You love to play with little JJ and he loves you.
We all went snorkeling for Madaraka Day!
Papa took you to have your nails painted when I was in Nairobi with Aunt Alisa.
We tried out a ballet class in Mombasa.
You could climb up this big wall. I was so impressed!
New clothes from Aunt Cindy.
Ruth Michael, you are almost done with kindergarten! You are doing so well with your reading. Yesterday, we were in the car on the way to school and there was a menu in the car for "Shakes 'N' Cakes". You picked it up and started sounding out the words, and you got many of them right. I love to see how your mind is developing and you are absorbing so much information and then putting it to use. You are extremely bright and in tune to the people and the world around you. Sometimes, you can be VERY SLOW, because you want to stop and arrange the letters on the refrigerator or whatever the case may be, and I have to say, "Ruth Michael, focus on what we are doing... trying to get to school on time!" You are an excellent artist, and you mostly like to just have a blank piece of paper so that you can draw and paint/color whatever you want. Your hair is getting long and we are experimenting more with braids and ponytails and pigtails. You like it long, but you are so tender headed when I try to brush it. The first time I put it in one ponytail in the back of your head you cried and cried and sobbed, but I finally forced you to just leave it, and then you asked me to do your hair that way just a few days later. Yesterday morning, I was feeling stressed about getting you kids to school on time, and I griped at you several times throughout the morning. I didn't let you eat breakfast because you had taken so long to get ready and there was no time left (they serve you breakfast at school around 10, so you weren't going to starve). Then we couldn't find your water bottle because I didn't know Papa had put it in the freezer, and while I was upstairs checking on Iddy, you got out of the car after I told you to stay in the car and wait for us. You wanted to show me some "black stuff" on your water bottle. I got on to you AGAIN. When we finally got back in the car, I turned to look at you in the back seat and your eyes were welling up with tears. When I asked you what was wrong you said, "I just don't feel like I'm being a good girl." I felt TERRIBLE. I hugged you and kissed you and told you you were a good girl and that I was sorry for not having more patience with you. You are so sensitive and want to do the right thing. You want me to be happy with you. When I take the time to talk to you and love on you, you soak it in and it helps you so much. After I apologized to you, you perked right back up. Before I left you at school I made sure you knew that everything was okay and you gave me that sweet, knowing, loving smile that melts my heart every time. You aren't quick to warm up to people, but once you do, they have you for life. You are loyal to your people and super affectionate. I can't wait to see what God will do with all your gifts.
12 June 2018- You've been sick for a couple of days and I have had to keep you home from school. I'm getting frustrated because I feel like for the last couple of months I have had to keep you or Abby Jones home because of sickness pretty often. I'm thankful that it's nothing serious, but you are back on antibiotics. Today you had to get your blood drawn, and you were so strong. When the nurse stuck the needle in you said, "Ouch!" and your eyes started to well up with tears, but you were brave! I'm trying to enjoy this sweet time with you. Although you are sick, your are not so so sick, so we got to go and have breakfast together after going to the hospital. This time with you is so precious. By the way, you hate to be left in the car if I try to run into a shop and get something... I won't be doing that again! Several times I have turned around only to see you coming toward me in tears, when I thought you were fine to sit in the car for a few minutes. Even with AJ with you, you don't like it!
Oh, and one more thing, at parents' day, your teacher said that sometimes you just come and stand beside her. When she asks you what's wrong, you say "nothing" but you just need that security from your teacher every once in a while. I'm so glad that you feel safe and secure with her.
I'll love you forever
I'll like you for always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be
