Hi dear friends,

Spring has sprung here in Africa! It is wonderful. Everything is coming into bloom in the garden. Lots of crisp white linen and pink as well as floral skirts in the stores for the season (and long skateboarding shorts for men - much to Rein's delight!)

James seems to be settling down nicely at school. Last week he was at home with a bout of tonsillitis - horrid - so this week he has been a bit sad when we dropped him off. I told him a story about a little boy called James Muffin who was sad to go to school, but he and his Mommy thought up a secret sign that she would give him whenever she dropped him off to let him know that she loved him and would be back to fetch him soon. He wanted me to repeat the story 4 times and then this morning he was all smiles at school after the sign. :) Cutie pie boy.

Kate is growing like bamboo. Really -she is so big, but gorgeous and getting ever so cute as well. She smiles lots now and croons to us from about 5:30 in the morning until we decide to get up sometime later. She has a blocked tear duct, poor girl, and so has had to battle with a lot of gunk in her eye and soreness at the edge from all the wiping. Apparently it's a really common thing and nothing should be done until they reach their first birthday (if it's still blocked). I am loving dressing her - especially now that she can wear little summer things. Ooooh, it's just fantabulous!

We've been partying a bit too. My friend, Laura, has been out from the UK to celebrate her 30th here. I'll attach a pic of our dinner at Moyo - an African- themed restaurant where they paint your face during the dinner and have African entertainment every half-hour or so. It was spectacular - although it might have been the red wine that contributed to the scintillating time I had!