Summer in Uganda

All summer we see pictures from Michigan and throughout the US of summer on Facebook. The glorious time where everyone is enjoying as much summer, water, mountains, travelling, and extra daylight as possible. Some of this makes us jealous. I have very fond memories of summer at Cran Hill Ranch, or camping, or playing on Lake Michigan, or spending time at a friends cottage. I miss camping where there aren't dangerous animals, or mosquitoes carrying malaria and other diseases. I miss mountains, although we are technically closer to some here in Uganda, than in Michigan. I miss eating ice cream in Grand Haven. I miss watching stars without being nervous about malaria. I miss sitting around a campfire until late into the evening. I miss playgrounds and waterparks for our kids. I miss many of the things that were normal to my upbringing.

Since we are basically on the equator, summer doesn't really exist here. Seasons consist of wet and dry, sometimes slightly warmer, sometimes slightly cooler all year. It gets light at approximately 6:30 and dark by 7:15, year round, with only about 10 minutes of variations throughout the entire year. When it hits the 60's, everyone (including our children) complains that it is too cold, when it hits the mid-80's everyone complains it is too hot. We have a perpetual summer with very different expectations and experiences. Although we miss Michigan and many things that come with "Summer in Michigan", we have come to enjoy some of the experiences that are becoming normal to us here.

We found a way to make modified S'mores. They don't taste nearly as good without a graham cracker, but you make due with what you have.

Impromptu date overlooking the Nile

Teaching the kids to kayak on the Nile. Disclaimer for our parents... This area is controlled by 2 dams and does not have any hippos or crocodiles.

Daddy daughter date over milkshakes and a game of Ticket to Ride

Taking the kids for motorcycle rides around town

Licking the spoon from batter crosses all cultural (and sibling) divides, as long as they both have their own :-)

Play equipment can be found if you look hard enough, it just looks different than in Michigan

Rope swing and swimming in the Nile River. 

Abby learned how to ride a bike with pedals and was beside herself with joy.