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?!!!

October continues..

Well, here we are already half the way thru October.. time just flies..

A few days ago, we decide to go to the "only park" here which is by the prep-school on campus.. Samuel was out just on the way there but Benjamin was ready to play so.. here he goes..

The slide was first but then, walking around exploring was funner..

Then, Samuel woke up and they decided to share.. what a moment.. no crying, no yelling.. (snif snif)adfg

Samuel has been going to "joy school" twice a week and loves what he gets to learn and play with.. Yesterday, they in craft time they made kites.. He was soooooooo Excited!!! He just wanted to go outside and fly it as high as he could.. he went all around the house (the Roy's house)... took a little while before I could get him to calm down and get in the stroller. In fact, I had to getting excited about flying the kite home from the stroller! haha my cutie..

Although, we did a birthday party for both kids before we left the States, I still though it would be special for him to have a cake and share it with friends.. so we just invited friends over to the school's pool and play. After a while we sang him happy birthday and cake for everybody.. He felt special and the whole week kept asking me to bake the box of cake mix he picked for his "party" because it had to be vanilla.. although tried to make the frosting.. it didnt turn out the way I planned so just paid twice as much for a pillsbury chocolate frosting and done. This time, Benjamin sure enjoyed the frosting.. his mustash can speak for itself.. We also borrowed a floaty and sat Benjamin in it.. as long as he had the rubber ball another friend brought he was content.. although when they starting floating away he would try to dive for them.. thats why the picture was great.

Did you ever wonder how much liquid can a regular diaper hold? well, a lot more than what we give it credit for... that is part of the reason Benjamin's shorts kept falling off.. say no to crack little buddy!

Earlier that day while Samuel was asleep, a lizard got in the kitchen.. Benjamin was soooo excited to grab it.. walking food, yeah! Jay kept trying to scare it towards the door but it took a little while before it finally did..

Also, the very early morning on Samuel's Birthday, Judith, our landlord remembered his special day, and got him some pringles.. that kid was just happy.. can you tell? the best part is that he let Benjamin had one of his precious pringles and when Benjamin would be done then he would offer and give more to Benjamin.. what a good act of charity and kindness! keep it up Samuel!

Another day, Benjamin was taking a nap when he sounded loud, kind of giggling about something.. I went in to find out that the kid had taken his diaper off and had discover his.. well.. and of course I said dont touch the... he started to cry. He also enjoys standing on his head.. what a silly monkey!

Again, coming up with more variety of foods took me to make chicken dumplings.. too bad skillet was smaller than the food.. but it still tasted great!

And October began..

Time flies.. We have been here already month and a half and Benjamin already turned 1 and Samuel is turning 3 this next weekend.

He chose the cake mix and I promised him we will go to the pool that day bring the cake and invite some of his friends and called it a pool party I guess.. so he kept asking if it was Saturday yet. Go figure...




Casseroles are still a winner for all of us.. especially for Benjamin.. although he is interested in using silverware.. he thought his hand was more accurate for this meal...





We havent really done anything exciting last week, but we still enjoy cooking.. Pizza still the winner for Samuel.. so we made a taco pizza.. and he loved it! Just looking at his grin how can you not give him more?



Every Friday, they have a movie on campus, only two of them this semester were kid friendly, but last Friday they showed UP and Samuel was sooooooooooooo excited! So I took both kids, made his pop corn at home and brought some cookies.. Boy, he just loved the movie.. Besides, sitting next to his best friend.. Lucy.. (same age, also in nursery with other 5 little girls.. yes Samuel is the only boy in his class of 7 kids)..

And by the way, those who keep telling me why dont I let the kids play in the tub... is because we DONT have a TUB.. even better! We have a shower with a hose! We used to shower one at the time like in this picture, but it takes too long.. so now we do both at the same time.. They dont like it at first but then the big smiles come out.. right Benjamin?

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Let's see how much can I get done...

Yes, Samuel is potty training.. had few good ones where he made it to the potty, but we have had quite few messes to clean up. But it's been only 4 days, so I cant give up now. For him, sounds like he knows and recognizes when is coming, but gets too excited on his play that doesnt prioritaze very good.. dont blame him though.. Here, is his favorite underware.. I keep saying, " you dont want to get wally wet, right?" his answer.. "nope!" What a pose.. I have to admit that it was sooo funny the first time he pooped in the potty.. he said with great surprising face "It's a poopo warm!" then he smiled..

