Thursday, July 24, 2008

Last night, Laura made the mistake of telling Gilbert what we were planning to do today.  Lenell bought a puppy, and we told Gilbert that we were going to go pick the puppy up in the morning.  So, at three this morning, Gilbert sneaked into our room right up beside my head and said, “Daddy, is the mama going to growl at me?”  It took me a moment to realize that the last time we went to look at puppies, the mama dog did growl at Gilbert.  That was almost three months ago!

We left the house around 9:30 to head into Abidjan.  We went to the bank and the grocery store, and then we decided to try a new restaurant.  It was good!  The only problem was that everything I ordered they were out of.  Rather than telling me that item was not available, they sent someone to the store to buy the ingredients!

As we were finishing up lunch, we found out that the missionaries from whom Lenell purchased the puppy were going to be about two hours late!  So, we tried to kill some time by going to some shops around that area.  We went to an appliance  store, a hardware store; and then we went to a place that has some good ice cream.

At the appliance store, Gilbert saw a big thing of blocks that he wanted.  I told him that we didn’t have enough money and that maybe he could have something like that for Christmas.  He pulled 25 francs  (about six cents) out of his pocket and said, “I’ve got the money right here!”  He didn’t understand that he was sadly lacking in the money department.  The toys he wanted had a price tag of 50,000 francs (about $125).

The missionaries showed up, and we had a good visit for a few minutes!  They had a little monkey with them.  That monkey and Danny got on really well.  It would jump up and hug his neck, and Danny would squeal with delight.

On the way home, Danny fell asleep in Lenell’s lap. Gilbert fell asleep lying down in the seat, and the puppy fell asleep using Gilbert’s backside for a pillow. 

After we got home, Laura fed Bonnie, and then she went to lie down.  I put Bonnie in her playpen in the backyard, and the boys and I went swimming!  Danny discovered that he can climb up the ladder with his flotation ring on, stand on top of the ladder, and then jump off.  He did that about ten times in a row.  Gilbert is discovering how he can race around the pool by kicking his feet.  We have been having such a fun time in that pool.

After we went swimming, I took the boys over to play with the puppy while Laura got supper ready.  I got to visit with Bob Engelhart for a while while the boys played at Lenell’s. 

Lenell came over and ate supper with us tonight.  Laura and Lenell have a lot of fun visiting together. 

Danny only took about a thirty minute nap today; so he crashed at about 20:00.  Gilbert said he was ready for bed an hour later.  Bonnie was ready to get up and talk to mom around that time.

A demain,