I can't really begin to express how proud I am of Jonas. He has dealt with a multitude of crazy changes so gracefully. Jonas began his third grade year (one of the most challenging on the elementary level) and has succeeded in ways that have astounded me. Not only is he speaking beautiful Flemish, but he is so brave in speaking! He speaks Flemish with no fear whatsoever; something I have yet to tackle!
He has also conquered cursive handwriting; something that children here learn from the beginning. Although he has had a bit of difficulty in coordinating his hand movements, he has worked hard to do his best. Jonas gets incredible test scores, especially in Math. I'm just so proud of him. I can't imagine going through the changes he has at his age.
In his spare moments, you will usually find our big boy drawing creatures, something he is just so incredibly good at.
Jonas is really introspective and keeps his feelings locked up inside when he really should speak up. I've found that the main reason he does that is because he is so concerned about hurting my feelings and Roels, that he would prefer to keep his hurts to himself. He doesn't like to worry us. What a sweetheart! I've assured him that even though I appreciate him being so considerate, I really need him to talk about his feelings. I hope that he can learn to be more open with sharing his hurts...that's something a lot of us still need to learn!
I'm just so in love with Jonas...this little gift to me continues to bless our lives every day. He is always so quick to hug and love and praise. Jonas is a blessing to our family and we just appreciate him so much.
So, our little Simon had a routine procedure today...no biggie, but nobody likes to see their baby covered in band-aids after having parts of their skin scaped off. Poor guy. He took the whole thing well, though, since he was all numbed up.
Spring has finally arrived here in Belgium and Jonas and Simon have sure been enjoying the warmer weather! We've been spending a lot of time out of doors together. There have been lots of park play, and Simon has been having lots of fun climbing the swing poles and Bompa and Bonneke's house. We're so glad that Winter is behind us!
I'm sure that by now most of you know that Simon prefers being called 'chuck'. Roel and I really have no idea why...that's just how it is. Anyway, out little chuck loves to make music and DJ and here he is above looking quite a bit like jamiroquai. Simon used his tooth fairy money to buy a little DJ beat kit with scratchers, and he really works it with mama's giant recording headphones and his phat dance-skills. 
We're really proud of Simon. He is so amazing...getting super grades in school, being a kind friend, and really doing his best every day. A couple of weeks ago, Roel and I bought a DS game for Jonas to help him learn his times tables...and wouldn't you know it, Simon loves the game and at 6 years old is well on his way to being a great mathematician. He is multiplying and dividing very well already, and he's getting better every day. I really love how much he enjoys doing math; I know it will really help him to succeed as he progresses in school.
One of Jonas's highlights of our trip home to Visalia was getting to spend an afternoon with is buddy , Caden. It was so great watching them run around and play together. Plus, its so wonderful when your kids make friend with other kids who are just great little people! Caden is such a bright, kind and super-fun little boy, and I'm really grateful that Jonas has a friend in him.
And in VERY BIG news, Simon finally lost his first tooth!!!! Shortly after putting our little guy to bed last night, we heard his little, excited feet running down the stairs. He was so happy that it had finally come out, and he was even more excited when he woke up this morning to some shiny coins from the tooth fairy!