Sunday 5-18-14

Sunday 5-18-14

                I slept in, YAY. The kids did try to wake me up a few times, but I told them they could read a book, play their tablet, or color a picture. They could eat a banana, get some animal crackers, or wait until I wanted to get up, and they actually listened to me. I stayed in bed until almost 8:30. I can’t remember the last time that happened.

                So when the time for me to finally crawl out of bed came, I made my coffee (because there is no way I can do anything until I have some coffee) and made the kids some toast and bananas, which seems to be their new favorite breakfast. We had a few issues during breakfast, but nothing big. The kids wanted to practice some addition flash cards, so while they ate, I sat and had my coffee and held up cards for them. I love that they asked to do math on a Sunday.

                Breakfast finished and the kids went outside to play with their friends. They are all playing store again and I was happy to hear Ayla stick up for herself and tell them she will not sell cigarettes at her store. Way to go baby girl! They even made a fence and a cash register and everything. It is very cute. They are using leaves for the bills and rocks for the coins.

                While playing she came in and let me know that some of the village kids (that really aren’t even supposed to be allowed to play here, but I am a softy) are swinging two at a time. I had her let Farida know she is the monitor and needs to tell them only one when they try to do that and if they do not listen to her, she can send them home. Then Ayla came up to the house and let me know that there was a boy that was using bad language in Swahili and was not listening to Farida when she told him to go home. I went out there with Mamaliz’s camera and got a nice close-up photo of the boy and got to start my “naughty village kid” document on my computer. I have put the picture, the date, and the issue. Hopefully this helps keep out the bad ones, so that the sweet village kids can come back again. There are many sweet ones and I don’t want to have to keep them away.

                The day continued in this manner for the majority of the rest of the day. The kids gave me issues on eating their lunch, so I gave them a time limit then took it away. Told them they could have nothing else until dinner time. I feel so mean, but they will learn and missing part of one meal will not kill them. Mamaliz got back near 3pm. The kids and I decided to walk down to the river and if we got there early, we would play in the water, if not, then we would just help Mamaliz carry the bags back up to the house. We got halfway to the school (which is still a distance from the river) and we saw a truck coming. Turns out it was Mamaliz with Abdallah, so we climbed into the back of the truck and rode back to the house. We will do the river on a day when the kids are being better.

                Mamaliz and I enjoyed a cup of coffee together and just talked for a little while. Then the kids inform us that Jove threw Leonard’s shoes into the bushes and they couldn’t find them. We have some spare shoes still that I could have given him a pair, but decided they needed to look first. I finally went out and helped, and we did end up finding it. Turns out Jove threw both Leonard’s shoes and Mbuli’s shoes. What a little punk. So he is inside for the night and is writing “I will not throw shoes” ten times. Last time he got in trouble it was five times. I figure it gets practice for his handwriting and letters, and it isn’t like he is writing something fun, so it is still punishment. I just wish the two of them would behave a little better on a regular basis instead of in little bursts.

                I gave the kids a grilled cheese sandwich and greens. The sandwich was Mamaliz’s suggestion. I wouldn’t have given them something they would enjoy so much because of the fuss at lunchtime, but whatever. The greens were going to go bad soon, and we can buy more tomorrow, so I made them.

                I went outside to fix our clothes line. Mamaliz bought me some metal line coated in plastic so I went and put it up where the one old rope broke. She insisted earlier that Frankie would have to put it up, but it was easy. A wrench would have been nice to tighten the nuts, but I had a towel and my fingers. Not as tight as I would like it, but it will do for some wet laundry. I am quite pleased. As I was out front working, I saw Dr. Chris trying to explain “duck, duck, goose”. He finlly got them to understand and I really enjoyed watching them play. Sometimes these kids can just be so very sweet. I love it.

                Mamaliz fell asleep on the couch. I am just trying to keep the kids quiet and to finish eating. After that I believe it will be an early night.

UDATE: It started to rain pretty hard last night. I was okay with this because we had no laundry and we haven’t had rain for a few days, so it is nice to replenish the rain water tank. Well, it was loud and so the kids just whined and complained about not being able to sleep because the rain was too loud. With my two little ones, if it isn’t one thing it is another thing. They can sure be annoying, but man do I love them, whines and all.

Between the whining, Ayla did manage to say a few times how excited she was for the next day because of the ugali, beans, and greens. My sweet little girl does love her some food J