Zelia Kids

Zelia Kids African mama creating amazing memories

After a short and unexpected visit to Nairobi this month, here are some new things for me( ok # 5 is purely me being in ...
27/01/2024

After a short and unexpected visit to Nairobi this month, here are some new things for me( ok # 5 is purely me being in my feels, lol)

1. Malaria is not prevalent in Nairobi. However, after the kids got a couple of mosquito bites, I decided to be super-cautious and check with a pharmacist at Ava Pharmacy. A really helpful doctor recommended buying a malaria test kit and a course of treatment, if we ended up testing positive for Malaria. But she kindly assured me that very likely we would be fine because we had not traveled to a Malaria-prone zone. I’ve never had Malaria and was glad to learn about the testing kit.
2. Pics # 1 & 2 were taken at Prestige Plaza along Ngong Road. It has a nice rooftop playground that you can access for a small fee. We were there during the week so it was pretty deserted, but my kids loved it. My daughter loves monkey bars and was in awe of the one at this playground. On weekends, the mall provides other entertainment such as bouncy castles and bumper cars on the rooftop, but these separately priced. I loved that there’s a food court right next to the playground.
3. Pics # 3 -9 were taken at my absolute favorite kids hangout on this trip, which was the kids play area at The Waterfront Karen. For a reasonable fee, the kids and their cousins got to play 7 different games. It had rained in the morning, but the equipment was dry and the attendants were helpful and kept up with the kids. We spent ~ 2 hours with nonstop playing. It was such a blast!
4. ( I FORGOT TO TAKE PICS!). Y’all… there is a Hardee’s restaurant at Terminal 1A at JKIA airport! For my kids, trying out American fast-food chains in Kenya, that we haven’t yet visited in the States, is still a novelty experience. And kinda hilarious that the first time for them, is in Kenya! Anyway, the kids zipped straight to the counter the minute they saw a burgers and fries on the menu. I didn’t see a kids menu and totally forgot to ask so we ordered off the regular menu.
5. Pic # 10: Ahhh… that “Kwaheri Kenya” illuminated in color that’s just after Passport Control in Terminal 1A. I always have mixed emotions saying goodbye. Until next time… Nairobi. 😘

International Festival Day @ the kids’ school yesterday evening! My lovely cousins and I hosted a table on Kenya. With m...
13/05/2023

International Festival Day @ the kids’ school yesterday evening! My lovely cousins and I hosted a table on Kenya. With maandazi & porridge. 🙈Unusual combination? Yes, kinda! But very yummy? Yes, yes and YES! 😉 🤣

And…I’m wearing a beautiful Ethiopian dress called Habesha kemis.

This was fun!

Ehe, my Lagos mamas. What are you eating over there to birth these amazing Afrobeat artists? 🔥 Literally, my favorite ki...
30/04/2023

Ehe, my Lagos mamas. What are you eating over there to birth these amazing Afrobeat artists? 🔥 Literally, my favorite kinda music. Impossible to be sad when some good Afrobeats is on.

Not being to Lagos yet. 😔 But about 13 years ago, I visited Abuja, and several other southern and northern states. In each state, it was so fascinating to me that you could watch Naija movies (also a huge fan) in the dominant language of most states. Closed caption came to my rescue, hahaha. And then observing the really different cultures across the states. And eating all the delicious food. Eh! We don’t grow pepper that hot in Kenya, ooo. 🤣

Kaduna and Kano were the most interesting to me because they were so unlike any place I’d been. The culture, language, houses, dress code, weather, topography. Grateful to have experienced all of it.

You know I always end with a declaration that I’ll be back ( coz you know…. manifesting and all that😁). There’s a lot to see in Nigeria, but my first order of business will be to right a wrong and visit Lagos!!

My no wahala mamas, see you in Lagos!

[Link to t-shirt is in bio at the Afrimama shop, all sizes, 6 colors].

Eeeh my Jo’burg mamas! The land of Sarafina. Anyone remember that movie from the 1990s? Let me tell you, that movie was ...
29/04/2023

Eeeh my Jo’burg mamas! The land of Sarafina. Anyone remember that movie from the 1990s? Let me tell you, that movie was on repeat until we almost ruined the video cassette. Do you remember that if the cassette had even minor damage, the picture got soo fuzzy you had to forward to the next best spot? 🤣 Good times.

