VID KID: What Ella is listening to these days

To keep a little Ethiopian culture in our daily lives, Kent and Ella have taken to watching videos of Ethiopian singers he finds on YouTube. The music we like is a sort of Ethiopian pop-dance music, highlighting aspects of ET culture. Some wonderful dancing, and great shots of rural life in ET.

For those of you who grew up as part of the first MTV generation, you may find these reminiscent of some of those early videos from the 80's-- simple camera tricks and angles and, oddly, the distinctive sounds of a Casio keyboard.(A word of warning: the comments frequently left on a video's site regrettably have little to do with the video itself or the musician- instead, they are often disturbingly vitriolic rants showcasing the Ethiopian-Eritrean animosity, and general racist @#$%.)

Here are a few of Ella's favorite 'bibi-ohs.' The first one is by an unknown singer- the opening shots of a traditional Ethiopian house or tukul and the woman in white had Ella transfixed from the first viewing. We wonder if these images stir memories for her of her first year of life.....



This next one is of the beautiful Monica Sisay singing "Shekshik." It appears to be her celebration of the multiple ethnic groups, represented by the differnt dancers wearing colorful traditional outfits. This one has Julia practicing her neck bobs and uulations. Great fun!



Next up: The stunning Tigist Weyso, singing an untitled and very catchy song. This video is much like any pop music video you've ever seen, with what is perhaps an Addis-specific theme (where roads seem to be perpetually under construction): the attractive single woman (with great boots!), the broken down car, the attractive road crew forman.... Ah-haaaa-aaa-aa! Ah-heeee-ee-ey!



And finally, the incomparable Teddy Afro-- perhaps Ethiopia's most famous musician, singing the very catchy "Lambadina." You'll find many Teddy Afro videos on the web; he combines reggae and traditional Ethiopian rhythyms to sing about everything from love to freedom and equality for all Ethiopians. "Lamba! dina!"



Ok, one more. Another of Ella's favorites, "The Ladybug's Picnic," from a classic Sesame Street cartoon. She is only two, after all....
Enjoy!

Lazy days of summer

Ella kicked up her heals on one of her many trips to the park this summer.

The summer continues to roll along. The "Baba and Boo Show" is going well. I have been caring for Ella four days a week as Julia has summer school. We've come up with a nice schedule centered on Sesame Street and riding the bicycle. We were fortunate enough to have several days of cool weather; we got a lot of outside time in. We also watched every stage of the Tour de France. Ella really enjoyed it, I think. She asked for 'bicycle' when we would do our rocking downstairs, in the man lounge, in front of a TV. Today, it was hard to break it to her that there was no bicycle.

Tonight in the tub, Ella counted to 10 all by herself. I was a bit flabbergasted. We count how many rinses her head gets and tonight she counted them all by her lonesome. Julia and Ella sing the alphabet song a lot and she can get almost all of it. She skips 'TUV' and 'W' is pronounced "double-lulu." Unbelievably cute.

We will be taking off this weekend for Montana. We will be spending a week with my family in Chinook and then head to Bozeman for another week. It will be nice to feel a dry heat again. I am sick of humidity.

After we get back it will be time for work and school again. It will be hard to not be with Ella everyday. I've gotten used to our little routine and have a hard time comprehending that it is drawing to a close. She'll be in daycare four days a week . . . ouch. But while the weather holds, I hope we can still get out on our bike rides. It has been a load of fun.

Heading out on another bicycle adventure.


Some times our "adventures" produce a casualty.


The ladies having a little lounge in the pool.




Ella regards a bird (robin I believe) that had just fledged and was taking a break on our porch.