kujipendeza.

To make oneself beautiful. During our time stateside Miss Anni admired many a little girl's vanity sets. She played and beautified and mentioned again and again how much she would like one of her very own. Big plastic princess monstrousities would never make the cut in precious shipping space but we did have an idea...... We would make one. Which would be way more fun anyhow. And would give us something fun to look forward to in the transition back to life on our island. I am realizing more and more the need to create safe spaces and memories as we transition back and forth- not easy for us and I know not easy for the girls. So, I got to work; before we left we picked up an assembly required stool from IKEA and a small table and stuffed them in to an already jammed suitcase. Once we were back here we headed out to a local duka that sells custom glass and mirrors and got one cut to exactly Miss A's specifications (and all for about 3 dollars- the top was a bit uneven but hey- it was 3 bucks!). Then we headed home and generously bling-ed it up with generous amounts of jewels, felt, glitter, and copious amounts of glue from my glue gun. After cutting a kanga (that of course was pink) and a bit a sewing we had the table complete. Anni then drew a picture and colored the stool ("a rainbow to remember God made that after the rain and me standing by the ocean"). We wrangled Papa into borrowing a drill and hanging the mirror and after setting out some Bibi purchased goodies, a jewelry box that used to be my little sister's, and empty containers to fuel imagination.... "Voila" Miss Anni Joy has her very own special place to beautify herself. I told her so is already a gorgeous and special and sweet little girl but she is of the firm belief that a little lip gloss never hurt anyone. Here is to many days of girly- fabulousness to come!