Our guinea pigs

The boys have really missed Mali while we have been in the States this time. They've missed their friends and their animals. They've missed their routine. One day Dawson was asking to go somewhere-anywhere- and I asked him if we went somewhere every day in Mali. -"No," he said. 

"Then why do we have to go somewhere here? Why can't we stay at the house?" I asked. 

"Because we have FUN every day in Mali!"

Mali is their home. Though it seems surprising to me that they would think the 4th poorest country in the world with no playground in our town is better and more fun than America, to them it makes perfect sense. Home is home. And home is always better than somewhere else.

So in trying to help them through the process, I did what I often do in Mali for a special treat- I got them a pet. We went to the SPCA to look at dogs but there were no small ones which is what I want. But they had guinea pigs. Two that had to go together. So we got them. 

This is Salvation.

                                                                  And this is Cool.

I did realize, though, once I got home that one of the reasons we have ten pets is because most are outside and I don't do any of the work for them. Jeremie or Bocar feed them. So the job fell on me (and my parents) to get a house together for the guinea pigs. The boys have enjoyed them though now I should say him since Cool is gone. While my mom and I were at a women's retreat, Cool got away. Thankfully, the kids aren't too upset about it. I guess they weren't that attached. We'll see if Salvation is still around once we get back from Florida or if my mom "accidently" lets him out to run around the yard. :) (I know, Mom, that you would never do that, even if you wanted. :) )