We've been home for a month now. Maybe it would be more accurate to say that we left Uganda one month ago...we're all learning what/where home is. A downtown condo in San Diego is a new home for Perez. Adding a 6 year old to the condo changes "home" for Ali and me. After two weeks in San Diego we went "home" to Reno for the holidays for a week.
After 10 hours of driving from Reno to San Diego, just about the time we crossed under the Balboa park bridge on the 163 South, Perez looked over at me and said, "Dad, Perez is home."
And now the 3 of us are back home, in San Diego.
NEW EXPERIENCES
Truth is, just about everything is a new experience, and I'm pleased to say that all things considered, Perez is doing remarkably well. Here are a few memorable moments.
Two days after landing in San Diego from Uganda, we found ourselves at a bike shop buying Perez his first bike. Any kid living in this home must have a bike. While we were in Uganda, a friend of Perez asked if we had bikes in America. Then asked if I had a bike. Then asked if Perez would have a bike. I answered yes to all. Somehow this word traveled back to Perez. So the first time I opened the garage, I heard the words, "Perez's bike?" There wasn't a bike in the garage for Perez, and that was not okay. Perez now has his bike, and if you look, you probably won't find it in the garage (thanks to Christmas, he now owns a scooter and a skateboard). Like father like son.
You can't live in San Diego and not go to the beach. Here's Perez, just days into Southern California life, taking in some beach time. I think this is one of his favorite places to be. He can roam. Play. Explore. Roll around in the dirt (sand). He eats the sand dollars, chews on dried crab claws and washes is down with salt water. He can be Perez. It's the closest experience of home. Clouds or sun, Perez loves the beach. Like mother like son.
Perez now attends Citytree Christian School. Here he is, sporting his new uniform and same goofy personality. Citytree is a great school. His teacher is wonderful. And his classmates are being patient and kind. And its also where Ali teaches. Perez likes being at school, but never wants to go in the morning. I think this is one of the harder things for him. He lived at a boarding school. His class size was 100. He had a uniform, teacher and classmates. None of these things look like Citytree. New school. New uniform. New teacher. New classmates. Class size 16. And lots of white people. Still, in just one month (two weeks in school, two weeks Christmas break), his English is rapidly progressing and and we are hopeful that school will be better for him the more he can communicate.
Perez thinks its hilarious to dress up in my clothes. It's going to be a few years (probably never) that the 45 pounder will fit into my 34 waiste. 
Maybe the most shocking new experience was Christmas morning (and I'm not talking about presents and food and family and chaos...though those were good too). Sometime early Christmas morning, it began snowing. We woke up to a white Christmas. By mid morning we were all outside...snow angels, snowball fights, and even a bite or two. It was really cool to watch Perez explore snow for the first time...but I think he could do without the cold. Perhaps the new experience Perez loves the most is the bath tub (because this is a family site I'll show no pictures). Running water is new Warm water is new. Fully immersing oneself in water is new. Perez loves it all.
ADJUSTMENTS
It's hard to imagine how much Perez is taking in. New sites, sounds, foods, people. Light switches. Sirens. Food stored in a refridgerator. Lots of white people. Old white people. He has clothes, a bed and lots of people giving him attention. And though he has his moments. Moments when we think he's sad. Times when he wants to talk to one of his friends in Uganda. Moments when he doesn't want someone to tell him what to do or not do. Perez is doing great!
But if you meet him, watch out. He will trick you into giving him a hug and you'll think he's cute...then when you least expect it, he will blow a big zerbit on your neck and laugh histerically.
Yeah, Perez is adjusting...and we are too. And there will be many more new experiences. And one thing we say with joy as a family, "it's good to be home."
