Board Bio: Bethan Crisp

My name is Bethan Crisp. I am 21 years old and I am currently studying Anthropology at Brunel University in West London.

In the Amazon!

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to pursue my studies and career in Law. That was until I began planning some time out of studying in order to travel to Tanzania. Suddenly, my head was filled with adventure, spontaneity, getting ‘out there’ and experiencing the world, (as cliché as that may sound!)

I visited a few universities  and it was during one visit that the realization fell upon me that spending the next, however many years in a dull, brown bricked classroom, (which is how this one particular Law department looked!) was just not for the person I was becoming.

I changed my course and I could not be happier with my decision. I have been on an inspiring placement to Ecuador where I lived in an indigenous Quichua community in the Amazon for 6 months and the confidence it has given me is brilliant and extremely encouraging.  

Anyway, how did I get to Tanzania? I originally went to Tanzania through the organization “Oyster Worldwide” in September 2010 as part of my gap year between college and university. I taught English at a primary school to a class of 70 students for 6 months, until meeting some amazing volunteers in Nkoaranga, also there through Oyster, who took me on a visit to the Orphanage. I fell in love with the children and from that moment, I just knew it would be impossible for me to keep away.

Big Franky with Pray and Fillipo during music class

Such happy faces make working for The Small Things and being a volunteer at Nkoaranga so rewarding!

I was nervous at first to meet the children. Before Tanzania, I had never really been a ‘children person’ or very natural with babies. The children at Nkoaranga completely changed me. They were so welcoming and full of love that I had no time to be shy. They were just such brilliant characters and made an immediate impression and I suddenly felt like I had come to the place that I was destined to go to since arriving in Tanzania. Something had always been missing and until I met these children at Nkoaranga, I didn’t know what that missing thing was.

This year whilst I was back in Nkoaranga, I saw the arrival of baby Hope. It is a very bitter sweet situation to witness the arrival of a new resident of Nkoaranga Orphanage; to be able to hold and interact with such an amazing form of life but to have to wonder about the tragic circumstances that have brought him or her to us. It was fascinating looking at such a small bundle of 'Hope' in her blankets with her eyes closed and thinking about her future. It was very emotional for me as I stood in the baby room looking over at all of the small, sleeping little people. I can only be glad that they are in a safe place surrounded by love and people who will be there for them for years to come.

Baby Hope in her bundle of blankets, the first day I met her. 

I didn’t expect to become so involved and connected to the orphanage. I think that may have been due to every time in England if I was given a baby to hold, he or she would immediately cry their eyes out! Here, at Nkoaranga, a baby would stop crying and feel content if put into my arms. I felt needed. I felt infinitely responsible to care for them and ensure I could be a part of their lives and a part of giving them a future they deserve; a future that any child deserves.

This is why I now work for The Small Things. It gives me the opportunity to do just that – have the ability to contribute to the livelihoods of these beautiful individuals from England when I can’t physically be there with them. I was first in Tanzania for 10 months and I returned for the Christmas and New Year of 2011. This year, after 18 months, I made my third return and saw such a wonderful difference. Such big, gorgeous, healthy children! I had the opportunity to visit the older school children at USA River Academy who had been at the orphanage on my previous visits. How amazing to see them as such flourishing individuals, learning, happy, running around on the grass together and absorbing life.

Visiting the older children at USA River Academy this year. I first met them in 2011 in Nkoaranga Orphanage. It is so great to be able to see such wonderful, physical changes and pure proof of development.

Life at Nkoaranga Orphanage is tough, to say the least. The mamas and, not forgetting, big Franky, do outstanding work. I'm sure many parents would say that looking after one or two children is hard enough. But imagine two mamas a day with over 20 babies, toddlers and young children craving their attention, not enough toys to go around, or not enough of the same toys to prevent any arguments! Sounds challenging, right? 

Loveness taking care of Isaac. The older children can be so helpful when there aren't enough hands to feed a hungry mouth or to sooth a crying baby.

I grew very fond of big Ebenezer. It seems so ironic for him to now be named 'big' Ebenezer (now that we have another little Ebenezer in the orphanage too,) considering he was so tiny and so sick when I first held him back in 2011. I feared for his life. So to see him again this year was indescribable. He is such a funny boy who absolutely loves a cuddle and although he seems relatively sweet and innocent, he definitely has his cheeky moments! He certainly knows how to win your heart, even after you send him to bed and wait for an apology after he has misbehaved, he quickly makes it up to you with a kiss on the cheek!

