I forgot to mention beauty parlor with Aunt Janie on Sunday afternoon. Needless to say, we didn't rest very much. After I drove Janie to the airport on Tuesday morning, I came home and took a 2 hour nap. Teac woke up and looked all over the house for her. We miss her already. We hope she comes back soon!!!!

 
By 2 pm after cotton candy and lots of playing we were exhausted. We left Divercity and drove to a yummy place to eat where the portions were huge... Then we came home and rode the bikes to the grocery store.

 
Riding to the fire

 
Fireman Teac. They first went upstairs in the fire house to learn about being a fireman by watching a little video, then the fire bell rings and they slide down to the bottom floor, put on their fireman gear and hop on the truck to ride to the fire where they use hoses with real water to put out the fire.

 
At the radio station they had to go out and do surveys, write the script and then perform it. When Marlo did the rock band we could watch her on TV outside the station door.

 
It was really cool that the kids had to use some of the money they earned to buy insurance and a driver's license before they could drive.

 
Driving in traffic

 
Fixing the car at the service station.

 
Teac was so excited to fill the cars up with gas but then he wanted to drive them which is what you do after you fill up with gas of course... he just isn't tall enough yet.

 
Marlo learning to be a nanny... they had to give their babies a bath, get them dressed and take them on a walk. Check out the beads that were the nany uniform :)

 
Zoe checking out the dog. One of the boys in line spoke a little English and offered to help Zoe.

 
Aunt Janie gave an excellent talk in church on Sunday and we played games and read stories until Monday when we woke up early to search for a place to eat arepas (which was closed for the holiday), ended up at a bread shop where we tried lots of yummy rolls, met some friends and drove to Divercity. This is Zoe at the bank where the kids open an account when they first arrive. After that they are free to explore. At each station they can choose to pay to do something or work and earn money. Zoe tried jeweler, veternarian, service station attendant, chocolate factory worker, archaeologist, bought insurance and got a drivers license, and drove cars. Marlo was a radio announcer, construction worker, drove cars, and some other things.... Teac worked at the yogurt factory, rode boats, was a fireman- his favorite, airplane piolot... and something else.... Parents are not allowed inside the exibit with the kids so they have to do it all themselves. It is really cool.

 
After lunch we walked around the fair and then went to Crepes and Waffles for yummy ice cream.... and then home to crash!

 
At the fair we ate chiguiro- the world's largest rodent. (aka capybara) read more :) It was actually quite tastey. Served with guacamole, potatoes, and grilled corn. With it we drank mandarine juice and limeaide.

This is the stage at the fair where we were. They had performances of traditional music throughout the day. This dance comes from the coastal region and what is impressive is how quickly they move their feet. My friend is convinced that it is a dance reserved for the young. The youngest pair on the stage couldn't have been more than 6 years old.

 
Llamas... one even had a baby only a few weeks old. The kids were warned to stay away from the baby for fear of the mama llama :)

 
Rides around the room....

 
Friday night we left the kids home and went out dancing. So very fun. There was a huge group of young singls from the church there, along with a bunch of people from our ward. We had a great time!
Saturday morning we recouperated and played games until Saturday afternoon when we went to Corferias. Kind of like a county fair. Only these animals were the only live ones there and they were part of a demo room- still very cute.

 
The hair is different but I think they look related...

 
Swings at the embassy....

 
Little brother having a turn. On the video you can hear him trying to make noises as well.

 
On the top floor of the gold museum they have an experience room where the kids can touch and play with some replicas of the things in the cases. In particular little flutes? not sure what to call them. This is Zoe blowing into one of them.

 
The front of the church at the top of Monserate.

 
Day one we went shopping in a little leather factory for bags, went out to lunch and walked around a little. Marlo had Girl Scouts that afternoon at our house and papi taught all the girls first aid. Friday the girls stayed home from school and we went to Monserate, the Gold Museum, lunch and the embassy. A long day. This is from the top of Monserate over looking Bogota.

 
Story time :)

 
Aunt Janie came loaded with presents for everyone. She made the beautiful dress and skirt for Marlo and Zoe and brought books to read to everyone. If you haven't read Dirty Joe the Pirate who steals dirty socks you are really missing out.

 

The day before Aunt Janie came to visit I put the two boys into the huge tub with a little water.

 

Marlo came home with her new "Press" badge today. She just finished 3 articles for the student monthly publication for the Elementary school. She was so excited!!

We have been playing on a soccer team here with the embassy. Nothing too formal (ie we never practice and only some of us have matching shirts) but we have real matches with referees etc. We have been working out a couple of days a week and I was starting to feel better and stronger. Wednesday after my Spanish class there was a group of guys playing 5 v 5 on a small field on the embassy grounds and they let me kick around with them. I did pretty well.... even scored the final goal. So I was feeling pretty good about soccer in general. On Sat. we had to start the game 2 men down and they scored two quick goals. As I got warmed up I was feeling more aggressive and started playing tougher. I even did a couple of slide tackles which I never do. About 1/2 way through the second half I took a bad step on the field... which is really long, soft, and uneven. I didn't feel anything wrong and kept playing until I went to run someone down and my knee was killing me. I think I bruised or tore my meniscus in my right knee. It seems to run in my family but I am still very depressed about it. I hope it heals quickly.

Two moments for today's journal.

Moment #1: I was helping Teac go potty when he was watching his poop come out and said, "wow, it's like a space rock!!" I just smiled and agreed with him of course after I repeated it to make sure I really heard what I heard.

Moment #2: I made Mexican Mole for the first time today. It is only the second or third time in my life I have ever eaten it so I didn't have a lot of memories to base the flavor on. But after reading some recipes online I just tried it... and Papi was amazed... he thought it was really good... which is a compliment to be sure. Even the kids (except Teac) ate it without complaint.... with home-made pinto beans, rice, salad and tomatoes for garnish, and tortillas with some lime squeezed on top. It was a relief to make anything yummy and creative because I hit a wall when it came to thinking of what to make tonight. I think I am going to try a baked lemon pasta that Pioneer Woman has on her site next.

 

These two have a very special relationship. They take care of each other... most of the time. Teac is kind of lonely during the day. I can't wait for Ethan to be old enough that they can play together. Teac waits with great anticipation for them to come home from school everyday. It is a big treat for him when they stay home.

 
:)

 
I love it when they look this happy.

 

Marlo had to go with me to the embassy on Wednesday so while we were there we got her hair cut at the little salon on the compound. Marlo always picks styles with curly hair.... The lady spent an hour using the curling iron on her and 2 hours later it was straight again. Today she stayed home because the rest of the kids in her class went on their first communion trip. So we did beauty parlor to see if we could get the curls to stay in with hot rollers. Not much better. But here are some pictures we took after the make over. She felt so grown up.

So he started taking steps today... all by himself without our coaching. Of course when we tried to capture it on film he was too distracted. But today is the day he took his first steps. Pretty cool... 9 mos and 1 week old.

 
Creation #2 apparently she is going through her clown phase

 

Occasionally they get really creative with the dress-up. Here is Zoe modeling one of Marlo's creations.