Science Experiments

Every Thursday, Anna, Lydia and I do a science experiment that relates to what we learned the rest of the week. We are learning about weather right now, so we’ve made a weather vane, a rain catcher, and this past week, a thermometer. To make your own thermometer (just in case you ever feel the need to do so) you must first take a bottle (here in Malawi, a glass coke bottle works best) and fill it with water and a little bit of red food coloring. Then, wrap clay around a clear straw and put it in the bottle. And, you have your very own thermometer. This experiment was one of our favorites, and the girls are so enthusiastic about learning new things not only in science, but in every subject.

Ella

Little Ella Joy truly is a joy in my life. She is full of energy and she always keeps us on our toes. She definitely has a defiant side (and it’s pretty crazy when a two year old knows the word ‘no’ in two languages), but she’s just so cute! I don’t think I will ever get enough of her coming up to me with her ‘nee-nee’ (blanket) and snuggling on my lap. On Sunday, she had a fever, and a few weeks ago she had gotten quite a few mosquito bites. So, we were all worried that she had Malaria. When someone has Malaria, it is important to begin the treatment as quickly as possible so that it doesn’t get worse. We didn’t know of a place to get Ella tested that was open on Sundays, but some friends who are doctors told us about a clinic that is open 24 hours a day. They got her tested that night, and it came back positive. We started giving her treatment right away, and now she is completely better!! The Lord truly answered our prayers for a quick recovery. It’s so wonderful to have Ella back to normal!

Happy New Year

Ryan and Katie’s anniversary is on December 31, so I watched their three girls while they went to Mzuzu for the night. The four of us had our own little celebration together. My family in Arizona has always celebrated New Year’s Day by making homemade pasta. So, I decided that it would be lots of fun to make pasta together. Anna and Lydia were so helpful, and they really loved making tortellini (they’re sort of like ravioli just shaped a little different). And we all loved to eat the delicious pasta when it was finished! Holidays here are really fun because we can combine my traditions with the Bartletts, and also make up totally new ones together.