Play Date!

Friday, January 18

Today was a pretty busy day for Amanda and I.  Eddie started our day off by making us breakfast.  Then we ran to catch the 9:00 bus to Turrialba.  We shopped in the farmers market, and this is about 50% of our purchases:

 After that, we carried our purchases on our backs and walked to the Costa Rican “Walmart”:  MaxiPali (but not before stopping for a smoothie on our way).  We rushed through the store because the bus was coming in 15 minutes. Unfortunately, we had to wait in line for at least 15 before checking out. We rushed out to the bus stop about 5 minutes after the bus was scheduled to come… I think we missed it.  We waited, and a random bus came about 25 minutes later (that was better than waiting an hour).  We arrived in Tuis around 12:15… that is about the quickest trip we can make to Turrialba and back…  Nothing like “quick” trip to Turri!

The Boys and Valentina

We stashed our purchases and ate some lunch.  Eddie had stayed home with Jaden, and gave him a nap in preparation for our busy afternoon.  I had to wake him up from his nap so we could catch the 2:15 bus to La Suiza.  We were invited to April’s house for a “play date.”  She invited Amanda to join us, so we got off the bus at the bottom of the hill.  I proceeded to call her because she offered to pick us up at the bottom… Unfortunately, I had her number wrong in my phone and could not reach her.  We started the climb; and it started raining.  About half-way up, I realized… Oh, maybe Eddie can call her for me.  By the time she got the message, we were walking up the driveway… out of breath and a little wet.  No complaints though because we were so excited to be there.  Jaden love the chance to play with the other kids and with all of Valentina’s cool toys!  

Poor Valentina… she didn’t stand a chance with all these boys:

Valentina and Jaden "cleaning."

Karin and Sael were there (along with Karin’s mother-in-law and Kerin’s nephew).  Kirsten and her three boys were there (Noah, Ocean, and Baby Ezra).  And of course we cannot forget our host: April and her two children (Valentina and Baby Noah).  Also, her mother-in-law was there to help out.  We had coffee, fruit and “salchichones.” 

"Daddy" Jaden

Jaden is checking out the turtle sanctuary in the living room.

Kirsten, Ezra and Ocean listening to stories in Spanish.

Baby Noah was born about a week after
we arrived in Costa Rica back in September.

Hangin' out!

Jaden is starting to appriciate "drawing" and a magna-doodle
is the perfect toy for that.  He can only "draw" on it and not the
floors and walls!

 Jaden is starting to appreciate "drawing" and a magna-doodle is the perfect toy for that... he can only "draw" on it and not the floors and walls!

One last picture of Valentina and and the boys who took over her
toys for a few hours.  Thanks for sharing, Sweet Girl!

We spent a bit of the afternoon telling each other stories of how we met our husbands (in Spanish, of course) and trying to round the kids up for a picture.  It was a relaxing afternoon, and I hope we do it again some time.  I loved learning more about each of the women and Jaden loved the play time…  He was too busy playing to eat.  Once he got home, he was starving. 

Sopla

Jaden's first fort, built by Titi Amanda and Daddy.

 A few minutes later, we couldn't find Jaden.  We looked around the house, but we didn't hear him.  When we found him, he was "hiding" silently in the fort... He has this thing figured out already!!!

We ate some left-overs for dinner, and Rysen came over for a movie night.  We had quite the set up in our living room!

Movie Night

This picture doesn't do it justice... but we projected the movie onto our living room wall and arranged the sofas for a 7:00 showing of "Hotel Translyvania."