It took me longer than I had hoped, seeing that it is the end of June, but here is my review of May.
May was a good month. Nothing really exciting but some good family time. As you may have noticed in the pictures of Clark in former posts, we have been letting his hair grow out because Leo loves the curls. I love them too ,but it was getting to the point that even in the most "macho" clothes people were calling Clark "guapa" instead of "guapo". I mentioned several times to Leo that we should cut his hair and he refused everytime. Well, I took things into my own hands and with a little help from Grandma Yolanda, we trimmed Clark´s hair: not very much but enough to make a difference. Of course Leo was mad at first, but he got over it, if not he wasn´t going to eat dinner for some time. Some people still make the mistake and call him a her, including my doctor, but now perhaps it is just because he is just too cute. However, now that it is getting hot, I think it might be time for another unauthorized hair cut perhaps a buzz cut.
One of the first Saturdays of May we helped put on a Super Saturday activity for all the young men and women of the stake. There were probably 150 young people at the activity. In the morning Leo and I organized a workshop and then at lunch time we helped herd the young people to a grassy hill in the city where we ate lunch. I didn´t realize we were going to do this so we all got sunburn including Clark. After lunch they planned a dance but nobody was dancing so they asked me "the party game girl" to organize some activities. So off the top of my head we played several games including " Do you love your neighbor" and "dance with balloon between your forheads". In the end, it was a success and several people commented how much fun the kids were having. I think perhaps it is better that they ask me to do these things at the last minute so that way I don´t have time to stress.
Just like last year, Charlie wanted to celebrate his birthday at school. When it is his real birthday school is still not in session, so we celebrate it another time of the year. Last year was March and this year was May. I couldn´t go because of work but Leo´s mom and sister, and nephew and Clark all went and by Charlie´s request they brought sandwhiches and home made cookies to share with the kids. (No rules about homemade items here). Since Charlie had his birthday now he says all the time that he is 5, (Mom, remember I had my party), plus he reminds us that he can do all the things that other 5 year olds can do.
During May. our stake also organized a activity to celebrate the family. Everyone from the stake was invited to a park in Murcia, a city nearby to participate in family games and events etc. Since the park was right next to a rest home, each family was invited to go and bring an elderly person to enjoy the activity with us. Leo went to pick up someone and he felt drawn to an elderly women in the corner. He started to speak to her and she was very cold and didn´t want to leave, but he spoke awile with her and little by little, Gregoria started to warm up and finally decided to come out. Well, in the end she had so much fun with us that while the rest of the people went back to eat, she wanted to stay with us and even ate a plate full of Ecuatorian food. When she finally went back she cried saying it was the best day of her life. For us, as well, it was a very special experience, especially considering the fact that I didn´t want to go to the activity because I was in a very bad mood. After being with Gregoria I couldn´t help but feel better.
Perhaps one of the reason why I was a bit grumpy was because I am pregnant and the first few months I always have mood swings. Yes, for those who don´t know, we are going to have another little one at the end of December. We are very excited and can´t wait for the new arrival.
Clark before hair cut (bhc).
Clark (bhc) eating lunch at the grassy hill.
What a cutey!
Balloon between forhead game. Leo acting as judge in the the red shirt.
Charlie, the birthday boy, getting ready to hand out the food.
Charlie´s classmates eating the cookies.
Clark was in heaven and even started to write on the chalkboard, as if he were the king of the classroom.
The boys in the playground area. Javi and Clark didn´t want to leave and Charlie felt very special to have his family there, but finally they were kicked out.
Charlie climbing the tree at the park in Murcia during the family activity.
The whole family with Gregoria.
At a park nearby.
Unfortunately, at the park there was no picnic table or grass so we had a picnic in the gravel. Most parks don´t have grass here becuase it does not rain enough and watering is too expensive. It is at times like theses that I really miss my Oregon.
The next day we headed back to Cartagena which is about 4 1/2 hours away. The trip went smoothly but it felt good to be back home. Through out our roadtrip Grandma had prepared some gifts for the kids to open which they loved and we were even more excited when we got home because she had even more treats to give out, including superhero underwear as you can see below. During our time in Cartagena we visited the port, went on the turist boat that goes around the bay, walked around downtown Cartagena, and visited the beach several times. G & G also helped with several projects around the house: fixing toliets, shower heads, door handles, hanging curtains, taking down a bed, putting up bunkbeds, just to name a few. I don´t know what we would do without G & G. Thank you so much!
The worst part of a visit of course is the good-bye. G& G took the train to Madrid to catch their flight the next day. Luckily we live very close to the train station so we could all walk there. Once at the train station, the tears started and it was hard to stop. It was a great visit and we can´t wait until next time, but hopefully the next time will not be a short visit but more of a visit of the permanate nature.
