Let's go Dodgers

First ever baseball game for the kids. Aunt Liz got us tickets through her work and the game was great! It finished with us screaming because the Dodgers just won. They were playing against the Phillies. The kids have read about baseball and tried to play it in Malawi, but tonight they actually learned how to score and to scream for the right team. Go Dodgers.

Car Washing

In Malawi, the kids never wash the car, because we have Felix who does it for us as part of his job.  They did have loads of fun washing it though, so much so that when our neighbours drove off in their one car, we decided to wash their other car still parked in their driveway

Still plodding along

Still going at it. Hoping to be done with school before our cousins come and visit us in July.  Although, at this rate, we may be doing it on the plane back to Lilongwe.

Dad's away

Playing with our food and then going out for frozen yoghurt is some of what we did while Brian is away in Florida. He is preaching at the Teen Missions International Boot Camp. He left this past Wednesday and will return, Lord willing, on Tuesday evening. We miss him very much!

More Swim

This week Bradley took first place in both his races.

Good Morning

Says it all!

Fun time with friends

Today we drove from Orange County and stopped in Culver City to visit our friends. We had a delicious meal and great fellowship with them and of course, the kids had a grand time too.

The three older kids enjoyed picking up the bunnies and tortoises while Allison did the laundry and cleaned the kitchen:)

Father's Day

In the morning, we went to church and Brian preached. We spent the afternoon with folk from the church and then we went to visit Brian's dad to wish him a happy Father's Day. We spent the evening with Kent and Joan.

The kids always have so much fun swimming at Grandpa Mark's! Here they are enjoying the hot tub:)

Happy Birthday Allison

Auntie Joan with the kids.

Allison's favourite cake-carrot

We spent some more time at the beach today.

The day she was born! So thankful, especially when we think back of what a difficult time that was with my health.

Allison turns one and also sits on the first birthday table.

Allison gets a motorbike for her second birthday.

Allison turns three. In this past year Allison has really grown up. Before she turned four, she learned how to swim, write her full names and spell several words. She cannot wait to go to school. She loves her siblings and doesn't like it when Ami does things without her. She is a very precious four year old and definitely the cutest one we know.

Surfing

On Sunday, Brian is preaching at one of our supporting churches which is near the beach and so we took up the offer of our very good friends to stay at their beach house for the weekend. Brian grew up in Seal Beach, a block away from the ocean and so he learned how to surf when he was young. He has this great Bruce Jones long board and each of the kids managed to stand up and ride a wave. Allison held his hand, but she stood up! He showed them how to wax the board so that your feet have something to grip onto. Some folk were watching from the Seal Beach pier and were cheering when the kids got going.

They all tried to boogie board as well. Ami and Brad, despite the mounds of sand in their swimsuits, were well pleased with the waves they rode.

Seal Beach pier in the background.

Celebrating Early

Allison Mae only turns four on Saturday, but since we'll be going to Orange County, we decided to celebrate early. We bought her some cute things at a garage sale for $30 and wouldn't be able to fit the cute things and all our luggage in the car and so we woke her up early to sing and have her open her gifts today.

Princess dress from the garage sale.

Garage sales are amazing- an American girl doll for $10!

Brian also, in the same lot, got this great crib for her AGD, named Kit and several outfits too:)

This dress in the lot too. We scored bigtime!

The three older kids made Allison her own pinata. Here Ben is taking a swing at it:)

Lekker boerewors

Today we had a great time with fellow South Africans connected with Grace Church, some of whom we had not met before. We ate lekker boerewors, melktert, and crunchies. Funny thing is I didn't think to take pictures with any of them, but did take one of Lisa, who is an American. She works very closely with the International students at The Master's College and has been to Malawi before.

Dad Date with Ben

Instead of going to do something with Dad out of the house, Ben chose to do experiments with him at home.  They ran into town to get all their supplies and then together they made slime, mentos and coke bombs and rockets with the air compressor. The others got to see all the experiments too, which I was glad about.

Dad Date

Brian is travelling again later this month and so this week, because he isn't teaching at the seminary anymore he has a little bit of time on his hands. Today he and Allison went on a date which helped the rest of us continue with our attempt at home school:)

When you go in the week you get to go on the rides all by yourself!

She enjoyed her time very much and especially raved about the ice cream treat she got to enjoy.