Back in the States..

It is crazy to think we already have been in the States for a full week. Got to say we came at the right time of the year.. for the holidays!!!!!! I didn't grew up in the States, but I sure love thanksgiving meal! Gobble, gobble.. green bean casserole, stuffing.. pies.. and of course, sweet potatoes.. yum yum.. We had Ray, our 90-old-neighbor for dinner too.. he is something else.. Samuel loves him, in fact, one time he was walking with two big water bottles and I asked if they were canes or what, and he said "it's a walker like Ray's", bless his heart..

After the doctors appointments, Jay was misdiagnosed pneumonia.. he apparently just had the flu, and now it is just post flu syndrome, which includes fatigue, depression, body aches, lost of appetite.. The doctor congratulate him since he lost 40 pounds in those 3 months we were gone.. Way to go daddy! Samuel is fine, and Benjamin after lab work and a chest x-ray, was just diagnosed with a viral infection.. so that is why the fevers.. but now he is good.

The trip was long in hours but shorter than coming to the Island since we did it in a day. We started at 4 am to get to the airport in time for the 7 am flight to Antigua. Once there, we had a 8 hour layover.. and neither of us could help it to just sign off.. even if it meant over the luggage..

Finally we made it to Newark and I just had to take a picture of everybody including the luggage.. especially, since I didn't on the way to Dominica.

Of course, we only had and hour to go through immigration and catch the next flight to Omaha, NE.. we verily made it on time. Once on the plane, they announced that the airport had had an emergency earlier so now the runway was with a lot of traffic so we were gonna wait for a while for the rest to take off.. ironic... poor Benjamin, didn't make it to the take off, and he was out cold.. Daddy took advantage to be silly..***We made it! Grandma Jevne was there waiting anxiously.. funny story, when we turn to see her (which I am getting my camera ready) she already has her camera ready..

hehe scrapbookers..

Since all our belongings are in the basement and in few rooms (all but the master bedroom) at my in-laws, we came home. Our lovely, comfortable bed still there ready for us, as well as the rest of the things we were using during the summer before we left. Samuel and Benjamin were just delighted to see the box of toys opened when Grandma go it out from the summer. Besides all the books.. However, Samuel just cared about one thing and one thing only... "I want to watch Star Wars with Daddy, Grandpa, Grandma, Mami & Benjamin.. please?" Since Jay loves Star Wars, he got Samuel to like it. He has only seen episode VI since is the one with the eewaks.. and that is really the part he loves.. Also, daddy promised taco bell.. boy, that kid just loves his chicken gordita!

Before we left, we went on a trip with other moms to #1 Beach on the other side of the island.. it was the only true trip we made since we got here, since originally we thought to travel around during the Christmas break.. but sometimes things don't go the way we plan hu? Well, the day started beautifully.. so sunny.. these were taken by another friend.. obviously because I am in them.. this one I am holding Benjamin and have the blue and gray back pack.. it was while walking down the trail to get to the beach..

And on this one I was taking pictures of my little ones.. I know, I look like one of the kids..

once there I heard it was one of the beaches where they filmed Pirates of the Caribbean 2..

then i got a little cloudy.. within an hour rain decided to appear and wouldn't leave..

and we got the cuties Shane and Emmy who are closer in age to Benjamin and Emily who found a long broken trunk and was about to become a canoe.. until finally just pour!! Of course my back pack wasn't water proof.. so EVERYTHING got soaked! The children still had a good time, especially making a tippi that the only guy who went (an uncle, Jason) helped them build.. Samuel had a good time carrying coconuts, and palm tree leaves.. and Benjamin of course wanted to do the same, kept following his lead. The beach had very heavy waves, but it was connected to a lazy river, which is the one where they played the most.

It was fun with rain and all.. right Benjamin?

When we got back we saw a beautiful rainbow.. it was a double one, but when I got the camera just got one..

The following day we went to our last Joy School day.. sniff sniff.. it was Jacquelle's turn, so I just took pictures.. and Benjamin just loved playing with the older kids who aren't in this Joy School..

Thank you Jacquelle for letting us add on..

The next day was the Ward social at Purple beach.. since it was our last day we decided to take the last swim.. also, so a cruise ship far away..

When we got back the Roy's were on their way to the grocery store which is next to where we used to live.. Had to take a picture with our dear friends who we spent the most time...

Few hours later our neighbor friend Alex had a BBQ and had us over as well as other single friends.. And later our friend Anuretta, who helped us clean once a week came with two of her daughters to say good bye..

I just remember that I never put a couple of pictures.. since the end of October.. Some are from Samuel being creative making an "airplane" out of a little toy truck, a ruler and some masking tape.. Other day he made a face with some play dough and orange peels..

