Tihavene Dedication

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Wow – time is flying and I can’t keep up with my blog fast enough!

Mommy’s note: You don’t hear much about Maranatha’s project on this blog, as it is Esmé’s blog. If you’re interested in hearing more, check out my sister’s blog. I do want to mention, though, that an exciting part of the project has finally started! Our well drilling equipment has finally made it into Mozambique (after getting tied up in customs and then requiring huge storage fees to be paid before we could get it out – “This is Africa . . .”). And we are getting water! This is a great way to have a positive impact on the entire community wherever we are building.
Back to Esmé’s life . . .

We had lots of company – nine South African volunteers – staying with us for several days! They were very cool and even spoke English for Afrikaans-challenged Mommy’s sake.

On Saturday we went to the Tihavene church dedication, close to the beach. Here are a couple of photos of that.

Making friends:

Don't think public speaking will be one of my fears when I grow up:

One of my favorite pasttimes - chasing boys!
What do I do when I catch one? (This is Mr. Artur's boy - Mr. Artur works for Maranatha checking out new properties to build on and making sure we have the right documents.)

This family looks nice. Maybe I'll join them . . .
Another granny - cool!
I’ll show you photos of our lunch at the beach another time . . .

Climber

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I haven’t given you all a status update on my developmental milestones in like forever! I’ll just start by telling you May was the month for learning how to climb.

It started at Smith Rock, I guess. I am now all set up with my own climbing harness. Here is a photo of me trying on my new harness. And another one showing you it works just right – rappelling, here we come!

My personal tip – never rock climb without your handy dandy music recorder in hand. You might need it for rescue purposes. And if you need both your hands for climbing, you can carry the recorder in your mouth. And if you get bored waiting for the rescue, you can entertain yourself by playing music.

Mommy's note to Mozambicans: Are there any established rock climb routes in this country? Preferably close to Maputo?

Anyway, while we were in the US, Mommy noticed that I’d been starting to climb up on couches. And I climbed up slides with no problems, either, though I preferred to go up the slide rather than the steps. And I climbed up the step ladder at Auntie Delia’s.

It wasn’t until we got back home to Mozambique in the beginning of June that she saw how much more advanced I’d become in just one month. Now I could crawl over the rails on my cribs. And out of the bathtub. And into the bidet – and I could turn the water on by myself, too, and get sopping wet. Haven’t figured how to climb OUT of the bidet yet, though.

I can climb up jungle gym ladders, though sometimes my feet slip through and I get stuck. I've had lots of practice climbing windows.

Today I climbed on top of the ottoman over and over, stood on it, and clapped for myself. I wasn’t too excited when I fell off it, though.

I don’t understand why the higher I get, the less stuff there is up there for me to play with. What’s with Mommy and Daddy?

Mommy’s note: We’re starting to put stuff where I (at 5’1”) can’t reach anymore. Where do we go next? Any favorite parental hiding spots that you care to share?

Thursday 13 - Blog Keepers

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Esme’s Mommy here.

I came across this post from African Kelli – one of my “keeper” bloggers. She just arrived in Mozambique on a short-term health project, and her experience so well describes the quandary, the dilemma, that is Mozambique. If you’re short on time, please read her post instead of mine today!

Yesterday was Independence Day here in Mozambique, so we celebrated with a potjie at my sister’s house around the block and down a ways. Here is a photo I snapped on the walk – just to give you a visual for Kelli’s blog post.

Sudden change of topic and on to my Thursday 13 – specifically for bloggers.

When I first figured out Google Reader back in March, I started subscribing to feeds at a crazy rate. I knew I was in trouble when I went on vacation for a month and had limited internet access. Within the first week, my inbox had 1000+ items in it. Now that I’ve been home a bit and started working through it, I’ve been unsubscribing from a few blogs. Not as many as I should, but a woman’s gotta start somewhere.

And it’s a TERRIBLE process. I feel like I’m saying goodbye to good friends, just so I can have a real life. Selfish, isn’t it?

I’m no SheSpeaks seminar speaker, but I’ve been analyzing what makes a blog a keeper and what annoys me, and thought my very amateur perspective might be interesting to some.

Trying to see the glass half full, I’ll start with the keepers. Next week we’ll do the (more exciting) pet peeves.

