This morning, I was playing a random variation of Go Fish with Josh and Claire, and Josh made a discard pile, and said, “Mom, this is my disco pile!” Ha!
I’ve had the opportunity to go to the huge outdoor market a couple of times now. I went the first time with my fantastic housekeeper, and found a nice large oriental rug for our den. The second time I went was on Friday morning with a few friends. I must admit that the first time I went to the market, I had been here only a very short time, and I was scared out of my wits! I didn’t like that people were throwing things at me and grabbing my arms…all so that I would come and buy something from them. This time when I went, I found it was rather enjoyable!! I found cool (cool meaning light and summery) clothing for all the kiddies, and some sandals for all of them as well. I knew more French, and while I still didn’t understand everything they said to me, I was at least able to hold my own. I learned lots of interesting and useful phrases! C'est la meilleur façon à apprendre une langue. (Thanks Jen! Good phrase!)
After a few hours in the market, I went home for an hour and played with the kids (which was when Josh mentioned his ‘disco’ pile) and then I was off again with Devin to go to the brasserie (brewery). Funny thing to do, I know. Our friends were doing a tour of it as part of the French class, etc., so we went along. It was really interesting. We learned about how they make biere (beer) in French. A few of those rooms we went into…can you get drunk just by breathing in the fumes? Man, my eyes were burning!!! It was interesting to see the different machines working and all the work that goes into making bottled drinks (they also make soft drinks there). At the end of the factory tour, they gave us free drinks (Dev and I got Fanta and Schwepp’s Ginger Ale) and they gave us a hat and some cool cups that say ‘Castel Beer’ on them! Ha!!
We then got to go home and finally see our kids and play with them before we put them to bed! I felt sad that I hadn’t seen them all day long! They don’t do much when I’m not home…mostly just watch movies. So, in some ways I suppose they were glad to not have me there since I don’t let them watch movies when I am home! Ha! They’re good kids.
We’ve had a hard time at church lately. I’m in the primary now with the kids, and it seems to be harder than it was. Josh is mean to all the other kids around him. He keeps telling us that he doesn’t like them. How could he not? They’re sweet kids in the primary, and he doesn’t even talk to them. At all. He just sits in a corner and glares at everyone. What’s up with that??? Or he beats up whomever is sitting next to him. What have I done wrong??? During Sunday School, he wanders about the room, talks over the top of everyone else, or makes a lot of disturbing noises. Then comes Sacrament Meeting, where all 3 kids converge to make it fun for everyone. Today, Claire SCREAMED all the way through the whole meeting. Dev and I took turns holding her outside—we were far away from the room of the meeting, and you could still hear her loud and clear. Andrew was walking all over the benches and trying to eat crayons and paper, and Josh kept wanting to get up and leave, then come back, then leave, then come back and start screaming about something or other. I feel like the worst parent in the world. This is pretty normal for our Sundays here in Africa. It’s been very difficult to pay a lot of attention. Anyone have any advice or ideas how to make it better?? We bring snacks, crayons and paper, small toys…I’m just not sure what to do.
Anyway, on a lighter note, we get to go to the beach for Spring Break in March!!! ϑ It’s a beach resort type place called Kribi. I’m super excited! Beach, sand, waterfalls, boat rides…it will be fun! We’re going with a few other families that we know, and I think it will be nice. We’ll be there for 4 days!! Wow! We’ve never been on a family vacation…we’ve gone places, like to visit family, etc., but we’ve never been on a vacation as a family just for the sake of going on a vacation! So, this will be our first one! Yea!! I hope it’s fun! (I’m also hoping that we get our big shipment before then so that we’ll have all our back up swimsuits, beach towels and beach toys!!!!!!)
I wanted to mention one other thing: Thank you SO MUCH to my fantastic Sister in law who is ‘moderating’ this blog for me! If it weren’t for her, I’d have no blog anymore!! Thanks, Robyn!! The internet connection here is still not great, and while I can email, and buy things on ebay (sometimes), I still can’t log into my blog. *Sigh* And I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s comments! It’s nice to hear from so many friends and family!! Leah, if you read this, I need your new email address!!!!! I’ve been wanting to write to you for forever!!!!
Kisses to you all!! ϑ
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