4 months in - David

I interviewed David (age 4, almost 5) for the first time on March 29th.  This is directly what David said, though some of the answers required my deeper probing before they were answered.  My comments and clarifications will be in non-italics font while David's answers will be in italics. 

What are the best things about living in Leiden?

I want to tell you about the adventure things, in Tacoma and here.  First, Point Defiance.

Do you miss Point Defiance?

Not really, not hiking it, just the beach.  I don't like hiking, that's why I don't miss it.

Oh, I'm sorry.  What else, what about the adventure thing?

The beach.

The beach here or in Tacoma are you talking about?

Here.

You like it here?

Yeah.

Is that one of the best things about living here?  The beach?

Yeah.

(We haven't visited the beach since moving here, but we did in 2021)

What are some of the other best things about being here?

The house... well, mostly that Charmander (David's stuffed animal).  And the adventure games.

The games that we play here?

... (distracted, didn't answer the question)

Do you like this house better than the apartment we were in?  Does it feel better here?

...

What are some things you would change about our house to make it better?

Um... have the same rugs like we did in Tacoma.

Ok, I'm working on finding more rugs.  How does it feel to know that we're not moving anymore?  That we're staying here for a long time, that this is our new home?

Sad.

What makes you sad?

Sad that I can't move to a different country by myself.

Well, you wouldn't be able to do that even if we were somewhere else.  You can move to another country by yourself when you're old enough.  Where are some places you'd like to go?

Germany.  

I think we can take an adventure to Germany, I think that would be fun.

And Turkey, even though there was an earthquake there.  (paying attention to our conversations about the news and how disappointed we were at the lost history)

Maybe one day we will be able to go to Turkey, but we can probably go to Germany pretty soon I think.  Are more adventures some things you look forward to?

Um, yeah.  More.

What are some other things that you look forward to?

Um, going back to Tacoma when I'm a teenager...? 

You mean go back to live or go back to visit?

Go back to visit.

I think you'll be able to visit much sooner than that.

Even in just one year we can be going!

Yes, exactly, it will be pretty soon.  Is there anything here you're excited for, that you're looking forward to?

Yes!  Look, pretend this is our house and this is the park (gestures with hands).  Run, run, run, look I'm at the park!

I'm glad you're still excited about the park!  And going by yourself most of the time?

MmmHmm.

(gets distracted, talks about my notebook)

What are some things that are different between Tacoma and Leiden?

Hmmm... I don't know. (still distracted by my notebook)

Well, we know our house is different and the trees are different.  Is school different?

Yeah.  And is your school different?

My school is totally different, it's online now and I'm learning a new language.  You're learning a new language, too - how does that feel?

Scary.

Which part of it feels scary?

Um, like, talking to other people in that language.

Oh, does it feel shy?  Is that what you mean?

Yeah, but also scary.

I also feel a little scared when talking with other people in Dutch, but I'm having a good time learning.  I think it will be really cool when we can speak it completely and we can communicate with everyone, won't that be nice?

MmmHmm.

Is there anything other than go to Germany that you'd like to do?  Maybe something this summer?

Swimming in a pool!  Like my friends do!

Yeah, we really need to do that soon.  Do you enjoy going to the museums?

Yes.

Do you like exploring new cities?  Would you like to go on a train and explore different places?

Yeah, like I would like to visit Waterdam.

Water... OH, Rotterdam!  Oh!  Good idea, I would love to explore Rotterdam too.  Is there something or someone that you miss from Tacoma?

Yes, my BFF (David didn't say "BFF" but I'm redacting the real kid's name).  He won't come over.

Not right now, no.  He doesn't have plans to come over yet.

I really miss my BFF.

Yeah?  Would you like to write him a note?

Well, um, no.

You'd rather just see him?  Is seeing him more special?

(nods) And have a phone call with him.

Okay, we can try that.  Is there anything else you want to talk about?  About our move, about how it feels, maybe about how life is different?

No.   Well, yes...(went on to talk about Legos).