1. People I Know. This trumps all. If I know you personally, I’ll read your blog. Period. It makes my life more interesting if you’ve got the other things going for you, of course, and thankfully all my personal friends do!
2. Similarities. I like people who have common interests. In most cases, that means kids. I love mommy blogs! Ones with a spiritual emphasis and wholesome lifestyle are even better. And Africa-related blogs are awesome, too.
3. Human Tragedy. I find myself drawn to others’ stories of personal tragedy. I’m sure there’s a happy ending somewhere, so I keep coming back to read more.
4. Regular Posts. I need to feel a part of the blogger’s life. This means at least a post or two a week. More than one a day on a regular basis, though, and it gets overwhelming.
5. Comments and Replies. If I get a reply or a comment on my blog, it makes me feel like you’re listening. That means I’m more likely to listen to you!
6. Personal Stories. I want to feel a part of your life. The more stories, the better. Intimate details are cool – though not too MUCH information, please.
7. Jumping In. I like blogs where I don’t have to go back to the beginning to figure out what’s going on. Photos help with this, as well as details on the sidebar. (Gotta work on my blog in this area – I know . . .)
8. Giveaways. I’m a sucker for these, especially where all ya gotta do is comment! Shameful, but true. Though I haven’t been winning anything . . .
9. Good Writing. That had to be on the list somewhere, right?
10. Humor. I prefer writers who don’t take themselves too seriously. Or ones who thoughtfully leave a smile on your face.
11. Lessons and Hints. If I can walk away feeling challenged to change or having learned something meaningful, I’ll read you.
12. Easy Reading. I have an MBA and can certainly read at college level, but when I’m speed reading through 101 posts, I prefer the eighth-grade level. Short sentences and paragraphs work for me. Big words that challenge my ever-shrinking mommy vocabulary are splendiferous, though.
13. Appropriate Use of Photos. Run-on blogs with no photos get tiresome. Related photos keep my attention. On the flip side, please give me some words to provide context to those photos.

So that’s what works for me. Oh shoot, it’s not Wednesday, is it?

Yeah, my own blog needs lots of work. I’m learning!

Wordless Wednesday

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Gearin' Up!

With gas prices at $6/gallon here, I thought I'd do my part to conserve. Mommy won't let me ride Daddy's bike, though . . .

Cousins

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On my last post about my US trip, I ended with arriving at my cousins' in Portland the last Friday in May.

My cousins the 7 Cs are worthy of their own blog, but we'll try to get them all in one post. So it's gonna be a long one with lots of pictures. (And C doesn't stand for cousin - they all have the same initials.)

We got there late Friday evening, but they were all still awake and ready to play!  They had lots of kiddy toys for me to play with, like a xylaphone and this foam puzzle C#6 is helping me with.

And we played pat-a-cake.

They finally had to go to bed, but I didn't want to go - playing was way too much fun. So I cried instead. Daddy was worried about me waking up the house, so I went on my first car ride just to get me to sleep - Mommy & Daddy have never resorted to that before.

It was finally time to get up again - yeah! Here I am with C#4, deciphering the treasure hunt clue left by C#6. The treasure was a unicorn!

And posing with C#7

And here I am hanging out with C#s 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Then we went to Sabbath School. It was lots of fun! Mommy was drooling over all the props and stuff - we don't have that in Mozambique. Though maybe we're working on it. Here I am riding a donkey with my very important sippy cup - never go on a trip without it!

And now waving palm branches with Auntie B.

And with C#1 making sure I don't get into mischief or something like that.

Eating my animal crackers. I am eyeing the girl's next to me - as soon as I finish mine, I'm gonna try some of hers. Mommy doesn't let me, though. So I get some of my cousins' cookies instead.

Then we had lunch there at the church, followed by a story hour.

Here I am trying on C#1's shoes.

And demonstrating them for C#2.

Then I left early to take a nap. But I didn't nap too long - I had to get up and play some more!

Here I am back at the cousins' house, reading with C#3.

And cooking ambulances with C#4.

And they taught me how to play the piano.

They've got boxes of clothes my size, so we went through them and took a bunch to take back to Mozambique.

Before we left, we did some boarding down the driveway. It was a bit steep, so I decided not to do the whole thing.

And then we had to go and leave all the fun behind . . . and take a much needed nap on the drive back to Roseburg.

Sharing the Love

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On Saturday I promised I would show you my tempera paintings. Here's my gallery. Mommy decided to try the Rorschach method on some of these for fun. There are two paper mosaics too, since I wanted to use the glue so bad.

While we're on the subject of art, here is my writing on the wall. I'm only allowed to do this in the art room - don't worry!

And here I am with a food art masterpiece.

