The highlights of this month were a trip to Masai Mara, Maria mastering a two-wheeler and Gio's stage debut....
With what seems to be an endless rainy season, Gioia discovered mud.
Back in South Africa Alaska's first litter of puppies went home to their puppy raisers.
Bruno has found a new source of shade.
We did a neighborhood trick-or-treat (a few days after Halloween). We had American candy so we were quite popular!
I finally managed to get Gio's hair cut...after school on the day he had class pictures taken, of course.
What happens at our house if you try to take a nap during the day.
Music recital time. Gio's first time playing the piano for an audience.
Since Paolo missed the recital Gio kindly taught Paolo his piece that evening.
Swim gala morning with her favorite coach.
Maria's turn for a haircut.
When you are a giant puppy with a lazy streak....
After hours chasing monkeys at Karura this is as much energy Jagger & Gioia can muster for evening play.
We spent a morning at school learning about Gio's art and music programs (Maria had her day earlier in the week). In art Gio's taught us how to sew. He was so patient with Paolo!
5th grade band presentation!
ISK had a Friday off from school so we took the opportunity for our first Kenyan safari- we flew to Masai Mara for an amazing weekend in the bush!
Naptime.
Swimming not advised.
Lion pride
Baby hippo!
Baby elephant!
Hyena lounging in the mud (reminded me of Gioia!).
The famous "5 brothers" of Masai Mara. They are not actually believed to be brothers but somehow these 5 males joined together a few years ago and have remained together.
Gio's happiest moment of the safari....
And what was Maria doing during the leopard sighting?? (Luckily we saw another leopard and her baby the next day!)
Hyena mama.
We watched these lionesses for a while as they hunted. They were not successful- sort of a relief for me!
Gio was our co-pilot flying home!
Back in Nairobi with our own "wild" animal....
...who has discovered the joys of digging.
Nairobi is indeed a dangerous place to live....
Paolo and I headed out for a dinner with friends a few nights ago. The children wanted to be left without a sitter. Since our driver lives on our property with his family and we have a guard at night we decided to give Gio the chance to be in charge. We told him they both had to be in bed by 8PM. We found this note on our bed when we got home...
Maria mastered her bike after much work that she and Paolo did together. She is so proud of herself!
Gio spend the final weekend of November celebrating his best friend's 11th birthday with a camping sleepover and paintball.
Two of Gio's musical numbers in an all-school review of Broadway hits.... See if you can spot him!
October was an exciting month for us: Gioia went to camp, Alaska's first litter of puppies got cuter, we spent nearly half the month in the USA, and the children got to celebrate Halloween multiple times!
Alaska is a very relaxed mama...
...and Gioia still thinks she is a lap dog!
Cinnamon is still mad about a new dog at the house. He spends most of the time on our roof.
We decided to send Gioia to dog camp while we travel to the USA. Since the camp is 2 hours outside of Nairobi I signed her up for the camp "bus". Off she went a few days before we left!
You never know what you are going to see on the back of a motorcycle here. On this day it was another motorcycle!
One last walk with Bruno before we set off to the USA.
After an overnight flight we hung out in the Frankfurt lounge before flight #2.
Made it to DC! And tried hard to keep everyone awake until bedtime. Luckily jet lag does not hit us too hard flying East. The trip back to Kenya is what nearly kills us!
And now some photos from Gioia's camp.... She was clearly having a miserable time!
First morning in DC and we had brunch with family including my parents and Uncle Charles (left of Maria).
After brunch we strolled around Georgetown to see the Halloween decorations....
...to visit the gardens at Dumbarton Oaks...
...and to swing at Montrose Park.
Strolling home.
Our first Monday in town. Paolo was off to the office and we hit Starbucks.
Jet lag hit.
Alien invasion pumpkin display!
A long scooter ride and a stop in front of the South African Embassy.
I took Gio to The Kitten Lounge (Maria could not join us as you must be 7!). He loved it!
Dinner with two of our favorites- Gio's godfathers Tim...
...and Jay!
Gio and Maria still love to visit the 7-11on P Street and their good friend Girma.
More photos of Gioia at camp....
A day did not go by that we did not visit a playground. Rose Park was their favorite.
Morning school work.
At the zoo. Maria wondered if the panda had jet lag.
More fun Georgetown displays.
Swings!
Assignment today: What do you need to take care of Jagger?
Totally unplanned visit to the Apple Store to escape the rain and who walks in but Alyce Henness! We grew up together in Erie, PA, both went to Dartmouth and both married Italians! She now lives in Italy just down the road from the ski town where Paolo and his brother share an apartment in the Italian Alps. What a small world!
Fashionista Halloween.
Final night in DC and time for Boo at the Zoo!
Garfield!
We met up with Godfathers Tim & Jay. We got LOADS of candy!
Always the highlight of this event is the toilet display....
Final morning in DC- had to express our political views.
Clearly she is having fun in the mud (note that her chest area should actually be black and WHITE!).
Final hour of the final flight (it took us 27 hours door-to-door) and she is still smiling!
I had finally gotten both kids to bed and half of the luggage unpacked when I came into my room to find this greeting committee...
Gioia's final day at camp (due to transport she did not come home until two days after we got back).
She is back!!! We brought along a visitor for the day who was also at camp with Gioia.
Full house!
First weekend back and Maria's very first swim gala...
...with her best friend!
Gio won this heat and came home with a medal!
As if hours at a swim gala were not enough, Maria quickly raced off to a birthday party.
Shots of the dog gang at Karura. This is the crowd most mornings. Photos taken by Pepper's mama Jill....
Jagger in crisis when Pepper steals his ball!
Bruno had chased monkeys for two hours and then could not quite cross the threshold into the house.
Gio and his best buddy cheering on the ISK volleyball teams.
Costume parade at school.
Riding on Blackie in her new pink riding vest!
November will bring our first safari trip in Kenya when we visit Masai Mara. We are hoping to see lots of lions! xoxo. Clara
