The Pearl Islands

After a few days in Gamboa, we took the ferry to the Pearl Islands, a little chain of islands off of Panama City. We'd never been there before, we really liked it!

It was full of beautiful, super soft sand beaches. 

 Making for happy, sandy kids.

 Maddie and Max were super sweet with Simon. I think for the first time he felt a bit like one of the big kids.

Lots of time for grandparent bonding.

We rented a house for three nights, had a wonderful home catered Italian meal, when snorkeling and scuba diving, collected shells, made sand castles, caught cane toads, drove around the island in golf carts, and spent lots and lots of time in the warm, calm water.

And then all too soon it was over! We miss you so much, wonderful family....!!!

Gamboa Time

We spent the new few days with the family in and around Gamboa. 

Touring the Miraflores Locks...

Picnicking by the old Gamboa light house...

Swimming the resort pool...

And hanging out at home. Maddie and Max introduced Gwendolyn into the incredible world of dress up. I love it that Max embraces this whole heartedly as his sister and cousin - here he and Gwendolyn are in their outfits, that red thing is Max's high heeled shoe!

  A tired Gwendolyn got a Toby-hug on the way home from the park.

And Taisie spent time cuddling with her bevy of grandchildren.

Sometime during these Gamboa days began Simon's extreme and intense love of Jess. So much so that he would crawl around looking for her first thing every morning, and when he finally spotted her he would beeline in her direction. Jess would always give him a big smile, swoop down and pick him up, and allow him to direct her around, following where he was pointing with his finger. It was during this week that Simon first started walking while holding hands - Jess's, of course. When the visit came to an end, he was irritable and grumpy with the rest of us, quick to cry and complain for the next two or three days. Clearly suffering withdrawal from his favorite aunt....

Happy Easter

Easter morning, and lots of activity! We picked up Maddie and Max, Sam and Jess at their apartment around the corner...

And headed to the park for Easter egg dying and hunting.

Almost all the kids of Gamboa were there, which was a little overwhelming for Maddie and Max, but they perked up when the egg hunt began.

They missed the group photo, but seemed to really enjoy coming up with new uses for the slinkies and bouncy balls hidden inside the plastic eggs.

And this was just the beginning of the day! We came back to the house for lunch, then naps, then pool time, then dress up, then bbq dinner...

The four cousins all together for the first time, and we have a whole week before us - so fun!

Arrival!

Late Saturday night, the weary travelers appeared. We were amazed at how awake and cheerful Maddie and Max were - despite an early wake up, two airplanes and a long taxi ride. After a quick impromptu dinner, they seemed to recover all their energy and were ready to hit the toys. Throughout all this, Gwendolyn remained asleep, only to meet her cousins the next day. Amazing, even after a few minutes, we had the impression that no time had passed at all. So comfortable, and so good, to see the family again.

Anticipation

Counting down the days!!!! Just one more now - and a visit from Sam, Jess, Maddie, Max, Toby and Taisie! Every walk we take involves lots of flower collection, all for the family to come. Pictures, collages, presents - Gwendolyn wakes up saying she wants to skype with her grandparents and with Maddie and Max. But soon now, in person! We can't wait.

We've been arranging (or unarranging as the case may be).

Wrapping.

And collaging (note the T&T).

Plantation Road

Another school field trip, this time to Plantation Road.

Looking for frogs.

Finding flowers.

The class, from left to right:
Nico, Eric, Eva Lucia, Maya, Freya, Gwendolyn, and their teacher, Mitdalys.
Yayyy for the Gamboa Preschool!

In bloom

 All of Gamboa seems to be in bloom.

  Gwendolyn, the avid collector, back from a morning walk.

First Haircuts

I love Gwendolyn's hair. We've never cut it, and it has been with some small sadness that we came to the realization it was getting unmanageable. We could only brush it after a bath, plus lots of conditioner, plus lots of tearful struggles. Braids were helping, but it was still hard. And Panama is a hot place to have a lot of thick, curly hair.

 Here's before.

Here's after. She looks so much younger to me now! But extremely sweet. We did it together - Gwendolyn herself even cutting some - and she really likes it, and likes the attention too of having everyone comment on the change. I have started working on Simon's too. His is a little trickier, I can only cut when he's asleep. But I've trimmed a bit behind the ears - very handsome, interestingly it makes him look less like a baby, more like a little boy...