M plays doctor with just one of the numerous toys she received on Christmas morning. She also received lots of trains, track and a train table for playing on - videos, books, clothes, pyjamas and games! What a morning.
H received clothes, books, toys, bowls, sippy cups, spoons and lots of socks!
T got lots of motorcycle parts, K got kitchen aids and silver pieces for her collection.

But most of all we got the message that we are well loved and for this we are very thankful. Merry Christmas to all and a big thanks from us!

Gingerbread House Construction

This year we had some help from Grandma again in the form of a kit. M discovered that you can eat the candy before it gets on to the house, as well as lick the icing, which made construction slower - but oh so much more pleasureable. She also decorated the gingerbread men included and made K think - well that's enough of that - we were going to make roll out cookies tomorrow - but I think we'll just leave that for next year. After all - we still need to make pierogies too.

K went Christmas shopping for food today and nearly got carried away by the crowds, hoards shopping for the holidays. Also supplies - because tomorrow begins a 4 day weekend. Monday off in lieu of Christmas and Tuesday off in lieu of boxing day. Why work anyway?

Onward towards Christmas...

On the lighthouse - Cape Three Points

Well - we have returned from a week of vacation at the beach in the Western region. The beaches out West are the best we have seen in Ghana. We spent three nights at the Busua Beach Resort and one night at the beach in Axim. The beaches are relatively flat and good for kids because there is not a strong current like on the beaches closer to Accra. M got sand in every orifice and H had her first dip in the sea - at least her feet. We were supposed to stay until Friday - but on the Sunday morning before we left - we gave H mefloquine (as malaria prophylaxis) and go figure - it has the same effect on her that it has on her Mom - can't sleep. After three sleepless nights - she finally calmed down, but M must have missed the nightly screaming - so she took a turn. We had to come home early to get some sleep.

We visited a lighthouse at the Southernmost point of Ghana(see photo) - called Cape three points and climbed a dicey staircase to get to the top. The activity was not sanctioned by the child protection board - that's for sure. Steep ladder staircases and no real safety rail at the top. M did a great job climbing up - but was none too happy about coming down. H did a great job riding up in the baby bjorn - and rubbed her feet on the ladder and stairs all the way down - always trying to help. Safety in Ghana is always something more akin to danger.

We came back and found the rest of the Christmas boxes had finally arrived. One of the pouches took a detour to Dar es Salaam - but things now seem to be here - whew in the St. Nick of time.

Next step - the Christmas Eve party - then Christmas Day - watch this space.

Santa Claus comes to Ghana. M and H thoroughly enjoyed meeting him here with all of the other kids from T's work. It was a nice party and our girls show no fear of Santa that's for sure.

This girl is not shy. I guess she knows that she has been nice!

I don't know who this lunatic is, but he is riding my bike!

Christmas Show at Gingerbread School

On Friday 9 December, M premiered in the Christmas show at Gingerbread School as the "chief ham" of singing. All of the children gathered behind the plastic curtains, they opened and the carols began! M interspersed her musical performances intermittant dancing and hugs for Mama in the front row. The numbers included Jingle Bells (an M favorite), a Ghanaian Christmas carol (sung in Twi - correctly I am told by Theresa), We wish you a Merry Christmas, etc...

M however was bored by the time the nativity scene was played out. After plonking her present on the baby Jesus - she went off to play with Playdough. Interest was rekindled again when it was time for Santa to come and visit though - although she was a bit surprised to find that Santa was African. The Ghanaian Santa! At bedtime she confided that "there was a man dressed up as Santa at the Christmas show." Oh - early dissolution of belief... However - Santa brought her a big Chinese dragon train - so maybe that Ghanaian Santa is okay after all.

M and H enjoy the December weather on the front porch.

T&K Adventures Returns!

It's a quiet Saturday morning before Christmas in Accra. T has gone on a motorcycle ride with Jeff and new found motorcycle owners. The girls are at home, resting from the week. Well Mama would like to be resting more after the 4:45 AM wake-up call from H. Teething is a difficult thing. However - Mama is happy because H now eats food! Rice and oatmeal cereal, bananas, carrots and yogurt are all in her repetoire.