Milestones

Owen and Riley continue to amaze me everyday. They are both so smart and accomplish so many little things that combine into big things. Owen struggled with small fine motor skill, things like lacing, last fall. He got discouraged if he did not succeed on the first try and then quit. I was worried but also comforted in the fact that every child develops at their own pace. And he's proved this true. Yesterday he successfully strung all the wooden blocks in all four color groups! He even did the green set twice! He did get discouraged a few times, but I encouraged him and he tried again with immediate success. He was thrilled with himself and kept saying, " it's like sewing". Smart kid.


Riley says new works everyday. There hasn't been a word I've asked her to say that she hasn't tried. I've gotten some funny responses with Her pronunciation development. I asked her to say "Riley smart". She came back with "Rirey fart". So wonderful and hilarious! I know she'll eventually get the 'sm' sound down but until then... If she says your name and fart, she's complimenting you, not pointing fingers.

She also ate all of her Macaroni and Not Cheese! This is a first. Neither kid would try it before and we continue to offer healthy dishes to them. Last night Riley dug in! She actually sucked all the Not Cheese off then spit out the noodles. Once all the yummy sauce was gone, she ate the noodles. The picture of her eating is her licking her thumb ensuring not to miss any bits!

Ciao!

Happy Home

I'm so happy to announce our shipment arrive 2 weeks ago! We immediately opened up the kids toys and got Owen's room set up. Riley and him are so happy! They both keep saying how our Africa House feels like home. This really warms my heart! The last time they had there things was February 1st... So it is incredible to have our things.


TOY EXPLOSION!!!

Riley has grown so much! We were able to raise her kitchen up to the second height. She loves cooking and playing with it and all the fun gadgets!

Owen is so happy to have his dragons and swords!

This is great! A box just for our cowboy hats!

Today we have only 1 box left in the house. We have been working hard getting everything organized and the boxes cleared out. The closet space is pretty decent but there is NO shelving. We were able to buy some shelving units from a family moving and that has really helped.
Ciao!

A Special Treat

We got a special treat this Saturday... Eating out at a restaurant! It was really fun! You may be thinking big deal... But there really isn't anywhere to 'dine out' or 'order in' in Luanda Sul. In the city it's very different. But the trick is getting to the city. Traffic is really terrible. Much worse than back in Houston. The distance is shorter but the time in gridlock is longer. It makes Nathan's trip home from work grueling. But I digress...

We went Al Dar, a Lebanese restaurant. It was delicious! Riley is a hummus-eating monster! Everything go dipped in the hummus! Owen devoured the yummy pita bread! (Not as good as y'alls Rita! But a treat none the less!)

Soapy Sunday

Washing the car became a family event last Sunday. Owen is a big helper and really gets the job done. He is so proud to help Nathan with projects. Plus there's the fun of the hose and lots of bubbles!

Riley was hilarious! She would put her sponge in the bucket all the way to the bottom which on a 21-month old... She was almost all the way in! No one helped her get completely soaked. She did it all on her own while really working on helping big brother and Daddy!





Precious! Owen cleaned the hood of the car. Our "me too" was immediately on her toes trying to clean it too!


And where was I this whole time? I did help with the hose a bit but mainly I was snapping pictures. You can tell how thrilled Nathan is with my level of assistance.





This one is the last picture I took. =/

Ciao!

Location:Rua Centro Convenções S8,Luanda Sul,Angola

Busy times in Angola

We are staying very busy here in Angola. Here is an update through pictures from the last 2 weeks...

Easter Sunday was spent time with our neighbors. The kids went one a candy hunt! All candy found had to spend time in the fridge to fight the whole heat + chocolate bunnies = melted bunnies.... The kids had lots of fun together!



The early evenings are the best time to play outside. New chalk means the sidewalks are to plain and need to be colored. The wind was so strong that the chalk rolled all over the place. Owen came up with the idea of putting their water guns down to help keeping the chalk from going all over. Then it was time for some gardening. We have a nice big whole need the sidewalk which is a bit dangerous. But Owen was looking for treasure. Can't complain when you're on the search for buried treasure!



Chacha sent finger paints and googly-eyes among other fun crafty stuff. Owen and Riley had a blast painting! I had a hard time keeping up with them. Owen wanted to make a monkey while Riley napped one day. Afterwards he was so excited! They posed for lots of pictures with a big cheesy grins. He was adorable running around the house stopping by his friend Monkey to include him in the plot. We hosted play group last week with yummy snacks. Owen is in a orange and Riley is in blue sitting at the tables. The kids love watching movies in the evenings. It gives Nathan some time to work out and me some quiet prep time for dinner. They are amazing and play so well together!!



A coworker of Nathan's met up with my Mom before traveling to Angola. He brought a box Mom prepared for us. It was loaded with lots of goodies from spices to toys! Riley immediately wanted to try on her new swimsuit... 1st bikini!! And of course she had to put on brother's new swim trunks. Owen got new underwear. "Toy Green Lantern please met my new Green Lantern underwear." The look on his face shows every ounce of his excitement! Of course the box got some good play time as all boxes sent to our house get. Riley was blowing us kisses, saying good night and snuggling down in it. I promise she sleeps in her crib and not in boxes!


Ciao!

Christ is risen today!

HAPPY EASTER FROM AFRICA! The Easter Bunny found us! The kids had a blast hunting for eggs and eating candy. Riley kept calling the Easter eggs 'ball' knowing they held yummy candy. Owen is thrilled about the Easter M&M's, a true Momma's boy!

Check out the look on Owen's face in this picture! What love! I wish Ri wasn't trying to escape his grasp. It's still one of my new favorites.



The Easter Bunny brought bunny ears but who needs those when your Easter basket is a helmet! Game on! Owen even saluted me!


My handsome boy!!!!



Here is a very worried little bunny. Not sure what the concerned look was about.

More Easter fun later this afternoon with the neighbors. We had several families over last night for vegan enchiladas, burgers and more. We love getting to hang out with our new friends! Plus the kids play wonderfully together. Owen still needs a wingman amongst all the girls though.

Ciao!

I can't see Texas from here

I think the whole family is missing our Texas home. Riley puts on her shoes randomly and says "home". Owen told me this morning over breakfast he wants to go to his "home home". I have a longing to be in Texas with our family as well. And to top it off, Nathan's iTunes played this song for us:

"I can't see Texas from here.
No matter how I try, it makes me want to cry.
So if you see me lookin' down,
I'm tryin' not to show this frown
'Cause I can't see Texas from here.
'Cause I can't see Texas, I can't see Texas,
I can't see Texas from here."George Strait

Thank you to everyone posting pictures of the beautiful bluebonnets blooming. A little taste of home.

Ciao!