6 Years old!

Excited and shy she cam into the living room, after all it was time to open her presents. A quiet "wow" broke the silence. Zoey was completely speechless when she saw the Polly Pocket house. Gently she touched it and climbed on the table to get a closer look. Another "wow". She then gave her big sister specific instructions; Only watching, NO touching!

Zoey wanted her best friends to celebrate her birthday with her. From the left to right are: Casey, Nani, Rebecca and Ruth. It was a sleepover birthday party, so much fun!
Happy Birthday to you!

6 Years old! continued

Rainy season in Rwanda did not limit our joy. Zoey took her friends to a Mexican restaurant close by our house. Though the playground was muddy, the girls played African style. When walking back it was dark already and we made a long train singing: "chooc-a-chooc-a-yack-yack" as we were all slipping and sliding on the road.

The girls soaked in the bath and were ready to wind down with a movie in the living room. Popcorn (popped at a friends house who has a microwave) made for a special treat.

The next morning; the girls got up with the roosters and played all morning, only to completely crash in the afternoon. It was a fun time though. Zoey had lots of fun and so did the other children.

Surprise Surprise !

Yes I did it again. I build another house. This time it is a mall: Pocket Plaza and an appartment building. Though Kigali is developping rapidly, paying $10 for a Barbie the quality of those from the dollar store is still not in my budget. So what choice is left...

Zoey is turning 6 tomorrow. She once mentioned how she would like Polly Pocket house. After all I made Nani a Barbie house for her birthday. Hmmm..... Good point. Especially as the girls will have their own rooms in the hew house we will be moving into soon. I thought I would give it another try.

I am impressed I must humbly admit. I never thought that I could work out the ideas and imaginary rooms I saw in my head.

The elevator at the front of Pocket Plaza will bring Polly Pocket from the parking garage to the shoe store, clothing boutique or the roof level where she can relax at the pool side.

At the left building: Coffee shop with terras and two studio apprtments and a helicoptor landing spot on the roof. The mall has the garage, shoe store and boutique with the pool on the roof.Polly and her friends enjoying a cup of coffee.

Surprise Surprise! continued

By elevator Polly and her friends can come all the way to the roof to relax at the pool.

The helicoptor car can land on it's designated helicoptor landing spot.

Steps lead Polly, Pia and their friends to the studio appartments above the coffe shop.

The latest fashion displayed in this way hip store or should I say boutique?

Looking at this house I wonder why I am such a sucker for building these things. Remember Nani's barbie house back in September? I thought I would have learned my lessons then. The wood here is wet and crooked. I do not have he right tools, nor any real skill nor any example to go off. Just my imagination.

I must give a lot of credit to Jenni who send me a hot glue gun, felt and loads of other craft items. Thanks Jenni, without these items I would not have been able to make this house. Tomorrow is the big day. Zoey will be 6! Will she like it? Does she have a clue what happened behind the closed door of our guestroom during the past two weeks? Tomorrow we'll know. This time I am serious... Never again such a project!

It's a Baby Girl 1.

Here she is a cute baby girl, Born on Tuesday May 8th to our friends Uwimana and Denise.We went to visit them in their house out in the village today. The name of the baby will be announced during a naming ceremony in a week. We brought them gifts from both cultures. In RWanda the woman gets the Nido powdermilk to help with her own milk production... We also gave her and the baby lots of cloths.
Jasmin and Yaida loved the baby and gave her many kisses and empty bottle caps from the soda's we shared with Uwi and Denise.
Denise and the baby. It is great to celebrate life and birth in a time of sadness. I think this baby girl will look a lot like her mama. Such a princess.

It's a girl 2.

New cloths for Furaha. She was so excited about her new shoes she had to go outside and show them off right away.
I am always amazwd at the generosity of the poor. Uwi and Denise had a big Rwandan meal for us and blessed us with lots of plantines (Trav and Uwi carry them). It is amazing to me, the riches of the Rwandan culture. The friendship and relationship as priority and the commitment and joy that comes from it.

Queens Day - Koninginnedag

Over 55 kids and at least the same amount of adults spent last Saturday in my backyard. April 30th marks the birthday of my queen. The Queen of The Netherlands; Beatrix.

Many Dutch and Belgiums living in Rwanda came with their children to celebrate this event.

Our oversized compound and even the color of our house were perfect for the occasion.

Orange is the last name of the Royal Dutch Family, explaining that though our flags colors are red-white-blue, we dress orange for special national events.

Nani is playing the game "bottle-peeing" an all time favorite. Zoey was very competitive to make her team win and acted like a pro on the cow-milking game.

Queens Day - Koninginnedag 2.

The party was complete with Poffertjes, Kroketten and Erwtensoep! It was great to be in such a Dutch environment for a day.

It was a day with lots of fun, food and people. But the great thing about hosting Dutch people is that they take full responsability in cleaning up after themselfs! It made me feel blessed!

Zoey's team won by the way, good job Zoey! Happy Birthday BEA!!

Family Picture

Easter 2007.

Nani & Zoey (7,5 and almost 6 years old)

Us... well, we're as young as we feel... right?

Yaida and Jasmin both 14 months.