A tiny, premature baby, Ebenezer,  who became so sick that it was touch and go as to whether he could pull through. 

....But he did! And he is such a fun, lovable, beautiful and, most importantly, healthy little boy today! 

I love a good challenge and what better motivation to complete one, than to do it for the kids? Upon return from Tanzania my first time, I conducted 'Project Maji' which raised over $1,000 for water filtration systems for the orphanage and hospital. 
Then, I went a step up and in December 2011, planned for myself and 4 other previous Nkoaranga volunteers to jump out of a plane and skydive! I still to this day have no idea how I managed that. I not only have a fear of planes, but also of heights! So if THAT wasn’t a challenge, I don’t know what is!
This April, I also took part and completed a sponsored half marathon in aid of The Small Things. I’m not a huge fan of running, especially a run that goes on for more than 2 hours! But I did it and I would do it all over again for the children.
I am of course now thinking and planning my next challenge; something bigger and better. Ideas are on the cards so you will have to keep a look out to see what I plan to get myself into next time!

Success of Project Maji! Stevie, Andrea and David drinking safe, clean water.

High up in the air! A terrifyingly amazing experience.

At the finish line! My first half marathon which I plan to do again next year and beat my time.

  

There are too many amazing memories of the children and Nkoaranga Orphanage for me to go into here. This is why I would tell you to go to Nkoaranga and experience it for yourself and to make your own memories!

 
I am very grateful to be a part of The Small Things because it allows me to play a part in the continuing development of the present and the future of these children. I am a member of the communications, fundraising and volunteers committees and I love being able to assist and help prepare new volunteers who are set to travel out to Tanzania. I am thankful to have met such devoted people and to work as part of a team where our strength grows immensely due to the support of all of you who take the time to read our blogs, keep updated on the children, provide feedback and donate to our projects.

Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement to The Small Things but also to the steps of my past that led me to where I am today. 

Meeting Daniel

A few weeks ago, myself and a fellow volunteer, Emelie, took a very long, hot and dusty bus ride (13 hours each way!) along the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, through the beautiful Serengeti, passing numerous Maasai villages until we eventually reached the town of Musoma in the very north of Tanzania. We were in search of a boy named Daniel Meshack.

The Serengeti on the bus ride back to Arusha

Lake Victoria in Musoma

Daniel is a 16 year old orphan who suffers from a disability with his legs and struggles greatly when walking. He knows very little about his condition and due to a lack of money, his parents were forced to stop any further treatment after one operation that he had as a child.

He is being sponsored largely by a woman named Susan Green to attend Tabora boy's boarding school, as well as by The Small Things who are assisting in covering the rest of Daniel's school fees. Thanks to some amazing donors and Susan, who read Daniel's story and immediately knew she wanted to make a difference to his life, Daniel has been given a wonderful opportunity for education, and his passion for studying was clear to see during our visit.

This was our chance to meet him for the first time, to see how he is enjoying his new school (which he began in January 2013) and to find out his plans for the future.

He is currently living in a community called Nyakato with a 66 year old lady called Ms. Pelagia. She is a remarkable woman who has taken in many other orphans and children who are in difficult positions, which has led to 16 people living in the household at present. She is referred to as 'Bibi' (grandmother) but is not the biological grandmother of Daniel. Ms. Pelagia saw Daniel on the streets and did not hesitate to take him in and provide shelter and care. It was lovely to see the clear bond that Daniel and Ms. Pelagia share, as well as the help and support she tries her best to give, despite her own difficult living situation.

Daniel using Ms. Pelagia to support his weight as he stood for the photo to be taken

From the outside, the house appeared large with two smaller out-buildings. However, as we walked in we saw the crumbling walls and the bare rooms. It was clear to see that the overall construction was unfinished and not in a very good state. Ms. Pelagia and her husband had to take out a loan in order to build the house but, due to a lack of money, they were unable to complete the building and are now unable to repay the loan.

The main house building

The two outbuildings situated on the right of the main building

The living room

On the other hand, Daniel himself is doing brilliantly! He loves school and is thriving there. Every test paper we saw was graded between 80% and 100%! We were unable to see an official school report as he is still in his first term and will receive the report at the end of term. His favorite subjects are biology, chemistry and physics but his ambition is to become an accountant. We could see his face light up when he spoke about school. It was wonderful to see such a contrast after having to go over the difficult part of speaking about his heartbreaking past.

