The rest of the school day was fine. Nothing tragic or euphoric, although my 5th period kids were especially giggly. We had a very interesting conversation in which some students learned that not all Asians speak Chinese and that our Chinese students can't just go into the nail spas in town and speak Vietnamese to the owners. Since almost everyone in my classes speaks Spanish, to have a class where we not only have two other languages represented (Chinese and Arabic) but also for those two languages to use different writing systems is so exciting it's driving everyone to distraction. It's ok, I'd rather them ask the questions out loud than to just assume. It does get a little annoying, though, when they get on google translate and try to learn new words in one of the languages and then assail the native speaker: "Hey! [repeating some word or phrase]-- what'd I just say?? Did you understand me??" Or, my favorite-- "Oh, you speak Arabic? That's soooooo cool. Say something!!" Today our poor Arabic speaker heard that a lot. She could never think of something to say.
After school I had no obligations, so I picked Hendrik up-- he was still napping, which means he slept today, which means a happier evening. We might have driven to JCPenny and gotten a little outfit for the new baby. I'm pleading the 5th. But today I was just feeling so excited to meet the little guy! When I was expecting Hendrik, it was so hard to imagine having a baby I don't think I ever felt excitement in the same way. But now we have a little idea of what to expect, and I know it won't be easy all the time but it will be amazing.
Dirk got home right after 6, just like he has been for the last week. His promotion at work finally went through, and the biggest part of it for me is predictable hours and getting home earlier. He played with Hendrik, we ate a meal together, and then we buckled Hendrik in the stroller and walked to the playground. H was so excited. He climbed and climbed on the stairs and went down all the slides a few times. We walked home to the chorus of some disappointed tears-- bath for Hendrik-- easy bedtime-- and a little down time before bed for us.
Nothing extraordinary, but a deeply satisfying and happy day. What a gift! Here are some recent family photos...