Day Two/Tuesday 1/28.

On the first day the kids made it clear that they wanted to visit Layla House again. It seemed to be a little security blanket for them. They ventured off to the guest house down the street but needed the security of the home they have known for 14 months as well. So we visited the next morning. But first the children had already made their beds, dressed themselves, brushed their teeth and went to the bathroom. Mark and I both commented on how our U.S. kids could benefit from a little training from Layla house. We took pictures and talked to the Doctor about Yared's repeated ear infections. Skin issues (ended up being scars from previous virus). Then we went over to AHOPE. AHOPE is an orphanage for HIV positive kids. We took pictures of some of the children for some of our online friends. Then we went to the Sheraton for lunch. We had no running water or hot water at the guesthouse since we had checked in. So, I had really wanted to at least wash my hands with hot water and eat at a nice restaurant. The funny thing is that the kids seemed to be naturally obsessed with cleaning. So, when I saw them gathering bread crumbs from the table and putting them on the plate I was impressed. But then Ejigayehu took the plate with the crumbs on it and threw it onto the marble floor at the Sheraton. Apparently, when you grown up surrounded by dirt floors that is what you do . I quickly corrected her. Then I took my girls to the bathroom. We washed our hands...they loved the warm water so much that they also washed their faces and wanted to wet their hair. There was water everywhere . I gave them the cloth wash towels from the basket in the bathroom to dry their hands. Kidist blew her nose in it and handed it to me. I had to laugh.. And I had to grab some more towels to clean up. I also had to teach them to lock the bathroom to the stall when they went....and what the toilet paper was for. After lunch...Mark ran up to check email. THe kids had been given another soda. This time it was an orange soda but same effect (my kids are now totally not allowed soda). While Mark was up checking email, I realized we were the only family there. Instead, most of the people were important African business men and diplomats. As we walked into the lobby, my giddy children(high on caffeine) all spread out into three directions ( a branch to my right, left and one straight ahead). It would later come to my attention that these children are from the same village as the most famous runners in the world. Asela is not only home to them but to Haile GIlberaise, Daratatulu and is known for raising amazing runners. So they run off laughing hysterically. As I say stop, they say NO and laugh and I am literally running in circles as the president from Uganda and Zimbabwe are being escorted by their entourage next to me. I finally find them and reprimand them. I also bring them to where Mark is and say GET OFF OF THE COMPUTER I NEED HELP. Thus the infrequent blogs.

That night we are picked up in a large car by Ban Sileshi's mom Selamawit. Selamawit tells them in Amharic not to run from me. She also takes us shopping and to a traditional Ethiopian meal with dancers and music. Kidist spit out her gum on the floor. I asked Selamawit to explain to them to not throw stuff on the floor. We didn't get home until 9:30. The kids were exhausted. But they said their prayers and thanked God for us. It was sweet.