Our Big Little Girls

We've had a crazy busy start to this new year - this last week especially! Therefore we don't have many pictures to share, but here are two!

Grace has decided that Jasmin is old enough to take over her chair at meal times. She refuses to sit there herself sometimes, and repeats "Angui, Angui!" (sit, sit) while tugging at Jasmin's shirt. She doesn't give up until I put Jasmin in her seat. Jasmin likes the idea as well. Here they are exploring spaghetti. Grace does pretty well with no table, though we do end up with a puddle of rice (or whatever) between her legs!

This is grace's new accomplishment. With very little help she figured out how to stack them in order. Here she is pointing at each, imitating the sounds of the animals. Jasmin is giving her a high five with her foot??!!? I was so excited when I found this set of stacking blocks - I've been looking for about 6 months! Expensive pieces of cardboard really, but so far well worth it for the amount of time she spends with them. Hopefully they'll survive long enough for Jasmin to enjoy them also.

Day of Improvision

Today Sarin was sick so I suddenly had full control of my household. It was fun :o) It reminds me just how much I appreciate Sarin's help. It knocked a few usually smooth-running things sideways so they broke down or at least ran rather raggedly. It made us extra thankful for the abundance God has blessed us with.

Meals. Usually Sarin brings the day's food with her in the mornings and cooks it for us. Even the last minute announcement that she wasn't coming today didn't mean a trip to market as we had enough dry foods in our cupboard top cover the day. We had to eat vegetarian and unusual meals though :o) Oatmeal (with soy milk), flavored mashed potatoes (wrapped in seaweed papers), and spaghetti (without any meat in the sauce).

Grace had playschool this morning. Usually a great time for getting lots done. But Jasmin refused to give in and take her nap - until 1/2 hour before I had to pick Grace up. As Michael was at a meeting, I had to wake her up and take her along... poor girl! Grace enjoyed being greeted by mommy AND Jasmin though!

And best of all we had the run of the kitchen so Grace and I tried to bake some cookies even though we no longer have an oven of any kind! I'm quite tickled, because it worked! Rather a precarious set up of a metal pot and upside down lid, and a metal mixing bowl over the gas ring. We didn't burn any, though we did lose a few to the floor behind the gas canister.

Now we are off for our "bath", a bucket under the bathroom wall tap. I guess we've gotten used to this improvision - I almost forgot about it!

Do you think we need to get a car?

Let's have a party:Jasmin is sleeping through the night!!


The only hitch is that come 5:30-6:00 am is is wide awake and looking (calling) for playmates...

Which means mommy (or sometimes daddy) has more time in the morning because she inevitably wakes Grace up, and between the two of them make enough noise and trouble to warrant a parent getting up too.

Other than the need of at least another hour's sleep, I find I actually don't mind all that much! We get to enjoy the coolness and mosquito-free courtyard, I often manage to get in a bit of a Bible read/meditate while "watching" them play with the water tap, and, when things go well, I feel more ready for the rest of the day.


Grace has always liked to play with the water. Jasmin didn't take long to decide it is more fun to join in than just watch from a dry spot! She doesn't actually crawl yet, but she can get where she wants to go just the same!

Trying to catch the water stream...