30 August 2018

AJ buda buda buda buda buda bo! We all love you so! You started KG 1 on Tuesday this week. I thought you might cry and cling to me but you didn't. You were a little hesitant because you were the first one to arrive, but then another little girl showed up and you were okay. You take your jammies to class and take a nap every day. You are full of fun and laughter, and still love to pull down your pants and your panties and stick your naked bootie out at me and giggle. You talk with a lot of expression, and you also talk a lot. You ask questions about everything you see and offer constant commentary for everything that we do. Whatever makes people laugh, you will do over and over again. When Papa is singing to you at night sometimes, you end every line of the song with the word "face" and then you laugh and laugh.

You are definitely in the "potty" stage. You call a boy's private part a "bullet". Where on earth did you get that from? One time Iddy sneezed so loudly (as he usually does) and after you said, "Iddy, was that your bless?"

A few weeks ago I was looking for you and I found you downstairs playing with Nora. She was reading a story to you, so I just waved and closed the door and walked away. As I was walking away you ran up to me, gave me a hug and went back. A few days ago you were playing in Dina and Naomi's house. I saw you from a distance, waved at you, and headed up the stairs to Keith and Erin's house. You came running out to get me and gave me a big hug and a kiss. I told you where I was going and you said you wanted to go back to Dina and Naomi's house. After turning around and walking away, you came back and said, "Wait! I want to give you one more hug!" So we hugged and kissed again and you went on your way.

You LOVE your red Minnie Mouse dress, and would wear it every day, if I would let you. You had a lot of fun at Kikal's birthday party, but you DO NOT want your own birthday and you have told me that many times. You don't like it when everyone sings happy birthday and looks at you. One time Kikal was trying to tell you that birthday's are fun and she finally said, "Well, you will get lots of presents." And you said, "Yeah, that'll help, I guess." Ha! You really want to do ballet in Mombasa again and ask me about it often.

I love you, my little sweet pea!

29 August 2018

Iddy, yesterday you started the first day of Year 11 at school. I can't believe we only have one year left with you at home. I told Papa today that I feel like our time with you is ending before it began... it's too soon! I'm going to try to soak up every moment of our time with you this year. You have been so sweet to me lately. You are always sweet, but I feel like you have been making a special effort. You always ask me how I have been, what I have been doing, how was my day. When I took on my first writing project you asked me about it a lot. On the holiday you would always go with me to the store, even though I know you hate grocery shopping, and you would help me with the girls and carry the groceries and just be with me. It meant so much to me! Now that school has started, we have started our nightly reading again. I really love this time that we can have together. A few weeks ago you and I went to get ice-cream together at shakes and cakes. I love having time just the two of us, although it doesn't happen often enough. You seem happier at school this year, like you are becoming more comfortable in you own skin. You are very aware of the feelings of others (like Suheilly and Israel), and don't like for anyone to feel left out our hurt. You are still figuring out who you are, but you are more sure of yourself now and very thoughtful of others.

Here is a memory you shared with us not too long ago: You used to live in row houses, and there were manholes on your street with no covers on them. Once you heard that a goat fell in one of the manholes and died. It made you so afraid that you always walked very far from them. Also, you had a finger infection once and someone told you to soak it in battery acid so you did.

4 August- Yesterday was your birthday...16! You got an Xbox 1S. You seemed really excited about it. You had friends over for burgers and cake and to play Xbox. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Then you all went outside to swim. You had Israel, Ismael, Fabish, Burhanudin, Suheilly, and Musa. You also did beach clean-up in the morning with Burhanudin. You had to be there at 7:20. There were no adults there, it was completely done by teenage boys. I was so impressed!

You have been involved in a soccer tournament this past holiday. You got injured early on (jammed your toe very badly) and didn't get to play as much, but when you played you did really well, and your teammates all loved you. You noticed if someone on the team was feeling down and needed encouragement.