The story is about Sarafina, a girl from Soweto, who leads protests against the apartheid government to prevent them from changing the language of instruction at her school. It was a musical and the choreography and music was 🔥🔥 which helped lighten audience emotions because the message was very heavy. I barely understood what apartheid was and only begun to get a clue when I visited. Meanwhile there I was dazzled by the dance moves and the nice looking school uniform with the short skirts, lol.🙈 Eish, forgive the folly of youth, friends.

I visited the land of Sarafina almost 30 years ago. Got to see Soweto and at that time I remember the largest hospital in South Africa or Africa was right there in Soweto (and it was impressive). Coming from Nairobi all those years ago, Jo’burg felt so sophisticated and “Western”. I was quite young so the things that really got my attention were the fast food restaurants, the theme parks and the shopping.

I’ve always wanted to return to the land of Sarafina. And I’mma wear this t-shirt on the trip too and bring the kids.

Come grab your t-shirts and help me celebrate the Jo’burg and you awesome mamas who are lucky to call it home.

[Link to AfriMama shop in bio, t-shirt available in 6 colors all sizes].

This is for an old college friend from Kampala. Real nice person. Tall and very pretty. Actually my friend was a part-ti...
28/04/2023

This is for an old college friend from Kampala. Real nice person. Tall and very pretty. Actually my friend was a part-time model while we were in college. She’s also a really awesome seamstress and has designed and made her own clothes for years.

I visited Kampala on a girl’s trip, almost 20 years ago. My friend was not living there at the time. That was when I understood where she got her kind, polite, gracious manner because that’s how most people acted. Very refreshing actually. Made me question a few things about the…ehmm … never mind, I don’t want wahala.🤣

Best matoke I’ve eaten coz you know the Ugandan’s make it best right? 😁

And ohhh we visited the very very famous Makerere university! How I wish I still had the pictures we took there.😭Ahh I need my old picture album to relive these memories.

I will be back to Kampala, my friend. And I’ll bring the kids.

Where are my beautiful Addis sisters? Come here we celebrate you. Remember when Oprah visited Addis and was so wowed ...
27/04/2023

Where are my beautiful Addis sisters? Come here we celebrate you.

Remember when Oprah visited Addis and was so wowed by our sisters and brothers she said, “There were no ugly people in Ethiopia”? She was genuinely surprised, lol.

I once had the privilege of waitressing at an Ethiopian restaurant in the States. One night we held a private dinner for families who had adopted children from Ethiopia. There was this most adorable little girl who was probably around 5. Every time I came around the table to serve, clean etc, her eyes never left me. She was so beautiful. She didn’t say a word to me because she couldn’t speak English.
I remember wondering if I reminded her of someone she knew… Even though I had just met her, my heart felt very strongly about that little girl. I wanted to hug and tell her she would be fine. It would not have been appropriate so instead I smiled a lot and made sure to return the stare.
I would have adopted her if I could. I couldn’t stop thinking about her for a very long time afterwards.

Ahhh my Addis sisters, you are indeed beautiful. One day I will visit Addis.

[T-shirt sold by the AfriMama shop, link in bio]

Come through with that hashtag Mombasa! 🤣 I wish I had a clearer and better picture of the entire sign. You can kinda s...
26/04/2023

Come through with that hashtag Mombasa! 🤣 I wish I had a clearer and better picture of the entire sign. You can kinda see it in the picture taken from the back of the sign. ❤️ the hashtag 😁

Also, ❤️ the Kenyan coast. Visiting the beach is #1 fave thing for the kids, and we made some really nice memories. The only thing I would change about this July visit was the weather. It was mostly rainy and cool. If you want maximum sunshine and heat, December through March are the best times to visit.

When I was a kid, these canons at Fort Jesus, Mombasa seemed massive. I just remember the whole place feeling huge and e...
24/04/2023

When I was a kid, these canons at Fort Jesus, Mombasa seemed massive. I just remember the whole place feeling huge and exciting. I’d stand at the lookout holes imagining what it felt like to watch the enemy approach.

We made a quick visit this past July. But the kids were restless so we didn’t spend much time absorbing all the info. The canon balls definitely seemed smaller than I remembered. My fave was the Omani House because there is a lot to see and learn about the Omani.

Did you know Fort Jesus is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site? According to Britannica these are places that have “outstanding universal value”.

Bucket-list item: visit more world heritage sites and get the kids to journal each visit.

Beautiful Diani, we miss you, especially me, tonight.These were taken @ Diani beach when we stayed at the Papillon Lagoo...
23/04/2023

Beautiful Diani, we miss you, especially me, tonight.

These were taken @ Diani beach when we stayed at the Papillon Lagoon Beach hotel.

