Day 8 in Guatemala- just hanging at the pool

 today, we need a rest day, so breakfast and then 2 hours at the pool.  It has been an emotional week for the boy and some down time with just us is a good thing.

 He thinks I could not see him moving in the water.

 Pacaya from the hotel

 Fuego from the hotel

This afternoon, we had our first Spanish this trip.  We had initially planned for lessons for a week, but things got moved around and we will end up with 3 days.  Gabi is great.  She is a music teacher at the American school here in Guatemala City.  School ended for her on Tuesday.

we are in the final days of our trip.  we have 2 more big trips- one to Lake Atitlan and one to Tikal.  Looking forward to these fun day trips.

Love and hugs,

Deb

Rocket's 11th birthday

Friday, I took the boys and some friends over to the Y for some swimming.  Since none of the boys had been at this Y in a number of years, they all needed swim tests- including Falco.

Here we have D already done, his little brother P completing the 25 yard/meter swim, and Falco ready to go on the other side.

Rocket is off changing into his swim stuff.

Falco coming into the wall.

After the 25 meter swim, they have to tread water for 60 seconds. 

Of course, they could choose not to do the swim test, but then they will be marked with a red band and I would have to stay in arms length of them in the shallow end of the pool.  None of them wanted that, so they took the swim test to get a green band so they could be anywhere in pool and I could be another area.

This is rocket taking his test.

We stayed at the pool for 3 hours, playing and swimming.  it was sooooooooo nice.  I think we need to go to this pool more often.

Sunday, we had the family birthday party for Rocket.  He wanted fried chicken, mash potatoes and corn for his meal.  He really wanted me to buy KFC chicken, but that was not happening.  So the boys and I fried chicken.  this is 2nd or 3rd time I attempted to fry chicken.  It worked this time.  I had expert helpers in Falco and Rocket.

After dinner, we had presents for him while we let our food digest. 

Rocket received an Austrian futbol jersey from Falco. 

An X shaped rubiks cube from Auntie Lulu and Uncle Darrell

the game of RISK from me and some cash from Mam.

We had cake later.  Rocket says he does not like cake now, so I think I will need to do ice cream sundaes for him from now on. Or maybe ice creams cakes?????

Happy birthday to my little man

"Happy birthday to me"

So happy

Even Pablo got some treats- he got a frozen dog treat

 

Love and hugs,

Deb

Swimming with friends- a great way to start the holiday weekend

After work today, we headed over to a friend's house for some swimming.  The original plan was to swim at the Y, but one of the families has a pool in their back yard.  The boys had so much fun playing in the pool and then taking a break to go inside and play video games.  I am thinking we need a pool in our backyard too.

The 4 musketeers

 

When the boys went in to play video games, it was adult swim and the mommas got to swim in the pool. 

It was a great day and a great start to the long weekend.

 

Love and hugs,

Deb

Finishing up Spring Break

To finish out Spring Break, I took Bug to a ceramic painting place.  He choose a Basketball bank to paint and I choose a fruit bowl/bread bowl.

El es muy seriouso.

The start of my design

The finished bowl.  We are still waiting to get them back  The place will fire them in a kiln so they are all shinny and sealed.

Afterward, we went to dinner at our favorite Mexican place.

 

On Friday, I took Bug and friend to the Y for some swimming. The boys swam for 3 hours.

I took the boy and dog for a walk.  We thought it was warmer than it really was.  Bug was freezing.

On Saturday, while Bug was at a birthday party, I went to hear Ann Voskamp talk.  She is one of my favorite authors.  Bug and I use her Advent devotion at Christmas and she wrote the book "1000 gifts".  After her talk, there was a line to have a picture with her and get a book signed.  I brought the Advent devotional to have her sign.  Most everyone else had the book "1000 gifts".  if you did not have a book, you could buy the book while in line for her to sign.

The "I'm not ready for the picture yet" photo.  She prayed over our devotional.  Such a nice lady.

2 mommas on a Saturday night. 

 

Love and hugs,

Deb