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Pets!
Last year in November when Joyce and I were in the states a ten gallon aquarium caught our eyes. We stood there in the store for half an hour figuring out in our heads not only “how” do we get this thing back to Haiti in one piece, but also “how” do we display it where the kids are able to see it at all times and yet not destroy it? We came up with a plan in our heads and decided to go for it hoping that a talented carpenter would come along who could help construct our idea. That carpenter came in the form of my brother, Daniel, who not only took the project on but bettered our blueprint and came up with something much more functional. The display table had been sitting in our garage for several days drying through its various varnish coats and it was driving the kids crazy that every time they asked what it was we would simply reply, “A Surprise!” This morning under quilts we hauled all the things for our underwater village through the yard of kids and into the girls’ house dining room. We shooed everyone out of the house and after Daniel bolted the table to the wall we slid the aquarium into place and began arranging rocks and vegetation. Joyce came up with an “island” floating on bamboo skewers to give the three tiny local turtles a place they could climb up on and take a breather. Meanwhile Josh was busy making sure our four goldfish and two algae feeders were acclimatized to the water before we let them loose. Finally Daniel latched the lid, plugged in the light, and we were ready! The kids began to form lines outside according to height and age. No one could guess, not even one, what we were doing! Some thought it could be funny chair, or a dresser, but they weren’t even close. It was with a range of mixed emotions that the kids filed in and discovered their new pets. Manuel and Guerlens were not sure that they should get within three feet of the tank. Whereas within seconds Manaika and Daralyne had their noises pressed against the glass. Silvanie, Jerry, and KiKin started jabbering immediately about the underwater creatures, though much of their baby speech was lost on usJ. Everyone had questions, wanting to know if they had to be fed, what they eat, if the goldfish and algae eaters are friends, etc. The kids came in and out all day checking in on their new pets, and enjoying the total access they had to looking at them anytime they wanted. LaLan snuck down during naptime just to get some exclusive alone time with themJ. And tonight a countless number of pj’d bodies have made their way downstairs to see the fish one last time, cause the light in the tank is just so much brighter and better when it is dark outside, wink, wink. Now all we need are some names… but that’ll be another day.
The love and patience that Molly and Joyce give the kids never ceases to amaze me.
Goodnight!
Every evening the kids have a rinse off, lotion up, get their pj’s on, and settle down for bed. This process usually takes 45 minutes to an hour. Most nights the ladies give the kids a grace period of 30 minutes to chat, sing, cuddle in each other’s beds, jump around a bit, do their homework, play in the blankets, dance, or whatever other ways they burn off the last of their energy. At the end of this time one word puts everyone to bed, “Kabann!” Usually it is chanted slowly and repeatedly till the last little pair of footed pj feet is in its bed. The lights are turned off and almost certainly every little angel will be sleeping soundly within 20 minutes. I love the joy that exuberates from their rooms during this time. They have come from so many backgrounds of hardship and suffering… but at bedtime they are simply – just fed, clean, carefree little darlings enjoying the last of the day before they say “Good-Night”.
I have helped get the 3-5 year old girls' room ready for bed. The nannies bathe all the kids every night (in cold water there is no hot water) then send the kids to their respective rooms. I would then dry and put lotion on them, then send them on to the room nanny to help them with their pjs and diapers. PJs are in a huge pile on the floor and I had no idea which ones fit whom. All the girls in the 3-5 year old room get diapers. I think because it is easier than dealing with wet beds. And all the diapers are a size small, so most are straining to stay fastened!
