More pictures!

Visiting the *only* park in C's parent's neighborhood that is free and doesn't have valet parking:


Some of the park equipment has been there since C was a child:


There's a picture of C climbing this exact same toy 30ish years ago!


Not happy about leaving the park:


Back in Kfarhouna. In the way of all children, other people's toys are way more interesting than one's own, even if one has *the exact same toy*.


This was a fun game-- pour water down the hole, into the riverbed below. I love that this kind of simple game kept three boys occupied literally for hours!


Playing with the bikes:


Here Geo was writing a birthday letter to cousin Julien. In French, no less!


At the frog-filled pond, playing another game that can last for hours-- throwing rocks into water.


This is what you look like after picking mulberries-- sort of blood-spattered.


In the Salloum's orchard:


Back to Beirut, going to see our friend Tony (in the black t-shirt) in concert. Tony's an amazing drummer, and he was playing with his pianist friend. A great show! I will hopefully get around to posting part of his solo soon.


C's cousin Desiree has triplets! Who are five! Here they are, opening the present we gave them. That's a giant box of playdoh, in case you couldn't tell.


C "helping" the kids:


In Desiree's amazing backyard. Her house and garden are so beautiful!


Isn't this gorgeous??


This toy is why Geo didn't want to leave!


Another garden picture:


Geo with Taita and Jiddo:


On the airplane home. I love Air France. Love, love, love them. Individual screens + lots of kid friendly stuff makes flying so much nicer!


That's all for now. Stay tuned for pictures from my parent's visit and our trip to Avignon!

Second try

Ok, another attempt to get some more Lebanon pictures posted.

Taking a walk in Kfarhouna-- the three musketeers:


Some real poulets fermiers!


With Tante Liliane:


In front of a bunch of very hungry chickens. Poor things thought we were coming to give them dinner.


We visited the monastery of St. Georges, quite near the village. Interesting family tidbit-- when Jiddo Georges was born, he was named Louis. As a child he got very sick, and his parents prayed to St. Louis, who apparently didn't do enough to help. They visited the monastery of St Georges, and promised they would change little Louis' name if St. Georges healed him. So that's how Jiddo Georges, and by extension, Geo, got their names!

This hangs over the entrance:


A view of some of the monastery grounds. This is what happens when you take pictures at noon with your camera set to "Sunset".





Luckily, C was smart enough to change it back from Sunset.


The monastery has been very nicely restored. It's also used as a summer camp for kids. This is the main room / dining hall.


The bread oven, which is still used today:


When we got back to Beirut, Geo finally got to hang out with his godfather, Chady:


At dinner; with me is Chady's wife Rana:


Hiding from lunch:



Playdate with Lynne:


This looks like a park, doesn't it? It's actually the garden behind a nice restaurant/hotel. A nice place for the kids to play with the nannies while their parents enjoy a meal.


I'm going to post this now, before it gets to long, and will post another with the rest of the pictures.

Argh. Just spent an hour trying to put together a bunch of pictures and blogger couldn't complete my request to publish the post.

Sorry folks, will try again later.

Pictures!

Ok, here's a nice long picture post. Some of our adventures in Lebanon--

Geo's first ride on his big-boy bike-- this is the parking lot behind C's parent's building.


Playing catch with Jiddo.


The two Georges.


Our future Mozart....


One of Taita's delicious lunches.


Playing in Marie and Joseph's garden in Jezzine.


Such a happy boy.


The olive orchard in Jezzine.


Watching the fire for the barbecue burn down.


In Kfarhouna, playing in front of Taita and Jiddo's house.


Checking out the chicken coop next door.


Definitely one of his favorite toys.


Geo next to his cousin (?) Alain, with Julien in the background.


Another very sought-after ride on toy.


The @#$*%$#@ rooster who would start crowing at 3:30 am every morning.


That's all for tonight, more to come tomorrow, hopefully! Also to do: recount our adventures in the south of France with my parents and sister....