Esther-Ordinary Faith

Rosslyn Academy Elementary presents...

Esther-Ordinary Faith

A kids musical by Kathie Hill

Emma, with her friends, before tonight's

performance as the auditorium filled up

This year's Spring elementary drama was a musical based on the story of Esther. Through the musical, the children and audience learn that God can be trusted in difficult times -- We can have confidence in Him!

Emma and her buddy Diana with the dancers

"The Lord of the Dance"

Erica and Kim after a busy few months of

rehearsal as co-directors of the

Rosslyn Elementary musicals

The dancers

Mommy and Emma at the end of a great night!

Tristan and Emma

Rosslyn Academy Choral Concert

Last evening, we had the joy of attending Middle School and High School choir concert at Rosslyn Academy. Tristan sang in the Grade 7 & 8 choir, under the direction of Mr. Mark Statler. It was a great evening!

During one of the songs Tristan played the jambe

...after the performance we had a great time connected

with friends and other Rosslyn families.

Rosslyn Academy Invitational Swim Meet

Today, Emma competed in a Rosslyn Invitational Swimming Meet, where she raced in the 50 meter freestyle and 50 meter backstroke. She did a great job!

Erica and Amina volunteering as time keepers

at todays swim meet

Emma and her buddy Diana

Way to go girls!!!!!

Tristan and Emma want to share a BIG HELLO to the Sunday School Kids at the Berwick and Kentville United Churches who are following our blog this month. "Hope you are having a great winter!!!"

Sports Day 2012

Sport's Day 2012

Today was the annual sports day at Rosslyn Academy. We joined Tristan and Emma to cheer on the RED TEAM for a day of races and track & field events.

Picnic on the field side

Emma with her friends Diana, Naomi and Hannah

GO RED TEAM!!!

Michael Lower Cheering

for his green team mates

Tristan and his friends making a RED team pyramid

In the end, RED was victorious winning the most points

and the "Spirit" award -- sorry Michael

It is not easy being green!

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Chameleon

It is Christmas Eve here in Nairobi, and the kids are already tucked in. Our three dogs are keeping watch for Santa as we head to bed as well. It was a great day of preparing for Christmas. We even braved the crowds at Village Market for lunch, on the way home we were met by this chameleon as he tip toed across our gate. Emma, our lizard hunter, scooped him up and made sure that his passage across our yard didn't meet any trouble from Henry, Reese or Hermione.

Emma with her new friend

Emma lighting the Advent candles for our

family Christmas Eve Service

After our Christmas Eve service, we followed our tradition of cuddling together in the living room and watching It's a Wonderful Life with Chinese take-out. Ava was beside herself with excitement for Christmas morning. The one present we all open on Christmas Eve is always new pyjamas, which is fun, but Ava has her sights on the packages under the tree.

For all our family and friends in Canada and around the world, we hope that you are enjoying a blessed Christmas Eve. May the Lord fill your Christmas with joy and laughter!

M e r r y C h r i s t m a s !!!

Three Wise Men and a Baby

Three Wise Men and a Baby

Yesterday, Rosslyn Academy Elementary School presented its 2011 Christmas production. It was a fantastic pageant from the perspective of the stars of the night sky. This year Emma was literally the "star" as she had the role of the Star of Bethlehem.

Each year the entire elementary school participates in the Christmas production through either drama, instrumentals or the choir. This was the largest production yet with a such a large enrolment in the elementary. The theatre was packed out with rows of parents and guests standing at the back of the house.

The stars looking down upon the story of the nativity

Angels meeting the terrified shepherds

The sinister King Herod looks on as the Wise Men

who have followed the Bethlehem Star, come seeking

the true King of Kings

All of the children did a wonderful job singing some

funky versions of familiar Christmas carols and worship songs

In the end the lesson of the play was clear,

God sent his Son into the World because of God's love for us.

The greatest gift he wants from his children, is our love!

So proud of our little star!

Gemma (Cirro) and the Bethlehem Star (Emma)

after a great performance

Mary (Emma's bossom buddy, Diana) and Emma

We were thrilled to have several friends from Eastleigh

join us for the Christmas Concert and stay over with us.

The cast and soloists

Erica and Kim

Once again, Erica and her friend Kim Remich teamed up! Along with Erica as the drama director and Kim as the program director, this year teacher Mark Statler joined the team as the 5th grade Music Director. They were very thankful for the army of parent and student volunteers who helped make this such a great program.

The stars!

Gemma (Cirro Thuo), Bethlehem Star (Emma),

Zaniah (Mattie Kohl), and Mira (Laura Mixon)

Spirit Week!

Emma all set for "Wacky Tacky" Day

Tristan certainly has the

"wacky" part down

This has been Rosslyn Academy's annual "School Spirit Week", along with all the fun the kids have been dressing up each day for different themes, including: "Blast from the Past", "Ethnic Costume Day", "Clone Day", "School Colours" and today "Wacky Tacky". As you can see, they are having a great time!

The Fall is moving along quickly, as they prepare for Christmas productions and choir concerts. The December school break will be a welcomed change of pace.

September 2011 - Family Fun

BROWN'S CHEESE PLEASE!

Tristan at the Brown's Cheese farm in Tigoni, Kenya

Last weekend, we had a delightful time with friends visiting the Brown's family cheese business outside of Nairobi. It was a fun Sunday visiting with new friends and learning about how cheese is made.

Mommy and Emma in the cheese aging room

The Brown's Cheese Company was started a generation ago, as the Brown family started making cheese for themselves and for gifts. Soon their friends were wanting to purchase it, and from a small attachment to the farm house, a booming business grew.

Daddy and Ava on the tour -- It's not easy being cheezy!

Guinea Fowl roaming around the farm house

Emma's first swim meet of fifth grade

Also this past week, Emma was back in the pool competing in freestyle and back stroke in the Rosslyn Academy Invitational Swim Meet.

Emma did fantastic placing in second and third in her two heats

Skating with friends

Ice skating at the Solar Ice Rink

at the Panari Sky Hotel, Nairobi

Emma and Diana -- Cookie Elves!

After church today, we brought some friends with us for a picnic at the "Solar Ice Rink". Along with our sandwiches we enjoyed some super oatmeal cookies made by Emma and her friend Diana, who stayed up late together last night baking cookies.

Ava skating with the help of a penguin

Amanda and Emma

Our friend Amanda Lindhout also joined us for the picnic and skate. She is just back from a visit to Canada. Amanda and her organization, The Global Enrichment Foundation, is returning to Somalia this week for a second food convoy to the famine affected areas.

Tristan and Daddy on the ice

This was Aaron's first time back on skates after he cracked his ribs this past June. He was feeling very good, as he helped the kids around the rink.

Erica & Amanda

Michael Lower and Tristan

Diana Ojeda & Emma trying out their skates

Tristan, Ava and Michael on the ice

"Don't fall!"