Night night

As he's climbing into bed after locking the safe-haven gate, Andrew says, "If I'm ever thrown in prison the sound of lock-up will feel like home."

My dad, looking at zebras, with Lake Naivasha just beyond. Just another weekend in Nairobi.

My parents came out for 3 weeks at Christmas, and we had a great time while they saved my tukus once again on the child care front. Swimming, endless games of pretend, computer games, books, the park, they really wore her out.

A couple months ago the kiddo came home from school with her weekly journal, where she had noted that mommy went to the track over the weekend (lovely picture too). I exclaimed to dearest hubby: "We took that child on safari [any self-drive in these parts is stress inducing] and she writes about me going for a jog???"
He answers, "Really, which is more unusual?"
Ouch.

Blonde moment

Here's a way to get someone in Nairobi to look at you like you have two heads...

Me: I left my shopping bag on the table outside. Has anyone turned it in to you?

Shopkeeper: (speechless)

Whoever you are, I hope you like my purchases.

This is new

Andrew went rock climbing with a neighbor for his New Year's day off. You've gotta watch out for that baboon pee, it makes the rocks slippery.

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.