El dentista!

OK....you know those things that you absolutely dread to do the FIRST time in a FOREIGN COUNTRY?? You know...... go to the doctor, visit the hospital....OK just about any first time thing in a new country can be traumatic (drama queen enter stage right). Well, it was time for our 6 month DENTAL CHECKUP...."Jaws" background music plays now.....and today was the day! We wanted to avoid any dentist that might possibly clean his tools in the blue barber shop liquid jar.....or some of the local dentist who operate out of what appears to be his residence.
Scary, huh? So with much apprehension, we arrived in a part of town we had never been in and saw the dentist. WE SURVIVED!!!!

Actually it was a very nice office with very nice staff and NO, they did not speak English! Mark and I figured that if they started to work on the right end then we had a victory because we have learned enough Spanish to at least express what service we need! HA It was indeed a day of victory and we have learned to bask in the small victories!

The Toucan

Olivia had to make a 5-10 minute presentation on the Toucan for her class this week. Naturally Mark was satisfied with her preparing a simple poster with Toucan facts but.....I thought that her presentation needed a little spice!!! I prepared her a power point on the Toucan! I thought it was a grand idea and Olivia did a great job! I will post the video...it is so cute with her little remote control clicker in her hand. For some reason, Mark has been referring to me all week as a "Texas cheerleader Mom?".......not quite sure why?

WOW...this are great!!!

Ok, we had a first this weekend. We had meetings with our company and a special speaker came in for a couple of days of teaching......he brought all of us a special treat.....M&M's!!! Not just regular M&M's but 2 NEW flavors he said are out in the States right now....cherry and dark chocolate. They were delicious.

Well, how was this a big deal...well for you it may not be because you have them all of the time but for US ...WOW...we had no idea that these flavors even existed! It was the first time that we felt really out of touch with how things "change" and you not be there to experience it.

We really enjoyed our M&M's and it was a great lesson in how sometimes the simplest things from "home" can be so weird and exciting all at the same time.

By the way, I am now officially adding cherry and dark chocolate M&M's to our wish list!

Driver Training School in Latin America

For those of you who have never experienced the joy of riding/driving in Latin America...this is for you! Here, road rage takes on a whole new level. We enrolled Olivia in an age appropriate driver training session to help her start preparing for driving here. Beware she still has a few years to sharpen her skills.........Claire's role is to portray the average foreigner in a vehicle here!

Wish you were here!

Last night we told the girls that we had a surprise for them today. We had planned to take them to an amusement park that we heard about through friends. They had NO IDEA what we were doing but I wish everyone could have seen their faces when we pulled up to the park...it was incredible!

We had a great day and a fun time just spending the day together. I am posting a video we shot of the girls favorite ride. It is hilarious to watch their faces.

Not everything we do is a "wish you were here experience" because to be honest our life is not full of excitement and experiences that the average person would enjoy BUT THIS ONE IS! So watch the video and "WISH YOU WERE HERE!"

As old as "Pacman"!

Although I am not sure what the start of this conversation was, the ending is too funny to not pass along!!! Mark and Olivia were discussing something today and Olivia asked him how old he was......Mark responded in his Fatherly voice "37"......Olivia with a priceless reaction says...."Daddy, you are older than Pacman!!!"

Mark came to me and said "did you know that I am older than Pacman?" I think he was quite devastated! Already staring down the pipe of 40...this was a real kick in the gut.

OK....Back to Work!!!

After a week of break from school and visiting with my parents, we are not quite ready to resume our studies. It was a busy but much needed vacation from the school routine. We had a great week taking Mom and Dad around to some of the beautiful sites here in Costa Rica. Everyone enjoyed the evenings of sitting around talking and sipping coffee. The girls really enjoyed their time with Memaw and Papaw and yes......they were spoiled rotten! From candy to kitchen sets......they had a great week.

Did I mention we have a huge test on reflexive verbs Monday morning that I have not even started to study for......?

Happy Easter to everyone as we celebrate the event that brings hope to all who believe in the RISEN Savior. May we be aware and ready to share to all of those around us who are living without that hope.