Eldana

is simply a great kid.
She LOVES school and has learned so much this past year. I am so proud of her I could just bust. Every day when I hear her read I am just amazed at how quickly she has adapted and thrived in this new culture and language. She has gotten straight A's the entire year at school. She loves her teacher and being in a class of kids. She is so happy that she goes to a Catholic school where she can learn more about Jesus (she was horrified when I told her the kids in public school don't pray or learn about Jesus).
Eldana is extremely kind-hearted. She is always concerned about other people not having what they need. Her goals for when she is a grown up are to be important, to help people, and to help God. (I have to interject here that most of her religious devotion comes from within... she talks about Jesus stuff way more often than we do. It's beautiful.)
Her favorite joke: Knock-knock. Who's there? Banana Banana who? Banana aren't you glad I'm a orange? ahahahahahahahaha
She constantly tries to 'trick you' wth Heylookthere'sElvis sort of cleverness
Eldana keeps a diary at night and asks me for topics that she should write about.
She likes to dance and is quite good at Ethiopian style of dance. She loves to listen to Ethiopian music, especially mezmur (church songs).
She would watch television for hours on end if permitted.
She really likes to help me around the house - folding laundry, washing down the table and chairs . . . anything as long as I call it a 'job.'
She loves all things princess and fairy (though we seriously limit the Disneyblondes here). If she were a queen, she says, she would not be rich, but just regular, and not have fancy clothes.
Each day before school she gives me three kisses on the face.
This young lady has faced a lot of adversity in her short life and yet she handles life with grace and a constant sense of wonder. We are so blessed to have this beautiful girl as our daughter!