La Pura Vida

We woke up this morning to monkeys squawking and looked out our windows to see this.

 

After watching monkeys for hours, we hit the beach for a couple of hours. 

 

We took a hike to the water and at the end of the trail, we found a two toe sloth. The boys went kayaking and I soaked up the sun!

 

 

We had dinner in a plane shot down in Nicaragua during the Iran-Contra Scandal, or something like that. I'm not much for details when choosing restaurants. I stopped listening at killer sangrias. The sunset from our table was stunning, though.

 

 

Day two in Manuel Antonio has been perfect!

Repeat Trip

Some places are so beautiful, so perfect, you have to return. We are kicking off our Christmas week vacation in Costa Rica.

 

Top: Arenal, Costa Rica April 2008

Bottom: Quepos, Costa Rica December 2016

Day one was spent with a traditional breakfast of tamales and beans and rice (Wes was in heaven) and then a cross country van ride. We made a quick stop at a Crocodile Sanctionary; if watching from afar wasn't disturbing enough, a Tico tried to scare me by coming up behind me with a toy crocodile tickling my legs. That wasn't very funny, to me anyway. The boys got a big kick out of my screams of terror.

 

Our resort is beautiful with a breathtaking view. I could get used to this.

 

8th Grade Night

Last night the eighth graders were recognized at their last home game of the regular season. 

Look at the attitude! Love it! L-O-V-E it!

 

Wes and I escorted Evan on the court. By the looks on our faces we are one step from torture. I have no idea why we look so shell shocked. 

 

Meanwhile, Keagan was living it up in the stands. Coach found him sitting with a gaggle of girls - eighth grade girls at that - and all eyes were on him. Coach asked him what he was doing with girls two years older, and Keagan replied, "That's what I do, Coach." 

When I asked him about it, he said, "Those older girls love me, Mom."

We won the basketball game by a landslide. Evan had an amazing spin move under the basket that almost made me pee my pants. It was that good!

Don't Ask to Open an Early Christmas Present Again

Every year.

Every year Keagan asks to open an early Christmas gift. I always say no, and he still asks. Today he asked me again and I acquiesced. 

While he napped today, I wrapped a very important "gift" for our Christmas trip to Costa Rica. Keagan was hoping to open a set of clues that would lead him to a PS4 game system.

He opened Bonine, his air sickness medication, instead.
I think I've solved the problem of his asking to open an early Christmas present. 

First Love

"Mom, Evan has never had a girl over."

"Yes, he has. Campbell used to come over when he was five to play Ben10."

"Mom, this is serious."

 

I guess so. Look at that smile!

Saint Nicholas Day

Some traditions are just too perfect to break. Fourteen years later and St. Nicholas still visits my American boys on December 6.

 

Today's big hit were the Nike Elite custom socks. Keagan got the Oreo design and Evan got the Hot Cheetos. 

 

Keagan was so excited, he rolled his pants up to his knees so everyone could see his socks. He said, "I'm so glad I'm German because if I was just American, today would just be another Tuesday. But I got socks and candy!"

He's 12 and still believes he is German. 

Some traditions are hard to break. 

No Rest for the Weary

 

I didn't realize expressing interest in playing indoor soccer this winter put Keagan on a roster, but one email later, I found he was playing for the season. He played in his first tournament today. And he came home with first! I'm glad he had a positive experience because I'm pretty sure he is rostered every weekend between now and Valentines Day.