August went by very quickly, perhaps because so much was happening....
Salt's revenge for our being away for 6 weeks.
After the summer off from riding
Maria was very happy to get back to it....
A week after Maria and I returned to Kenya Paolo and Gio made their way back. Gio was NOT pleased with the 3AM wake up.
A day after the boys returned we headed to Watamu (yes, they had to get back on a plane!).
This trip was supposed to happen in March but Nairobi was locked down the night before our scheduled departure so we came now instead. Maria was thrilled that she got to celebrate her 8th birthday in paradise!
The hotel where we stayed made Maria's birthday very special!
Back in Nairobi just in time to start school (and to celebrate some more!)
First day of REAL school!
Gioia vs. Winston
The week the children went back to school Winston had the "big snip"... he was not too pleased with me (or the cone!).
Parents continue to be banned from entering the school campus (Gio has been in a new building since Jan and I have never seen it!) so we are grateful that Maria's teacher sends us regular photos of their activities.
What makes the first day of school even more fun? Being dragged to the orthodontist that afternoon to begin treatment!
Winston's new favorite activity? Rolling in monkey poo. Lucky me.
More photos from school.... a writing lesson
Getting help from the class teacher assistant Ms. Terry.
This year Maria was separated from all of her 2nd grade girlfriends (she did get 3 of her favorite boys from last year!). This has turned out to be a positive thing for her as she has made quite a few new friends and is very happy with her new class. This is a first weekend playdate with one of her new favorites....
3rd Grade means recorders for everyone. Our very patient piano teacher has agreed to dedicate a portion of his lessons to it. He cannot really stand the sound of the recorder (he says it is too high for him) but loves her enthusiasm!
You know what can be quite smelly? Four damp and gassy dogs in the office with me...
When I ask Gio to pack for a sleepover. Sigh.
After a few weeks of separators Maria was ready to have her palate expander put into her mouth (where it will stay for 8-12 months).
What a good sport she has been about this so far (2 weeks in as I write this). She has to endure daily tightening of the expander and has also had to relearn how to talk since the device is training her to use her tongue in a different way.
Winston offering comfort after I tightened her expander.
Every Thursday our 3 younger dogs go to daycare
for some fun and games....
Bonus to anyone who can correctly identify Jagger!
September will bring after school activities for both (swim team & drama for Gio, parkour, swim team & mountain biking for Maria). Gio will get braces and Paolo will climb Mt Kenya!
