A Messy Morning

 Today we had a painting morning, outside on the veranda. The children, particularly Alfie, love to paint, Alfie is very artistic and loves sticking, gluing, drawing, painting, etc. I must say, he is very good at it too!

Today I just gave them colours and paper and they got creative, they love to make a mess and thankfully they are very good and helpful at cleaning up too.

These pictures take me back to June 2012, when this happened...

A blast from the past

I also sat and done some painting today, but, I will not post a picture now because I haven't finished it, keep your eyes on the blog though because it is looking really good and once done I will post a picture. I must admit though, it may take me a while as I rarely find the time to work on any projects.

Hugs, Mama Watoto x

Tikiti the Tortoise

Did you know that in this mad house we have eight rabbits, two guinea pigs, three tortoises and three dogs, that is nothing compared to the amount of animals we have had in the past, but, they keep us busy.

I personally love animals, I always have done and I want my children to grow up around pets and helping take care of them and loving them. Animals in general here in Tanzania are not well taken care of, I hope to teach the children and all those who come through my gates that animals are wonderful and that they have feelings and that they deserve respect.

Today I am going to introduce you to Tikiti the tortoise, her name is Swahili for Melon.

Hugs, Mama Watoto x

Bella Boo

I am very interested in photography and at the moment I am studying an online photography course to increase my skills.

Thankfully I have some very lovely children to practice on, Bella in particular is such a poser!

What do you think of my photography? Please comment to give your honest opinion, constructive criticism is always welcome :-)

Hugs, Mama Watoto x

Puppies, Again!

Taking pictures of the dogs and we had a right old laugh, I put them in the bucket to try to get a cute picture and Anna stuck them on her head and pretended she was headed to market to sell them (this is how you will see women carrying fruits and vegetables to sell at market).

I bet the first picture made you giggle, well the next picture will make you say, 'Awwwwwwww'.

Hugs, Mama Watoto x

Making Our House a Home

 Recently I have been doing the house up a little, don't have too much spare cash so only doing basic things, but, this is the first house I have lived in here (6 other houses), that has felt like home so I want it to look nice.

This is the bookshelf I made from crates, the whole thing cost me just under £15, of course I got the idea from Pinterest.

Our TV recently blew up in a power surge, the children and I do really like relaxing, sometimes after school, sometimes on the weekend, with a film. TV isn't something I allow often but when we do watch it we enjoy it. I have a wonderful friend in town though who called up his friend and they gave me a great price on a new TV. When I set it up I also set up the Wii which we have had in the cupboard for some time, we did try it a couple of years ago but the children were too young, Alfie in particular seems to be enjoying it and getting the hang of it.

You see those massive frames on the wall? Well you certainly can't miss them can you? Another Pinterest idea, love it.

In the house we are very lucky to have two spare rooms, I know right and we only pay £260 per month. One of these rooms we have just turned into a playroom, we have a second, Pinterest, £15 book shelf, but I laid it on its side this time and pictures covering the walls. I have also put lots of pillows in to make it super comfortable, many of these pillows I made myself for just pennnies. The old TV is still sat in there as I have no where else to put it right now.

You see the big doll? That is Chloe, she was my 'baby' when I was a kid, now she is my kids baby.

We are so lucky to be able to have a playroom, I am so lucky to be able to close the door at the end of the day and not worry about the mess, haha!

Hugs, Mama Watoto x

A Rare Night Out

Last night I went out...shock horror, that is something that very rarely happens to me. But I dusted off my make up brushed, sorted out my hair and met Karen (my English friend) for a couple of drinks and a chit chat. 

I don't do it often, but, I did really enjoy myself. At home literally EVERYONE calls me Mummy, my kids, my Tanzanian friends, even my guard and whilst I realise how lucky I am to be a Mummy, it was nice to go out and be Claire for a few hours.

Hugs, Mama Watoto x

My Very Own Clothes Store?

I am currently trying to sell one of my cars, when I was working I needed two cars, but right now paying school fees & the rent is more important than having two cars. I do love Cinderella, as we call her, but, as she is so low down she is really not appropriate for where we live now, Cinderella is a very fragile car. Kermit, on the other hand, is as tough as nails, although he is much older than Cinderella he has lasted us well and I hope he will continue through life healthy. So I am advertising my beautiful Cinderella & trying to get rid of her.

A job I got busy doing today was sorting out my children's clothes, I could open my own clothes shop with the amount we have in this house. That pile on top of my bed is not even all of them! Anyway I managed to take out some which the kids don't wear anymore and I have bagged them up for certain different people who I know, they are all families who struggle so I know they will really appreciate some new clothes.

Can you spot Anna reading her book? Taking a well deserved rest!

Hugs, Mama Watoto x