Pre-school visits, casts, ballet, games, and M&Ms

Carol is heading back to the US...but, not until after she had another very full and busy week.

We actually just put the kids down for quiet time, after the taxi pulled away, and Sissi was all weepy.  Krypto said, "Daddy, I'm tired, we've been so busy!"  It's true, we fit quite a bit into a two week visit.  I'll try to back off a bit this next week; but, it's the last week of school at HOPAC, with all of the usual activity that goes along with that... we'll see how good of a job I can do in the "slow down" department!

On Monday, we returned to the Frontline Pre-School that we had been to on Friday.  We wanted to bring them some craft supplies, and also give all of the children some toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss that Carol had brought with her from her dentist in the States.  The Pastor had been called away, and even with no adult supervision, the kids had all come to school, put their backpacks on the table, and were playing outside together very nicely.  We stayed and played for a bit, found someone that spoke some English, and made plans to return another day.

Krypto playing with one of the boys at the pre-school.

Some of the kids from the pre-school

What a sweetheart

Then, we came home to find that the vet had arrived.  If you remember, our dear dog, Smokey, had pulled off his bandage, so....a cast was the next step.  He had to be sedated so that the vet could have full access to his leg.  He's been back a few times to give him some antibiotic shots; but, for the most part, I think we are finally on the road to recovery.  Hopefully we can get it removed next week!

The vet, Dadi, his assistant, and our gardener, Happy, working on Smokey's leg.

Then, on Monday nights, I meet with a few ladies and we're doing a Beth Moore study on the book of Esther.  I highly recommend it if you haven't done it.  It's teaching me a bit more about Jewish history and dealing with some issues that I think we all hold near and dear like fear, anger, meanness....

Me, Laura, Carolyn, and Carol

Tuesday is our swimming lesson day.  We're getting better at it every time.  Hope we can work on swimming a bit more this summer; but, we've acclimated so much that the water seems cold to us now.  Winter time in Dar...ahhhh :), it's 82 degrees right now, and feels like 87 with a bit of humidity.  Chilly!

Also, on Tuesday, Carol went with a friend of ours to the Nuru Center to see some of the crafting that they do and the ESL classes that they offer to some of the disabled here in Northern Dar es Salaam.  We met up in the afternoon and worked with the Sala Sala Kids' Ministry again.  Definitely a full day!

Sissi working on her kicking and blowing bubbles, in the pool at HOPAC.

On Wednesday, Sissi has a dance class that meets at our house this summer.  Gwangi then has a piano lesson immediately following.  We really enjoy this time with our friends.  Carol was able to go with some other friends of ours and visit an orphanage right outside of town that the International Baptist Church is beginning a partnership with.  She enjoyed her time and I know that we'll be making an attempt to help with the ministry going on there as well, in the future.

Warming up and working on their positions.

On Thursday we had our last set of music lessons up at HOPAC and then that evening we met up with our Small Group from church, The Ocean.

Friday, we went back to the Frontline Pre-School and did a short lesson with them on their teeth and how to brush them.  We sang songs with them, did a coloring page, and then I tried to teach them how to jump rope and blow up "air rockets"...we left them with the craft supplies and fun things to do, and we'll most definitely be going back again to share and play with the kids.  

Opening up their packages with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss.

Rehema was so excited about her new toothbrush!

Coloring a sheet with a tooth, toothbrush, toothpaste, and apples :)

These two girls are just the cutest and have so much personality!

They love it when you take their picture.

Carol with Pastor Mwangomale, also the teacher at the pre-school.

Me, blowing up the "air rocket"...they loved chasing it all over the yard.

Too much fun!

Lots of hugs happened, all around.

After the pre-school, we took a trip to White Sands hotel and took Carol to the beach.  It was a beautiful day and I'm so glad that she got to see the beach before she left.

On Friday night, HOPAC had their Staff Appreciation Dinner at BBQ Village downtown.  We were so thankful for Carol volunteering to watch the kids so that we could attend.

Indy and Bubbles, ready to head out to dinner.

Finally, today....Just a few pictures before Carol left to get on the plane, and head back to America!

Kids climbing in the tree, out in the yard.

We finally got around to playing Carcassonne this morning with Carol...I think she really enjoyed it and wrote down the name of the game to play with her grandkids back in the States.

A view of the board, about half way through.

Then, decided to give Indy his Father's Day gift early, so he could spend some time enjoying it today!
It's a hard bound book that covers 100 years of Flight History in East Africa.  Absolutely amazing pictures and stories in this book!

Enjoying his look through, decade by decade.

This is a picture of a Short Brothers, Empire class flying boat, moored off the coast of Dar es Salaam in 1939.  Wow, how the port has changed!

Finally, got a package yesterday from Jeff's mom!  Yahoo!  We have 4th of July stuff now and my FAVORITE candy, in the whole world, PEANUT BUTTER M&Ms :)!!!!!!  Two bags....Sweet!