Bula Gang,
It’s the lead up to Christmas at the Treasure House 🙂 I put up the Christmas tree with some help from the kids. I usually put up the tree at home but since I won’t be back until 3 days before Christmas, I’m sure Mum will be taking on that duty. It’s a much larger tree than our one at home, I had to really stretch and climb to get decorations on the top branches. The kids had a fun afternoon helping me put it up and singing “we wish you a merry Christmas”! The older girls and staff put up tinsel around the living & lounge rooms.
When the toddlers saw the tree, they looked at it for about 5 seconds probably wondering what’s going on. Then all smiles and started inching closer and closer, I told them to just look and not touch. I don’t know why I wasted my breath since they rarely listen to these types of requests. Moses and Jacob both climbed up onto the chair and just had to touch and play with the ornaments. It’s going to be a long month pulling them away from the lures of the Christmas tree lol.
The afternoon was filled with taking pics with the tree, group selfies and videos. I will cherish these moments and look over them when I’m no longer volunteering with the Treasure House.
We have a new volunteer from England, I’m thankful for the extra set of hands to help 🙂 Also being able to have a chat about London between, bathing, playing, feeding and changing the toddlers hehe.
It is school holidays, so all the children are home. Now firstly I’m greeted with a big Bula Alice from the older kids and a slightly but more excited bula from the toddlers. It’s a lot of fun having them all around and get to spend extra time with the school kids. Some were sad on the last day saying bye to their friends who were going to different schools. I remember those days and assured them they would make lots of new friends as well. Nadi is a small place, I’m sure they’ll run into their primary school friends sometime down the track.
On Thursday we were quite short staffed so I had to look after baby Joel for about 1 ½ hours. I fed him, gave him a cuddle and changed his dirty nappy. One of the older girls Ruth, she is 12 and wanted to watch, she was shocked by his greenish poo haha. He is a beautiful baby, lots of hair and smiles easily now, his dimples are to die for! I really didn’t want to put him down but I know it’s not fair on the others and the staff if he becomes a high maintenance baby.
Later in the afternoon I had to help with Joel again and one of the staff said “alice the best”! I felt so touched and glad that I am actually making a difference around the Treasure House.
Daphane has been allocated to another staff member, I’m not sure how long for but I miss her being around with us. I see her from day to day but not as much, she always has a big smile for me and shuffles her way over to get a cuddle. I’m just waiting for the day she walks over for a cuddle!
I’m looking forward to the coming weeks with all the xmas celebrations, school holidays and activities!
Vinaka Vakalevu,
Loloma levu xox
Alice Sophiarcely Travels 