So the school has international day to teach everyone about all the different cultures in the school. Last year we just went and this year we decided to help lead the America’s booth. Hard to pinpoint just one aspect of the Americas culture, but we did Native American culture. Offered headdresses for kids to make, tents, and bows and arrows. We also did a camp fire for roasting marshmallows and hot dogs. Some people had never done that before. Exhausting day that turned into adult drink fest due to the French booth. Next year we might do Mexican American food and tequila shots. Israeli booth always shows off and the India booth always paints henna. We did ok. Lisa managed the money of which we made…. none minus expenses. I had to buy feather dusters and chop off the feathers to get the feathers for the headdresses since there is no craft store and David almost died trying to pluck the chickens to death.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Lesson: Explorers are cool to study.
Birch’s unit at school was exploration. They went on a camping trip and they did a presentation. Birch had to dress up like Orville Wright. He was so disgusted that he had no kid size coat and jacket. He never realized he didn’t even though he has never worn one even in the states. Didn’t quite get the logic since he wears flip flops every day.. but we used dad’s also limited supply and I threaded some airplanes through his hat. He was the host so I added some videos. Our school really does well at encouraging public speaking!!! I asked Birch if he would run for office some day and he said Cole could since Cole is in kindergarten student council. Birch wants to be a coast guard, shark diver, reader, hiker type job.
I like how Birch dances and how his friend dances like a Masai next to him with the jumping.
Travel: friends from the States come and visit- go team
It is so expensive for people to travel and visit us in Africa. Safari with good reason costs a ton. I mean you are in the middle of nowhere in Africa and getting electricity, water, good food, and cold beer and wine so it should be. At Ndutu lodge they have to bring in food from 3-4 hours away for everything they make us and they make us fancy stuff. We were so glad we got to share our experiences with the Raj, Cindy, Alina, and Caden.
We stopped by an Iraqw house and learned about their traditional housing. They used to live underground. Interesting story they tell as to why it is not so anymore. When the US sent old slaves back to Liberia and Liberia prospered then other African colonies decided to gain independence but needed support to do this. When the UN was coming to check out the progress the government in charge in TZ decided houses need to be in villages not rural, in a row, and above ground. So essentially it was against the law to stay in your traditional housing. Even today there are not underground houses. This was built to show us history.
Cole can get very bored believe it or not on Safari – especially day 2 or 3. So he plays with his camera. You can see his “ art”. IF you want real safari pics then you need to look at David’s Facebook page. Pole.
Travel: thru town to a fancy hotel
I am so lazy about posting. For Tierney’s bday we traveled thru town to a fancy hotel- Mt Meru. Brand new hotel. The guys were gone so we decided to celebrate in style. We beg for rain and nothing and then the one day we stay at the fancy hotel with the pool it rained- but the kids didn’t care. The best part was free internet access so we downloaded Jon Stewart all night. We can’t download more than 150 Mb a day a home and usually it is slow so we time out. Birch and Cole loved having TV for the night. In fact TV beat out the pool.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Lesson: Watch out for mice in your underwear drawer
Yes we had a mice catastrophe. The mama mice had five babies in the chupi drawer and Birch found them at night while getting his school clothes ready. At least 10 pairs destroyed. We decided the baby had to go outside which would mean that they would die. Birch suggested since they had to die we might as well take them to the snake park on Sunday because that is when the snakes eat. So….. my kids are ok with the whole circle of life thing even with cute baby mice- especially if they eat your underwear.
Adventure: Wii for the first time ever in our house
Travel: I am sooooo late with these: Zanzibar
The boys being funny.
Stonetown in ZBZ
Our sunset luxury boat cruise
Dinner at the finest restaurant in town- kids ate shrimp
The kids talking to the bar man about the bush baby that comes at night
Cole loses first tooth in Zanzibar and tooth fairy brings 650 Tsh ( 30 cents), but it sounds like a lot if you are in to Monopoly.
