Yesterday I was eating the noon meal with Mario, Christine and the kids. Christine had prepared chicken and rice. As we started eating she said something about "garbage." After a few questions and input from the kids and Mario I figured out that she was talking about "cabbage." I pointed to the trash can and said that was the garbage. Christine laughed. At supper she did serve some cabbage and verified that she was saying it with a 'c' sound rather than a 'g'.
Most of the time when we are eating, I'm the odd one out as the conversation is in Swahili. I don't mind. Christine needs to be able to talk with her kids. I do put my foot down when Nathalie says, "Mom wants to know...." I turn to Christine and ask her to tell me directly. She gives me a big smile and tries.
I've also begun introducing them to American sports. Mario watches soccer every weekend and the rest of the family seems to enjoy it as well. Yesterday when I was watching football, Christine and the kids came in. Exo enjoys WWE so he likes the physical aspect of the game. After watching for a few minutes, Christine asked, "What are they doing?" I tried to explain the overall idea and then said, "It's complicated." Christine didn't know that word so I said, "It isn't simple." No it isn't.
I've also started teaching the kids to hit a ball using a plastic ball and bat. If I get the pitch anywhere close, Exo gives it a good whack. I need to get Mario out there and see if he is a better pitcher than I. And sometimes when the cousins are over, I can try to teach them the concept of running the bases. Come to think of it, baseball isn't a simple game either. I might need the help of some videos.