A variety of Daniel's test papers

One test paper where Daniel scored 100%

Another great test paper! Daniel scored 93 out of 100

Additionally, during the vacation periods from the boarding school, the students usually have to take extra tutoring in order to catch up with any work missed when a teacher at the school has been absent. The tutor has been kind enough to give Daniel a discount because of his condition, but it is still another payment for them that is not easy to find.

Daniel is burdened by his condition but he certainly does not let that stop him.

Instead of one pair of shoes that a Tanzanian would usually make do with for a couple of years, Daniel has to go through at least two pairs a year as they wear away so quickly from the way he has to walk.

Travelling to school at the beginning and end of term isn't straightforward. He cannot walk for long without having to take regular breaks, so he has to take a taxi from home to the bus stand in Musoma, then a bus from Musoma to Mwanza where he then has to stay for the night. His journey continues the next day with another bus ride and a taxi. Transport alone is costly but necessary. It is time consuming yet worth it for the joy and respite that education offers Daniel.

Through this inspiring visit, The Small Things would like to assist Daniel to get a hospital consultation for a thorough checkup of his legs. We would like to see if there is anything that can be done to improve or cure his condition. We also plan on discussing options for helping Ms. Pelagia and the other children that live in the household, perhaps by funding their primary school education. Daniel also has a younger brother of 9 years and a sister of 12 years. One lives in Dodoma and the other lives in Morogoro. Unfortunately, Daniel is unsure of who they are living with as the siblings were all split up when their parents passed away. We would love to try and track them down and to explore the possibilities of reuniting them.

Another child who lives with Daniel. She was intrigued by the camera!

Another child living with Daniel. She shyly came over as she wanted her photo taken too

Daniel has had an extremely hard childhood. He lost both parents in the space of a year, lost a friend named Zackaria who died in an accident when he was helping Daniel find a school, he has lived on the streets finding food remains to live on for six months and, throughout it all, he has had to battle a painful problem with his legs. Despite all of this, his thirst for education and enthusiasm for learning is completely awe inspiring. Daniel is an extremely intelligent boy who has the ability and motivation to succeed. He has another three years of studying at Tabora Boy's School and he then wishes to study at University. If you would like to contribute to his future, please click here to donate for Daniel.

Emelie and I hope to visit Daniel again in a couple of years. This was not just a 'business trip,' it was a very emotional and inspiring visit that touched us both. Meeting Daniel put a lot into perspective for us and those 13 hour bus rides didn't seem worth complaining about after all.

Emelie, Daniel, Ms. Pelagia and Bethan

A letter from Daniel

Part 1 - Update on the school kids

A massive thank you for all your support which allows all these kids to attend school!

Bethan with Tumaini (left), Eman kubwa (back right), Eman dogo (middle) and David (front right)

This week Bethan (above) writes about how they visited all of the school kids to find out how they were doing and, especially, to give you a long-awaited update on how our new four - Pendo, Andrea, David and Abdulli - are settling in!  This involved visiting Usa River Academy in Usa to see most of the school kids there, and to visit Abdulli in Tengheru, where he is staying with his family.

Tumaini (left) and Dainess (right) skipping/jumping rope

"So, the Usa visit was brilliant! So nice to see all of the kids! Emelie, Bekka, Riz, Mama Pendo and I went there two Fridays ago. The Nkoaranga kids suddenly ran up from nowhere! They must have all been playing together in some other place on the field. Olivia, a volunteer here from America (my friend) sent me with some skipping ropes which the children immediately wanted.  There were some Nkoaranga kids that I didn't know as they had left earlier than when we were first there but nonetheless they were still so friendly."

"They all spoke very old English, particularly Tumaini! But it was impressive to hear Andrea, David and Pendo who have only been there since January also immediately speak English. They all seemed very happy and it was lovely seeing them all together with strong bonds just like when they were in Nkoaranga.  They all looked very smart in their uniforms.  Mama Pendo brought a suitcase of new woolly hats and jumpers that had been donated and which the kids all loved and crowded round to receive.  A couple of kids came running to the car as we were leaving to see if we had any left - luckily we did!  The school grounds are beautiful and there is so much green grass and outdoor space for them to run around in. As we left, they were all going back to their dormitories. I hope to visit again before I leave in 3 weeks."