Make sure to get a camel ride on the beach. Just one of those experiences, the kids don’t forget.

22/04/2023

This young man is financial literacy goals. Left Kenya when he was 2 and is here winning like WHAAAT?!?!?

Bruh, can you mentor my kids pleeeease? They’ll pay you in legos and Pokémon cards 🤣 but I will be FOREVER grateful.

Young man, your ancestors are smiling.

📣📣📣 Announcing our new AfriMama collection just in time for Mother’s Day y’all! 🎉 Grab a t-shirt and bless your mama, gr...
21/04/2023

📣📣📣 Announcing our new AfriMama collection just in time for Mother’s Day y’all! 🎉

Grab a t-shirt and bless your mama, granny, aunty, daughter, sis, cousin, bff, heck even yourself! 😁 All 5 T-shirts come in 6 cool colors.

Go on and bless somebody today!

[Men, this post is ESPECIALLY for you. Don’t say I didn’t give you a clue bro.😉]

Here I am standing in front of the largest Baobab tree in Kenya last July. This tree is located in Diani @ the Papillon ...
20/04/2023

Here I am standing in front of the largest Baobab tree in Kenya last July. This tree is located in Diani @ the Papillon Lagoon Reef hotel and is over 500 years old.

Right now, I feel like this baobab tree represents my dreams for our diasporan kids of African descent. Massive dreams waiting to be birthed through you and I. What lies within….

kids

What y’all got planned for your mama or your kids mama this Mother’s Day? Don’t forget the date this year is Sunday, Ma...
19/04/2023

What y’all got planned for your mama or your kids mama this Mother’s Day?

Don’t forget the date this year is Sunday, May 14th. 😁 Just around the corner, y’all.

Surprise her with this chill Nairobi Mama T-shirt that comes in 5 cool colors. 😍 Mama be chilling like, bam!

Link to shop in profile bio.

So… the NFL was in Nairobi last week hosting a talent identification camp. Players from countries across Africa were inv...
18/04/2023

So… the NFL was in Nairobi last week hosting a talent identification camp. Players from countries across Africa were invited for the try-outs. The NFL wants to grow interest in the game in Africa.

Ok so nice. Best part for me was reading that the lead ambassador for NFL Africa is a British Nigerian gentleman named Osi Umenyiora, who played in the NFL for over a decade and is a two-time Super Bowl champion. You know what he said? He said, “It has always been a dream of mine to bring the NFL to Africa…” I loved that line soooo much I barely paid attention to what he said next, lol.

Also, about 10% of the current NFL players identify as being of African- descent (through a parent) and some joined Osi on this trip. Please check out the story on the NFL page and watch the video where they share their journey. It was inspiring (and the scenery is beautiful).

Osi and your teammates, the ancestors are proud of you! You are a dream birthed. One day I’ll share why I get soo excited about dreaming of Africa. 😊

Sometimes my son will tell me that he doubts that he is Kenyan because he doesn’t have an “accent”. He actually sounds s...
16/04/2023

Sometimes my son will tell me that he doubts that he is Kenyan because he doesn’t have an “accent”. He actually sounds sad when he says that and appears to truly believe it. 😭Have your diasporan kids said anything similar? I mean… do we need to move to Kenya for a while so he really believes it?! Ok, kidding but Hmmh! 👀

And oh, this is the kid who calls me the “African lady” when he’s trying to be cute. Sometimes I pretend to get mad, even though I secretly think that’s hilarious! 🤣I would have NEVER tried that on my mama. 👀

But speaking of diasporan kids, have y’all heard about Leni Charles? She lives in Vienna. Her dad’s from Nigeria and her mum’s Austrian. She founded “Kids of the Diaspora” with her sister Cherrie as an expression of who she is. Y’all this is what I’m talking about! Creating spaces that represent who you are and inviting others to join you. Please google and read her story. Nice work Leni and Cherrie! 😍😍

[pic of Leni below]

Y’all I have a new action item on my to-do list. Global Entry was on my radar pre- pandemic, then COVID happened and I p...
16/04/2023

Y’all I have a new action item on my to-do list. Global Entry was on my radar pre- pandemic, then COVID happened and I promptly forgot. And then international travel resumed and there was too much other paperwork to deal with before getting
on a plane, so I didn’t even attempt it.

Anyway, there’s no minimum age and it includes approval for TSA PreCheck, which is great if you also travel domestically(in the U.S.) quite a bit. It does take months to get approved and I’ve heard that the wait could actually be longer than that.

