Yes, I am finally writing an entry.

Sorry to all of you who have been wondering how my kids are.  We were in Ankara for a week without internet access, and then last week I went on a whirlwind trip to the US to change my visa from tourist to work.  Taylan and I flew Tuesday morning, arrived Tuesday at 1:30 (because of the time differences), then Derya drove us to Mom's for one night, then we went to NYC the next morning to fix my visa, back to Mom's for one more night, then back to the airport on Thursday afternoon.  We arrived back in Turkey Friday morning.  It was a very bazaar experience to be home for such a short time, but it was great to see Derya, my parents, Laura, Mandy and the boys.  

I lied and told Nehir I was going on a business trip in Turkey because I thought it would be emotionally difficult for him to go an only stay one day, or to have to stay in Turkey knowing I was going to the US.  I have only been away from Nehir one night before this, when he was three.  I was afraid he would be really upset, but I gave him a little necklace and told him it represented that I love him and am thinking about him even if I can't be near him.  I also promised to bring him Legos.  He liked the necklace, but it was really the Legos that made my leaving OK, the first thing he said when I got back was "Which Legos did you bring me?"  The boy loves Legos.

He is doing great in school.  His teacher thinks he will be the first in his class to learn to read. He is also getting better at writing.  He started staying late on Thursdays for soccer practice and he enjoys that.  He had fun during Bayram too.  Seker Bayram (sugar festival) is the biggest holiday in Turkey, and I think the whole Muslim world.  It marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.  For three days people visit relatives and eat yummy food, especially sweets. The kids go from door to door saying "Bayram kutlu olson!" (happy bayram) and people give them candies.  The kids also receive money, new clothes, and sometimes other gifts from parents and close relatives.  It is a bit like halloween, a bit like Thanksgiving, and a bit like Christmas.  Schools are off for the whole week.  Nehir spent a lot of time playing with cousins. His older cousin, Jonbek, was particularly nice to Nehir.  He was such a wonderful friend to Nehir despite the age difference, I was so grateful to him.

Taylan had his lower back molars come in and one of his incisors.  He was pretty cranky and at one point his gums were bleeding. Poor guy.  He likes to run away after while we are changing his diaper.  He also likes to grab things he knows he is not supposed to touch and run away.  He laughs while we chase him through the house.  He clearly remembered everyone in the US and after the initial shock, he was very happy playing with all his relatives.  

Selcuk and I are well.  Teaching is going fine.  Selcuk's parents are doing well too.