And after two months in the Island I just had it! I had to cut my hair, because the weight, length, and sweat was making my head miserable.. for some crazy reason I thought to braid my hair and cut it for a less messy cut, and then just a trim.. however, it ended a lot shorter than expected! oh well, it will grow.. funny story, Jay didn't noticed since I always have my hair in pony tail (s).. but I couldn't resist, and told him.. he just couldn't believe it.. speechless for like 10 minutes.. kept looking and looking. He has never seen me with short hair.. so I guess Dominica gave me a new look!

The results..

Keeping it fun even with the flu at home..

Well, lots happening this week.. Jay's health take a turn for worse.. He was diagnosed pneumonia. The only realistic option they gave him was to withdrawl.. So the soonest flight we could get was for Nov 22nd which is not till another week and 3 days.. but in such short notice.. what can we expect. Meanwhile, as the kids got better of their flu, we have just been playing at home, not seen many people, not even going to Church until they would get better. So, this next week we are gonna try to go few times to the beach and still get lots of rest.

There are some pictures of our adventures at home.. and the halloween party on campus as well.

Samuel finally went a whole week without accidents, and got his very anticipated price! Cheetos.. So cute, as soon as Benjamin saw the bag he recognized the cheese puff and started looking at them, pointing at them, and Samuel just said, -"you want some baby? Sure, here, have some." Tender moment again.. It is funny how Samuel would share any food without asking him to but toys is a different world.. especially balls.

Sad part, he has 4 accidents (smalls ones) the next day. However, he has been really good, and the accidents happened because he was to distracted playing.. go figure.

Then my cuties decided to play together, at least for few minutes before wanting the same thing.. Although Benjamin was doing good at not putting the foam letters in his mouth, he still got caught on the act...

The other night, Samuel decided to make the highest tower he could before Benjamin would wake up from his nap and notice the great tower to destroy..

Benjamin has surely grown to be monkey enough to get up the couch.. here, he loves daddy's attention.. and like father like son.. love the t-shirt.
The other night when I came back from taking out the trash, I noticed something that moved on top of the washer.. yes, it was a little tiny lizard.. when I say tiny judge for yourself:

Then I went inside and Mr Benjamin was just as smilie as ever.. so I just took few shots..

The other day I got the backpack I had brought for Samuel out.. he just didnt want to take it off, and decided to pretend he was going to school.. He even took Benjamin with him from his little hand around the house, and Benjamin just loved it..

Speaking of Benjamin, the other morning I was not quick enough to put shorts on after taking off his pijamas.. and this is what happens..

Also, Benjamin's appetite is growing.. so much that doesnt care for a fork, spoon or hands.. just dig your face in boy!

Halloween

The Ross Spouses Organization is having lots of activities for all the children too on Saturday on campus too. Here in Dominica, they dont do halloween, so with even more reason I am planning on taking them to these activities.

I asked Samuel what costume he wanted to make. At first he said a ghost, then he said "no, too scary", haha, so, he decided to be a robot.. he was soooo excited with the idea.. He started telling me what materials to use, etc.. So I said to do a design on paper first. And later in the week we would put it together, but no. He was full of ideas and couldnt stop talking about it. So, here is what we put together in a rough design.

Of course, he didnt think how hot would be walking around campus at 1 pm covered with boxes etc.. we will see how resourceful we get...

Well, on sunday I decided to take some pictures walking home from church.. then you get to see a little of the scenary we see every sunday at least.. is a little different going to campus since it is the opposite direction. When we got out it was pretty sunny and hot of course..

Then as we got closer to home it started raining.. surprise suprise.. cant tell that much but Jay got wet and I had the umbrella but with the wind you still get wet.. we also walked with the missionaries, so we had good company.. and the kids.. well...

Grandma's poncho saved the day again! The even fell asleep with it.. nothing to see, what else but rest.

That saturday we had some of Jay's friends from MERP over for dinner, it was their birtday for two of them so.. they loved it, besides, like my banana and wheat bread so much that ask me to sell them weekly to them.. well see how it goes.. Samuel was soo excited with the extra attention.. especially Sonika his favorite since she has babysat before for us in order to go on dates.. doesnt his face look priceless?

The other day while Benjamin was taking a nap, Samuel was being creative with his blocks, especially knowning his brother wasnt coming to grab or kick them.. it started as a racetrack and ended on a pathway for the ball in the bucket..

Another evening with kids playing with favorite toy (Samuel's transformer) and laying with daddy watching some sports..

This is how cute Benjamin is when he wakes up from his nap.. just being spontaneous..

