Sahara was drawing stars and showed me the way grandma taught her. I told her it was a Star of David and she wanted to know what that was. I told her briefly how some people believe in a God, and how they different symbols depending on what exactly they believed and drew them for her. She said she understood and it was like her "Moreral". I said "What? She drew me a picture of something that looks like a torch (an unside down triangle with 5 spikes like flames or something coming out the top) with three crosses with circles on top on each side of itwhich are apparently the people who believe in Moreral. Then she drew a circle around it and wrote a whole lot of numbers around the edge that she told me the meaning for but I just have no idea.

Here's a cute photo of her anyway.

Sahara had been watching TV since she got up this morning and I didn't see much chance of turning it off without a fight so said, without much hope of it working, "Sahara, I don't want you going outside today."
"Oh!! Why?!?"
"You made a really big mess out there yesterday."
"That's not fair! I won't today"
"Look Sahara, just no, OK?"
"I am!"
"Sahara..."
"You can't stop me!"
"Sigh. Fine. Just don't use the brooms or anything out there"
"Hmmph"

She looked for her shoes for a minnute

"My shoes are upstairs. I'll just watch TV"
"Good."
"Oh!! I WILL go get them"

And she stomped upstairs and back again with them. She's outside now sweeping. =)

Oliver's nephews don't like me very much, and he was consoling me that they would learn to like me when Sahara piped in.
"Yeah, like me. I learned to love you."
"......what?"
"I used to love Nikki the most, but I've learned that you're my Mum and I need to love you the most."

I should have been more suspicious when Sahara was quiet for so long in the bath.

Sahara's School Performance

Sahara's school performance was this Saturday and as her school has been learning about different countries for the last month each class put on a short performance from different countries. Sahara's class was doing China. Sahara told her teacher she had a Chinese dress at home, and so a note arrived last week asking her to please bring it on Saturday. Sahara does not have a Chinese dress, but I dress I made her a while ago out of Chinese silk and who's seams tore on her first wearing of it. So the day before her performance was spent visiting the material shop and sewing her a Chinese(ish) dress. Also attached some beads to some old chopsticks to put her hair up with. She was pretty happy with the results.

Her very darling teachers started the performance off with a short dance on stage, dressed up as a flight crew. Most of the younger classes(3-4) came on stage with dazed looks on their faces and there were a few criers. Nikki confessed at one time she had been one of those criers, when her umbrella would not open on stage. (Sorry Nikki, I understand if you never confide in me again, but I just thought it was cute). Sahara carried the flag on stage before her classes performance, and then was wonderful on stage, all smiles and whispering desperately at the others who had forgotten what they were meant to be doing and helping her partner.

There were games outside for the kids afterward, and drink and food that Gert had volunteered to help with. Nikki took Sahara around the games, took lots of photo's and helped arrange a playdate for Sahara for today with her friend Imane.

Photos courtesy of Nikki and more to follow when I corner Grandma for hers.

Mum painting Sahara's eyes to look "Chinesey"

Mum putting Sahara's hair up with many protests.

Sahara's hair

Sahara on stage.

Sahara and Imane after having their faces painted.


Sahara at one of the games.

Today Sahara was helping(questionably the right word) Oliver's Mum in the garden with her friend and Olivers niece when she decided to share with them that she was going to put stuff in my food to make me have another baby. Oh, I simply cannot wait until she brings her first boyfriend home.

My baby's the smartest =D

Parent teacher interviews yesterday and not only did Sahara have the top mark in her class, but is also in the top percent of children her age in Belgium. So proud. =)