Foto Friday - Coins for Kenya

Things to see and do in Kenya!

Your in Kenya, removed from your work, friends, hobbies etc.... what do you do? (RELAX... I know, but you can only do so much of that! ) This is a recent question that has been brought up by parents with little ones who are completing their foster period in Kenya.

I always found that it was much easier to parent by keeping your children active. Sitting at home can make you stir crazy.

So what can you do with your toddler in Kenya?

Well, a wonderful Mother on our adoption board gave us this fantastic list of day trips around Nairobi. I know many of you will be able to use this information as well!

Enjoy! :)

Elephant orphanage: Program is between 11-12 everyday.  Fun and interesting.  KSH 600 (approximately  $7.50) 

 Giraffe Sanctuary.  Can easily be done with elephant orphanage and potentially one other thing in Karen. 

 Nairobi National Park  $40 for just the park. For $60 there is also an animal orphanage and nature walk. You can see giraffes, ostriches, rhinos, lions, antelopse, and zebras—however, it is also possible to see almost nothing. 

Hell’s Gate National Park animal viewing; About an hour outside of Nairobi.  Pretty park with canyons you can hike.  You can do bike and walking safaris. No elephant and very rare to see any cats. Bike rental (500 KES)  and a canyon to hike (be very cautious of flash floods in rainy season.) 

Naivasha lake  Right next to Hell’s Gate. It is possible to hire a boat ride and see hippos and all kinds of birds.

Nakuru-two hours from Nairobi. It is possible to do in a day. A beautiful park—you almost always see Rhinos. Lions are very likely. Can be done in a day. A beautiful waterfall where you can picnic. 

Paradise Lost. Camel and horse rides, play ground, waterfalls, boat riding, Mau mau caves, picnic area etc. 

Village Market. Small play area with train for small kids; Waterpark (my kids used to love), bowling alley, movie theatre, food court, and a child minding area where you can leave your kid while you shop.

Bomas of Kenya. Cultural center; traditional dance show, huts from all the different tribes of Kenya, a restaurant, arts and crafts shops (they will harass you) and playground. Often warthogs running around. 

 Highend arts and crafts store. No bartering. Nice restaurant. Small play ground. In Karen. 

Spinners Web (another nice craft store over on my side of town. 

Kazuri (women’s cooperative beads)

Kitengela Glass (glass artsy place—a big hit with many of my more artsy friends)

The National Museum - ask for a tour guide when you enter. Little ones will enjoy more than 100 stuffed birds (all Kenyan species), other animals and a real snake pit.

Karura Forest - Lovely with some beautiful falls. 

Train Museum - Always a favorite with the boys. 

Amani Ya Juu -  a sewing-marketing-training project for marginalized women in Africa. Shop or relax in the oasis like garden cafe. There is also a playground

 for the children.



Anything else that you may have enjoyed that I don't have on the list? Please share, and I will add it. 

 I'll also link this to the sidebar so we have easy access to it. 

There is no doubt...

These kids....

Are ready for a baby sister!

This weekend we were up to our eyeballs in cleaning out the garage...

At the same time, we were also looking after a friend's 2 yr old boy. The kids love this little man, and completely dote after him. 

Mister played with him all morning...

Different day - but I love how attentive he is with him, holding his hand, and always helping him. This little man looks up to Mister like he is the Moon and the Stars. XO


And Muffin did arts and crafts with him all afternoon. 

These kids literally looked after little man all day. They fed him, played with him, took him to the washroom (I only got called in for one butt wipe)...

 Muffin thought of the crafts on her own, dressed him in a smock on her own... had different painting tools for him try, like forks and straws. She's a really little Mother hen. ;)

It warms my heart to sea how nurturing and loving they are to younger children.

They cannot wait to do all these things with their little sister. 

 I know they will be such a huge help to me.

I yearn for the day to see together with their sister for the first time. It cannot come soon enough. 

(Yes, that's right. Still. no. news.)

My current reality...

Boxes

Upon Boxes...

And stuff, everywhere...

Pouty Face

I have been told that our Kenyan agency has not yet received the medical reports. I stayed up quite late last night to get that answer. Wish there were more details. 

 Tired, Pouty Face

Cardigan - Costco / Pout Face - No Referral

Only foreseeable option to me this morning was a coffee and a White Chocolate/Ginger/Pear Muffin. Probably worth 1000 calories.
I enjoyed every one. 

Tomorrow is another day...

Disappointing. :(

My agency said they did not receive anything today.

I'm tired of telling people 'tomorrow', and more importantly, I'm tired of telling my kids 'today'. Twice now, I have woken them up with 'Guess what today is?'... The first day the excitement was abundant. Today.. it was like 'Yay.'. Obviously, I will not need to stop holding my breath.

I don't know what happened... or why the information did not come in. The medicals were supposed to be picked up yesterday.

I'm a bit lost for words, as I was certain today was the day. After the news, I went and sat in the toy room and sorted beads from lego and seashells... because I just didn't know what else to do. I have so MUCH to do. Flights have to be paid for, Visa applications have to be sent off. Homeschooling reports and agendas need to be done. But I feel like this referral is holding me back. I keep saying to myself - I will finalize all this when the referral comes in. I'm playing it safe I guess. So I will continue to pack up the house, seek renters and pet sitters etc...

The amount that has to be done is quite overwhelming actually... and I'm not quite sure how it will get done. We seemed to be constantly pulled in a million directions and it's hard to focus on getting any one thing done.  I have cancelled soccer for the kids, and all any other formal lessons and activities, to give us more time on the home front.

Our date to Kenya will likely have to be pushed back another week now... there really just isn't enough time between referral and departure any more.

Sorry for the disappointing news folks, tomorrow is another day. (Hopefully!)

Chill the Champagne!

Referral is going to be knocking on our doorstep this week!

Yes... Wednesday is supposed to be the day. Apparently they have been waiting on a current medical that is being picked up in a matter of hours and will be sent to our agency on Wednesday!

 Hold on... technically speaking , if they pick it up 'Tuesday in Kenya'... why would it not be forwarded to our agency the same day - meaning middle of the night tonight? Hmmm... perhaps there is a little mix up, and maybe it will be tomorrow!

Now... I have gotten myself a little worked up.

I was told that they were picking it up Tuesday and sending to it our agency for Wednesday am. Maybe they are picking it up Tuesday and forwarding it on Wednesday, which would arrive at our agency Wednesday morning. Frazzled. I'm sure I've just confused you too....

I'm freaking out on the remote chance of it arriving tomorrow. Now that I got myself in a tizzy, perhaps I should be drinking that champagne instead of chilling it!

Stay tuned dear internet friends. Either way, 'the' day will be upon us soon! :)