Ethan & Christopher

I had to dedicate a posting to Ethan and Christopher. Mainly so I can share some lovely pictures of the two of them.

Christopher is the son of our friends, Lara and Greg. He's a year old, and a cutie. I often would worry when we'd all get together, because he is 2 years younger than Ethan, and just starting to talk, so really, would Ethan have fun.

Ah.... YES!!!!

And the best is Ethan doesn't bully Christopher in any way. He lets Christopher lead, and follows. He's very cautious and concerned about him. If Christopher wanders off, Ethan's there to tell us first, then runs over to "herd" him back to the group. They don't argue or fight over toys.

It's lovely.

Eid weekend

For the first time in years, we've not been in Dar for Eid. This year, we joined the Nikitas clan for a getaway to Zanzibar, staying at the luxurious Zamani Beach Resort.

We arrived at Zamani on Sunday and were greeted with disappointment. The pool was under renovations! We'd never been to Zamani before, but heard they had a lovely pool area. But to make up for the lack of large pool, we used to pool by the spa, which was gorgeous in itself, so we didn't feel we lacked anything. The water was unbelievable cold. Ethan decided the best way to make use of the pool was to sit on the steps with Christopher (Lara and Gregory's 1 year old), collect water in his bucket and cool all of us off with it by dumping it over us!

We really wanted Ethan to nap, but he didn't agree to it. So while mommy went for a much needed massage and manicure, Ethan went for a walk around the amazing grounds with Daddy. This had the effect we wanted, he got tired, but not at the time we wanted. Ethan ended up falling asleep during dinner. We managed to make him a comfortable bed in the restaurant while we enjoyed the delicious seafood they offered.

Monday we decided to try the beach. Zamani has a beautiful private beach, but the best way to get there is via golf cart. Ethan loved this! The tide was out, so Ethan and Christopher enjoyed their time building sandcastles.

Ethan was with the program and took a nap, which made dinner a hit, as we got to celebrate Gregory's 29th birthday! Happy Birthday Greg!

Tuesday was time to pack up and return to Dar. Ethan took advantage of this last morning in Zanzibar by eating a HUGE chocolate breakfast. Chocolate cereal, toast with Nutella, chocolate croissant and a waffle with chocolate syrup! Needless to say, we shall be visiting the dentist next week!

Happy Eid everyone!

Ethan's First Day of School

Last week Ethan started school. He now goes to the French School, which I believe is the only school in Dar that doesn't have a uniform. He's in the Petit Section (pre-school). I had to work last Wednesday, so I missed his 1st day, something I was really looking forward to. I actually cried as I left for work that morning.

So with me working, that left Scott in charge of taking Ethan to school. Apparently, Ethan was a champ. He walked into the classroom, found some blocks that looked interesting and began to play.

When I got home that afternoon, I asked Ethan how school was.

"Good" he replies.

"What did you do?" I ask.

"I didn't hit."

"Well that's good, what else did you do?"

"I didn't cry. Lily cry. Alot"

"I'm glad you didn't cry. But what did you do?"

"I speak French. Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, dix!"

This week I haven't had to work, so I got the pleasure of taking him to school. Apparently that's not such a good idea. On Monday, he cried. A lot. Tuesday was whining. Today was better. I got a kiss and while he was busy playing, I got to sneak off.

But I still can't beleive my boy's in "big school"!

I Love You Forever

You know your son is growing up, when he decides he needs to correct authors. He is right, and the book is wrong!



Ethan no longer naps, but instead he gets quiet play time in his room. To time it, he has a Robert Munsch CD, and it plays while he plays. He listens to the stories, and when the CD ends, he knows he's free to leave his room if he wants.



One of the stories on the CD is I Love You Forever. There's a song in it, which Ethan has learnt and will often sing. I thought it would be nice to share the actual book with him, so when my parents returned from Canada, they brought the book back.



For those that are unfamiliar with this story, it's lovely. It's a story about a mother and she sings a song every night to her baby boy. As he gets older, and hits those terrible twos, and horrible teens, she sneaks in his room at night and sings. It continues until he's a grown man, and ends with him singing to his daughter.



Ethan loves reading the book. However...................... he takes GREAT offense that the mother sings "my baby you'll be" to the "big" boy! "Not baby mommy, BIG BOY!" he corrects me as we read.



Every once in awhile, Ethan will crawl on my lap, and ask me to sing him the 'I Love You' song. When I'm done, he'll ask "Now mommy, sing 'My big boy Ethan you'll be' "!

Saverios'

The best place to get pizza in Dar has to be Saverios'. It's a little out of the way from where we live, but we make the trip there every so often.

Ethan especially loves Saverios'. Not only does he get the best pizza ever, but he knows it's treat day, as it's the only time he's ever allowed a fizzy drink. He get 1/3 of a glass of Sprite!

The Goat Races

We're off to the races! The Goat Races that is!!!!

This has to be my favourite event ever. The annual Goat Races. Yes you heard me, Goat Races. It's a huge charity event that pokes fun/mimics great horse racing events. There are 6 races, 10 goats per race. The goats are lined up, and off they go! The jockeys all run behind their goat, encouraging them with words. There's a padded bar behind the goats to assist with the encouragement.

Just as any other race, you can bet on a goat/race. We, however, had no luck. Not only did our goat lose his race, but every goat we placed a bet on ended up loosing. The moral; place your bets on any other goat than the one we choose!!!!

Ah, but there was a silver lining in all this. Asides from the thousands and thousands of dollars we raise for Tanzanian charities, yours truley won a raffle prize. Yes I did!!!! I won the top prize of a BA return flight to London!!!!! Yipee!!!!!

The Butcher's

I just have to share this latest Ethan adventure. It's too funny.


About a month ago I took Ethan with me to run errands. My first stop was the supermarket. As soon as Ethan saw the crisps, he began to whine. By the time we hit the frozen food section he was on full-blown yelling; "Mommy, I'm hungry. I want ice cream!" Yeah right! If he's hungry he'd want food and not ice cream. But he kept whining. And I kept strong. I kept promising him, that we could go home and he could get something to eat there (knowing full well that he wasn't really hungry)


Our next stop was the butcher's. We walk in, and once again Ethan announces "I'm hungry." Sure. We're at the butcher's, there's no ice cream here. Suddenly the owner comes to Ethan with a piece of sausage. There you go; food! HA!


Two weeks later, Ethan and Scott head to the butcher's and Ethan comes home with a sausage.


Last week Ethan and I go back. He does his "I'm hungry" routine again, but this time, there's no South African there to feed him. Ethan left distraught!


Yesterday we head back (yes we go often. it's fresh and no need to stockpile freezer when you never know if power will go off). And Ethan's buddy is there. Ethan lets him know that he came last week (10 min ago is last week for Ethan) and "you not here". lol. Poor man. Felt ever-so-guilty and gave Ethan .... you guessed it.... a sausage!


Now for a boy that's not a big sausage eater, he sure likes the ones at the butcher's!