The world's best fruit

Today while walking Max home from school we heard a big 'thump'. One of the many mangoes that grows just outside our window had fallen to the ground. We trotted over, picked it up and put it in Max's knapsack for later. It made a great addition to our peanut butter sandwich lunch and, without overstating it, was the best mango I think I've ever eaten.

Big Girl School

Rob and I are constantly amazed by our kids, but really never moreso than this past week. Zella started at her "big girl school" this week. The first day was terrifying. For me. Her? She handled it like an ex-pat pro.

You have to picture that Zella is attending an all girls, Spanish language school. Full on immersion both linguistic and cultural. There are students ranging in age from 4-18yrs and the hallways are full of "really big girls" as Zella so aptly put it.

Her comments? On the first day, "My Spanish totally left my brain. I had to go pee all morning because I couldn't even remember how to ask where the bathroom was...". And then on the second day, "The music room is really far away and we have to walk outside to get there and the teacher let us do it all by ourselves." And by day three when asked how school was? "It was awesome, okay Mom? I love it."

Our children the inventors

It's a slow, hot Sunday afternoon here. Our kids have been mucking around inventing things. Two spray bottles become an "outdoor water face massage", some brillo pads and tape become "slippy feet floor cleaners" and a length of white wool and a pair of scissors become a "worm and bracelet factory".

Bye Mom! Bye Dad!

Mom and Dad headed back to Canada today and we've been melancholy ever since. It was so amazing having them here, they were not only fun to have around but a great help with the kids. Max has been chanting a new mantra today, "I miss Gramma and Grampa PEI". We do too.

As I write they're still on the plane heading home. Hopefully Spring will come soon enough and they'll be rid of the snow. We'll see them in the summer, but it does seem like an awfully long time til then. Thanks Mom and Dad. We love you so much. XOXO

We didn't get voted off the island

So this weekend we went to Contadora Island which is part of the Pearl Islands here in Panama. The Pearl Islands, as you might recall, were used as a location for the television show Survivor. And much like the show protrayed they are remote and extremely beautiful. Think white sand beaches, turquoise water, palm trees and host Jeff Probst. Jeff wasn't there actually.

While we were there the President of Panama, Martin Torrijos, arrived and helicopters carrying the rich and famous kept popping in and out. On an island that's only 1.6 miles across everything is everyone's business. Rob actually shook the President's hand, but only b/c he didn't recognize who he was and the President was wearing a McGill University baseball hat. Go figure. Rob saw the hat, gave the President a big hello, they shook hands, made small talk and then we saw the guy standing behind him with the AK-47. Uh huh. So you're the President. Got it. Never did figure out where the McGill hat came into play.

The shots above are of various beaches, beach creatures and one very sleepy 5 year old in a hammock. Stay tuned for more shots of off road golf carting with Mom and Dad!

Gamboa Rainforest Discovery Center

In checking out the sites with my parents we headed off this morning to Gamboa Rainforest Discovery Center. The Center is located in the small town of Gamboa just north of Panama City and is absolutely filled with wildlife. Which is, of course, not surprising when you see what it takes to get to it. After a 20 minute drive down a jungle shrouded road you arrive to a visitors kiosk made entirely of recycled materials. Without over stating it, as you stand chatting with the very knowledgeable guides you must constantly duck or risk being hit in the head by dive bombing hummingbird.

After a short hike there's an observation tower that rises above the jungle canopy. It's a killer stairmaster and not for the faint of heart but really worth it. The shots above are from our trip today.

Shot 1: Hummingbirds feeding (expand picture to see the bumble bee too)

Shot 2: Leaf Cutter Ants

Shot 3: Mama Sloth and Baby (Dad spotted these two quietly munching in tree just above our heads)

They're heeeere....

My parents are here! The kids are ecstatic. The last couple of months have been full of family here in Panama and we're loving it.