Jrock leaving over a boardwalk to find a cache.

I had a long-time reader ask this question.. and a few people have asked beofre, too:

…can you explain what Geocaching is exactly? I’ve looked it up on-line but I’m having a hard time understanding how it works.
Thx Carmen

So here’s your answer!

It’s basically an organized, world-wide treasure hunt using a map or GPS.

So you go to http://www.geocaching.com and look for caches where you want to go. When you find a cache, you can program your coordinates into a GPS , OR you can find them on google maps and then get a basic idea of where you are heading and print the map. The first method is better, the second will do, especially in a city where you have a lot of landmarks.

Then you go find the cache! You can take a “treasure” out of the cache if you leave another behind.. our recent ones were salt shakers, rubber toy frogs, and whistles, and sign the log-book.

Spice fishing under a bush for the cache.

We do it because it gives a “reason” for a hike, other than just enjoying nature’s beauty (that was a playful jab at my husband,) but also it’s find to find stuff and see who’s been there before, and the kids love exchanging the small little toys.

By the way, this is a fun, healthy and mostly FREE family hobby – now does it get better than that? A basic GPS only costs about two hundred bucks. We got ours for free from my dad who was up-grading, but many Scouting/Guide troups have them, and you can always rent one for the day from your neighborhood outdoor store, just to give it a whirl.

Thanks for asking, Carmen!

Opening up the water-tight container to see what's inside.

You know he loves his granddaughters when… lol

Well, Gramma and Grandpa visited for four days last week, and the girls and all of us “big people” had a good time too. We went out hiking (you saw the picture of us all geocaching at Bear Creek below,) and played games around the house. Gramma and Grandpa babysat one night while Jrock and I went out to speak on an adoption panel but we got home late, and we had told the girls they could stay up! so they were all pretty sleepy int he morning.

My parents also went to our monthly adoptive parents meeting with us, which was super. I wasn’t sure how keen they would be, but they already had met quite a few of our friends, so they felt pretty at home. For me, it was a great opportunity to share some of the issues and things we think about as adoptive parents. My parents, to their credit, dove right in – and even offered some sage words of advice as the most experienced parents in the room. It was a really great experience for me, and I think something unique for them too. Plus we went for “specialty coffees” after at the pub – heck, we had already payed the babysitter!

My mom and I also went out to Mission Hill for a Lobster Cooking Class… pictures to follow! Yum! But most of the time was centered around the girls… as it should be.  We went to the yarn shop and after picking out some yarn, the girls kept asking Gramma when she was going to make these socks. “You make socks NOW, Gramma?  When I get socks?” They enjoyed hanging out with Grandpa, going to the hardware store, riding on his houlders, etc. It’s nice to see their relationship at the point where there is very little confusion about roles and they can just relax (I mean my parents) with the kids.  I mean, Jrock and I had pretty durn strict rules about picking up the kids and sitting on laps, etc. for the first 6 months, and it has paid off. Because now they CAN sit on Grandpa’s lap and they know that “Mommy is Grandpa’s baby”, not them. They might ask questions about it, but they are comfortable and come to us first.

The girls were pretty upset when Gramma and Grandpa left – it’s not the same over the phone. But we will Grandpa again in May, so that’s not too far from now.

Click pics to embiggen.

I feel sanity approaching… for the last couple of days the girls have spent at least an hour outside by themselves, mucking about in the dirt. They are working on a couple of vats of dirt soup, and discovered the water standing putrid in the wheelbarrow. You know – kid stuff. Aside from having to wash the dog, and one of the girls (who “forgot” to ask to come inside to pee,) I definitely am in favour of children and dirt.

Spice beside one of our youngest apple trees.

Sugar on the prowl for marbles buried in the dirt.

By the way, the yarn extensions are still holding on.  Alhough they have pulled loose quite a bit on the “part” areas. Note, Jrock actually did their “two puffs” for these pictures. His first time handling elastics! and he did a good job.

Hmmm… what will I do with the lights off tonight at 8:30pm?  Well, my hubbie is out working and my kids will be in bed.  So I think I will:

1. look at the stars and enjoy them in a way I usually can’t in the middle of the city, and

2. read a book by candlelight and sip some Grand Marnier!

What will you do tonight for an hour with no lights?

There is a recent article in National Geographic magazine with beautiful pictures… click on the picture below to see more of this remote region in Ethiopia.

“Gramma” (my mom) has commented several times about how much the girls have grown since we picked them up in Ethiopia those 8 months ago. They’ve grown from toddlers to little girls.

