Eddy the Elephant!!!

I am happy and proud to announce that Nell has received an Eddy the Elephant award for story writing...so Josh may be on to something about her soon to be released novel. On Fridays at school there is an all school assembly and she got her award but refused to read her work aloud...kind of the silent artist profile she's working. I think she really needed that nudge after a long week searching for her "special friend" I am also pleased to tell you that she AND I both got one this week. I met a wonderful brave woman who is South African and has three children at the International School. Her husband is doing business, by choice, in Iraq. He lives there and comes home every three months...so she is a single mom essentially. You should see her tool around this area in her car....she is so comfortable and confident...spending the day with her and our kids really helped me feel like this is even easier than I had anticipated. We went to a school picnic/swim party. One thing really struck me...the kids here are able to be so free, parenting is a whole different thing. I sat most of the afternoon with three mom's and never once did any of them wonder where their kids were or even get up to go look for them. We were in a beautiful secluded area with a pool, tons of trees, and lots of land. Kids run free and no ones worries....nell spent the whole day in trees, which seem to aid her in her friend making ablility. She was REALLY high up when i found her with the older girls....she infiltrated to cool older girls....makng Natalie in her class a bit envious....she now wants Nell to be her pal. Pearl in the meantime has a posse....she was in the water the whole time...her friends all had floaties on so her swimming abilities were her magnet. We all left on a happy note feeling happy to have made connections and been outside all day.
Sam came back to Moshi from Arusha yesterday...she was full of all she had learned about the potential bike trips and routes. These are really going to be amazing as Tanzania has such culture and beauty. So much to be seen while enjoying the glorious scenery. Today we met with our partners Rift Cross to secure the details of our two Kili climbs. Sam will go driving tomorrow to design some bike routes and the girls and I will spend the weekend exploring lodges....we will spend the night at a tented eco -lodge in Lake Manyara....they are thrilled as Paul our driver has promised them baby elephants bathing and a wonderful car for hanging upside down. I'm looking forward to leaving Moshi even though I love it here....just nice to get more of a sense of what is available. I am hoping to love this lodge and use it for my Feb. trip.
I get my car on Sat....and the girls have a bday party Friday afternoon....so even after traveling more than half way around the world...the lives of kids/parents are surprisingly similar. We'll just see goats chickens and banana vendors on the way to the party as opposed to skyscapers and streetsigns (did i mention there are NONE here).
So on a sad note...Josh 's house blew away...literally....I got a humorous email about kansas and chicago but i know this must be hard for him...please call him...moral support!!!!
My house by some miracle seems to be ok??? thanks Shawna!!!
Love to you all....life is good!!!
Sarah