Random Cuteness

Just some fun photos from the last few weeks ... and maybe a video clip or two, if I can get them to load. First up, the classic wearing Daddy's shoes photo.

Making friends with the monkey sculpture at Columbian Park Zoo

Waiting for the train ride at Columbian Park


Simon didn't want the train ride to end!

Whenever the cashier at Target gives Simon a sticker, he puts it in the middle of his forehead and will wear it for hours. This photo was taken about 3 hours after our trip to the store and a visit to the pediatrician for immunizations. Just glad he's smiling!

Mamaw introduced Simon to rice krispy treats and he loved them!

He also loves, loves, loves to read right now!

I love this photo of Simon and his Papaw ... nothing like a little family-school rivalry!

While I was doing dishes and cleaning up after dinner, this is what was happening outside:

Simon is finally starting to understand how to ride his tricycle, though he still prefers to push it around because he can go faster.

Indoor fun on a rainy night ... it's kinda like the Sizzler ride at the fair!

Mark and Simon went to Monkey Joe's last week. Simon usually makes friends wherever he goes and this was no exception.

Simon tries to repeat everything we say and some words are just so cute! He has a tiny voice. The hat is from his vet dress-up outfit and the sticker is still from Target. Oh, and for my sister, the outfit he's wearing is a hand-me-down that I think all three of my nephews wore!

Ethiopia Day 6

Our sixth day in Ethiopia was Sunday, April 11. We went to church with Birtukan, Nesibu and their children. It was a lively start to worship followed by a long sermon in Amharic. The benches were very straigh-backed, close together and difficult to sit on. It was a Protestant service and there was a band and ushers -- it looked very much like a service here in the US. The ushers helped people to find seats and there was always room for one, two, or ten more people in a row. It was amazing how they could pack people into the pews!

Simon liked the music but got restless about 50 minutes into the service so Mark took him outside. He 'raised the roof' with his little hands and flirted with some girls who were also sitting outside. The service lasted about 2 hours. It really wasn't much different than a service here in the States except that instead of shouting 'hallelujah' or 'amen,' the women made a loud sound like 'lalalalalalalalalala' -- it was loud and difficult to describe in words. And the electricity went off and on several times throughout the service. But the people just went with the it and it didn't interrupt worship at all!

After church, we returned to Morning Coffee guest house for lunch -- the doro wat and injera that we watched be prepared the day before. It was delicious but very buttery and rich. Here's a photo of Simon using the injera to eat.


After lunch, we worked hard to get Simon to take a nap. And I even actually got to hold him while he slept for about 30 minutes! At this point, he preferred Mark for everything. After naps, we got ready to go to dinner with Birtukan and Nesibu. They wanted to take us back to the Addis golf club for pizza. While waiting to leave, we realized that both Simon and Ashenafi had the same shirts so we dressed the boys alike! Here they are sharing a snack.

And here's a photo of the golf club entrance. The temperature took a dip and it was a cool evening. It eventually rained quite a bit on our way home. But we enjoyed hanging out on the grounds and visiting. The boys enjoyed exploring and playing with other children. We even caught a glimpse of two weddings taking place at the club. They looked very elegant.

Here's a photo of Mark with Simon munching on some crackers while we waited to go inside for dinner. At this point in the trip, Simon was still eating non-stop.

And I just had to include this photo because I love Simon's eyes, though I think he has a "take me to your leader" kind of look. I think he was actually asking for a drink.

From my journal ... "Today, Simon Kebebe let me follow him, hold him and touch him more. He is still very attached to Mark. Tonight he spontaneously played peek-a-boo with us. When he smiles, his whole face lights up! He even grabbed the hand of a little boy about the same age and tried to walk with him at the golf club -- too cute! He also called me 'Mama' for the first time and pointed at me when Nesibu asked him, where's Mama? He is such a sweet, beautiful boy and I can't wait until he trusts me more."