Two Cousins and a
Grandfather; Mornings with Addie
February 26, 2007
When I walk Ben and Kate to school, we frequently have Addie walk with
us. Addie likes to talk to me, and I always look forward to it, because
anything goes. The other day she was quite animated:
Addie: This morning when I got up to go potty, I went and went so long
I thought I would have to be there ALL DAY.
Me: (With the alarm born of 5 year old twins when they talk of going to
the bathroom and imaging having to run for a toilet) Why are you telling me
this Addie?
Addie: (Gives me a look that wonders why anyone wouldn’t WANT to
know her personal habits.)
(Addie)
Friday we were walking and she warmly hugged me and told me:
Addie: I love walking with you and Ben and Katie.
Me: We love walking with you Addie.
Addie: I love it because it reminds me of walking with my cousins and
my Grandfather.
And it had started as such a NICE day.
Fortunately, I could take comfort that I was raising the twins RIGHT.
(Katie and Ben and their favorite team)
(My favorite picture in the world)
I’ve written about it before, but one of my favorite traditions
at RVA is the Senior Banquet. The juniors write the play, construct the sets
and cook and serve the food to honor the seniors. Last year was exhausting and
exciting; this year all JT had to do was pick up his date and enjoy the
evening.
The guys pick up the girls at the dorm, and they walk across the
campus. JT was pretty relaxed this year, but
There were lanterns that lit the path for the last few hundred yards,
and the whole campus stood in line to cheer each couple as their names were
announced. It is such a wonderful alternative to limos and all the excesses
that seem to go with big events in the states.
(JT and Erin)
The rains have let up, so we have been able to go to the valley more
often. There was so much good news this week that it filled a part of me that
had been so dry. One of the schools, which had been rated the lowest in its
zone, had increased to the named the best school of the year.
(The trophies for being the most highly rated school)
The kids were going after it so hard, and it is amazing the progress
they are making. One of the problems with the Kenyan educational system is that
it elevates rote memorization above anything else.
So it was so heartening to run over to Kenton and meet Gerald and
Grace, the top students at the computer center there. I asked Grace what her
favorite part of computer class was, and she had a wonderful answer.
`I like computers because they make me think.’
(Grace and Gerald)
There was a church group from
You see so much sad stuff in
Your pal
Steve and Nancy Peifer
Stateside Address: AIM
Home Number: 011-254-20-3246-458
Office Number: 011-254-20-3246-170
Steve's Cell: 011-254-0734-124292
Website: http://peifer.kijabe.org/index.html?intro.html&1
Foundation: http://www.solutionbeaconfoundation.org/programs.htm
Webcam: http://www.kijabe.org/longocam/