Left to right: Andrea, Eriki, David, Pendo, Dainess and Stevie

Dainess, Tumaini and David in their hats

"Unfortunately the SOS children's village visit to see Gracie, Farajah, Aroni and a couple of other Nkoaranga kids was unsuccessful. We arrived to find that very recently they have brought in a new policy where we have to make an appointment to visit any of the children, which never used to be the case. The secretary was not prepared to make an exception, so although we had made the journey especially to see the children and came so close, we were not allowed any further which was such a shame."

"Later at day, we met with Abduli and his father in Tengheru where we then drove to where they stay. They have just one room for Abduli, his father, stepmother and their other young son.  The father spoke of the few problems they are having such as the tiredness he faces everyday having to get up at 5 to journey into Arusha to drop Abduli in at school and then back again later. The Small Things do pay for the transport costs but the time it takes out of the day to get to Arusha twice means that they lose out on some money from their salon. Additionally, Abdulli is wetting himself every time he sleeps, including any naps he has at home. This is a problem as it costs extra to boil water to wash him twice or three times a day. He is still having some problems with being violent and hitting at school."

"Despite these issues, they are determined to keep Abduli with them in their family at home, which is brilliant. They want to work through the problems which we of course will help with wherever possible, as long as Abduli stays with them. They seem like a very strong unit.  Abduli spoke of his best friend at school which was lovely to hear about and he wrote his name down for us in a notebook.  He is enjoying it.  But we will talk and look into other options like a closer school, and also speak to the school about how they are managing the students and just get their opinion on how Abduli is doing."

Mama Pendo with some of the many kids she has raised and who were delighted to see her!

We will continue to monitor how all the kids who are at school with your help (THANK YOU!) are doing and to help out wherever we can, and keep you updated!  We have lots more pictures of individual kids that we will share with you all on facebook - there just wasn't room for them all here!  Thank you, Bethan!

Team Small Things to run 13 miles this Sunday!

This week has been an exciting week for The Small Things.

The happy couple!

Not only did we see Bekka, the director and Chair of The Small Things become married to Riz on Thursday, but they have now moved house and are living in Tanzania and are settling in great. We will soon have a lot more information on how the kids and Mamas are doing as well as recent developments on our projects. So stay with us for lots of updates coming soon!

This Sunday at 10.30am, Bethan, Charlotte, Emily and Jake will be running 13 miles in a half marathon in their home town of Taunton, in order to raise money for The Small Things. Together, they are hoping to raise approximately £500 and this money will go directly to the orphanage.

Training has certainly been challenging, not to mention, sweaty!

Charlotte with Filipo in January 2011
 (Now 2 years old)

So why The Small Things?

One of our runners, Charlotte, says how lucky she feels to have had 'the privilege of volunteering at Nkoaranga Orphanage with the amazing children and staff. I miss seeing the wonderful children and admire the work that The Small Things are doing to help make a difference to the lives of the people at the orphanage. This is why I have decided to run the Taunton Half Marathon to raise money for The Small Things. I am not someone who is particularly good at running so this is definitely a challenge! Training is so hard! However it will be worth it for this amazing cause.'

And how are our runners feeling about the big day coming up?

Bethan explains how 'The nerves are really starting to kick in now! I'm sure the adrenaline, the atmosphere, and the support that we will receive on Sunday will keep us going and get us to the finish line. It's certainly been difficult training at the gym and going on runs in such chilly weather! Not to mention trying to balance studying for a degree! But I'm confident we will all do well and that we will encourage each other to reach the end, however long it may take!'

Bethan with Maureen Kubwa
 (3 years old - soon to be 4 on April 22nd!)

We feel very proud of our four runners who are taking part in this challenge purely for our kids and the Mamas. This is another act of support that keeps us dedicated and thankful to you all who help us at The Small Things.

Click here to sponsor our team and to get them closer to their target. Any amount will be greatly appreciated by us all and a little goes a long way!

Keep an eye out next week to find out how the run went as well as updates and new photos of the beautiful children coming soon.

Good luck for Sunday to Team Small Things: Jake, Emily, Charlotte and Bethan!

Marathon for Nkoaranga, fancy a challenge?

