Amisadai's Christmas Holiday Blog

Who was it? Who committed the crime? Was it Duchess Alexandra or Colonel Tim? Did he/she use a frying-pan? Or did they use a woggle? Read on to find out!

A mystery at the Manor House. A murder crime. Was it Madame Rachel, Colonel Tim, Duke Andre or Duchess Alexandra? Was it Professor Andrew or Lady Miriam? On Christmas Eve, we played  a life-size game of Cluedo in Andy and Angela’s old house. Dad was Colonel (pronounced kernel, as I only just found out, I have been pronouncing it col-on-el like it is spelt, and SHOULD be pronounced). It was so much fun and in the end dad, Sam and Ezera found out that it was Duke Andre, with the very dangerous frying pan, in the kitchen.

While we were in Iringa, we went horse-riding! It was so much fun to see Shera and Julia again, and Biscuit (my favourite horse)! We saddled them up and brushed them and then jumped on (Well I did, Louisa’s legs were too short). I rode Biscuit (a white and brown spotty horse) and Louisa rode Flora (a dark brown horse). It was so much fun as we trotted and walked up the road and back. I really loved it!!

With Biscuit and Flora

I had a very fun birthday this year. I opened my presents first thing; I got a remote control sports car, games and DVDs and notebooks, pens and books (Guess what?! I got Grandma’s Attic number one thanks to the VanWoerdens!). I have wanted it for so long, as the copy I have now is falling into pieces) and lots of other things too. We then had a delicious breakfast of cinnamon buns made by Mama Lucy (we really miss her in Mwanza and it was SO nice to see her again!)

Cinnamon Bun Breakfast while skyping Papa and Mama!

We went to Neema Crafts for birthday milkshakes with Lara, Talia, Ezera and Aniya, and they were delicious (as always!) I had a chocolate one and it was so good!!!! We went back and had a birthday lunch of all my favourite things, such as cheesy footballs (sent from Grandma) and Pringles, Cadbury's Chocolate Fingers (sent from Heather and Steve ... and a little melted together!) and orange slices and cheese and crackers with chutney from the Garlic Farm on the Isle of Wight!

We had the VanWoerdens over to play in the afternoon and we watched Minions! Then Alex and Andre came over for dinner and Alex had made this awesome cake, that was NARNIA!!! We were only there for such a short time but she already knew me so well. It tasted sooo good!

And here is a funny true story: One day while was waiting by the side of the road, beside a ditch of water,  a man (I think he was drunk) came up to me and asked if I was David Beckham’s girlfriend. Well actually he said, “you David Beckham’s girlfliendi?”  I said no, I wasn’t. Then he asked if I was his little sister. I said “No, I’m not.” Then I thought he would go away but he didn’t, he just stood there thinking. Suddenly he made me jump by shouting ‘Aha! Aha! aha, aha! I am knowing who’s you are! You Ronaldo’s little sister? Eheh!’

I said ‘Yes I am totally Ronaldo’s little sister.’’ He then said “Ronaldo’s little sister look for fishies in water? Hee! Very good.  Aya! Bye!”  Then he left and went to catch up with his friends shouting (in Swahili) ‘I have met Ronaldo’s little sister and David Beckham’s best friend!(absolutely no clue where he got this idea from!) “She was staring in the trench looking for fishies!”

Elf Night and Tandala

Elf Night

It was the night before Christmas Eve and we decided to have "Elf Night." The Wingfields (Ben, Sam and Bethany) came for a sleep-over and we all (the kids) dressed up as elves. We ate spaghetti with M&M's and chocolate sauce on the top because that is what Buddy eats for breakfast lunch and dinner. After that funny tea, we watched the movie "Elf" with yummy sweets!

"I like to whisper too!" says Buddy, the main character.

Pasta with chocolate sauce and sweeties!

