Thursday, November 29, 2012

Random update

Obviously life here in Kenya is not all about beaches and safaris... 90% of the time of course is just living life which of course means lots of little moments with the kids that sometime in the way future I don't want to forget.

For instance this morning Ruby comes walking out of her room, "look at me Dad, I am ready for school!"   "No, No, you can't wear that! It's silly to wear non-matching sweat pants under a pretty dress!", I roared back.  The back story was that the night before I specifically got out one of her dresses and a matching shirt and matching socks... for the past week or so I have been taking her to school, so I guess I feel little more responsibility to make sure she looks somewhat presentable when everyone at the school sees me walking in with her...  but this ensemble she picked was not what I had picked out!  "Ruby, what happened to the clothes Daddy laid out for you?", I asked.  Ruby said the dress I picked out bothered her back.  We comprised by having her put on a shirt underneath the dress so it would not bother her back and we both went about our day....  Whether what I had her wear matched better than what she picked out, I am not so sure...

Then there was this little gem from Matthew. They are eating breakfast and I am busy preparing snacks/lunches in kitchen and then I think I catch a glimpse of Matthew walking past me into the extra room/bathroom which is off the laundry room .  Of course I am curious to know why he trekked into there since we really don't get in that room much (it's clogged up with our suitcases and such).  Finally he emerges back at the table and I ask where were you?  He said he went into that room to use the bathroom there since "it was the closest".  Now truth be told he really does amaze me with his smarts most of the time, but then I said how come I didn't hear a toilet flush?  "Well, Dad, the flushing thing doesn't work for me when I pull it down", he responses matter of factly.  So me, rather incredulously responds, well then don't you think you should tell me so it doesn't smell like a bus station urinal in a couple hours! Guess we still have some work to do the common sense part!



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Kenyan Coast

With Rhonda away for Thanksgiving at a conference in DC, I took the kids on a mini-vacation to the Kenyan Coast - Sand Island Beach.  We took an early morning flight from Nairobi to Mombasa.  During the flight we even got a glimpse of snow covered Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Upon landing in Mombasa the humidity was very noticeable - hadn't felt that in many months.  Since Nairobi is at such a high altitude there is none.  We jumped in a cab and stopped in a supermarket so we could stock up for the next three days.  I had debated going to all-inclusive resort (with kid's clubs, pool, restaurants, etc.) or a self-catering cottage kind of place, in the end I decided on the latter since it was a lot cheaper and the place I identified seemed amazing.  So that was the reason for the stop at the market.

The next stop in our adventure was a short ferry ride across the river outside Mombasa to the south coast area.





By lunch time we had made it to our slice of paradise.... ahh it was gorgeous!






I did hire a cook for the three days we were there - it was very much worth it, as all the cooking, cutting, cleaning was all taken care of.  That certainly contributed to the pleasant weekend.  We even bought fish from the local fishermen and he cooked and cleaned them - one night we had the local shrimp too - delicious!



 Our first afternoon we took a short boat ride to see starfish - the kids loved it.  The next day we walked to the African Pool and swam into a cave.  The fish were amazing, besides their beautiful colors there was also a school of tiny fish that always kept the shape of a larger fish - very neat.  The rest of the day was spent lounging around and walking out to the sand bar.  The next day we went back to the star fish to take some pictures and I went snorkeling in ocean past the reef.  Sadly in the afternoon it was time to leave and catch our flight...  All reports from the kids said it was a super weekend - two big thumbs up!



Thursday, November 22, 2012

ISK concert and Thanksgiving

After many weeks of non-stop practicing, Matthew had his 1st grade concert.  It was a big hit!

check it out!


And of course Happy Thanksgiving everyone!   Ruby, Matthew and I will celebrating at 10am NY time (6pm in Nairobi) -- join us via Skype at that time, we'll be webcasting!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Scouts Camping and Lantern Walk

A couple weekends ago Matthew and I went camping with the cub scout group he joined.  Never thought we would be camping in Nairobi!  It was fun with a nature walk, s'mores, capture the flag, and of course a campfire...   Also came across this, not sure what the processional was about, but sure was fun to witness...




Ruby also had her Lantern Walk at the German School.  Just like at Nyack's Little Schoolhouse the kids made lanterns, sang songs, and had a grand ol' time...



Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Obama and ISK International Day

Had to post these from four years ago... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and then of today.  
Who would have known we would be able to take the re-election shot with a Kenyan newspaper!





Also today, Matthew's school - ISK - had their International Day.  It was quite the festive occasion with all the kids from the school marching Olympic opening ceremony style under their home countries flag. There must have been over 100 countries represented. Here is a short video of when the Kenyan kids marched.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Sandy and Halloween

Been keeping pretty up-to-date on the storm and the aftermath.  We actually get MSNBC here, so we have seen all the crazy footage/pictures. It especially hit home to see the Seaside roller coaster in the ocean (before the storm), a new inlet in Mantoloking and our old stomping ground on E. 8th and Ave C.  Then people back home have been telling me they have been waiting two to three hours to get gasoline.

In Halloween news, we didn't go real trick or treating, but Matthew's school put on a great parade/party that gave Matthew and Ruby a chance to show off their inner cheetah and supergirl!