Siblings
We have a GRAND total of 14 sibling sets at the Toddler House. That’s a lot of siblings, and these kids as a rule have a very strong bond with each other. They have virtually “lost” the rest of their family, and their brother or sister is their best friend for those first few days in their new home at Kay B… and though after that they make new good friends and “adopt brothers, sisters, mamas, aunts, and uncles” their closest bond is always their true sibling. Their love for each other is expressed in many ways. The older is ALWAYS the protector of the younger without fail. All the younger must do is pout a little and the older is at their side wanting to know who caused them grief and if they should get them back! The younger is always ready with sympathy for the older and always ready to shower love and affection on them. Both sibs are great at sharing… older to younger/ younger to older, everything you give them they will save a half for their sibling, or make sure that their sibling gets to play with the toy next. Siblings always look out for each other not to get missed. If one sibling is going for a walk they will run to find out if their brother/ sister wants to come before they leave. Or if we are handing out balloons or sidewalk chalk the sib that is present will ask to hold a portion for their sib that is in school or using the bathroom. It’s an amazing bond! One of the most amazing things about it to me is the sacrifice one sib is willing to make for another. A recent example: Ermithe was being Joyce’s helper during her sister Destinee’s class the other day. Destinee did not do her homework the night before. Ermithe, knowing that the penalty of this for her older class was to have to stand in silence by the wall for five minutes, quickly hurried to Joyce’s side and with a very serious expression asked, “If Destinee has to stand by the wall can I please do it for her?” Such incredible love…
Movie Night
Every Friday night we have “Movie Night” at the Toddler House for the oldest 15 kids. This is a HUGE deal to these kids, and one of the few great privileges they cherish. Last spring we had several 5 year old boys being very naughty in school and getting kicked out half way through class. We tried reasoning with them, putting them in quiet time, making them clean their rooms, etc. Nothing was working. Then we decided to hold their Movie Night privileges as penalty for getting kicked out of school and things changedJ. On most nights the bath order goes youngest to oldest. Leaving the oldest boys and girls to bathe and dress themselves while the nannies are drying and dressing the little kids. But on Movie Night the big kids go FIRST, and by the time we pull in the drive after having supper at the main house they are lined up in their pjs just inside the house, as we pile out of the car there is usually a big cheer! One at a time they leave the line and find their chair, then popcorn or Cheeko (another story) is handed out. Finally we begin the “VOTE”. We have a VERY wide selection of children’s movies thanks to the lovely families and volunteers that have brought them down for this purpose. Joyce or I bring out a selection of 10 to 12 movies and hold them up one at a time. Each child gets to vote ONCE, however it tends to end up that everyone votes for whatever ones they want, and we just tally it up. Samar tends to vote for every single one every single Friday, sweet girl that she is, so easy to please and grateful for everything. I feel like the vote is usually a great majority, this is the result of discussion amongst the kids previous to the night. The current favorite movie is “Marley and Me” after a very long reign for the “Air Bud” movies, previous to that “Cheeper by the Dozen” and “Baby’s Day Out” were big hits. In “Baby’s Day Out” the kids are CERTAIN very very CERTAIN that one of the babies who is just jabbering in the movie is speaking Creole, because the phrase the little boy says does sound like a true sentence. It’s amazing that they could pick that out! Joyce always sets up English captions at the bottom and this helps a lot. That way if there is something they really don’t follow they can read along (a few can read that fast!) and explain to the others what is REALLY happening, not speculated. Most of the 90 film there is non-stop chatter as the kids debate and discuss what is going on in each scene, what will happen, what they feel should have happened, what they do and don’t like about it, and who are the characters is nice and love Jesus and who is mean. If ever you decide to sit and watch with them, plan on missing the movie entirely but enjoy the entertainment of observing these incredible kids!
California Kickball
Joyce was ambitious this afternoon and took the oldest children down to the public soccer field on Thomassin #25. The field was clear except for a few lingering local school kids who had just gotten out of class. Most of the volunteers went along for the fun, and when they plus the kids walked onto the field a crowd of local children began to gather. Sure enough when the first kick was played they had more than enough participants to make it an exciting game. The group played kickball, softball, blew bubbles, and played with the parachute. Our kids enjoyed socializing with some new friends and did very well explaining the rules to the games and cooperating with them. It was very impressive and a good hands on life lesson for this afternoon
