Parasites

In case you think it is all fun and games living here in Peru know that there can be a downside. I have had stomach issues since the first week that we arrived. I kept waiting for them to go away, but finally the nausea and all the other stuff got to be too much. My teacher's brother is a doctor so we went to his office to see what was up. The good news was that I did not have a bacteria infection or worms. He said that it was either amoeba or parasites. I was glad to get some meds and be on my way. That was over a week ago and I think things are finally getting better. I cannot enjoy the fabulous fruits and veggies here yet, but at least I can sleep better.  We have to boil all our water, but we do go out to eat a lot. Some of the places have been a bit shady too. When there is no water or soap in the bathrooms I get a little worried. We do not go back to those places. For the most part the kids have fared much better. They have a few small issues but they seem to go away in a day or two. Thank goodness because that may have thrown me over the edge dealing with all that with them.

Ten Eggs

My kids are a mystery to me on so many levels. They have always been pretty good eaters, especially Laney. She has always eaten a lot and I have always wondered where all the food would go. The same goes for Creed, but he has had some pickiness as well. We struggled for years; almost three to be exact with breakfast. We were big into oatmeal when Laney was a baby and it was so easy and she scarfed it down that we just kept with that. She always got up happy and just ate it all down with no complaints. But the little guy was a different story. He was kind of crabby in the morning and a bit hysterical when he was hungry, but hard to feed. He has some blood sugar issue and I wish I could just put an IV on him b/c he is crazy when he needs to eat. We tried all the tricks in the book with trying to get him to eat breakfast in less than an hour. The other meals we did not care quite as much about, but wanted him to get a good start to his day. We found out they were allergic to eggs and would not touch them so that was out of the question. Jason and I ate those every day so we tried on numerous occasions to see if they would them. The whining was insane. By the time we got to Costa Rica we were still dealing with it. Wants he would eat his oatmeal we would still be hungry and usually want something else. This is turning into too long of a boring story. Anyway, Jason and I really like deviled eggs and the kids started eating them with no ill effects. The doctor said they should grow out of their allergy to eggs so we were excited. One day we decided to see if Creed would eat eggs for breakfast. Granted he did eat deviled eggs and would only eat angel eggs...which are the same in our house. I told him that there were different types of angel eggs and proceeded to make them scrambled eggs. When Laney saw them she knew right away what they were and we convinced her to not say too much about it to Creed while he scarfed down his egg and then asked for more. Breakfast since that glorious day in January has been quite different. I now make, or Jason does, 10 eggs a day with ham, cheese and broccoli. He is only three and I am making this much for breakfast. Plus, Laney eats her fair share too. What am I going to do when they are teenagers. It seems like they are always hungry and I am always running out of things to give them.

Of course, we still have our meal drama. Here are two examples within the last day. For dinner last night we had burritos. We have them often, probably every week. Laney could not stop crying and complaining so had to have a couple of time outs. Her big issue was that she did not like the meat. Yes, the same meat she has had for years and the same meat I then made three burritos for her with. Then this morning Creed was swating at a non existent fly and knocked over his milk. Lots of crying and wet pijamas. This next example is an old one, but a favorite of mine. Right after we got to Peru Creed decided he did not like chicken. Strange I know because he has always liked chicken. We were staying in a host home so it made things more difficult. I just told him it was pork. He ate it and loved it. Then a week later he was eating pork and I told him he was and he insisted it was chicken. They are big meat eaters and have been for a long time. I craved meat while pregnant with Laney. I could never get enough. Still seems to be the case for her and her brother.

