A busy but wonderful day!

Visiting the tailor to drop off cloth for Christmas clothes (we always have matching family attire), taking Annette to a birthday party, making granola, going to the food fair at school, and Internet time a few times to check FB and mail.

We tried to meet the tailor and waited for close to twenty minutes before having to leave to get Annette to her party. But while waiting I watched the market activity in front of the shop and realized how removed I have gotten from much of Nigerian life. This past year I've hardly gone to the market since my sisters-in-law have had more time than I have had. As I watched the traders and their many children running about I gave thanks that we can clothe our children well and that I usually have time to care for my kids, or at least know they are safe and being cared for.

Dropping Annette off at her classmate's birthday party I gave thanks that she could spend time with her friends. She doesn't have any girl friends on our compound and most of her friends live on the other side of town, near school. It was a great day for a swim party and she seemed to enjoy herself.

I've been missing granola for breakfast. Too often the past week I've been hungrier than when I eat a bowl of granola and have often bought fried potatoes and kosai from Ladi at break time. It always tastes great going down, but the abundance of oil hasn't sat so well the past few days!

The highlight of the day was the school's food fair. There was an abundance of food; Nigerian, East African, Korean, Lebanese, American, European, Indian, Ethiopian, and Egyptian.

The basketball courts were all decked out with colorful banners streaming overhead and a stage where the choir sang a few numbers, a few groups danced on or around, and some students entertained with raps and jokes. We've never had such great entertainment and it was fun watching students and parents enjoy sharing their ethnic dances and just having fun together. I feel really lucky to be a part of the Hillcrest community. I enjoyed it even more because my husband joined us for the first time, only Nat opted to stay home so he wouldn't miss his soccer time with his compound friends and sharing his new soccer ball with them.

Well, I guess it's time to close for the day. Amson and Dan are sleeping and perhaps Nat too, Annette is waiting for me to see her to bed; we like to end the day together with special good night hugs and kisses (much like I often did with my own mom).

Yes, it was a busy, but wonderful day! Good nite!