Our Landlord Mrs Judith Mitchell, has 3 boys and a girl. The youngest is 21 but two still live at home. Lulu is the only daughter, and she loves playing with Samuel, everytime Samuel hears her voice he jumps to the door to yell -"Hi Lulu!". Well, she asked me if they could play just outside of the house and if you have seen pictures there is not much lawn or any flat area that is not with concrete for Samuel to play "safe with Benjamin out too". So Samuel excited went out with her and played throwing the ball and then kicking it for a while.. he had a great time.. even getting the ball when it went too far..

One night playing with daddy, they realized how cool was to spin the ball in a medium bucket.. Benjamin thought it was hilarious...

Another time Jay was trying to teach Benjamin to spin.. pretty funny..

Frogs, tent, buckets..

These last weeks have gone slow actually. Benjamin got a pretty runny nose.. wasnt sure if it was a cold or his front teeth coming in, so I just decided to keep them home for preventetive reasons with so many other little ones around here.

I thought the high chair was the reason Samuel would sometimes fall asleep while eating.. but, I discovered it is the combination of being tired and hungry..


On another note.. his bathroom has adopted a little frog.. we had found it already 3 times.. it is so little is hard to notice.. but Samuel did.. of course. Then he asked, "can I keep it please??!!" and I said no buddy, there are plenty of crabs and lizards just out of the house to have a pet.. however, we took pictures of it.


Being at home can get a little hot, but still we try to enjoy ourselves, and the kids are great at it. Especially when I unlock the doors of the entertainment center.. Or Samuel and making his "tent", which can get hot with all the things he likes to put around..




The other day Samuel was using a show to kick his football, and when Benjamin saw him, he wanted to do it too..

My cutie.. here is another try in action..

However, the buckets still their favorite, well at least Benjamin's.. He just plays and giggles..

Trying to get his brother is funner though..

Mail is here!! And playdate!

The highlight of last week was the arrival of the box grandma sent us. We got Samuel excited, especially to get all the mercy from the customs guy so that wouldnt charge us too much.. and it worked! Just charged us a US$0.75... when to other people even with smaller boxes is like $10-150.. yes, random. We all enjoy getting the stuff out, including Benjamin.. such funny picture. Although, it was the things we requested, Grandma spoiled us by putting some goodies in it. Sad part, Samuel never new there was candy in it cuz we kept it hid.. by the time I figure to give him some.. we had already ate most of it.. it is ok, he still got his gummies..

After all the excitement, and play time on campus, Samuel was obedient enough to carry the box.. it also made him fall asleep! But of course, Benjamin was sooo awake and happy that I took advantage of the situation to take few cute shots!

Once at home.. we distributed all the things.. including the letter fridge magnets which Benjamin thought they were candy at first but got disappointed when felt the hard plastic. Funny story though, Samuel's first little word with the letters was... yes, what a cougar brain washed kid...

Thank you again grandma.. I personally have enjoyed the childproof locks for the kitchen cabinets! Finally the trash is secure of tinny hands, besides the gas tank!

Anyway, back in Omaha, NE we used to go to playgroup on thursdays, which in fact was the day I asked to be off from work so that I could take my kids to these activities.. Well, we are few here too with children the same age. So the wonderfull ladies decided to do it twice a week after lunch. This is especially great for Benjamin since he needs little buddies his age, instead of bigger like Samuel or even older like in Joy school. Of course, Benjamin has learned the not nice ways from having an older brother, of not really sharing when really interested in a toy or using his force to get any toy of his interest. So, I feel bad for the other three cuties that dont have older brothers and look very new to the concept. However, he is the skinniest by far.. taking the same weight path as his brother.. skinny but big appetite.. I wonder how they will be when they grow.. The great thing now is that they sort of share some of the clothes! Sad I know. what looks big on Benjamin is a little tight on Samuel, but still works for both.

The funny part about play date is since we meet at the activities room, half of the time Benjamin wonders off towards the ping pong tables to watch.. or take his own little soft ball and tries to put it on top of the tables as there are people playing... yes, my kid.. something Samuel actually did when his was that age.. well, he still does.
We love play date.. even Samuel looks foward to it, especially if Lucy is there.. Talking with Paige, (Lucy's mom) we agreed they shouldnt sit by each other at Church, because they wont stop talking.. sometimes dont even really talk about the same thing but act like they understand each other and were having a conversation.. so wont let the other people around them hear the speakers.. I wanted to laugh when it first happen.. but got to set an example... right? And take some measures..

By the way, these ladies were my inspiration and motivation too to keep up with this blog thing.. great advise and suggestions too..

Grandma's observation

The pictures are darling! I made a scrapbook page titled "Like Father . . . like Sons and had pics of the 3 of them with low rider swim trunks. Indeed, crack kills! But there were pics on the blog not included in the ones you sent me - have you been holding out?!!!