And hair art, too!
Now that my art show is out of the way, I wanted to pass on a "Sharing the Love" award that came from Summer. This award is in honor of a heart donor - click on the button below for the full story.

The rules of this award are: SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same**

So - passing it on to: Lis Garrett, New Mommy Rant, Not Before 7, Random Thoughts, Sincerely Anna, Sunshine on My Shoulders, The Artful Parent, The Laughs Will Go On, WhatNot, Zoe

And there are MANY more who deserve the award, I know. We're just tryin' to keep the post a reasonable length.

Guess!!!

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Guess where I went today! You get three guesses!

Lion Sleeps Tonight

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I’ve been busy today!

I started by pulling out all my onesies out of my suitcase and trying to dress my monkeys in them. I convinced Mommy to help me. Then I had her play the Lullaby mobile so they would go to sleep like good monkeys.

Then we did art with tempera paints. This was my second time – and I was so good the first time that I lulled Mommy into complacency. So this time I got to paint my fingers and toes and mouth and pants and table and walls and floors, plus I rubbed my eyes a lot after I painted my fingers. But we got some cool paintings on paper, too. I’ll post pictures of them another time after the camera battery is charged up.

While Mommy was making lunch, I got into the fridge and took bites out of apples and put the apples back in the fridge. I also put some plastic dishes in (they’re better chilled) and some dental floss.

Then I said “bah” and threw the lemons on the floor to see if they would bounce.

Then I took the flour out of the pantry and very carefully measured it with a teaspoon onto the floor. When I had the right amount, I stepped in it and made white footprints everywhere.

Of course, I helped clean up. I love using the little broom and dustpan and spreading dirt around, just like Mommy and Ms. Cathrine do.

Then I had to spoonfeed Mommy my lunch, otherwise how would I ever get done with my food?

I did NOT take my naps. Neither of them.

Then I had to treat my dolly for a black eye with an icee Mommy gave me for my pinched finger.

Then I tried to put pompoms in my nose.

For supper, I decided to try extensions and put spaghetti noodles in my hair.

But now we are all very tired. And since I have no photos of today, I thought I’d embed one of my favorite YouTube videos here. Nothing special about it, but it fits the Africa theme of my blog and makes us smile. So without further ado, may I present Hippo, singing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”



That’s all, folks. Have a blessed and restful day. This lion cub’s gonna get to sleep now . . .

Shy? Not When Bowling!

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Esmé’s Mommy here:
Esmé said her first word in sign language today.

I’ve always wanted to teach sign language to my baby. There are so many pros – it apparently helps a baby learn to talk sooner, and it aids the parent in understanding the child. And when the news came out in March that Emily, a 17-month-old reader, had watched sign language programs, I renewed my resolve to teach sign language to Esmé. No great expectations, of course . . .

That’s a problem since I don’t know sign language. I took a class a while back, but have forgotten most of it due to lack of use. And it gets tiresome to look up the words in the ASL dictionary all the time. So all I’ve done are the basics like ‘thank you,’ ‘more,’ and a couple of animal signs.

And we've signed a book of baby emotions: happy, sad, angry, etc.

So today, Esmé signed ‘shy’ while we were looking at the shy page of the book. She said it using my face instead of hers, but that still counts, I believe.

Just for the record.

Esmé here again:

There goes Mommy, hijacking my blog again. I’m never gonna get through the detailed account of my trip to the US at this rate.

As for the signing, I don’t get the big deal. I can do the hand motions for all sorts of songs: “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “Head and Shoulders,” “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” and my favorite: “Jesus Loves the Little Ones Like Me, Me, Me.” In fact, that’s the only way Mommy can figure out the words I’m singing – by the signs. Otherwise it all sounds the same to her.

Anyway, back to my US trip – my last blog was of Audra’s wedding the Sunday before Memorial Day. We spent the rest of that week in Roseburg. Here is the week in photos:

Mommy took Flamey to the vet on Tuesday. She got lots of claw marks to prove it. He is ridiculously healthy and weighs a pound more than last year at 14 1/2 lbs. I think I gained a few more pounds than he did – back then I was littler than him and now I’m twice his size.
Lest you think we only ate at Taco Bell on our trip, I must say we went to Chi’s Garden Restaurant for Chinese that day. Rice is good any day of the week, and a little broccoli works, too. They didn’t have any eggplant for their famous crispy fried garlic eggplant dish, so we were all highly disappointed. Here I am trying out the chairs.
I had to entertain myself at Auntie Delia’s (the house we own) a little while Mommy & Daddy tried to get some work done. On Wednesday I tried on Daddy’s shoes. Bet I can jump real high and make great shots in these!

