Reading Lesson

The wee one's teacher sent home a note over the break asking parents have the kids review their phonics. She didn't say where.

Kenya Christmas

Snooping in our own windows.

Among the series of chaotic events leading up to our move was the fact that our Christmas box did not make the "go to Kenya" shipment -- and it was sent to storage. This was almost the only box I actually took the time and effort to sort through last year for the move. I was mad at sorting time - choosing which memories and kiddo's decorations home made over the years should move or go to storage made for an unhappy momma. Then having the box literally miss the boat was Not Happy. We managed to bring a few things with us, like our hand-quilted-by-Aunt-Charlette stockings, but otherwise we improvised. My mother sent us some ornaments and my daughter stepped up her project-making. Thus, her orange boa adorning the left side and many marker and paper ornaments. That rosemary monster bush on the left sacrificed a number of unruly branches to a wreath that hangs over the mantle. Still seems to sunny for Christmas, but we are playing CD's and having cocoa anyway!

Now, we've been to Kenya

Don't get me wrong, we have driven around quite a bit. We've seen more of Nairobi than we care to. We've been to several different parks within a 4 hour drive (closer than you'd think...it takes a while). We've seen the astounding number of people who walk along any given road, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, because that is how one gets from place to place. We've commented on the proliferation of 'hotels' that look like a series of dark and dilapidated telephone booths by the side of the road. We've driven through teeming rural markets, where matatus, donkeys with their carts, goats, children, and bicycles all present hazards.

But now, we've been to the interior. We went scouting for a friend who runs a prison/family ministry in the States, to the Kisii highlands. They've been asking, and asking, for her to come. Since we are here, well, we went to meet and greet and get some American-style details. We met with 10 pastors, and went to see their "church under the trees" in a remote village. The kids in this photo are the orphans - parents are in prison or have died in prison. We met many joys and frustrations on this short trip, but I can't get over these faces looking at me as I take the picture, and Andrew standing next to me; wary, curious, playful, sad.

No Santa

Friday night was an exciting event in our family. Our little diva had her first ever Christmas concert. She sang her heart out, along with hundreds of other kindergarten through 5th graders, and had the time of her life.

Unfortunately, she'd been battling a fever for about 24 hrs. I tried to keep her home from school Friday, but the fever was gone (temporarily, it turns out), and she really didn't want to miss math. (She doesn't get that from me.) I let her go half day.


We had a low key Friday afternoon, a high-key concert, and dragged ourselves home. By the late hour of 8pm, we were all feeling a little worse for wear. By Saturday morning, Andrew was encapsulated in blankets with a roaring fever; I was holding off the shakes myself. Calynn claimed she was "better", but around 11AM I came into the room to find...





Saturday was the day Santa came to the American Embassy folk. We heard it was great for the kids...

Acculturation

I parked on the sidewalk when I went to the market, didn't even think twice until my way home...

Age Creeping

Preface: Google is having trouble fixing the "Follow". I can't follow other blogs and you may have issues trying to follow mine.

I have to thank my dear friend Sara for electronically wishing me a happy birthday the day before my birthday, US-time. Hers was the first wish to come in -- the second was the University of Michigan Alumni Association, and next the UNC Alumni Association. All this moving and I still haven't managed to lose those guys.


The weather for my birthday weekend was what we are coming to see as typical - warm enough to play outside in shorts if it's not raining, but cool enough to build a fire if it is raining. Thus, Andrew made steak on the grill and still built me a fire in the fireplace.


The wee lass worked on her art. You can barely see the edge of our artificial Noble Fir Christmas tree purchased with much hassle from the States, and of course boxes -- nothing says "Home" like open boxes.
Here is her tremendous creation - "mom and dad and their thrones." Bold, daring, yet with an endearing sentimental twist.




One of the great things about Kenya is that Andrew can indulge in buying me flowers whenever, and neither of us feel guilty about how much he spent - because it's not that much! Aren't they gorgeous!

Multilingual

One of the benefits of the foreign service life is learning different languages... This morning my daughter informs me that she speaks 6 languages.

Oh? What are they?  

French, Spanish, Swahili, English, Wookie, and Ewok.