I may have been there as a child, but I can’t remember). It was beautiful! Walking through the gates was like walking into a lush haven—so green (well, I suppose everything looks green here for some of you), so many birds . . . We were there less than 5 minutes and we knew we had to return. So whoever visits us next, bring your walking shoes! Elisabeth also got to see Cypress Knees for the first time!

Then on Monday after Shirley met with the missions director at FPC, we headed to the Houston Zoo. I never used to like the zoo, but I guess it is always more fun with a child, and an appropriately aged one at that. Every time we go Elisabeth is intent on seeing a certain animal. I don’t know where she gets the ideas, because she had them in her head before we arrive. A while back it was fish for a long time. Then the last time she wanted to see snakes. I had never taken her to the reptile room (do I need to say why?) but this time I nearly had to. She wanted to see snakes. This time it was monkeys. The whole time we were eating our lunch in the park, before the zoo visit, she kept saying, “Doh see montees!” over and over. So to the monkeys we went. This trip was the first time Elisabeth has spent more time outside of the stroller than inside. She is really getting ready for a hike or something—she walked all over that zoo.

Later that week we were stuck at home because Elisabeth had a tonsil infection (quickly treated before any symptoms other than a white throat arose, but nevertheless we didn’t want anyone else getting it!). After breakfast Elisabeth announced, “Go to the zoo!” Since that wasn’t possible (plus it was raining) we made a zoo in my bedroom. She has lots of stuffed animals and had just added a lion to her collection, thanks to Shirley (Germany’s mascot for the upcoming World Cup). Elisabeth enjoyed getting all the animals set up, then I asked her to stand by her favorite animal for a picture. She chose the cow (he looks a lot less white these days). Then we fed the animals. “Anybody like eggs?” She didn’t seem at all shocked when we “fed” the zoo fish to the bears, and when I told her all the animals needed water, she gave them each a cup and held it to their lips. “Hmm” they each said, as they ate and drank. I love it. I need to get a video camera or at least a tape recorder. Or something on my computer? I don’t know.

Today we had what could likely be called a toddler dream day. First, a relaxing morning with Mommy, eating her favorite breakfast: bran flakes, raisins and a hard boiled egg. Then making muffins—Elisabeth was a great help in putting the muffin papers into the tin and measuring out the raisins (I think I caught her sneaking a few). She wanted to mix the egg, but kept lifting up the whisk and dripping it on herself. Lovely. Then when they were in the oven she couldn’t wait to eat them, but I told her she couldn’t have one until Douwe (our Dutch friend) came. Douwe and Elisabeth are the same age and although they fight over toys, they really know how to make the other laugh. So for about 30 minutes before Douwe came I heard, “When Douwe nums we eat muffins!” (/K/ is /n/!). Each time she said it I think it got louder. At one time I asked her, “Are you excited about eating with Douwe or playing with him?” to which she appropriately responded, “Eat wif him.” Finally at 10:15 Douwe, his mother and sister arrived. At first I thought, “How nice that Elisabeth is so excited to see her friend!” Then came the call, “WE EAT MUFFINS!” over and over. So naturally they sat down and ate together.

The morning was spent with Douwe, fighting and laughing and playing together or separately. Then after lunch and her nap, we were off to the fire station with our neighborhood playgroup. Elisabeth seemed excited to go, but nervous once we arrived. She kept wanting to go back in the fire house, probably looking for the fire pole that books always talk about but are nonexistent in suburban fire stations. Our visit ended when the firemen got called away on a emergency. As I was buckling Elisabeth into the bike trailer, she said, “Fire truck leave. We leave.” On the way home, we passed our neighbor’s house who had 3 puppies (9 weeks old) playing in the yard, so we stopped to play.

When we finally got home, I asked Elisabeth what the best part of her day was. “The puppies,” she replied, without a doubt.
(note the hippo and the cow--favorite animals as of late. She is able to hold them both in one arm. Also note the straight bangs--I cut her hair on some unrecorded date. Bangs only, though, but it was so little that I couldn't even save it. But she's not itching her eyes and nose as much anymore!)

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