I’ll post some more pictures at the conclusion of their trip, but sufice to say we’re all having fun with Gramma and Grandpa in town. It’s neat to see their relationship grow with my parents as well… Here’s a picture from our hike up in Bear Creek Park today:

I’ve managed to string together a little footage of the girls (just being themselves) this month.  The majority of it is “silent footage” because they say their names way too often (it’s an egotistical age – plus they’re not big into pronouns yet) but you still get a sense of how they’re growing and developing. They’re quite the entertainers, as you can see. Enjoy!

Sugar turned down the opportunity to go to the movie store with Daddy tonight, just so she could help Mommy cook a fish! 

BTW, have I told you this kid is destined for culinary genious?  She tasted my wine a few weeks ago, and for the first time, I asked her “what do you smell?” “Strawberries,” Sugar replies.  Are you kidding me?  It was totally a strawberry-forward Grenache. Get out. Since she’s picked up the lime in a Sauvignon Blanc too. I would kill for a 3 year old nose like that!

This was one of the most specific, but USEFUL! tips we got from a fellow adoptive parent (thanks S!)

They toilet-train kids pretty young in Ethiopia (but breast-feed much longer,) which makes total sense if you think about it.  On one side, kids get proper nutrition longer and a safer liquids-source. On the other side, they are toilet-trained quickly because who can afford diapers? Disposables are really expensive and even cloth ones require a ton of effort and available water, too. Plus there is the whole sanitation problem.

Anyway, the result of the toilet training is that lots of younger kids who are 2 and 3 years old who come from Ethiopia to Canada are 1. toilet-trained and 2. very small little kids!

At the risk of incurring wrath of other moms, I will comment that late toilet-learning/training really is a North American thing; perhaps all these millions of kids in so many other cultures aren’t scarred for life by learning earlier toileting. Maybe something our culture could learn from?

Anyway, if you have a younger kid coming, THE ONLY (I swear) underwear that fit girls as tiny as ours were are the Disney Princess panties (size 2) found a Walmart. Who knew? No other store remotely sells this small of panties. They are so tiny.

Some kids do end up needing some pull-ups at night, but I can count the times on two hands that our girls have had an accident (total for both girls) and some of those were in their warm and toasty snowsuits (they are like pee cultivators, or something.)

The good news is, after 8 months, our girls have officially graduated to size 3 underwear! They still are wearing the Disney Princess ones because any other brand size 3 is too big. So carefully check the weights on your kids and compare them with the package. Sorry, I don’t know the boy equivalent, but I’m sure someone could add it as a comment.

Since we got home, we’ve had quite a few conversations with parents traveling overseas to Ethiopia.  A couple nights ago I had a great telephone conversation (ok, so I just babbled on and on!) with a lady who is soon off to pick up her daughters. She actually was calling me on behalf of a bunch of parents… since the edict came from the Ethiopian government that families would be appearing in court (ie: two, or one long trip to pick up kids) there are a few people planning for an extended stay. Anyway, this lady was kind enough to send me her typed notes of our conversation, and I wanted to share it with all of you, too. 

For those parents who have already traveled, please do add in your travel tips in the comments below – I’m sure they’d love to hear it! This is not exhaustive, of course, but some tips based on our experiences and the questions the lady was asking me.

Nicky and Jrock’s Ethiopia Travel Tips

Stayed at the Weygoss Guest house (Weygoss # 011 5 51 2205). Rolling blackouts can occur throughout Ethiopia in the rainy season, and then there is no heat or electricty in building. If no electricity, there is no water on 3rd floor- no water pump. Other guest houses have generators. GREAT staff and drivers at Weygoss (Isayas # 0911 666 933). Breakfast included. Walking distance to grocery store and Restaurants(also deliver food to guest house). Rates between $50-80/nt. Ask for long stay discount (approx $5/nt off). Safe at front desk for $$/ documents. Leave your passport in the safe. Please remember to budget to tip out all the staff, including cleaners, cook, desk ladies, guards, etc.

Solomon also used to work for IA and GREAT for tours (# 0911 500 311). He is a guide so you have to pay for him as a guide, as well as a driver. Another former IA driver is Yohalla #0911 609 778 who is great with kids.

If there in rainy season pack for RAIN, and things do NOT dry out fast (ie Shoes). Bring hiking boots and flats for out and about and flip flops to wear around the house. If you are taking a taxi to a museum, flats will be fine (closed toe). Walking ANYWHERE you want hikers or runners (broken pavement, bricks and open sewer drains everywhere).

