Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Goodbye, Hello

On a gloomy morning, we went out on the back steps of the house we are staying in and watched Franklin's ship head out to Malaita. Franklin was just taking a quick trip, so Ellie and I stayed in the capital.


About 57 hours later, on a happy, sunny afternoon we watched the same ship return with our wonderful man aboard. Franklin is on the little ship that kind of looks like a dot, not the big container ship. :)


We were two happy girls.


After the excitement of seeing the ship come in, Ellie played on the back steps. I took a picture of her taking a picture of me.

Monday, July 18, 2011

A Smiley Face


This is the first smiley face Ellie ever drew. After Ellie drew this, she got really creative. Within a day or two, she drew her daddy with curly hair, ears, and a beard. Unfortunately I don't have the camera within arms reach all the time. But still, fun, fun!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Kiri arrives from New Zealand

In the West and in South Asia, going to the airport to pick someone up is not as exciting as it is here in the Solomons. Here, there's a viewing deck on the airport's roof, so when someone's plane comes in, you climb the stairs and can watch the plane arrive, and even wave at your friend or relative as they get off the plane.

On one exciting Tuesday we went to pick up Ellie's Aunty Kiri at the airport. My dad was also supposed to be on this flight, but due to mechanical problems on one of his five flights, he didn't make it.


We watched with great anticipation as the plane landed and then as it taxied to the airport.


Kiri got off and we all waved to her as she walked to the airport. Kiri is the first one in the long line of people. Only the man walking by himself is in front of her. She was arriving from New Zealand after working there for a few months.


While Kiri was going through immigration and customs, we all went to the front of the airport where she'd come out. Ellie couldn't help but where the flower garlands that were actually meant for Kiri.


We had with us Jacob. It was fun to get to share this part of our world with him. It's always nice for family from one part of the world to meet family from another.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

How TinkerBell keeps busy


We arrived back in the capital, and as soon as we opened the suitcases, she found her TinkerBell costume. So, how does TinkerBell keep busy in the Solomons? Coloring and eating guava.... but not just any guava. Big, sweet, Malaitan guava.

Friday, July 15, 2011

A baby chicken


We went and visited the village where Ellie's koko'okini grew up. We walked passed a mommy chicken and her chicks. Ellie REALLY wanted to touch one, so Aunty Lingesi, Franklin's sister agreed to help get one. Unfortunately, she proved neither brave nor quick enough. I doubt I would have been either, though, if I had tried. Another Aunty, one of Franklin's cousins, came to the rescue.


After all that trouble, Ellie ended up not being brave enough to hold the chick. Instead, I held it while Ellie just stood and said, "Oh" and "Ah" and "She wants her mommy."


I love Ellie's expression in this picture. It totally captures how she expresses this heartfelt, "Oh."

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Another trip to the beach


On our last day in the village, Ellie and I decided to take an afternoon walk down to the beach with some of her aunties and cousins. On the way we stopped and picked up some popsicles, which are called ice blocks here. Franklin jokes that we should just call Ellie "Ice Block".


Ellie had fun playing with her cousins and independently.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Hydro-electricity


Franklin and his brother have spent quite a bit of time trying to get hydro-electricity working in our village. They are starting out with a trial, small project, but are hoping for it to develop into something that can provide constant electricity for the whole village. If you want to know more, ask the most handsome member of our family.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

A trip to Malu'u's beach


The beach is just down the hill from where the Sports Carnival was, so we decided to make a stop there. I tell you what, there are worse sights to set your eyes upon.


We arrived at the beach around low tide... not necessarily the most beautiful time, but still fun for two little cousins.


Daddy helped Ellie find starfish.
And they found lots of them.


Ellie was also brave enough to be buried in the sand. :)


I, the only sunburn prone person in our family, enjoyed time in the shade of a tree reading a book, chatting with my husband, and watching my daughter play, learn, and explore.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Sports Carnival


The first week we were in the village, it was the Annual Sports Carnival. Schools from all over North Malaita come and compete at the school in Malu'u, which is just a walk away from our village. A couple times we ventured out. The deal was that Ellie could be carried on hills up and down, but she had to walk herself on flat places. That was, of course, unless a cousin happened to be nearby and couldn't resist Ellie's charms. They all love holding Ellie.


The Sports Carnival took six days. There were running races, normal track and field type competitions, soccer games, volleyball games, as well as some other events. We had four nieces and nephews competing.

We watched the games from the shade while we enjoyed popsicles and homemade donuts.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Village activities


We had a lovely two and half weeks in Franklin's village. The journey there was rough, but totally worth it. Our days were spent doing a million enjoyable activities, and the thing about enjoyable activities is that sometimes, most of the time, you get so carried away that you don't take your camera or bother to take pictures. Here's a few, though, that I managed to snap.

One of the daily activities in the village is hair braiding. There are enough Aunties and girl cousins to keep everyone's hands busy and hair looking good.
Ellie was very kind to do Aunty Lois' hair while she braided Jennifer's hair.

We brought some beads and pipe cleaner from Australia and the girls LOVED making bracelets and necklaces. They would make them, take them apart, make a new one, take it apart.... for hours.


I enjoyed cross stitching. Jennifer got interested in cross stitching, too, so I taught her how to do a bit, and she worked on one of my kits while I worked on another.


One of the most pleasant activities in the village is getting to swim in the water hole by our waterfall. There are rocks there that can be used to decorate yourself. Here Ellie is a warrior. Doesn't she look scary?


We also played the Monopoly card game. We borrowed one deck from friends in the capital, so five people could play at a time. Here we are sitting by the edge of the hill feeling a marvelous breeze while enjoying our afternoon together.


This was the first time I've taken Ellie to the village while she's been old enough to play. Last time we came she was only 6 months old. It was such a fun experience with her, getting to watch her play outside all day and learn things she doesn't get exposed to in the other places we live life. We've been back in the capital just over a week now, and the play and activities she gets to do seem so dull compared to the constant outdoor fun of the village. I'm so glad that Franklin's village is a part of her life!... and mine, too.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Seashell busy-ness


Once you have collected all your seashells, you need to bring them home and wash them and dry them.


After they are washed and dried, we put them in a jar. Of course they don't stay in there... they are continually taken out, sorted, played with, some are lost, and some are returned. The good thing is, we are always making additions to the jar.

Friday, July 8, 2011

A knitted blanket


While we were in Australia a wonderful woman bought me some beautiful yarn to make a baby blanket for our little one who is expected in October. I am a beginner when it comes to knitting, but I was able to finish the blanket. :) Yay! It's not too big... I just plan to use it to throw over the car seat when we are traveling around. Minnesota will not be warm in October. This is the first thing I have knitted that wasn't a scarf. :)

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Puzzle Fun


Before we left for the village (like a million years ago) we had time to do a puzzle. It was fun. We don't do puzzles very often, but I think we enjoy it when we can. :)
We let Ellie put in the last piece.


The completed work of art...