Fez

We went to Fez this past weekend to celebrate Mom and Dad's 5th Anniversary. We rode the train for the first time here. It was so much fun! I saw tractors, sheep, cows, trucks, and lots of olive trees and wheat fields. A nice couple gave me a yogurt and some of their french fries.
We took a taxi to our riad, which is like a small hotel built a long time ago. It was in the old part of the city. I fell asleep in the taxi and here I am on the big bed in our room.
Here is a picture of Papa on our couch. This place was very old but pretty. It had hand-carved designs and hand-painted images on the walls.
We had some time before dinner so went went exploring.
Here I am with Papa where they sell jewelry. I had fun playing with those little pots.
Nothing comes into the Medina except by mule or by people hauling it in. The streets and alleys are too narrow for trucks or cars.

This is a place that makes scarves. It is owned and operated by one family. Here is one of the family members working on a table cloth. The father was spinning the thread. They have synthetic, cotton, and wool thread that has to be spun. It is a very, very, very old machine!
Here is Mama and Papa with some of the scarves.
On Saturday, Mama and Papa went to the heart of the medina with their language coordinator's husband while I stayed with her and their three kids. We all spent the night with them that night and had hamburgers, potato salad, deviled eggs, and hot dogs! We played UNO attack and Mama and Papa stayed up late talking. We had fun! They have a big yard with lots of flowers! I blew bubbles...



...watched their turtles and fed them cherries....and
...pushed this wheel barrow and played with the water hose!

The Weekend

Friday went went walking around town. Mama and Papa didn't have class so we had a three day weekend. I like wearing my hat. Mom likes it when I cooperate and wear it because it protects me from the sun. She said her daddy (Pop) always wears his.
Saturday we went out for coffee and enjoy the beautiful day. Here I am with Kitty looking cute.
I got to watch Papa get his shoes shined. The men work hard here and get paid very little.
Then, we made chocolate cookies that afternoon. Mama let me put all of the ingredients in and turn the mixer on each time. They even let me lick the beaters. Mmmmm-mmmm good. "Mommy, why can't I get a date?"
Later, that evening, I played waiter until I started spilling it on the floor. They didn't leave me a very good tip!
Sunday we went on a picnic about an hour away from here. It was beautiful. It actually snows there in the winter. They call this place the Switzerland of Morocco. Papa said he felt like he was in Colorado. It was gorgeous. These are my two friends that I play with while Mama and Papa are in school.
This was our view.
Mom and I hiked up into the mountain just a little bit and found a good resting spot. Many of the rocks have been split by trees that have grown up through them.
Then, out of the blue, these two men on horses come through the woods! I told Mama and Papa, "Nay-nay" when I saw them. I didn't ride them but my friends did. They said that these men give rides for money. It was fun for me to just watch. This man's name was Mustafa.
By the end of our time, a sheep herder had arrived with his flock and they, too, got to enjoy the view. We heard them say, "baa, baa." It was a great weekend.

Hodge-podge

After our Hamam last Sunday, we walked along a road in hopes of finding a taxi. As you can see in this photo we were way out from the city. It was beautiful. These two boys and their father let me get on their "taxi". I liked it a little,at first,...

but then I got scared....

Mom and Dad made popcorn just like my Mamaw makes! It was yummy. After I had my share I grabbed big handfuls and would watch the little pieces fall like rain.

I am still enjoying my truck. Mom caught me with her slippers on, in this photo, after my bath one night.
Here is my new spiderman hat!

Here is a sweet girl who often comes to play with me. She chases me around the fountain in the courtyard.

Hats Off

I have been doing much better with going to the babysitter's. I am very excited every time I get to go. I haven't cried when Mom and Papa have had to leave me there and I am getting along much better with my friends
Some things I have been learning: difference between BIG and small; clean and dirty; open and close; yummy and yucky food; hot and cold; off and on; numbers and colors.
I am saying new words everyday that surprise Mom and Papa especially when I use my Arabic!
We had dinner with some friends of Mom and Papa's that work with our same company last night. I brought my new truck and cruised around their apartment. They tickled me and played chase with me. I was soaked with attention.
We had goulash and chocolate cream pie. It was delicious! Milly let me wear her fun hat that she wore in a horse show. Later, after coffee, we played spoons and Milly won. I didn't go to bed until 10:00!

Hair Cut

My hair was getting too shabby so I went and got my first North African hair cut! What do you think? I was very good. It was difficult holding still at the end but I did it! Then, we walked around outside and I drove my truck around and played chase with Papa. Mama smothered me with kisses and told me how much more handsome I am. Women! Sometimes I just don't understand them! The women here just pick me up and kiss me over and over again! Life is rough!

Hot Wheels

We went shopping yesterday and I got a new truck! At first, the only great feature was that the seat that flips up and provides a little storage/hiding place for my stuff, because the music part was broken. The man, who sold it to us, took it apart and tried to see what the problem was but nothing was discovered. He even looked to see if he had any others in his basement but this was the only one. So, Mom ask the guy to lower the price and she got $2 off! I rode it around the central market, while they shopped, and kept pushing the buttons in hopes of a miracle. Nothing happened. But, when we got home Mom and Papa took it apart to see what the problem was. I got to help, too. I used a screwdriver for the first time. Papa came through, in the end, when he discovered that one of the batteries was not touching the metal. So, by putting a piece of foil in that spot the problem was solved and the music started!! I was thrilled! So, I got up this morning at 6:30 and started "tooting my horn" and driving my truck!
The other day we went to one of Mama and Papa's teacher's house for lunch. She had homemade bread and Tagine with fruit for dessert. We got to eat with our hands and didn't use any plates. I had TANG to drink. She made an excellent meal only using a little buta-gas tank. No oven, stove or refrigerator! It was amazing! After the meal, she came to the table and poured water over our hands and we washed them with soap and then she rinsed them off. Then, she served mint tea with lots of SUGAR! We sat and talked for 2 hours and then had coffee. It was a great cultural experience. They let me romp around outside and we snapped some shots. Here is one of me and Mama.
I have enjoyed all of the comments that people have been writing. Mom and Papa make sure I hear every one of them! I love you all!

My Future is So Bright....

...I gotta wear shades! Finally, I got some cool shades that look good on me. Papa, Mama and I were out shopping for vegetables and fruit, and they bought me these, too. I love being outside, so they say I need to protect my eyes from the sun.

The school supply cabinet is so cool! It has markers and paper, which I borrow for "art class", along with clay that we roll into "baws." The clay gets under my fingernails, but I don't care. I also like these markers, 'cause you can wash them right off when I "accidentally" draw on my hands, face, and clothes! Do you want any of my latest work?
After playing hard inside and outside, Papa and I are enjoy the book, Prince Caspian. Well, he likes it, and I like to listen, at least for a few sentences. I like lions, so Papa thinks I will like Aslan the Lion. I got this really cool towel, that has the FIFA 2006 World Cup Mascot on it, which is a lion. (Towel is word I like to say when I am getting my diaper changed. I say it until someone gives me one of the little white towels they use. Then I go and wipe stuff with it. Towels are fun.)
Love you bye bye