La piscina

The cottage we rented is part of a small neighborhood that forms an oval, with a pool in the middle. Our home backed up to the pool, so we enjoyed it nearly every day, usually in the evening when the sun wasn't as strong.

JMC trying out his boat

Between suits, towels, sunblock, floaties, & toys, it was quite a process getting  into the pool

JMC loved this boat (thanks S. family!) and used it every time we went to the pool for the first week and a half.

JT wore this floatie whenever near the water, pool or beach. He tripped getting into the pool once and fell in head first. He was so proud that he remembered to grab onto the floatie and not let go, as well as to hold his breath. Thank God his cousin was close by and flipped him over just as soon as I noticed what was happening, and Papi was there to help not even a split second later. It was a scary moment, but more for us than for JT.

using the water bomb as a microphone

They were excited to be allowed in the hot tub.

By the end of our trip, JMC ditched the boat and began "jumping" off the side. 

La playa

After 4 years since our last big (more than a long weekend) vacation, we were blessed with a family wedding in Florida. Wow! No way to try and put it off another year, we had to go on vacation! :) So, with the destination and date set, Papi decided we should make the most of the drive and stay for 2 whole weeks! We stayed in Seacrest, FL, which is in between Destin and Panama City, on the Gulf of Mexico. It was beautiful! And, for everyone who said that our family really needed a vacation, let me be honest and say that I didn't believe you, but you were right. It was so good to have time to relax and have fun as a family without the stresses from the past year.

JMC wasn't too excited about the ocean at first

Trying to get JMC accustomed to the sand. It took a couple of days.

The path to our neighborhood's private beach

JMC warmed up to the sand after a few days.

Saw this sign after the kids got in trouble by beach patrol for climbing the dunes

Swim shoes made a world of difference!

JT & Tio patrolling the beach

Look at that - he's in the water & not crying!

One of the few times JA got in the water. This day presented us with the calmest waves while we were there.

This was JT's beach look 

JA took it upon herself to move sand  out of the waves' path. :)

JT & his cousin LAS

We threw the fish back each day, but we brought the sea mussels, snails, sand crabs, etc. home to observe. We learned so much, and it was a blast watching the little creatures swim around and bury themselves in the sand. They made paths in the sand over night and stuck up feelers in search of food. We returned them to the beach the next morning and brought home new creatures each day.

Mini-Golf Tea Party

So, we didn't play up the tea party bit, mostly because all of the tea party decorations & invitations are girly. Really, JT has fallen in love with tea because it's one of the few things that didn't hurt his tummy when he was sick.

Family & friends joined us at the park for some mini-golf, cupcakes, biscotti, ice tea, & root beer (all requested by JT.) We had a bunch of fun, and the thunderstorms stayed away.

Still wrapped gifts, abandoned as the kids all chased after the Styrofoam airplane

Grandpa brings back the plane w/ a broken tail

uninvited guests

Super Spy

Whether it was the Backyardigans episode, "Super Secret Super Spy," or just imaginative play with friends, I don't know, but sometime last fall, the kids began playing International Super Spy. Now, there are intricacies to this game that I am continuing to learn, and some that make absolutely no sense whatsoever. For example, although they are international spies, they can only speak English while playing this game. I have tried reasoning with them, and explaining how being a spy actually works, to no avail, so I currently believe the English only thing is purely to annoy me.

Also, the international spies in this household have to wear all one color. JA is the "black panther" and only wears black while playing spy. The black clothing is so important, that JA has a drawer devoted to it, and is proud to have 2 complete outfits of black. JT is the "arco iris" spy and can wear any color he wants, but only one color at a time. If you watch the archery video, you'll notice that JA is in black, and JT in red.


UPDATE:  Yesterday JA wore all purple! And a few days ago she wore white. Maybe she's beginning to branch out a bit?

Found!

I did try to label the boxes while packing, but so much was packed at the last minute, that probably at least 1/4 aren't labeled. That, plus the fact that everything went to the basement rather than the rooms they belong in (which is good because the rooms are small and I was getting overwhelmed) has led to a large number of missing items. I know they are here, somewhere.

So, the things that we've found this week include:

• our toothpaste (no longer need to use the kids'!)
• measuring spoons
• the boys' clothes bins
• Juan's deodorant!
• the big soup pot
• kitchen knives

Still on the list of items to search for:

• glass liquid measuring cups
• pasta strainer
• the kids' shampoo
• can opener
• cupcake pans

Overall, we're doing well. So happy to be here; enjoying the yard and basement play area immensely. 

Archery

Plastic clothes hangers seem to be useful for just about anything. Normally they become pirate hooks, but today they are bows & arrows.

They shoot the hanger/arrows and whichever drawer they hit, that's where they hang the arrow. Double points if they hit a drawer that already has arrows on it. I love that they invent these games. Even better when they play together without arguing.

First week here

Our beautiful front porch

On the porch swing

Snack time with friends

We have 2 parks within easy walking distance.

Look who got into the box with paper plates & cups! (They said they were setting up for soccer)

JMC was a bit excited about eggs for breakfast. Was he trying to help speed things along by breaking several at once? Not quite sure, but I'll have to keep the "pull the carton off the table" method in mind for the next time I need to crack several eggs.

lunch picnic on the porch