Friday 6-27-14

Friday 6-27-14

                There are only three more full days until we leave for Dar. I really figured that this week once I stopped teaching would take forever, but it is going by quickly and has been very relaxing. It was just what I needed. I have had no schedule, I cook when I want, clean when I want, play with the kids, read my book, basically just whatever I want to do. It has been a while since I have felt that freedom.

                The kids were the first to wake up, as usual. Logan and his friend slept in until quite late considering all the noise Ayla and Jove make in the morning. The two of them started to fight about what movie to watch and so Jove came into bed and snuggled with me. We had a tickle fight. It wasn’t too long before Ayla heard the commotion and decided she wanted to have some tickle fun also. It is moments like those that just make me so happy. After, I decided it was time to get up and help kids with food and make some coffee for myself. They watched Monster’s University for a while then lost interest and began making paper purses. I took that opportunity to use my computer since none of my other devises work with the internet the last few days. I made a Skype attempt so I could talk to Asa. It worked for a little while then he couldn’t really hear me anymore, but I at least got to talk for a little while. I think it did the both of us some good.

                The kids played for a while then it was bath time. I figured to stop the arguing I would give them some kid music to go with their bath time. They both started dancing around in the tub then came out to dance. While still in the tub, Ayla started calling Jove a hedgehog in Swahili. It was too funny. Hedgehog is nungu nungu. She was also trying to teach him how to say “I love you mom and dad.” “Nakupenda wewe mama na baba”. I believe the wewe is unnecessary here but she insists on it. I love happy silly kids so very much.

                We played for the morning, then at 11:00 we went off to the school for lunch. The kids were all so excited when we got there. There was still about another half hour of play time before leaving then we walked on over to the lunch room. When we got to the lunch room we were 7 minutes early, but it took another half hour before the rice, meat, and beans were ready. It was too bad because the kids were all so very excited to have it ready so they could eat. This lunch was a very special thing for them all. Once it was served up the lunchroom became so quiet except for the sound of eating. I have never seen kids eat so much so fast; except mine of course. Ayla loved it, but still ate slowly. Jove still doesn’t like rice for some reason, so he ate his beans and meat, but ended up tossing his rice. I told him he should have given it to someone else so it would not be wasted.

                After lunch we all gathered back at the school. There was some tembo tembo lion played; this is known to the rest of us as duck duck goose. We also played Simon Says, and then Charlene got out stickers and had each of the kids say what they wanted to be. There were lots of teachers and doctors, many ninjas, a few pilots and pirates. Ayla said she wanted to be a chef and Jove was the first that said he actually wanted to be a pirate, but Jove wants to be a nice pirate that steals from bad guys and gives it to good guys, like Robin Hood.

                When we got back to the house Jove got pretty whiney, but then we cuddled together on the couch and he started telling me about how when he is older he wants to do like 100 things, from pirate and pilot, to chef, guy who eats the food, etc. It was so cute. Teacher Gladness came over because Ayla said she would make her a bracelet. So Ayla and Teacher Gladness sat at the table and made bracelets for each other. It was so sweet. Teacher Gladness looks older, but she is only 19 years old or there about. Every time the topic of leaving comes up, Ayla gets pretty sad. I know she will be happy to be home with her daddy and pets again, but she is really going to miss everyone here. Jove handles change much better; poor Ayla is just so gentle in that way.

                The next few hours after Teacher Gladness left were spent outside since the power was out. The kids had found a massive caterpillar hive, nest, cluster, not sure what it would be called. So I sat inside reading listening to “Ayla, Ayla, Jovu (everyone calls Jove, Jovu), Jovu… Look more washa washa (caterpillar)” They at one point brought over a bucket and it must have had at least fifty caterpillars all crawling around on each other. It was kind of disgusting actually, but they were having so much fun.

                Scott invited the kids and I for dinner; goat, beans, and rice. He doesn’t quite know how to cook here yet, so we shall see how it turns out J. Without power I was getting a little crazy, so I decided to clean the kitchen and make something for dessert. I was going to make a cake that Mamaliz had gotten the mix for frosting and cake a while back in Morogoro, but I need the blender to make the frosting, so that was a no go. We had plenty of Nutella left, so I decided to make chocolate custard instead. I was quite impressed with how it turned out.

                The kids all came up to the house to show me the massive amount of caterpillars they had found. I found enough spoons to give each of the kids a taste of the chocolate pudding I had made. They all got very excited. Just one spoonful and some of the happiest faces I have seen in a long time. They can all be so very sweet. I told them all they could have just a little longer then it would be time for Ayla and Jove to have dinner.

                We had beans and rice thanks to Scott and Charlene. Jove had only beans, he still doesn’t like rice, but they both ate pretty well. While eating dinner we watched “Dinosaur”. After dinner we had the chocolate pudding and again, I was so pleased. It was a great meal all around. I went to get them set up for their baths and next thing I know they are both running around naked. Go figure, I thought the kids were shy around other people, or at least Ayla was, not in front of Scott and Charlene. It drives me nuts, but at the same time it was nice to see my girl back that wasn’t so nervous in her own body. I like the innocence that comes with young childhood.

                I almost forgot, there was a massive bee swarm out the back door for many hours today. It was insanely loud. They did finally go away, but I was amazed. I luckily know neither of the kids are allergic, but it had me worried enough because of the sheer number of them that I wouldn’t let the kids go out back for a while. The noise of them was quite soothing though. After they left, I kind of wished they would have come back.