Back to the Watoto: Schedule? Not a chance...

Time is funny in Kenya. If you want to get something done, then concentrate on one thing at a time. Put four things on the agenda in the morning, and by evening you will feel disappointment. Somehow, even though I know this, I have a weird desire to challenge myself, and pack as much in as possible. Today was a perfect example - Moreen needed to go to the hospital, so I asked Sho-Sho to take her. Once they got into Tony's car, a million things popped into my mind, starting with: why would I not take advantage of a ride into town? Cary stayed behind, and I got into the car so I could attempt to accomplish some of the things bugging me...

Rather than bore you with the details of the morning, I ended up making 4 stops - Nairobi, bank, supermarket and then the market. Seeing as the marketplace had dried up from the copious rains, I gave Tony money to purchase cabbage, and bolted off to buy Kanini a watch, 18 pair of slippers, mangos, pineapples and oranges. I told Tony I would be right back (haha, what a joke, but he knows better) and headed to the opposite side of the market to say hello to my seamstress friend, who is now working on making 14 uniforms for the girls. Passing the Maasai women with their goods, I looked at the beaded belts - a new one for Peter, and two others for gifts.. "Muzungu! Look here!" From the left: "Muzungu, please come to me!" To the right: "Come see my belts, come". I saw no difference in any of them, left and grabbed Kiwi and Cutex for the kids. I love the way they use the brand name for all products they need. So, into the bag went shoe polish and nail polish. By the time I got back into the car, I had wasted an hour. Just as we were passing the wholesale grain market, Tony's phone rang and I didn't have the heart to yell "STOP" for the 4 cases of milk we had just talked about.... had to get back to the home for the delivery of one lorry of firewood, which will last for 3 months. It's not exactly an exciting purchase, but I know the children will be set with this until I return. Cary, David and the children hauled this substantial wood into the chicken coop, where it will be locked up, safe from the thieves up the road - aka Agnes and her son.

Linet returned to the home today, reminding us how much we missed her and her quirky sense of humor. Linet is 12 and basically rules the home. She is tough, funny, brazen and can snap her fingers and everyone sits up straight. Even me. She also adores Njenga and consistently takes care of him - bathing him, feeding him and watching over him, while she has laundry duty.

Once Linet settled in, Grace and her brother Gideon appeared. I've been patiently waiting for these two, and stood by the fence, allowing everyone else to get their hello's in. I love the way the children greet each other upon their return. It's a giant production, so much that Jer, knowing how much I love Moses (how did he know this!) said: Auntie Simmie! Here comes Moses! I snapped my head around to find him, and seeing nothing, looked at Jer, who cracked up. Devil!

Grace and Gideon:

Life at Nagolie is slowly getting back to normal. We need Alex, Anne, Emmanuel, Sylvia, Lameck, Simon and Moses. They were supposed to be back today, so tomorrow they better be here :-)

A few shots from today, taken when possible~

Lucy: