on the mend.
Both Nico and Amira are on the mend. Amira is a bit tired but feeling much better. Nico has developed a loose cough and after another three hour visit to the hospital on Tuesday was prescribed more medication. From what I caught in our conversation, I think the doctor thinks the infection spread to his lungs. I think. Nothing serious but she just wanted to nip it in the bud. I think. He didn’t have a fever at all this afternoon so I’m hoping he too is on his way to feeling better.
So what do we do all day long with kids who are feeling a bit better but not up for a lot of activity yet? Paint boxes of course! The kids have been loving their “caves” so we decided to paint them and make them look like the treasures they think they are. Harmattan (see below for explanation) has stormed in and settled for part two of our two-fold seasons in Nigeria. It was dusty outside but the temperatures were very lovely. We had so much fun painting outside on our deck.
Kevin, Elisha’s youngest son, currently has a bad case of ringworm on his scalp. The three bald circles on his head don’t look like it could feel all too nice. And Elisha has told us kids at school have started to tease him. I am hoping for him that it clears up soon. But if I’m honest, I have to admit that I am praying it does not spread to our kids...I don’t know if I could handle dealing with ringworm at this point in time!
HARMATTAN according to Wikipedia: The Harmattan is a dry and dusty West African trade wind. It blows south from Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March (winter) In some countries in West Africa, the heavy amount of dust in the air can severely limit visibility and block the sun for several days,[2] comparable to a heavy fog. The effect caused by the dust and sand stirred by these winds is known as the Harmattan haze, and costs airlines millions of dollars in cancelled and diverted flights each year.[citation needed] The interaction of the Harmattan with monsoon winds can cause tornadoes Basically, the rains have officially stopped and dry season has officially begun. it’s one big dust bowl over here! You can taste the dust in the air and see your footprints on the ground. While this phase of the weather cycle has great disadvantages, like anything else, it also has it’s blessings. The thick dust blocks out heat and the relative cool winds are very welcome! Click on wikipedia: harmattan to read more and see a few pictures of what it looks like.
photo: Amira and Nico painting their caves. Can you tell from the pictures below how scarily similar their personalities are?!? Talk about focused and persistent!
The finished masterpieces. Fun was had by all!
wednesday. november 14. 2007.