London calling

I'm gearing up for London (2 days away!!!) and spent the last few weeks preparing both work and the house for my departure. Some things we managed to do in the last few weeks in Nairobi:

We had our last Daisy girl scout meeting. Well, technically not Livi's but I'm not sure if she's going to keep going if I'm not there. For this one we met at a fellow Dasiy's house who has a zip line in her backyard to help work on being courageous and strong.

A tour of a local cheese farm with some friends:

chili chive cheddar...yum!

so much yummy cheese! The only thing I missed was being able to pair the wines with the cheese...

Oscar's pinewood Derby for Boy scouts - everyone built their own car. Oscar's car came him first place for his first heat, but was eliminated in the 4th heat.

getting ready for the race

his car is on the track!

1st place in the 1st heat, Livi was so proud!

Not part of the pinewood derby..Livi and I headed out to a birthday party
while the boys finished the racing.
She truly enjoyed the manicures and pedicures!

Other pics from around the house:

sorting through Oscar's old papers while mama packs

Thank you cards turned body art

Last week Oscar took a two night trip to Naivasha with his class. Overall it sounds like he had a great trip (hiking, swimming in sulphur springs, visiting a geothermal plant...), but was so exhausted when he got home Thursday that he was also a little homesick. We were all happy to have the family together for our last weekend for a little while!

Yesterday we took a hike to Ngong Hills. "Ngong" means knuckles in Masai, and the hills look like them from the distance. While there are 4 in total we only did 2 but were still afforded beautiful vistas and nice cool breezes.

8 months!

soaking in the view

a tired mountain goat

Livi with the windmills near the start of the hike

This little piggie

Livi had a big few weeks, first turning 7 and then premiering in her first dramatic performance as Piggie #2 in Three of a Kind. The show was a culmination of her after school activity for two times a week over 2 semesters. She was really nervous leading up to the play, but you wouldn't have known it seeing her on stage. She took her character head on, and even helped directing a few of the girls when they weren't quite sure where to stand.

dramatic piggie

groovin piggie

singing piggie

more singing piggie

snorting piggie!

after the show with Isa, the baby goat Gruff

Slip N' Slide

We kept the slip n'slide out from Livi's birthday and the kids had another go the following day. They had a ton of fun, so much that the pillow at the end popped by the end of the day. I suppose they're not make for hills, but it was well worth it. Looks like were in the market for a new one now!

everything's better with mud

C joined in the fun too!

7!

Livi's 7!! When we started discussing Livi's birthday party plans, she initially only wanted to have her best friend Isa sleep over. As parents, we decided she would probably miss not having a friend party so we encouraged her to invite a few more friends. We ended up with a wonderful group of 10 little girls at our house for an old school backyard party. She didn't want anything like a bouncy house or clown (thank god) so I pulled out the birthday party arsenal and we ended up with a treasure hunt/art/water party! Everyone had fun, nobody cried, and Livi was a very happy birthday girl!

Involved right from the start, Livi decided on a chocolate cake with vanilla and chocolate frosting (she had vanilla cupcakes with vanilla or chocolate frosting to appeal to all palates!)

there can never be too many sprinkles

proud birthday girl post decorating!

first up a treasure hunt

then some arts and crafts - aprons followed by painting on canvases (missed that picture) 

and then some water fun! I missed the water balloons but got a few slip n slide shots

showing her friends how it works

dancing to stay warm! it was unseasonably chilly but the girls persevered and only came in when it was time for….

PIZZA!

and cake

 The next morning was  Livi's actual birthday and she got some cake in bed, followed by opening all of her family presents that we put under the christmas tree (yes, it's still up…). We asked her if she felt any older now that she was 7 and same said, "No. But I feel taller!"

Before we started opening presents, Livi read us her card that she made us for her birthday:

"I love all my presents but I love you much more."

And then the fun began! I didn't get everything, but just a smattering to share…

art set from Nana (in a new dress from Gigi) 

present break to look at the Pet Shop drawing book from Elly

Busy with her Lego set from Gigi (with an outfit change)

Oscar telling Minecraft jokes while Livi continued to unwrap

puzzling out a word from her joke book

When all the presents were opened, we had a little photo shoot in the yard in her new outfit from Nanee. She picked the locations and poses (of course).

Before I leave for London, my goal is to do our annual birthday survey of her favorite things!