Photo Shoot in Tamarindo

 Beautiful people in beautiful places. How could I not?

Pura Vida. I could totally get used to this.

Costa Rican Tidbits

My mom and I have each showered with a gecko.

Auntie M asked "quanto queso" instead of cuanto cuestan when asking how much something was.

 Daredevil has broken an iPhone, iPad and an iPhone case within a week.

Our house manager said we must text him every day with something....which he said after I asked him if we were the worst guests ever. But he also said we made the best cookies.

My parents get a wake-up call every morning by a bluejay pecking on their window.

Daredevil enjoys swimming on the sand. He bellyflops down and starts swimming in the sand.

Daredevil is used to swimming in his birthday suit. Thank God for a private pool. Lord help us when we get home.

I've jumped in the ocean and the pool fully clothed since we've been here.

My dad feeds Carlos everyday. My MIL and I made the mistake of feeding the bluejays so Mr Tech Guy had to drive them away with a squirt gun.

When we sent our parents on a three hour tour, the van that picked them up lost a muffler on their short ride to the beach.

We signed our parents up for a boat tour without any info, including taking a dinghy to the sailboat further out at sea. They ended up enjoying the tour, but I don't think they would've agreed if they'd know the specifics.

I've been complemented on my Spanish a few times, which is hilarious because I know about 15 phrases. But I'm diligent and I try... so maybe that helps.

My MIL washed a cell phone in the washer.

I got so excited for an hour alone in the pool with a good book that I forgot sunscreen. It could've been much worse but it was a stupid mistake.

I got to watch the Butler game live at Hinkle here at home en Espanol.

I think I like the Disney Junior en Espanol announcer better than the voice at home. Daniel Tiger is on Disney Jr here, along with Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears. Daredevil likes this dude called Zou, too.

I packed an IKEA train set. It has been used A LOT. Hours most days. It has been put together in any and every configuration possible.

Daredevil has learned how to spit, thanks to yours truly. He cracks up when I demonstrate.

Daredevil has a new game he loves to play. It's a combination of hide n'seek, tag and peek-a-boo. He was belly laughing so hard last night he woke up the grandparents. My mom came back downstairs to watch him play because he was laughing so hard.

Daredevil still loves to dance. He likes the reggae music that you hear when we're out. It's funny, though, at restaurant we normally get 80-90's American music.... Debbie Gibson, Barbie Girl, lots of music my dad likes.

Daredevil saw the Gruffalo before bed one night and laughed so hard we downloaded it. Now whenever it comes on he takes his milk and blankie, climbs on the couch, covers himself with his blankie and gets ready to enjoy it. It's based on the book and he LOVES it. It is a 27 minute movie, so perfect for him when we have to travel far or before bed. He just laughs and laughs.

I'm sure there's so much more than I'm forgetting, but I wanted to get some of these little tidbits down so I don't forget them.

Buenos

Good morning, folks. Auntie M is all settled in, we all had a good night's sleep, and we are up and rarin' to go.

Is it weird that as I sit here, I'm taking a few minutes to think of what activities we should do for Christmas when we get home, what gifts still need to be purchased, what reminders I need to send MOMS Club for our December service project and what groceries/supplies I need to purchase as soon as I get home. As I look outside, it's kind of a weird sensation.

I was talking to Mandrike about Christmas the other day, about their traditions and what it's like to celebrate Christmas without any snow. I guess I should tell you that Mandrike is our pool boy. He's 20. Lives in Playa del Coco. He works, goes to the University and loves surfing. He has 3 sisters and 4 brothers. He's the 2nd youngest. He can't imagine celebrating with snow. He's never seen snow. They, too, decorate Christmas trees, but they are much smaller trees. His mom decorates their house a little, but it's usually just the tree and maybe something on their front door. Santa no longer comes to their home but they sometimes get gifts from each other. I love that the holiday is so much less materialistic here. It's wonderfully freeing.

Everything here is less materialistic. You buy what you need to survive. That's really the gist of it. It's incredible. Seriously. I don't notice a big sense of competition about possessions or "brands." Latin American women also love their bodies despite any and all imperfections. They have so much self confidence and self love that they wear whatever bathing suit they want and don't worry about it. It, too, is so incredible freeing. I feel like in the US, everyone judges everyone else and loves to put each other down. From my experience, Latin women either don't care or build each other up. Regardless, it's a much more pleasant experience. That, or, well, Costa Rica just calls to the laid back persona from any country.

This is Yvette, our housekeeper. She has three beautiful children (14, 11 and 8). She got married yesterday. We really like her. She LOVES Owen. We talk with hand gestures and broken Spanish and English about our children and our lives.

I love getting to know about these amazing people! Off to another busy day.

Auntie M is here!

Our dear Auntie M arrived today!!! We barely got her home before she was in the pool. She was there until sunset.

Here is her first sunset here. Gorg.

We are so excited to have Auntie M here to join our adventure. We're still figuring out tomorrow's plans... or lack thereof. :)

The in-laws made it home safely after a planned overnight in Dallas. Their ride was pretty smooth and they are home safe. Only one souvenir casualty occurred. Not too bad considering all the breakables they had in their bags.

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On another note, my hometown suffered mass destruction after a tornado/tornadoes barreled through today. I'm praying for all those that lost their homes and praying for no injuries. A few hours north my MIL and FIL through friend marriage lost their 100+ yr old barn. It is completely destroyed. Thank God that everyone was safe even though they have a lot of damage.

Nicaragua

I didn't go to Nicaragua this time, but I know they had a great time and found lots of treasures.

Enjoy the glimpse into their day!

Travel Day

 Grand-paw and Nene left yesterday and Auntie M arrives today. Our trip to the airport and back yesterday should've been 1.5 hours... it took 4! They're working on a bridge so they closed traffic one way for 30-45 minutes at a time.

It was a beautiful morning for their last morning here. We lounged in the pool, had a leisurely breakfast, got them all packed up and ran them to a few souvenir stores before unloading them at the airport. We helped them pay their tax and get checked in.

We took a few pictures before they hit the road. Is it so hard to believe as I sit here in paradise that the next time I see them, we'll be celebrating Christmas in Naperville.

We're just hanging out today before we pick up Auntie M. And boy oh boy, it's another beautiful morning. BTW, Daredevil slept for 14 hours!!

Playa Hermosa

Another day, another beach. We've done well with sampling about every beach, marina and cove in Guanacaste.

Today it was Playa Hermosa.

Lunch on the beach, playing in the water, running along the shore, crashing in the waves, massage in the nude, spotting monkeys and iguanas near the shore, finding shells and all sorts of fun.

Another fun and beautiful day in Costa Rica. The grandparents went on a 3 hour tour later that night. They went snorkeling, watching the sunset and enjoyed the gorgeous views with a drink in their hand. We stayed home with a feisty toddler.