Toddlers will not have the muscle strength for long distance walking, so bring carrier.
Laundry can be expensive ($50/wk) and expect clothes to be gone for 3 days as they air dry. Clothes are all hand done so VERY clean!!

Pick up a map so you have an idea where you are going and orientate yourself.

Food is Cheap and VERY good. Even the holes in the wall are GREAT but don’t eat uncooked fruit or veggies! Also, always drink bottled water and use bottled water for brushing your teeth, too.
When emailing home, write in “notepad” (under accessories on the start emnu) then cut and paste to the email so you don’t loose the letter when your email doesn’t go through. Email goes in and out and it VERY slow. Don’t bother bringing laptop… plugging it in is a nightmare. A download cable for pictures might work. Make sure you bring extra batteries for your camera, especially if you are leaving Addis, and plug your battery charger (with a transformer) in on power days.

Calling home is cheapest from an Ethiopian cell phone. They cost $30 and then you can buy phone cards. They recycle the phones and just buy a new card. Phones are also handy to call for food or a driver. You can get the phone cards at almost any kiosk selling gum, etc. Just ask the front desk at the Weygoss to buy you a cell phone or get phone cards – but don’t forget to tip them for their time!

Kids will be freaked of the dogs!! Can last for WEEKS- month +. So prepare for this.
Spanish/Italian wine is GOOD but Ethiopian isn’t. You can buy Spanish wine at the store beside the Spa/Lime Tree. Italian wine is everywhere, but good stuff is at Makush Gallery, near the Weygoss. This gallery/Italian restaurant has superb artwork; $300 buys you an amazing painting, which you can roll up, take home and have stretched.

Parks around Addis are good. Lonely planet has a list and best one is on LAST page. Bihere Tsige ($3) 20 min drive from Weygoss. Kids can run around! Also great is the Canadian Consulate… GOOD lawn, bring your passports for admin (adults). Natural History Museum is worth seeing. Entrance is off Arat Kilo.

Entoto market is great. Best place to buy traditional clothing. (base of Entoto Mt) It’s also a good place for souvenirs of all kinds. The scarf cooperative is off a street to the west, half way up the market. There is a sign. The scarf co-op is a must!

Bole Rd… GREAT spa and CHEEP!! Next door is a good Western restaurant is Lime Tree, but with western $$ Best tibs in town is in a cafe on the Northwest corner of Arat kilo. Don’t recommend Blue Tops – but across the street is the National Museum Restaurant and they have this hilarious stuffed donkey inside, plus good food.

Lake Lagano is WORTH the $$. No beggers, out of the city, beautiful scenery, no individual tipping, animals etc. Loved loved loved Bishangari Lodge. The best. Bishangari Lodge # 011 5517 533 OR 091 120 1317 one is booking line at hotel, other is the lodge itself)

Taxi ride around city approx $20/day. To Adama round trip $50. Buses yell their destination… so wanting to get back to Weygoss they yell ‘bole bole bole’.

$$$$: If wanting to use Visa it MUST have a PIN#. Mall with Cloud 9 restaurant has a Interact machine for Visa cards to take out cash. Best way to bring $$ is travelers cheques (USD). Go north on Bole Rd to the row of banks, last bank on corner is FANCY. Go there and get USD for cheque. Then transfer to BIRR. When going to bank bring BOTH the cheque and the receipt!! Also your passport (they need the #). POWER must be on to get the cash out.

If going to Adama, must see Faya Orphanage. Sponsored by Canadians and doing GREAT work. Lots of kids are permanent residents. Lady who runs it has a brother named Sintayehu # 0911 31 6692 (used to work for IA). His friend is Indalkachoo and he has a 4WD to drive there (about 500birr). Indalkachoo is also the BEST way to get to Lake Lagano (and cheapest). Also in Adama is the Safari Lodge # 0221 122 011. Corny but dependable. They have horserides there which are a blast.

Take all food leftovers from your restaurant meal and give them away on street.

Pediatrician is near by the Weygoss and cost per visit is $3. (she is Russian), Lab is also right there. IF child has scalp fungus … SEE pediatrician IN ETHIOPIA. They will do scalp scraping and do lab work for liver function (needed prior to medication administration). MEDICATION is GRISEOFULVIN. Can’t get it in Canada and it is better for child’s system and getting rid of fungus than meds we can get here!!!!!