Have you been looking for a way of helping out the kids but not sure how? 

Well, this could be for you. 

How about challenging yourself this April by taking part in the Taunton half marathon? There are also options for a full marathon or a fun run.

Shujah says you can do it!

Bethan Crisp, Charlotte Foster, Emily Hayman and Jake Fuller are the first four registered runners, racing on behalf of The Small Things. They are looking for anybody else to join them in what is going to be a very gruelling but also VERY rewarding day!

Date: Sunday 7^th April 2013

Time: 10.30am start with a 4.30pm cut off point. 

Where: Taunton, Somerset, England. 

Click here to find out more

Or if you would like to support this event in a different way, any kind donations will be greatly appreciated to get us to the finishing line!

A big thank you from Charlotte, Emily, Jake, Bethan and all of us at The Small Things, for helping our wonderful children.

Sponsor Bethan

Thank you! From Zawadi, Maureen, Neema, Miriam and Ester 

Safari!

I just realized that while we've alluded to it a few times, we've never told the full story of the day we took the Nkoaranga kids on safari to Arusha national park, which we are lucky enough to have just down the road. We rented a dalla-dalla (minibus) for the day, and piled all the big kids in - sadly, there wasn't space for the toddlers, and we could only bring kids who were potty trained. They were so excited before we even set off, they were making up their own songs for the moment and dancing with all the little ones!

Then we all piled into the vehicle - no small feat with two mamas, three volunteers, and a whole bunch of kids! They didn't seem to mind the close conditions, though - part of growing up in an orphanage, I guess! I think they enjoyed the car ride almost as much as seeing the animals - it's such a rare treat for them... with the exception of Tumaini, poor thing, who got carsick. Luckily, we were prepared.

Just the back two rows - all I could capture with the camera!
Multiply this by 3. 

Pray is psyched, Stevie's out the window, and David just
wants in on the photo op.

Once we got to the park, we saw all kinds of amazing things - zebras and giraffes and whole herds of water buffalo, plus some incredible scenery. The day was so clear that you could clearly see Mount Meru on one side (where the orphanage is) and Kilimanjaro on the other. We couldn't have been luckier with the weather! 

Buffalo grazing

Bethan helping Pray to see

On the way back, kids started to get sleepy... it was extremely cute to see them slumped up against each other. We steeled ourselves to wake them up, though, for another treat. On the way back, we stopped a local game lodge, where the kids could get even closer to the animals. This particular place, "Meru Game Lodge," rehabilitates injured animals and cares for those that can't go back into the wild. It's a really great place to stay (if you can afford it!) and otherwise to come by for lunch, or just to see the animals. Here the kids saw a crocodile, more zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, porcupines, tons of birds, and ostriches.

Dainess (minutes from falling asleep) with Andrea
passed out on her shoulder

Pendo, Asimwe, and Loveness looking at the zebras 

On the final leg of the journey home, we got the best treat of the day - the kids singing their "Thank you" song. It was and is unbelievably sweet, even when half the voices are a little sleepy! "Asante kwa safari" means "thank you for the safari (trip)," "asante kwa upendo" means "thank you for the love," and "asante sana yesu" means "thank you Jesus," and "moyoni" means "from my heart." There were a lot of verses that went through all of our names and the mamas names, but this was what I managed to catch on video.

What they should have been singing, but probably wouldn't have fit the rhythm of the song, was "Thank you donors to the Small Things," because your support is what makes it possible for us to splurge on day outings like this - it cost about $150 to make fifteen kids insanely happy, but if we'd been working out of only our own personal funds, that $150 would have had to go to vitamins, or formula, or salaries. Having your support gives us the flexibility to give the kids a few real treats, give them a chance to just be KIDS for a day, excited to see some animals. We're very grateful.

My African Homecoming

So, I'm back!

I can't describe how amazing it feels to be walking into the orphanage at 6 each morning again, because, in all honesty, it feels like I never left. I feel like I'm 'home,' just with extra big babies and kids around me that seem to have grown overnight!

They are absolutely awesome. I didn't think they could get more beautiful or funny or wonderful but they've certainly grown up and are maturing and outshining anything I could have imagined. The Mamas are, of course, still doing a fantastic job of caring for these individuals and truly deserve more praise!

