Oh Wow, SO Behind!

Ok, so it has been a LONG time since I posted pictures of Ani :( This is do to three reasons.  1. Ani has become a lot harder to photograph. 2. In trying to keep up with the Lemuel blog, Ani's has slipped.  3. I am really not a good blogger! :)  But after several gentle (and some not so gentle ;)) reminders, I am finally going to try to catch up a bit...

In November Ani and I went into PauP to pick up Bonita and Krischelle and get some things done there.  Since one of the days we were there was a holiday and nothing was opened we enjoyed a day at the beach with some dear friends.

A few days later Dad arrived!!!  For the second year in a row he had Thanksgiving with us!

After Dinner we put up and decorated the tree.

Since then she has helped me take pictures of the Nativity Scene for the giveaway on Lemuel's blog...

... had a tea party at Tati Krichou's house...

...and excitedly worn her new outfit from Mema:)

Last night she had a very exciting night making a fort, making and decorating cookies and watching Cosby in her fort with Tati Bobo and Tati Krichou :)  I will post those pics soon ;)

I realized looking back at the pictures that I don't have one of the finished tree!  I will post one of those soon too :)

The Kitchen!!!

Hello everyone!  I am so sorry it has been so long!  I have to admit that this post does not have much to do with Ani except that it is her mother's new kitchen!  Bear with me, it is particularly for my mom and grandma...

Sam, our German co-worker, did an excellent job... it is beyond words.  The fronts are all made out of Haitian oak.  The only way to get Haitian oak is in VERY rough form.  I am amazed by what they have made out of the planks that I saw.  A special thanks to Dad who did the frame work, Sam who did the face work, and all those who helped along the way...

Trip to the US

Ani and I have been at my mom's house for a few weeks now.  We head home in a few days.  Here are a few pictures from our time here...

Playing piano with Uncle Jim

At the fireworks, devouring a hotdog.

With Aunt Mary and Tea, still enjoying her hotdog.

Yesterday Mom, Steven, and I took Ani to the Philadelphia Zoo!  We had such a great time.  I have not posted pictures of every animal we saw but I had to put in a few of my favorites :)

 

 Getting her ticket scanned

  

My favorite animal picture of the day 

Riding a horse...

...and a camel!

Of course she would not ride the camel without me... let me tell you they are not very comfortable!

Can you see the Rhino?

She loved the Penguins

Yesterday we also took pictures of the three grandchildren...

"I am THREE-teen going on FOUR-teen" - Ani's Birthday

Yes... that was Ani's song not too long ago.  Taken from Sound of Music, it made perfect sense to her :)

I realized as I logged in to write this post that it has been FOUR MONTHS since I last did a post!  With the internet being horrible lately, having no internet at the house, and Ani generally being a goose about pictures blog posts just haven't really been flowing.

Anyway... without further ado: Ani's 4th Birthday

The colors for her birthday didn't really go with the colors in the house so we covered the futon with a bedspread and changed the pictures above it to the ones that were in her room at the Lemuel House.

The Birthday Girl - all dressed up in the dress Grammie sent her.

 

After church our admin team and some of Manis' family came over for a special dinner.  While everyone was waiting for it to be ready, Manis' aunt, Marenn (the one holding the puppy and walking funny), played with Ani and had her running and laughing like a crazy person :)

Dinner is served...

Time for presents!

 Sam spent a good part of his Saturday making a cradle for Ani's doll (of which she claims he is the father :))  Bonita and Elysha made a mattress and pillows for it out of old curtains and sheets :)

In the late afternoon (ie it is not so hot) we had a second party for Ani and her younger friends :)

 

Most of them showed up almost an hour early so they entertained themselves while they waited for Ani's teacher, Kattia, who did the games and program for me.

Kattia had a present for Ani and, most touching of all, so did each of the kids!  I had never thought to mention "no gifts" because I hadn't thought they would even know that that is a norm.  Some brought her crackers, some brought cheese puffs, one brought a juice that is so sweet Ani is not usually allowed to have it ;)

Singing Happy Birthday

Playing games...

 Thony was kind enough to DJ for us :)

The cake with 4 candles ready to be blown out!

Supper with friends.

And that pretty much sums up the day!  I can't believe my baby is FOUR!!!