The girls' first week--and the kids making the move

The girls have been here more than a week now. We've found a Chinese nanny, ditched her and found another one -- this one should be much better, not only because she lives in the same community which is more convenient, but because she is our age, rather than a grandmother. There's a big difference in parenting style as well as language and physical capabilities. More on that another time.

Hannah's had her first week in the German kindergarten and all is well so far; lots of play, after school activities (like hip hop, running and things) and the like. So far she is managing ok with the early starts and lack of a lunchtime nap as long as she goes to bed early in the evenings. Not sure yet on how the German is coming along, but let's give it a few weeks and see.

Andrea's had a few job interviews and things look quite promising. They're happy in the apartment, sparse as it is until our things arrive in Shenzhen in a few weeks. We've bought a few things locally which should arrive this week or next week which will make things more interesting.

The kids have found some Chinese, Kenyan and Foreign friends, and hopefully will make some close friendships. They've enjoyed their weekends at some of Nairobi's best fun fairs and shopping malls. Yesterday one of them organized a special kids' activity for Valentine's Day that kept them busy with arts, bouncy castles, games, lego, face paining and even cake. It's an incredible shopping mall of which more another time. Today we spent the day at a fun fair, all day, in the heat and sun--without anyone getting sunburnt which is a big achievement! Every day is dry, hot and sunny.Every evening is nice and cool.

Last weekend we went to a coffee plantation in the countryside that has some kids activities and also went to a kid's birthday party (in a very nice house). Andrea's seen a local food market as well as the supermarkets; we've also been to the local crafts area with locals making all manner of things out of wood, metal and clay (such as beds, playground equipment and plant pots).

I think it is fair to say the kids have been spoilt with their weekends and their friends. But at least they are happy; as is Andrea. It is actually incredible how easy the move has been for Hannah... from before we left, telling her we were going to China, until coming here (via a couple of weeks in Europe). Maybe it is because she was excited to learn German in Kenya; maybe it is because she remembers the move from Beijing positively (and still remembers some of the people there who she saw occasionally) and how she had no problem making new friends again--and indeed is always making new friends in England, Germany and eslewhere; maybe it is because she just picks up positive vibes from us; or maybe it is just because she was excited to spend the 2 weeks in Europe so leaving China was easier.

Obviously we did our best to talk about the positives, not say things about not seeing people again and raise the possibility of seeing some of her friends again. But honestly I think it is all down to Hannah. She is always open, quick to make new friends. Obviously we don't quite know what is happening at the new kindergarten with her teachers and friends but if Hannah is happy then it must be alright. Leah of course, as a 2-year old, has less to worry about, less understanding of what is happening, and less ability to say anything anyway! But she's been fine (almost too fine!) never seeing the nanny again who she loved for almost two years.

It is, in summary, amazing how well we, as people, can adapt to new places, jobs, environments, and people. But it is much more incredible that kids can do it, when they can't think logically, of big pictures, or even rationally much of the time.