Tandala

For a family holiday while we were in Iringa, we went to Tandala (which is almost in Ruaha National Park) to stay overnight. I love Tandala because there is a swimming pool and a rope swing! We have been here before with James and Dan Liriano and had a great time then too! On the day we arrived, Maddie showed us our room (a very posh tent), and when she left I quickly put on my bathing costume and asked Mum if we could go swimming. We played in the pool with Georgia, Maddie's daughter. We had a three course meal for dinner, it was yummy! We played lots of games with Georgia and other children there. And while we were playing we saw lots of interesting animals like giraffes, monkeys, kudu (which is English for Tandala) and impala.

Kudu (Tandala)

With Georiga

Giraffes came right up to drink at the water hole (but that wasn't when we had the camera!)

Kudu, baboons and impala all playing at the water hole

We had lots of fun over our Christmas in Iringa! But Amisadai can tell you more soon!

Our Treehouse! Watch Here!

We have a treehouse! We have wanted one for AGES! And Dad has built us one in our mango tree ... it's fantastic! We've been eating meals there and playing up there loads over half term. And now we want to work on some ropes and pulleys and maybe get a zip wire to get down! We also had fun playing with the photos to make a IMovie about it! You can see it here!

The Monger Treehouse from Rachel Monger on Vimeo.



At the top!



Looking up from below!



The ladder up!

Swimming and Sunday School

On Sunday we went to the church in Kayenze. It had rained and the road was full of massive puddles! It was like going through lakes! Often when we get there, Daddy needs the toilet. I understand this because it is a long way from our house. I usually go too! We go to the outhouse of someone we know. When we get there, we are often early, so we arrive during the Sunday school (this is a class for adults but kids can sit in too). I try to listen but it is hard because I can't understand all the Kiswahili. I can get the first bit, but I get lost. I really love going to this church because I can sit on a chair that is my size, next to the children.
Kayenze Boys Click here to listen to the boys sing and dance during the offering!

Annif and I sitting on the small chairs!

After the adult Sunday school, the kids all went outside. It was Amisadai and I with Annif, Enoch and Sophie  - the little kids wandered off! We read a Bible passage about Tunda la Roho (the fruits of the spirit); Annif would read a few words and we would repeat them and there were some questions. Then we sang some songs and then we got to play games like dodge ball. Lots of other kids came to play then too!

Playing dodgeball

On Friday we went to a swimming club gala. I didn't race because it was only for group 6 and up. After the races there was a relay for everyone. I did two lengths of front crawl. I didn't know I could swim that far! I also did a great dive. I also didn't know that I could dive! That was the first time in my life to dive! I am proud of myself for swimming two lengths and doing a great dive!

The relay race

Amisadai (although you can't really see her!)

This is me swimming 2 lengths

 

Bunny Update and Nani Amejamba?

'What d'ya' think you're lookin' at??

My little cutie!

My baby bunnies are now 3 weeks old! They are very, very cute. They all love me so much! I love it when the lick my fingers, because their tongues are so rough and rubbery. I also like it when they nibble me, because their teeth have not yet grown and it tickles.

 

Here are some bunny jokes for you...

How do you know carrots are good for your eyes?

A: Because you never see a rabbit wearing glasses!
 

What do you get when you pour hot water down a rabbit hole?
A: A hot cross bunny!

 

 

Did you hear about the rich rabbit?
A: He was a millionhare!

 

 

And here's one for my Canadian friends:

Where do rabbits work?
A: At IHOP restaurants!

Here I am with all 8 of my little babies!



Here I am hand-feeding the runt, who was extremely thin before.

Look at how much these 3 have grown!

And on the subject of babies ... This little baby was dedicated at Mwanza International Church a few weeks ago. She is so sweet!

A random note: do you know that by adding a little bit of red onto your painting, it will immediately liven it up. Try it and see!

Here is painting I did the other week. I didn't know about the red idea then!

