Birthday - Beach

Part Two of Gwendolyn's birthday - a beach adventure! Fifteen of us set off for the Caribbean coast early Saturday morning, hoping that the wet side of the country during rainy season wouldn't mean rain all day long.

It didn't - the trip was awesome! We got a little rain here and there, but for the most part the weather was great.

As was the company.

Lots of swimming.

Sand castle building.

Cupcakes.

And a piñata!

Gwendolyn was beaming. On the way home, she couldn't stop saying, what a fun adventure! 

 Happy Birthday our big three year old, we love you!

Birthday - Preschool

Last week Gwendolyn turned three! We had a two part birthday - Friday at her preschool, and Saturday, an excursion with her friends. After quite a lot of discussion, she decided she wanted a Uniqua cake (believe me, we tried may other - simpler! - suggestions first). If you don't have the pleasure of knowing who Uniqua is, you can read about her here.

David searched online, and found a pretty easy set of directions - here's the completed pink wonder.

To my dismay, it was not immediately recognized at school. I was greeted instead with delighted shrieks of "cool, a crab cake!" and "a moose!". Finally one child (not Gwendolyn) said, "Is that Uniqua?" (David thinks my antenna were too fat.)

Nonetheless, the kids were very happy with it.

Even Simon sat down for a closer view.

The highlight of the party, however, was unplanned and unexpected - the rare sighting of a tractor in Gamboa, clearly an event worthy of careful observation.

Tummy Time

up, up, up....

and down!

We Love Maddie

When I told Gwendolyn that her cousin Maddie had surgery on her ear this week, she was very concerned and asked if Maddie had to get a lot of shots. Then she drew her this picture. She told me that the face is Maddie, the blue is her ears, the green squiggle below is her name, the black line is the clouds, and the black dots are thunder - a metaphor for Maddie's trials maybe (or just a depiction of the actual rainclouds out our windows)? Either way, we send all our love, kisses and hugs to recovering Maddie - we're so glad you're okay and we love you!!!

Two Peas

In a pod.

Las Sirenas

While David's family was here, we discovered a beautiful beach retreat. Las Sirenas (the Mermaids) is a string of small condos right on the Pacific. 

We went during the week, and the beach was pretty much deserted.

Gwendolyn thought the surf looked inviting. It was actually quite rough.

We set out to wade in the surf, Gwendolyn in a life vest and Simon in his sling.

John and Sharon were expert Simon-holders while David, Gwendolyn, and I ventured out for short swims.

John cooked us pancakes one morning; eggs and toast the next.

Highlights were lounging in the hammock...

A surprise visit from Damond, Daisy, and Freya...

And a heart-thistle.

Fishing

In the Panama Canal. One day last week, David organized a fishing trip for John and Sharon. They set out just after dawn, and spent the morning on Lake Gatun. Returning with a large number of peacock bass (left) and oscars (a kind of cichlid, right). And lots of fun pictures.

Some close encounters with ships on the Canal.

And some closer encounters with white-faced capuchins.

A beautiful trip! Followed by several delicious fish dinners...

Escuelita

This week Gwendolyn had the opportunity to introduce her grandparents to her school, and Damond Kyllo's beautiful murals. The giant crocodile.

Alistair in front of the Tree of Life.

 And Oryana, the preschool music teacher, dancing with her fiddle.