I’m keeping this on my to-do list, for sure.

Me here reminiscing on some of my fave travel items. 🙂 When we traveled with infant car seats, I seriously loved this ca...
14/04/2023

Me here reminiscing on some of my fave travel items. 🙂 When we traveled with infant car seats, I seriously loved this car seat travel bag. It’s padded inside which is great for protecting the car seat, but actually my favorite feature is the carrying straps, because I had the version without the wheels.
The straps are very well padded and the bag felt comfortable on my back (even for my short self 🤣). And ahhh yes… you can store a few extra light items in this bag, which we know is so handy given how much kids’ stuff you might need to lug around.

I’d probably get the ones with wheels if I was purchasing today. I think I bought this directly from the manufacturer years ago but you can also now find them on Amazon, Target, Walmart etc.

My kids have loved these books by Mwenye Hadithi and Adrienne Kennaway. I first found them at one of the Text Book Cente...
13/04/2023

My kids have loved these books by Mwenye Hadithi and Adrienne Kennaway. I first found them at one of the Text Book Centers in Nairobi, and then I was soo happy when I later found them on Amazon.

The stories are interesting and the illustrations are soo colorful and well done, perfect for inspiring imagination! And they make great birthday or Christmas gifts!😉

TIME!! Let me tell you… recently I was reflecting on why I created a checklist for international travel to Kenya. Was it...
12/04/2023

TIME!! Let me tell you… recently I was reflecting on why I created a checklist for international travel to Kenya. Was it because I’ve never traveled to Kenya?Nope. In fact, I’ve traveled many times. Is it because I now travel with my kids? Possibly but not quite.
The REAL reason I sat down and documented what I take with me, is because it saves me TIME. I don’t have to think about what to pack, coz it’s right there on the list! Why do I want to waste time trying to remember what I needed during the last trip??!?
And can I be super honest? Last June I would have PAID someone to give me a checklist. In fact, I scored the internet looking for something like my checklist.

So, NOPE, save those brain cells for some other task, and get this packing list.

Start planning what to carry with you, because this summer, Nairobi is calling your name! Go say hi for me please. 🤣 Get the checklist! (Link in photo)

Ma (or dad😁), do you need help packing for your trip? Imagine don’t waste time stressing about the process. Let me help ...
07/04/2023

Ma (or dad😁), do you need help packing for your trip? Imagine don’t waste time stressing about the process. Let me help you, help yourself.🤣 This particular one is great for traveling to Kenya! 😀🙌🏽
(See link in post)

You carry your people’s dreams in your bones. When your immigrant parents left their countries, they carried the dreams ...
30/03/2023

You carry your people’s dreams in your bones. When your immigrant parents left their countries, they carried the dreams of their people. Every parent dreams of raising a generation that will outpace their own achievements, in every sphere of life. You my child, are a dream birthed. You are the answer to a prayer your ancestor carried in their heart.

As you reflect on your ancestors dreams🤣, I invite you to be inspired by our new T-shirt collection. Visit our store to purchase:

When I was in primary (elementary) school I lived in fiction-land. I lived to read. The books were very rarely African s...
12/03/2023

When I was in primary (elementary) school I lived in fiction-land. I lived to read. The books were very rarely African stories because we just didn’t have enough content, especially in the genres that interested me. I consumed so much material, that without much persuasion, I lived in my imagination, half the time. And my thoughts were rarely about my beautiful African continent.

It’s funny now, many decades later…. one of my deepest desires, is figuring out how I can inspire my diasporan kids to dream about Africa.

Warmed my heart to see one of Kenya’s finest on display at my kids’ elementary school this Thursday. Dr. Wangari Maathai...
05/03/2023

Warmed my heart to see one of Kenya’s finest on display at my kids’ elementary school this Thursday. Dr. Wangari Maathai. I ❤️ it when my kids learn about Kenya and her people in unexpected places. Thank you to the kids and teacher who put this together!

My fave Dr. Maathai quote “ When you know who you are, you are free.”

02/03/2023

A friend recently told me about this indoor rock climbing place. Adding to list of places to visit, next time we’re in Nairobi.🙌🏽

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This young man is financial literacy goals. Left Kenya when he was 2 and is here winning like WHAAAT?!?!? Bruh, can you mentor my kids pleeeease? They’ll pay you in legos and Pokémon cards 🤣 but I will be FOREVER grateful. Young man, your ancestors are smiling. #diasporakids #african #kenyan #financialliteracy #financialliteracyforkids

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