One person I would really like to mention that doesn't get heard about so much is big Franky - an amazing role model for the children who, despite being deaf, works tremendously hard for the kids, is so reliable, always there to help out, blowing up balloons for the Christmas tree, caring for any crying children and cheering them up in no time, making us volunteers laugh just as much! He really is a fantastic, selfless human being. I can't think of enough words of praise to give to all of these people!

Baby Peace in a Christmas hat

So, after a very tiring 10 hour bus journey from Dar, it was all made worth it to hear the calls of "Bessan!" as I arrived at the door to the orphanage. I was greeted by a massive hug from Eman Ndogo which was such a lovely surprise. Seeing all of the toddlers up and running, the babies crawling and our two beautiful newbies; Peace and Shudja. So gorgeous and precious and extremely smiley.

As for yesterday, wow, what a very dazed group of children as they awoke to find Baba Christmas out in the garden! All very sleepy and not really knowing what was going on, they soon hyped up to play with the masses of new toys and books that had very kindly been donated by Tracey, Wendy, Anna and Rebecca Woolf - so a big thank you to you all for your generosity and for making this Christmas extra special for the children.

So with lots of balloons, photos, presents, food, soda, cake, fake snow, the Nkoaranga Christmas party went very well. Lots of messy, sticky, smiley laughing, children; what a perfect way to spend my christmas.

Abdulli with a Christmas toy

As for the general welfare of the orphanage, it is going wonderfully. The play area is great and much safer and enjoyable for the children (and I might well brave the adapted slide now it no longer resembles a vertical drop!) The chickens are all healthy, growing, laying, clucking and doing everything chickens do! Everyone is doing a great job and I have never seen the children so happy and developing so well.

In particular I would like to mention what a huge change I have seen in Abdulli. He's developed much better socially and is so interacting with the other children lots more, playing games rather than sitting alone and is also more verbal. Very pleased with him so lets hope he can keep it up!

More updates to come on the children's development. To all of you lovely readers, thank you for your support and love for the children, a very merry christmas to you all.

Hannukah and Piki Pikis

Bethan and Maureeni, cheesing for the camera

Happy Hannukah from Tanzania! Not a phrase that's uttered PARTICULARLY regularly, but I've always been a tad unconventional. To the kids, though, it's Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. Tomorrow we're having a Christmas party, which Baba Christmasi HIMSELF will be attending (in the person of Kelvin from KATZ volunteers). Each kid will also get a full new set of clothes and pair of shoes, plus a present from our grab bag of fun, all donated by you amazing people. They will be so excited!

A very sleepy Ester

This week has been incredibly busy, and made even busier and more fun by the addition of Bethan and her sister Vicky to the mix. The kids took to Vicky like a duck to water, and she's already got most of their names down like a champ - no small feat with nearly thirty children currently home. The kids are all fantastic, although Miriam and Ester currently have malaria, poor little scraps - Ester fell asleep into her dinner yesterday, she was so worn out! Miriam hasn't been much like herself, but with lots of cuddles from Vicky, who is her new best friend, and the aid of antimalarial medication, she should be as good as new in a few days. Still, what a way to spend Christmas!

The highlight of the past week for the kids was a visit from a friend of one of the mamas, who let them all pile onto his piki piki - NOT that I was going to let them go anywhere on it, but they were just as psyched to climb all over it. He then revved the engine, thrilling all of them except Zawadi, who promptly burst into hysterical tears and took half an hour of cuddling before she forgave me my burst of laughter at the look on her face. I'm an awful mother already, clearly.

It's funny seeing how relationships change over time. When we left last time, the babies were too small to have friendships within their little group. Since then, Filipo and Frankie have emerged as a constant pair - but not of best buddies, or not quite. Rather, no matter how often they're plopped on opposite ends of the playroom, they always seem to manage to reunite - almost always fighting over a toy. Which toy changes constantly, the only rule seeming to be that if the other has it, the first wants it, and vice versa. In this particular photo, despite a plethora of fantastic toys, they were fighting over the mop. They're a funny, funny pair!

Our other goal in the next week is to get the climbing frame up, or at least started. That said, they are so thrilled with their current playground, I'm not in such a rush! The toddlers are now able to use the slide, for the first time, and they absolutely adore it. No more death slide, hip hip hooray!

Lots of love from the three of us, all the mamas, and the kids - and come back Saturday or Sunday for Christmas updates.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah from Pray, who really needs a new shirt since he's destroyed this one!