Yoli's Birthday

On the 19th, I woke up to the sounds of Hunter working in the kitchen trying to put my breakfast in bed together. It sounded like the kids were up and ready for school, but it sounded like they were running behind. I debated if I should get up and help. After putting my contacts in, I came out and caught them at the door trying to surprise me. Cute! Well, they were behind, so I helped them out a bit and Hunter handled the rest.

In the evening, Hunter arranged a babysitter and took me to a nice restaurant called the Tamarind. We had some pretty amazing food. The atmosphere was beautiful with a view of Mombasa island across the water. 

This crab had huge claws! 

And I had my absolute favorite juice on the face of this planet--freshly squeezed mango and passion juice. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. 

World Cup

I wouldn't say I'm a sporty person, but I did enjoy watching some of the World Cup games this year. Ben, Tasha, and Kevin (Hunter's colleagues at Motiis) joined us one night for a game. It was fun.

The next day, we said goodbye to Kevin. Our time in Kenya is coming to a close.

Rubik's Cube

Hunter finally taught me how to solve a Rubiks' cube. Or rather, I finally allowed him to teach me without getting upset at him for my inability to memorize the moves.

Paulo was learning at the same time. Now my record time is something like 6 minutes. Paulo's is 2 minutes and 15 seconds.

Cuteness in a Closet

Reyna's First Steps

I know you've been dying to see this.

It started with Reyna standing on her own back in the spring time…thanks to my cell phone.

Then she started walking a few steps here and a few steps there. This night that you're about to see here, I put her down, and she made it clear that she didn't want me to hold her hand this time. And then when I put my hands out to encourage her to come to me, she did it! She just kind of threw herself forward and kind of walked while falling. It was so cute.

 

I think it's really interesting that Reyna really knows what she wants, and when she wants it. There was not really a way I could force this girl. She just likes to do things when she's ready. It reminds me very much of this book that we own called "Ruby in her own time," which we have packed away in our basement. It should be "Reyna in her own time."

Now she still is pretty cautious, but she now takes a good six deliberate steps (not the rushed, falling kind of steps) and that's as far as she wants to go for now. She's my late bloomer. And I love her.