What to bring:
Book and pen, wallet, balloons, medium rubber maids (bring donations to and souvenirs home), rain gear, flats, sneakers/hikers and flip flops, fancier outfit for pick up day/ court, dress= no boobs, no sleeveless, no short skirts, toiletries!! Tampons!!, extra contacts /solution, medicines (cipro), deet, mosquito net (if leaving city), purse sized wet wipes and Kleenex (TP called “soft paper” and can buy from kids on the streets), Fruit bars (for yourself – Ethioppians don’t like them), granola bars and protein bars, small containers for kids snacks (ie crackers), sweets in E aren’t good!! So bring chocolate if you need it!! (expensive there), Etch-e-sketch (sm), play dough, stories, sheet/ quilt for floor for baby/ kids to play on, Photos of home, balls (pump for balls a GREAT donation item), hoodies and stockings for kids… they will get cold, headlamp. Please also bring toys, clothes, baby supplies and/or cash for Faya Orphanage.

Last weekend we took our first vacation together as a family, and snuck away to Bowen Island for four days.  Even though it rained almost the whole time, it was so nice to have a change of scene and get away (from work especially!) Enjoy the pictures!

For the first time I tried yarn extensions yesterday on [edit:Spice! oops - wrote the wrong pseudonym!] Yikes – two and a half Disney movies long!!!! ehhh!!! She did sit still the whole time, though. People ask me how they do that – the trick is, it’s the only time they watch TV. So they are rivetted!

But it does look really good.  Please please please last a long time!

here is the vid I used to do them, for all of you who request videos the wonders of youtube.

I am SUCH a bad blogger! Last week was the third of my cooking classes at Mission Hill. The first class, I managed to take some good pics and made you all insanely jealous. BUT, the second class (Channeling Julia Child) I forgot to take my camera. It was good. You’ll have to take my word for it. This third class was the 100 Mile Diet – and you can see the photo results!

So I got the menu…

Then, well……..

That was wash. Let’s just say it was all pretty tasty. Minus the cake, which was pasty. But the rest? Delish.

There is a long break in the middle, and my favorite thing (other than chatting to my new aquaintence/friend the sous-chef,) is sitting in the adjoining room and staring at the Chagall tapestry. I could sit there all day. Once, when we went to San Fran, we stumbled on a gallery with 20 or so original Chagall paintings and it was an amazing delight. Just this one is pretty fun, though.

I did get some cool pics of the kitchen, if you’re into such things. (I am.) They have a wonderful store of the most lovely preserves – I keep telling Riley (the chef) that he has to do a preserves class…

Duck Prosciutto, Enderby Trout, Forest Mushroom Bisque, Nicola Valley Bison Flat Iron and Sugarpie Pumpkin Cake. Not shabby. This class was with my favorite of the two chefs. He’s a young guy and pretty fun. I learn new things from him each time! This is what I learned this class:

• Don’t put salt in a meat marinade. It dries out the meat. Add salt later.
• Prosciutto is actually pretty darn easy to make! I am totally going to try out curing some of my own meat.
• Blanching herbs for a sec in boiling water then plunging them in icewater makes them really really green and pretty.
• What the devil to do with those sunchokes (Jerusalem aartichokes) that my friend gave me last summer.
• Use a spoon to take the filaments off the bottom of portabello mushrooms - the black stuff is bitter and stains everything black. Well, I knew that, but I didn’t know how to take it off. Grilling mushrooms on the BBQ will never be the same! 

OK, so for the good news. My mom is coming up at the end of the month, and she decided she wanted to go to another of the classes with me! So we’re going to learn how to cook LOBSTER! Not that I can’t already cook a decent lobster… (I was married for 6 years to a Nova Scotian. Not Jrock. He’s a keeper. The other one.) But we get to cook Bisque, Ceviche, Thermador, Ravioli and Surf & Turf. YUMMERS>

So have I got you all excited, Mom? (And jealous, other readers?!?) You will be sitting right here:

To Spring
by William Blake

O thou with dewy locks, who lookest down
Thro’ the clear windows of the morning, turn
Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,
Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!

Duck watching

The hills tell each other, and the listening
Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turned
Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth,
And let thy holy feet visit our clime.

My four stooges on a walk.

Come o’er the eastern hills, and let our winds
Kiss thy perfumed garments; let us taste
Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls
Upon our love-sick land that mourns for thee.

Huck and Tom

O deck her forth with thy fair fingers; pour
Thy soft kisses on her bosom; and put
Thy golden crown upon her languished head,
Whose modest tresses were bound up for thee.

Our neighbor and our conjoined twins swinging.

Boy, you can see that they are twins in this picture….

I’m not a beads super-fan, but they did turn out pretty good this week. You learn things from other moms all the time… and I learned if you weight the braids down with more beads, they tend to stay straight and last longer. Who’da thunk…