Our very big boy

Max turned three yesterday! And we caved and bought him a Disney Bed shaped like a fossil fuel guzzling sports car, (Lightening McQueen for those of you not initiated into the world of Cars). Oh to be idealistic young parents that we once were..."No DISNEY. No GENDER BASED presents."

In our defence Max also received a baby doll named Matthew. As he was tearing off the gift wrap and caught sight of Matthew he yelled in a confused state, "ZELLA! THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!!"

Free Kittens. Will Ship Internationally.

Last Saturday we went to a Girl Guides event where a friend brought two adorable kittens that she had found abandoned at a local bakery. They were beyond ridiculously cute but we already have pets and so had to say a firm and very clear "no thanks". Rob and I were smugly proud of ourselves for not being impetuous, a trait we share that gets us into trouble.

So off we went on our day, kittenless and happy for it. But the universe had different plans for us because that same day at five o'clock, 20 km away from where we last left the kittens, the security guard at our building approached us with a sob story. Would we like two kittens? Oh please? He couldn't take them on the bus home with him and some man had anonymously dropped them off at our building. Pleeeease would we take them? The crocodiles from the nearby swamp will eat them if they are left for the night!

And so. The rest of this post is unnecessary, isn't it? We now have two kittens. Kittens that we meant to find homes for but haven't yet. Kittens that our kids have been playing with CONSTANTLY since they arrived. And here's the worst of it....we've NAMED them. We're done for.

So please welcome...Tigger and Goggles!

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!