We Are In Trouble

We have started something with teaching the kids spanish that now has a life all it's own. Granted I have been in over my head for awhile with the kids and trying to understand what they are saying. I have to ask them to repeat themselves all the time or ask what a particular word means. They talk so fast and in so many tenses that my brain is too slow to handle it all. Plus, Creed mumbles, talks with food in his mouth and I cannot always get it in English. His Spanish has really taken off. He hangs with Laney just fine and they have no problems communicating totally in Spanish with each other, their friends and their teachers. Creed stumped Jason the other day. I hate to say it but it made my day. I know that is not the nicest thing to say, but welcome to my world. They learn different things at school or from their kids shows that we do not use in our daily lives. A few weeks ago Laney and I got into an argument over picking up her room. Finally after I yelled at her for leaving her room, she said, "but you told me to put it at the bus stop." I was trying to tell her to put it on the shelf.  Now she was being a bit manipulative and does not even know where the bus stop is here. Usually she just tells me I do not make sense and why. It can be frustrating because I need to use my Spanish and practice and the talk all the time at home. The good news is that one of our goals was for them to feel really comfortable in Spanish and we have obviously reached that. I am a bit concerned I will not reach my goal of where I want to be, but at least I have two little ones I can practice with wherever I go. I feel extremely blessed that we have been able to work on these goals. God has been so gracious with allowing all this to happen.

Ahora me encanta Arequipa

Quisas debo escribir mi blog en espanol. Ok, maybe I will just start another blog in Spanish and keep this one in English. My mom will be mad if she cannot understand what her grandkids are up to. She already cannot understand what they are saying half the time. I have a hard time myself with all their Spanish and have to ask them to repeat themselves and what certain words are. Jason said in six months he probably will not understand them either. We will be in trouble. I guess we deserve it for dragging them all over the place and pushing Spanish on them. They are naturals. School started yesterday so they will be around even more good Spanish. Right now they have a babysitter that comes a few times a week to play with them in Spanish. She corrects them a lot and is changing some of their Costa Rican Spanish too. It is good for them and they love her. Anyway, the reason I am in such a good mood today is that I get three hours by myself at home. I think it may have been years since this has happened. I also just had a good conversation with Creed's teacher. She is SO nice and told me all this stuff about his first day yesterday. If you know Creed you know I do not know very much about what goes on in his life if he is away from me and Laney. What he does say I wonder if it is accurate b/c he likes to just say whatever comes to mind. I think this will be something I will deal with his whole life. His teacher seemed to get a pretty accurate picture of him just from the three hours yesterday. She said he spoke to her so she knows he knows Spanish and that he likes to watch what goes on before jumping in. I was thrilled to hear good things about my lovable guy and all in Spanish. It makes me happy that I can have interactions that I understand now. There have been a lot of tears in this journey called learning Spanish and I am no where near where I want to be, for today I am happy and enjoying my progress.

I also had a conversation with my next door neighbor this morning b/c she accidently set off the alarm. She has been in Spain the last three months so this was my first time meeting her. I was so excited I could talk to her AND understand. She said I could practice my Spanish with her. People here are SO nice and willing to deal with my Spanish. I think I will learn a ton while here. Plus, it is a gorgeously sunny day. That makes a big difference in my life. The weather we came here for has arrived. It is nice, sunny and dry.

Christmas at Manuel Antonio

We had a fun Christmas at Manuel Antonio. The kids decorated the lamp in a green floatie for our Christmas tree. Everyone loved the gifts and we enjoyed a little swim after the present giving. I love Christmas in warm weather. I think we need to make a habit of it. The only thing missing was Alex and Kyle.

Laney and my dad made little puppets for the Christmas story. It was something she did last year at Woodman Valley and loved it.

Here are Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus.

Laney got Hello Kitty tape from Shera. It was a favorite. I love this age when tape is such a great gift. I am going to enjoy it for as long as I can.

The kids and my wonderful husband gave me these earrings. I had just lost the ones I had been wearing non stop for twelve years.

Creed was so excited to get a computer. Now everyone in the family has their own. Somehow they still want to play on mine.

My machitos. That is the word for blondes in Costa Rica and we heard it a lot wherever we went.

Arbol de Navidad

My parents came to Costa Rica the beginning of December to help us celebrate Christmas. My mom brought lights so we decided to make a tree out of construction paper. It was so nice having our little bookstore next door so we could pop over and buy some paper. Laney LOVED this project and she spent most of the day working on it with my parents. Creed enjoyed it as well, but it got a little drawn out for him.