Cohen 10

Yes, it's true, Cohen has officially blown the candles out on his tenth birthday! This is the part where those closest to Cohen begin to wonder if they actually are getting older and if it is really possible that Cohen is ten, or if this is just a cruel hoax or careless typing error (alas, it is neither of the latter two!). It has, I can assure you, been a time for family reflection as our oldest hits double digits. In many ways, the story of his life is the story of our travels and the story of my career, as I'm in my tenth year of teaching: Winnipeg to Europe to Winnipeg to the Canadian North to rural Saskatchewan to rural Manitoba and finally to Africa. It provides for a nice piece of symmetry that Cohen was one in England and now Cuyler is one in Africa. Cohen liked the symmetry of "Cohen 10" and "Ben 10," a program he rather enjoys.

And how does one celebrate one's birthday in Ghana? Well, for starters, you get cinnamon toast in bed as it's something of a family tradition. (The above picture captures both the moment as well as the dividends of the prison-ration diet of bread, bananas, rice and carrots that Cohen strictly adheres to.) Then, you invite your new buddy Kofi over for a day of video games, movies, swimming, and a sleepover. The day included the last golden box of KD, French toast, pizza, chicken nuggets, gummy candy, ice cream and fries, in the desperate hope that the lad may retain a few calories! Of course splashing around in a tropical pool for a couple of hours makes this a rather hopeless proposition.

Oh, and of course, there were presents to be opened and cake to be eaten. Carmilla was wise in that she brought some basic party favours--balloons, plates, candles, etc.--but we have already added cake mixes and creamy deluxe icing to our pack list for next year (if there is a next year). For now, we had to buy them from the Max Mart, where your ex-pat shopping dreams can come true...for a hefty price! We managed to track down a few gifts locally and he had previously suggested that we give him our other digital camera (gently used!) as a gift, so we took him up on it. He has been talking quite seriously about becoming a wildlife photographer for National Geographic and we believe him. Given his life experiences so far and his abiding passion for animals and their protection, it makes perfect sense. Like many young boys, he has taken to looking at National Geographic strictly for the pictures, though in this instance, his motives are entirely pure! Happy birthday son!