Kamelya, Kaan & Evren: Five Years Old!

Dear Kamelya,

You are a great kid. Really, really great. We’ve spent the last five years wondering how we could have gotten lucky with a kid as great as you. We constantly ask ourselves how it could be that you are so smart and so sweet. You’re a wonder and we’re so lucky that you are ours.

There has been many changes and much upheaval in the last few months but you have handled it all with more grace and patience than you could have ever expected. We had to leave Egypt and it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to return. You miss your friends and your school but you have remained positive and happy despite it all. You take things in stride and your happiness is contagious.

We had a really fun and busy spring in Egypt before we left. Tons of trips: Lebanon, Desert camping, beach, beach, beach. Plus lots of fun times with friends: ballet classes, playdates, parties, fun at the pool and playground. We were always bouncing from place to place, running around happily with a very busy social schedule. So many close friends we left behind in Egypt but we treasure those friendships.

For such a young girl, you have so many close friends. Real friendships with sweet little girls who you love very much. Katie and June and Isabel are your best friends. Now that we have all gone our separate ways, you miss them very much. It’s the first time you’ve really understood having to say goodbye and have felt a sense of loss in that way. We wish we could protect you from that sadness but are grateful that we’ve had the experiences we’ve had and made the friends we’ve had. Cairo was a very happy time for our family. You really bloomed there, turning into a very friendly, social, happy, independent little person.

You loved your little Montessori school in Cairo and learned so much there. You grew a lot in many different areas, as much socially as academically. Activities that used fine motor skills, like using scossors were a challenge before but your teachers encouraged you and worked with you a lot and you made lots of progress. You also used to be a bit cautious physically with things like walking on the balance beam or playing on the jungle gym. Your gymnastics and ballet and swimming classes have probably helped you feel more confident as well.

In terms of school work, you have a special interest in math and science. Ms. Amira said that your chosen work at school was usually math and science, especially astronomy, geography. Your mind is so bright and so curious, always asking such very good questions and remembering all kind of interesting things. Your teachers always told us stories of how you would surprise them with your memory and intellect. (“Actually, Ms. Marguerite, the sun IS a star.”) Your strongest strength remains your language and communication skills. You are an avid reader and can write very well. You express yourself like a person much older than you are and we can have really great conversations about all sorts of things.

We have to remind ourselves sometimes not to put too many expectations on though. After all, you are only five, even though you may seem older. You are very helpful, especially with Kaan and we rely on you a lot to help with all sorts of things. “Moo moo, get me some wipes! Moo moo, carry this bag for me! Moo moo, go help your brother!”) You are always willing to help and very patient when I can’t give you my attention right away.

You’re also emotionally very mature and empathetic, always aware of how those around you are feeling. Although you are brave and resilient, you have a very kind and sensitive heart. At night you still love to hear why we’re proud of you and all the helpful and sweet things that you did that day. You still love cuddles and giving us lots of love, thank goodness!

This summer was a happy time. We were in Alacati, living in the cottage at Susu Nene’s house. There were long days of playing in the garden and swimming in the pool and at the sea. Although you missed having kids your age to play with, you were surrounded by love from Elif and Susu and cousins and aunts and uncles all over the place. You are much less shy than you once were and everyone loves the attention and affection that you give them.

Your Turkish is now really excellent and we are so impressed with how fluently you switch languages and how well you can express yourself in both. You can also read and write in Turkish, it just seems to come very naturally to you.

Another big change in the past few months in that you play more and more on your own. You can disappear with your toys for a couple hours at a time, creating elaborate fantasy worlds with them. You move chairs and build forts and combine all kinds of toys and use all sorts of things from around the house. You really enjoy playing with your princesses and my little ponies and fairies. I love coming upon little vignettes all over the house. You talk out loud, narrating the scenes and I love to eavesdrop - so sweet to witnes your creative mind.

Sometimes, still, Kaan comes and messed up your play. You, understandably, get frustrated and sometimes cry and yell. But, more often than not, you are very patient with him and try to include him in your games. Although he can’t really participate way you want him to, you two have lots of special games you play, just the two of you. You love to crawl and jump and slide all over the couches and bounce on the beds and snuggle in there together, especially ciplak! You read to him a lot, which he loves and do arts and crafts together too. You both love stickers and watercolor and cutting and pasting and often make pictures for each other. We are so lucky that you are such a good big sister to him.