Special time with Kenan

The other week we had to go Bamako with Kenan to renew his passport. Both parents have to be present with the child. Kids' passports have to be renewed every 5 years. Though this is slightly annoying, having to drive 5 hrs one day, present the passport, say yes we are his parents, and then take the 5 hr ride back home the next day, it allows for special time with each child.

When Dawson was about to turn 5 we happened to be in Bamako so we took him to get his passport renewed. Since you are at the American consulate, it seems like America. I'm pretty sure everything is brought from the States. There is a water fountain. Automatic sinks and toilets. It's the real deal. So it is a lot of fun. While we waited with D we played a game of memory with some Dora cards that were there. I can't tell you why it was so special but it was. We enjoyed ourselves. We then took Dawson out to get a hamburger and ice cream before returning to the guest house.

We were excited, then, to do the same for Kenan. He, however, was not. Since it was a quick trip up and back we decided to leave the other two boys in Koutiala. Kenan did not like this at all. He wanted his brothers to come. We told him he'd get the DS all to himself and could watch any movie on daddy's iPod. Nope, he just didn't like it. I kid you not, the kid sat looking out the window the whole 5 hrs there and back (aside from brief naps here and there). The whole way up he would complain about leaving his brothers and ask if we were going home. I was simply dumbfounded that he could sit for 5 hrs two days in a row doing nothing. I assure you his brothers would not have been the same. They would have loved every minute of getting their parents alone and games to themselves.

We got pizza before going to the consulate. Kenan thought this was only ok, though he admitted it was really good later. We played the same Dora memory game while we waited our turn. He tried out the bathroom and was surprised by the sink. It was a lot of fun. We went shopping afterwards to a store we had never been to that has various items including toys. He got to pick something for himself and his brothers. He was happy but he would tell you he still missed his brothers. Then we went and ate cheeseburgers and french fries at Broadway Cafe and ended with a banana split (it's so great to eat out in Bamako!). I think that finally won him over. He was happy and enjoyed it.

Yet he was still ready to go home. He even slept in his clothes so that when he woke up in the morning he just had to get up and brush his teeth and leave. I'm serious. He wore the same clothes both days just so he could be a bit quicker to see his brothers. He was up super early ready to go. We got home in time to pick up Dawson from school. Kenan was so glad to be home and share his gifts with them.

Again, without a doubt, his brothers would haven't given him a second thought had he been left behind. But that's our Kenan. He is so sweet.

So I'm thankful our government makes us be present for renewals of passports. Give us an opportunity to have special times with the boys. Every five years.