Here’s Daddy & Mr. Jeron chopping down a dead tree in the yard.
On Thursday we went bowling. Here I am with Auntie Erika.
And here I am picking up my six-pound bowling ball. Folks were a little surprised to see me with it . . . But it sure did impress the little boys at the bowling alley. Or maybe my hugs and kisses did the impressing.
We were supposed to drive up to Portland Friday morning to see Auntie Judy and some friends and get my pictures taken, but we had a little problem. See, that pressure washing Daddy & Mr. Jeron did on the roof resulted in a little leakage in the house, like on the dryer electrical unit. And there was a little explosion on Friday morning. So we didn’t leave until late Friday afternoon.

And then we got to my cousins’ house in Portland Friday night. But that’s a whole nother post. Cuz I have seven cousins there, you see.

Thursday Thirteen - Bizarre Comments

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Esmé's Mommy here.

Inspired by my cousin Mike’s blog, I made a list of things I’ve said to Esmé recently that I never dreamed I’d say to a 14-month-old:

1. Please take your foot out of my mouth.


2. How sweet! You’re feeding your dolly diaper rash cream!


3. The doggy isn’t going to eat from an empty bowl no matter how much you shove it in his face. He needs food in his bowl before he eats. He doesn’t like to play pretend.


4. I know it’s good to share, but please don’t share your dummy (pacifier) with the cat.


5. No, you don’t have to pray between every bite. Once is enough. Come on, eat your food!


6. No, you can’t have frog/duck/sheep at the table with you. I know he needs to eat, too, but not your food. You are such a good mommy to him, aren’t you?


7. [After she pronounces it a ‘bah’] That’s a lemon, not a ball. It looks like a ball, but it is edible and smells – like a lemon. Here, taste it.


8. What’s that bump in your onesie? Ah, a golf ball.


9. PLEASE spit that rock out of your mouth. Your teeth are sharp enough already.


10. Why does paper taste better to you than lettuce?


11. Stop calling the company operator! She gets nervous when you breathe on the phone. Dial something other than ‘0’. Like a ‘7’, okay?


12. Do NOT climb the ladder! Get off the ladder!! Don’t shake the ladder when you’re on it!!!


13. That USB cord plugs in this hole, not that one. The power cable goes here. Now, don’t touch Mommy’s computer.

And here's the subject matter sharpening her teeth on a rock today:

Wordless Wednesday

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Stairway To Nowhere

Sounds like it should be the title of a song, huh? These steps were at the waterless Namaacha waterfall we visited last weekend.

Weekend in Review

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Father’s Day

I have a very cool dad! All those skateboard photos you see with legs in the background? That’s my dad making sure I don’t bonk my head. I love my Daddy!
Here is the card Mommy and I made him for Father’s Day.
Mommy here: I learned a great tip when making this card. When things disappear, give another of the same thing to your little miss and she will lead you right to where she’s hidden all the others. I found the missing buttons that way – stashed in a pile of gift wrap paper!

Waterfall

The last time I wrote, I said we were going to a waterfall about an hour a way. That was a little overstated. I guess we were too late, cuz when we got there, there wasn’t any water falling.

And you certainly wouldn’t want to swim in that water, would you? (Even if it looked fresh and clear, the rivers here are known for bilharzia.) But it was a pretty spot for a picnic. Here's some of the group.

Here’s the view of the dam below the falls.

And here I am rock climbing – always with Daddy’s help! We forgot to bring my climbing harness on the trip, so I didn’t get to do any BIG rocks.
South Africa
On Sunday, we tried to go to Kruger Park in South Africa to see lots of animals. We had to get up at 4 a.m. and leave very early, since Dan (our visiting videographer friend) was flying out of Maputo that afternoon.

We made it to the park by 7:30, only to find that there were too many people (there’s a limit to how many are allowed in the park) and there was no way we were going to get in. We’ve NEVER had that problem before – but it was Youth Day on Monday, so lots of people were on vacation.

So Daddy went golfing instead with Dan and Tim (another cameraman), and Mommy and I stocked up on groceries in Komatipoort. And with such an early start, we made it back in plenty of time for Dan to catch his flight.

Indian Food
My cousin J. (the oldest one – in college already!) was here for a short while before heading to camp as a counselor. We went to an Indian restaurant on Monday for lunch just before his flight back to the US.

I learned how to dip my roti into the curry sauce before eating it. It was yummy!