Zipline Park

We got to meet up with some out of town friends today. Daniel and Erkinesh lived at the same care center for a while and are from the same area of Ethiopia. Besides really liking Sharon, I have a little soft spot for Erkinesh and Sharon is kind enough to let me spend a few minutes with her when they are in town. (I try very hard to keep my distance and not scare her. It takes a lot of willpower, though.)

We went to a park that has a little bit of everything for each age group.  My boys are finally old enough to ride the zipline and still like the sandbox and regular playground. 

On the pirate ship (merry-go-round)

Of course, he has food in his hands.

Seth was hanging with us for part of the weekend. We love him.

Andrew and Erkinesh--a race to the top. (I'm pretty sure Erkinesh was already on her way back down.)

Ezra asked me to take a picture of him at the top. He was a fast climber!

Andrew kept climbing up and down the rock to bring Asrat more carrots. 

Open House

The boys had open house tonight at school. Andrew had a plan and a map in his head of everywhere we were going to go. Each classroom had a mini scavenger hunt for the kids to complete with their parents so they would be sure to see everything in the room. Evening activities are still hard for us but this one went well. 

Andrew was super excited to show us the chicks in his classroom. They hatched from eggs and the kids got to watch the first one hatch. He comes home every day with stories about them.

One of the garden bulletin boards made by kindergarten. Andrew's butterfly is at the top of the screen above his head.

A close-up of his butterfly.

Daniel was very shy when we visited his class. He pointed to everything quickly and would not let me take his picture inside of the room. He did agree to some pictures in the hallway while he stood next to his art projects.

Posing with his gorgeous butterfly. (above his head)

Daniel made the horse to the right. The head is made from a tracing of his foot. So cute.

Hanging out in the kindergarten butterfly garden.

Blazing Saddles

Today was beautiful and we took full advantage of it.  Deb and the kids came over to ride bikes and have some lunch. We locked them in the tennis courts and let them roll.

 Beautiful Leah:

On your mark...

Get set...

GO!

He rides to win.

 After lunch, we took the kids horseback riding. They were actually ponies but don't tell them. They thought they were big stuff. Deb should get an award for finding such a fun activity for cheeeeap.

Remember the kid who was petrified of dogs? He is now an animal lover.

His class is doing a unit on the wild west and he thinks he is a cowboy. He and his horse, Bob, had a great ride.

Andrew's horse was Rodeo. They took the lead for the first half of our ride. 

He's a natural with animals.

And it seems that no matter where I go, there's a rooster.