The Coconuts

(Quite) A while back, we celebrated Faith's birthday.  She turned 6.  I can't believe how fast the past 6 years have flown by!  On the day of her birthday, we were at the coast near Mombasa.  A few months ago, Faith saw people drinking from 'young' coconuts through a straw at a travel fair in Nairobi.  She really wanted to try it when we got to the coast and on her birthday, we agreed to let her.

Mombasa was hot and REALLY humid.  This picture is of a guy climbing the palm tree to cut down some coconuts for us.  It also shows what happens when a camera lens goes from an air-conditioned room to the hot, sticky air outside.  (This picture was taken early on a bright, sunny morning!)  The coconuts were put in the refrigerator to chill until afternoon Chai.

Joel Was the first to try it.

It didn't really live up to Faith's expectations either!

The 'meat' inside was much better!

We stayed in a house about 15 minutes' walk from the beach, and when the house-help found out that it was Faith's birthday, they decorated for her.  Faith was pretty excited when we got back from the beach and everything was ready for her party!

She asked for shrimp for her birthday.  I'm not sure this is what she had in mind... but it was pretty good!

We topped it all off with a coconut cake that Heather made from scratch... in a toaster oven and iced in the air-conditioned bedroom where it stayed until its big moment.  Have I ever mentioned that my wife is awesome?