Later when he naps I decided I dont want to worry about cleaning the cushions and yes I know.. white trash and all, but saves me time, effort, patients.. and my hands too.. so here goes the poor kid napping under plastic.. got to admit that with his arm above his head, his ribs pop out soo much that looks terribly skinny. I am glad his appetite still as good as it was back in the States.

Benjamin is growing so fast everyday.. He is already walking and just discovering all kinds of things... I have had to put away things every week because he would get stuck, crawl over.. yes, his normal look of his forehead is with bruises because of how much he falls or just voluntarily hits his head on the floor.. got to teach him the concept of selfestem this young.. He loves shoes, especially my flip flops or Samuels shoes because of the velcro.. I love this picture though.. so inocent.. You can still see his little bandaids from his one year inmunizations few days ago.. just cried when the needle when in and that was it. He even wipped his own tears and looked over another side far from the doctor to entertain himself. What a tough cookie! Samuel just looked quitely and held the bandaids like the doctor asked him to.

One of his favorite things now is to point.. not necessarily because is important, but just to do it.. he is sooo funny when he does it because of his gesture with his mouth.. looks like a monkey, even Samuel noticed and mentioned out laud of course.

Sometimes, he just gives these weird looks at you.. definetly making faces is part of character..
Every now and then, he has thrown some kisses.. here was the first shot I could get of it. He still loves music, any kind too.. I love this clip because you can tell how hard Samuel was trying to sing along but couldnt catch up to it.. And later Benjamin just does his jumping on his knees dance move..

But really, Benjamin learned to get around with the trash.. So, we had to put it up higher, out of reach.. now is a pink bucket where he just loves to get around with.

The funny thing is that Samuel decided to use a little round trash can to rise him around the house. Samuel likes to protect himself like the football players, so he wears his "helmet" when "driving his bucket".. kids.. haha

Mami finally got her shipment of flour and pasta from Roseau.. you can buy it here in Picard, but it ends up being more expensive in the long run since the little stores here buy it in big shipments like I did and sell it by 1, 2 or 5 pound bags.. So, I got tired of going to the store for it every few days and just have my own store in the convenience of my shelves. Thankfully Benjamin was taking his nap, and Samuel help me divide the big 100 lb bag into smaller bags.. and put away the wheat flour ones already in 5 lb bags... both go by fast since I make my own wheat bread. He was excited though.

The results.. we made pizza that night.. and everybody seemed to enjoy it! The pictures talk for themselves..

Next day, we went to have breakfast at one of my friends bakery (thank you Laura.. it was delicious!). She and her husband opened it not too long ago and is as busy as a beehive.. Samuel enjoy it too.. especially when she offered him to pick a cookie..

Of course Benjamin couldnt keep his hands to himself and restrain himself from temptation... having Samuel sooo close had to get him!

And Patty and Laura just laughed!

I didnt take any pictures with all the luggage.. but I assured you that I fitted in the 6 luggages the 3 boxes of diapers... since I knew they where gonna be the most expensive thing to buy here...

Wenesday,August 19th 2009, in a very rainy and almost cold morning in Omaha, NE we left Grandma & Granpa Jevne from a summer of fun... excluding that when moving with them, the rest of our stuff moved in too... ;(

We got to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where two of my best friends from high school were nice enough to let us to pick us up (6 luggage + 3 carry ons + 3 personal items + double jogging stroller + 2 kids + 2 adults = 2 cars), letting us stay in one of their house. We decided to grab taco bell before getting to the house.. interesting... never thought ordering Mexican food in Spanish from a Puerto Rican would be so hard. Fortunatelly, the food was what we would expect.

Samuel didnt last to get to the house when he was out cold. But Benjamin who took a long nap on the flight, decided to be as active as he usually is... so the new aunts decided to play with him as well as take a picture with him.. Benjamin can smile so cute most of the time, but when is picture time.. not soooo much..

After a month and 4 days in the Island of Dominica, here goes the story of our journey and weekly adventure.. if I can keep up with it..