did i mention we we went to the mountains?

we went up because we got invited to a Jam, some good music and some good new friends(some old too) and it was a really nice time! COLD and CLEAN air!

this is part one... 

i night hike.... 

rather skilled at the rain stick!! and he LOVED it!

such a cool vibe in this house, welcoming, kind, 'warm' (it was so cold up there) ,great people!

moved on the playing the cups!

my time for some singing

the crowd leaves and the 'overnighters' are left for some chill time

thats a TREE!!! in the jar!!!

i hope to live here one day

a very early morning walk!

for the 5 of us! love you girls, Jessi, Michelle, Edol, and Michelle!

for the artist! made by an artist! loving this bamboo farm

countless strawberries!!! and inventive ways to use things you have!

still more strawberries

the ones left in the morning!

stay tuned for more photos from the mountains!

COOKIES

I decided it would be a good idea to do sugar cookies with the kids, this turned in to a tough and long task, I will not take my kitchen in Canada for granted again…
I was given access to the house kitchen at Evens brothers house as he has a working oven. I mixed up the dough and refrigerated it, and then Micaela, Mark and I took 6 of the kids from SMDT out for a field trip to the donated kitchen. After some hand washing and a bit of direction we were off… well we tried! Haha it did not take long for us to fill the one pan that fit in the apartment size oven, and then we had to wait. Also with all the warm hands and the warm air the dough was pretty much melting. And city power was off, so we had no fridge to cool it in. I sent the kids outside to play and monitored the baking. Soon I found oils marks on the kids shorts and found that a few of the boys had taken balls of dough and where eating it, raw…  now this might taste yummy, but for these tummies that are only used to their regular diet I knew tummy aches where to follow. I encouraged them not to eat it… not sure how well it worked… but kids are kids! Turns out I had to stay MUCH longer working on the cookies then anticipated, as the oven was hard to regulate. I sent Micaela and Mark back to SMDT with the kids as it was getting late. Then I continued… till we ran out of gas for the oven.  The following night I found we had city power at home and decided to try this process again… in the toaster oven. Well it took 3 hours to make 2-dozen cookies, since out little pan only held 3 or 4 cookies… it was HOT in my room from that little toaster oven, and a LONG night! The next day with the kids we iced the cookies and had them put sprinkles on them! It went rather well, and that night during our outdoor movies the kids enjoyed every bite!

here we go! no real measuring cups... glad it turned out

my helper at home! Pauline!

here goes nothing...  at Evens' brothers house

2 days later we decorated them

'kenson' gives them a try

Some more art!

I have decided that it is MUCH too tough to have all the kids for a craft/ art project at a time. So I have started taking smaller groups of the kids and have a rotation going on. It works much better. Evens works exclusively with 7 of the oldest kids and has been doing reading, and drawing with them. It is great to have some new supplies sent for this! Thanks MOM! They have really been enjoying the step by step drawing books! We have discovered that some of the kids reading skills are very elementary for their age and so Evens and given them home work of reading books and we hope these skills improve!

I have been working mostly with the younger kids while the older ones are busy. They are very active and always wanting my attention during this time. It can be rather crazy! The calls of my name are countless, they want me to look at each stroke of their paintbrush that has added new colour to their creation and are always looking for my encouragement and approval. I happy to offer my support to their creations, who can resist these faces!?

such focus, SO beautiful to watch

i love this little mans imagination, he had a whole story to go with it that i did not quite follow

even the little ones that used to sit alone sad have joined in! this makes me very happy

i know this photo is blurry, but i need you all to see this little character.  She cracks me up... look at this, paint all over her face, and just LOVING life! she is also the one i found sucking on a crayola marker... till all her teeth and tongue where blue

very proud of his Elephant

in the background.. the art apron being used.. hehe, they like them!

I am thankful for the things I learnt when I was very young! I have passed on my paper box making skills, bracelets, and my simple drawings that the kids love to duplicate. Or sometimes it is simple changing up their days with something special

the stares of 'bebe' LOOK OUT!

I have seen children come out of their shells, opening up to their house mates, and to us. I have seen quite, shy children turn in to chatter boxes! It is awesome to see the progress and to be here long enough to really see a difference in their lives.  Little voices telling each other to say thank you, and please. Simple kindness that is going a long way.

I found 'kenson' bouncy ball in hand, throwing and running after all by him self. after capturing this moment i put down the camera and join in. HE LOVED IT, giggled, ran, and even 'vocalized' to other children that it was HIS and MY game... they got the picture quickly.

'Kenson' is a very sad little boy that is newest to SMDT. i often find him just sleeping, or crying, he suffers from some major separation anxiety and has been sick as well. BUT in the last couple weeks i have seem moments of great growth. Because he is not that small(others are smaller and talk) the other kids don't know how to interact with him since he only makes noise's and cries.  but slowly things are getting better for little 'kenson'

Thank you all for your kindness in my journey, I would not be able to do this with out the support from ‘home’.  I am truly blessed.