School and random hotel fun

Trying to prepare Eddie for kindergarten. He loves doing school work and is so proud of his workbooks. I just had to take a picture of him practicing his letters. We also do some simple math and read every day. This kid is bursting at the seams to start school (and his little sister can't wait to follow in his shoes)!

Honey loved his Lydia and Eddie, but he especially loved Lydia's clothes. Could this kid be any cuter wearing a tutu??? Of course, this is total blackmail material for when his high school graduation.

Honey copied everything that Eddie did the last two weeks he was here. Of course, there was plenty that Eddie copied from Honey -- like wearing Lydia's tutu. Needless to say, Hannah and I were close to tears from laughter this night.

Movie watching in the hotel room.

Momma trying to wear Lydia. Lydia loved it. Eddie was extremely jealous. All I could do was tell him that I wished I had him when he was small enough to wear. Rough night

Family snuggles. These kids love each other!

Brother-sister piggy backs. Lydia carried Eddie for a while too, but I didn't get the camera out in time to capture that cuteness. Gosh, do I love these smiles!

Learning about Ghana's Independence

Needing a break from the hotel, the kids and I packed up and headed off to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. Kwame Nkrumah declared independence from Britain on March 6, 1957, the first African nation to declare independence from colonial rule, and the park is on the Old Polo grounds where he made his proclamation. The park also is the final resting place for his body, and the Mausoleum is the main structure on in the park, along with a museum of the man's history. It was a nice way to spend an hour outside of the hotel and the kids and I had fun together.

Eddie, our water boy, checking that his peshwas are still in his pocket

The mausoleum

The kids were fascinated by the fountains in the park

The birds who serenaded our visit

The original statue of Kwame Nkrumah that was vandalized during the military coup in 1966. What is amazing to me about this picture is the fact that located behind this national landmark is such poverty. Ghana is truly a land of incredible opposites living side by side.

Can it be???

What is that the children are so fascinated by?

Look at the smiles as they stare in amazement

Yes!!! It is a Ghanaian passport!

Eddie has to look at it up close to believe he really has it!

One passport down. One to go. Could Lydia's be issued on Monday??? We pray so!

Dear new Director -- please hear our plea. Issue Lydia Annan's passport so our family may be united in America! Thank you. Amen.

The sweetness of slumber

Half a family portrait

Per request -- here is half the family living it up on New Year's Eve. Starting to think we should start a pool for dates on when this half of the family finally returns to Cali (won't say US, seeing as Hannah got stuck in NY last night). Any takers???

Day Trip to Aburi Botanical Gardens

Sunday, Dec 13th

Uncle P took us to Aburi Botanical Gardens for a day trip. Something to do to get out of the city and break the monotony of our routine. Definitely was more fun for the grown-ups than the kids, but at least there was grass for them to run around on for a bit.

The drive -- and you thought traffic in LA, NY, DC, Boston was bad. Seriously don't think "rules of the road" here. For example, cars have the right of way over pedestrians, and I mean literally OVER pedestrians. Then there is the always fun driving in between lanes to scoot up 3 car lengths and the constant blaring of horns. Will post video when I get home so you can get a better understanding of the insanity that is driving around here.

Street peddlers -- these people literally walk around all day with large loads of water, plantain chips, bofrut, bananas, etc. and approach cars idling in traffic to make sales for a few peswas (less than 5 pennies for a lot of it). Their balance, physical strength, and determination to come back out day after day never fails to impress me.

Once outside of Accra I got to see actual hills. The land is so beautiful here.

Eddie's less than impressed face when he realized I was going to make him walk around the park.

Lydia felt the same

The majesty of the trees at this park -- INCREDIBLE. I was half a football field from Hannah and Stephen when I took this pic.

HC laughing while getting some Eddie time

The saddest face I think I have ever seen.

I think she thought if she looked pathetic enough I would pick her up and carry her around with me. It almost worked. Instead, I took her picture.

Uncle P introducing the Sneddens to the less than pleasant odor of the local ants.

Looking up at the giant tree

Large ants (by American standards), larger befoulers of the air

Millipede

Cooper was a little concerned about his Dad letting the insect crawl on him

Mmmm... cocoa tree

Sometimes it is really hard not to squish this kid up!

Taking a stroll

Crazy girl became much easier to handle after a chocolate protein bar. Girl after my own heart

Cooper

Uncle P

Crazy child o' mine

Family moment

Two things: yes, this is the recording studio that Bob Marley used in Africa, and it is still run by his mom. Second -- check out the actual monkey hanging out above the sign!