Monday, September 2, 2013

Warm and Wet


What a day. There was a quick rain this morning and then sun all day. 

Ibssa started the day with two minor pouts.  The first one was because he wanted to pull out the power bar from the wall.  I told him no, but he thought it was funny and started pulling on it.  I give him a little tap on the hand and he started pouting – no tears – just pouting.  It only lasted 30 seconds.  The second one was just because Karen cut his toast in half which was Ok but then she started cutting them in quarters.  This pout was probably only another 30 seconds.

We seen the power of God again.  Ibssa has been avoiding fruit since the second day he was here.  The first day he ate a banana with no problem and they said at the orphanage that he ate fruit.  For some reason he won’t eat any – maybe because we give him too many choices.  Karen did grace and prayed that Ibssa would start eating fruit.  We had his usual cereal and peanut butter toast on the table.  We had leftover watermelon and pineapple so Karen but some of both on his plate.  Karen told Ibssa to eat the fruit then he could have the cereal and toast.  No problem – no pouting -   he ate it and smiled.  God can help in the little battles too.

We had already booked a driver to take us all (11 Canadians) to the Sheraton.  They have a pool and a play area that you can get a day pass to.  For 250 birr ($12.50) you can use the pool all day.  It was kind of unusual for a hotel.  They had a metal detector you had to walk through and a scanner for your bags just like the airport.  The pool was huge and is heated by a hot spring.  It must have been at least 80 degrees.  Theresa, that would have even been warm enough for Karen.  Karen forgot to pack her bathing suit so she tried to buy one – no go.  Half of the pool was roped off as a shallow end and maybe was 4 ft deep in the middle.  The edges were all slanted so the kids could walk right in and go as deep as they want.  Ibssa absolutely loved it.  He was a little hesitate at first to go in very far.  I carried him in and he was happy but was reluctant to put his feet down.  A little helping from dad and he would stand in it.  It wasn’t long before he put his face in because the other kids were doing it.

They also had a wading pool where the water came up to your ankles and had a small slide.  We tried that out an Ibssa was OK with the slide as long as dad went down with him. 

I think we must have played for over two hours.  Many times he put his face in with no problems even when he took in water.  He loved it when I supported him and he would move his arms and legs like he was swimming.  I also made him go up in down like a dolphin and each time we came down towards the water he would dunk his head.

At about 1:30, we stopped for lunch.  Hawaiian pizza and strawberry shake for Ibssa – Mmmmmm.  After lunch, it was time to play in the play area.  Ibssa didn’t progress much from the last play area.  He still only wanted to ride on the spring animals.  Faith went into a plastic little house so Ibssa (with caution) ventured in.  The second time he did it all by himself.  A half an hour of playtime and then it was time maybe for a nap on the loungers. No wayyyyyy – too much action.  After about 20 minutes of rest, it was time to get back in the pool.  Another hour of water play followed by half an hour of lounging and it was time to go. 

We took a look around the Sheraton before we left.  Unbelievable!!  Somebody said a junior suite was $500 a night.  It was probably right after the quick tour we took.  High class all the way with several shops including a bakery, jewellery store and a bank.  That was just on the main floor that we saw.  Maybe my boss can send me there? 

A quick stop at the grocery store and we went back to guesthouse.  Everyone was bagged and partially sunburned – yes the sun and the water turned us slightly red.  It was about 5:30 when we got home and Karen took a nap.  Ibssa and I just vegged for a while and he had some leftover injera for supper. Ibssa was dogged tired as he didn’t get his nap.  Ibssa went to bed without an issue and Karen went with him.  I think she’s done for the night too.

Chow

Paul

 

 

No comments:

Post a Comment