bonfires and sparklers

We were invited to share some bonfire fun by some fellow Brits which was a lot of fun. It is not the first time that we have celebrated Guy Fawkes in Africa, but still somehow it is strange to think that everyone back 'home' would have been wrapped up in their scarves and hats to go and watch fireworks and we hung out in shorts and t'shirts.

We sat outside eating soup and rolls while it got dark, then we lit the bonfire. Various people had  found fireworks and sparklers in Addis and one family had even managed to find marshmallows for us to roast, which I had been convinced didn't exist here at all. The fireworks here are all quite small and quiet, but our boys don't have much to compare with and it was fun seeing them go off.

Josh with his first sparkler :-)

Thanks to our lovely hosts. Next year we'll have to see if we can plan something at Bingham!

cross country race

Cross country training for the smaller kids has now finished, ending with an inter-house cross country run.

 This was another event where the kids could collect points for their house teams, both our boys ran and had a good time.

Tom ran in the Grade 3-4 boys race and came second - well done Tom :-)

Travelling North of Addis

 As you travel out of Addis to the North you pass eucalyptus forests - it is grown here for firewood as it is fast growing. There are donkeys and women carrying leaves and firewood for miles up the mountain. 

I liked this photo as the donkeys almost look like bushes! There were so many donkeys that our boys lost count.

There is plenty of countryside, not too far out of our side of Addis.

We traveled past lots of these little thatched huts and beautiful scenery. It is incredibly different here to the African countries we have lived in before. It feels a lot safer and a lot greener.

school pictures

Recently the school photos were taken so here are some pictures of our boys and their classes (oh and one of Tommy and his class hanging out on the climbing frame....)

 Tom (age 8)

 Grade 3 (Tom's class)

 Josh (age 5)

 KG2 Class (Josh's class)

 Tommy and his Grade 12 (Year 13 in the UK) class ;-)

A long time

It seems a long time since we have had time to write some blogs but hopefully all that is about to change :-)

Friday saw the deadline for my (Sarah) latest MSc module looking at issues surrounding normal birth, especially reflecting on midwifery in Africa. It was a pretty good feeling to email that assignment and know that I don't have to write another for a good few months. I have to start reading for the next one to get ahead before the baby arrives, but somehow that seems a lot easier than writing!

Tommy has been studying too - he has been taking a course with the Cambridge exam board relating to teaching business studies, which is also coming to an end.

So here's to more blogging in the next couple of weeks....

PS. Less than five weeks until we return to the UK for our 'baby break', just over ten weeks until Pip is due...not that I am counting or anything....