No language barriers allowed!

Every single day, I am reminded that I am living in a foreign country.  The biggest reminder of all is hearing the Dutch language being spoken at the park, outside my window, at the market, on the television, by fellow bikers, by the salesperson at the front door, or by the people surrounding me at Maddie's school, to name a few.  I have adjusted, but that hasn't taken away from the fact that I am still different and there is still a large barrier between me and most every other person in Kampen.

My daughter seems to be the exception to this rule.  

I'm pretty convinced that Maddie does not feel different in Kampen anymore.  There was a time, particularly the first few weeks we were here, where she made it apparently clear that she was feeling out of place.  Not long after our second month here, she was declaring with extra exuberance, "I'm a Dutch girl!"  It has been nothing short of astonishing to watch her transition, adapt and fully embrace her life in this culture.  

We have been fortunate to have several play dates occur over the past few months, whether at a friend's house or our own.  Last Friday, Maddie had a friend who asked to come over to play with her after school.  The two girls share a particular fondness toward one another, although they do not share the same language.  Maddie's friend does not know any English words, which one might assume could cause a bit of a hiccup in the play date's success.  This was definitely not the case!  

I picked the two girls up from school, both of who were adorned with big grins and ready to play.  Maddie blew us out of the water with her ability to translate simple words and phrases with her friend.  No, really, we were stunned.  The two girls were not engaging in highly imaginative play, but they were simply engaging, no matter if their words were few.  Maddie would turn to her friend and ask her simple questions or comments in Dutch, and would get a response in return.  It was an incredible thing to witness.  We were told to expect this to happen, but I think it has still caught us both off guard.  (Geoffrey is trying hard to keep-up with his big sister...when he hears her speaking in Dutch, he pipes up, and with a perfect Dutch accent declares, "Acht!"  That means, "eight." :)  That's the main word he has mastered.).

Maddie and her friend, showing off the projects they brought home from school - they have been doing a restaurant unit, that has been a lot of fun!  

Smiles, giggles and play are all so universal - no common language is necessary.

Maddie came up with the idea to teach her friend Yoga.  Check out their downward dogs!

Maddie was taking it very seriously, and her friend was just giggling and happily going along with whatever Maddie was instructing.  Sounds about right. :)

I think it was a success!

Our family is having such an unbelievable, once-in-a-lifetime season over here.  I know Geoffrey will not have a memory of any of this, but I hope that some things will stick in Maddie's memory forever.  She has truly taken advantage (without even realizing it), and is embracing this experience to the fullest.  There are no barriers that are standing in her way, particularly the most obvious one, and we are so very proud of her.  Goed zo, Maddie Mae!