Last Saturday we went to the Mamas Group with Mum. Mama Penina's daughter, Dora came too, but her sister, Maria was away at her aunts house. We had lots of fun, but the funniest thing was when she said "Ah, nani amejamba?" because there was a smell! I won't say who, but someone had "passed wind!"

New Rabbits, New School and an Old Snake

Last week, early on Tuesday morning, Maisy, Louisa's rabbit, had babies! On Monday, we got excited because she pulled out lots of her fur and made a nest, so we knew something was happening! Since they were born, we have been dying to know how many there are. We couldn't see because they are all completely covered in Maisy's fur! Yesterday, we were able to see some of them for the first time and I saw Maisy feeding them. We think there are about six or seven! The other three older bunnies are getting very cute and fat! I am selling them now!

They are so tiny! And no fur yet!

Did you know?

• Baby rabbits are called kits.
• Only 15% of baby rabbits make it to their 1st birthday. So, to ensure the population grows, rabbits have more babies.
• Rabbits can see everywhere around, even behind, except for a tiny blind spot on their nose. This protects them from predators.
• A group of rabbits is called a herd.
• Though very quiet, rabbits communicate vocally a lot.

First day of Secondary School

I have now started Secondary School at Isamilo International School. I am able to wear trousers at last! I am really enjoying it, except for all the homework! Sometimes we get four pieces of homework in one day with some of it due the next day. I have also started the Swim Club which I am enjoying!

A few days ago, we started training our dogs. We are starting with "SIT, COME and STAY" and then will try training them to bark when there are people at the gate. Mum made peanut butter dog treats to reward them. I don't think it's going so well yet! But give it some time!

Mum gets Snowy to Sit!

We found a snake in the garden the other day! We were playing bows and arrows and I didn't see it under the grass and stepped on the end of it. Joseph was there and shouted! He used my bow to kill it for us!

Disposing of the dead snake

 

Going Shopping on a Daladala (by Louisa)

Today my family and I went shopping. Our car has a problem with the brakes so ...

We went on a daladala. Now, daladalas are a little bit scary and very crowded but quite fun too. On the way when Amisadai and Mummy had jumped off, many big ladies piled in. One lady was sitting next to me or should I say sitting on me! I was squished on the edge of the seat because she put her massive handbag (like a suitcase) behind my back! There were lots of crying babies, a lady singing and loads of boxes.

On the daladala

Coming into town on our daladala

We went to the Post Office and found a treat waiting for us in a package from James and Dan! We were very excited to get chocolate because we haven't had any since we left England! The lady in the Post Office said she wanted my sunglasses! It was very busy in town. The Chadema party (a political party) and lots of teenagers were marching all over the roads making lots of traffic jams and there were soldiers and policemen everywhere.

On the way home we counted 25 people and lots of cabbages in the 15-seater daladala. It was VERY squishy! I got a very hot bottom sitting on the floor over the engine. When we got to our road, I shouted "Hapa Hapa!" but he didn't hear and carried on. We had to shout louder to get off.

Going to Kayenze
Yesterday we went to the village of Kayenze to go to the church there. We were gone all day! Here are some photos we took!

I am holding baby Annis, our friend Anna's new sister.
We went to see Pastor Amon's family in their home after church

Amisadai is helping me climb out of the mango tree.
The man on the motorbike was laughing at us!
There were lots of kids under the mango tree and we
were doing Bible verses and teaching English!

We had some cows with scary horns come towards us on the road home.
I thought this one would scrape our car with his horns.

Going Camping
Last week my family and I went camping for two nights! One day we decided to climb Balili Hill. On the way up, Amisadai and I found a rock that was shaped like a couch! We had a rest before we carried on climbing.


Resting on our "couch"



We saw lots of baboons with their big, bare bums! They really should wear knickers! This one was running around the playground!

Bare-bum baboon

We had lots of fun riding our bikes and playing on the playground there. Here are some photos!

 

 



We had lots of washing to do after camping.
Here I am wearing all the pegs after collecting it all off the line!