Vacation (aka "vacas")

For those of you who don't know Spanish, "vacas" means cows but that is how some people abbreviate vacation. I thought that was cute. We are now on vacation here until June 30th. It was supposed to begin on this Wednesday but the Health Department has asked all the schools to close down for 16 days to help prevent the spread of the swine flu. We have been off since the 13th of June. I have enjoyed teaching Science in English to the elementary students but this is a much needed break. Last week was so heavenly to slow down. Things have been crazy and way too fast for me. It has been good to help me to appreciate my slower, previous life and to stop stressing myself out and just enjoy my kids. I actually enjoy cooking and doing laundry since I am not in a rush to get anywhere. This week we hope to go to the beach for a few days. We still haven't gone on our beach trip yet because of the change in vacation schedule. The real rainy season has finally arrived and it actually gets chilly. Yesterday at church I wished I had some of my warm sweaters, tights, and boots.

The kids are doing great! Heidi is chatting up a storm in Spanish. It is just natural that being a female she would be the one to speak sooner and the most. Joshua's Spanish is progressing well too. Noah says "Mira" (look) now. Elijah just repeats everything we say in Spanish but I think he will surprise us after he is exposed more to the language.

The mosquitos are enjoying our family so I am thankful for the email I got from my mom today informing me that Listerine is a great way to kill and get rid of mosquitos. We will have to try it.

Last night at dinner Elijah informed us that one of his grandpas was killed by a hippo. We aren't sure which grandpa but we hope that all of his living grandpas steer clear of any hippos. We all died laughing. He is always coming up with the funniest things. I would like to understand his interesting perspective.

Last Saturday we went to a surprise birthday party for our good friend, Oly, Angelica and Oscar's mom. We call her our Guatemalan grandma. The kids asked us what the family connection was and how we are related to her. She fed Ryan as a missionary and we have always had a special connection with their family. She turned 60. The party was at Angelica and Javier's beautiful colonial style home in Guatemala City. They have a gorgeous front and backyard garden area. They shared some fresh oregano (I used some of it in a soup I made yesterday) from a bush in their front yard and let me pick some eucalyptus leaves off of a gorgeous tree in the back yard. Oscar was their with his beautiful girlfriend, Jeanette. He is hilarious and the kids love to joke and play with him.

I'll see if Ryan can upload pictures later. I don't have the ability here from home. I hope all is well with all of you.