Just pictures.

 

Un-clogging Writer's Block (with a backhoe)

I have not been able to write about Africa.  I have sat staring at a blank screen countless times, coming up with half-sentences and then deleting them.  I have a draft going about the tiny two-pound twins that have stolen my heart, but I can't seem to articulate the mountains of thoughts and emotions that could explain it all to you.

So I'll write about something else.

Today there is a backhoe in our driveway.  Let me tell you--this is hands down the best kind of babysitter ever invented.  When Henry was 2 or 3, we had a friend working on a rock wall outside our house in town.  Henry literally sat at the window for over 4 hours that day, mesmerized by the power and brawn of that rusty orange machine. 

Today it's Eva and Jude who are enchanted.  They have been happily occupied all morning. 

 

From here to there

Planes and Trains

And then somehow we made it home.

One Extra Day

 We were supposed to fly out yesterday evening, but as we were eating lunch we got the word that our flight was canceled and we would get on tonight's flight instead.  

  Instead of busing back into the city to stay at HAU's guest house, we decided to stay at the lakefront hotel (with pool) where we were having lunch. 

No complaints from this crowd, as we discover that the weather in Brussels (where we had planned 2 days and now only have 1) is chilly and rainy. 

A few hundred extra freckles made their appearance, and I think we've all benefited from a low-key day with no meetings, demands, or running around.

 Our sunshine tanks are now full again! 

Lizard Lovers

  Henry estimates he caught about 35-40 lizards in the past 21 days. I think that's an accurate estimate. 

 Jude wasn't quick enough to catch them himself, but he sure enjoyed playing with them when they were passed around.  

One of Eika's best catches was this miniature guy.  Alas, she grabbed its tail first, and off it came.

Our bearded dragons are going to seem huge when we get home!

I don't have the time to explain WHY my kids are petting the leopard and pulling the crocodile's tail...