Camping Howard Prairie Lake

Finally, the first camping trip. Pablo couldn't stop talking about camping for days before the trip. Antonio just repeated what big brother said not really knowing what the trip would be all about. Less than an hour away from home, Howard Prairie Lake sits in the Cascade Mountains just on the border of Jackson and Klamath counties.

Sleeping bags ... Pablo had a sleeping bag but Antonio didn't, until we went to Goodwill the day before the trip and found a small Thomas the Train sleeping bag: Antonio's favorite character. For a while we were concerned that Pablo would want the much newer Thomas sleeping bag, but when we laid them both down in our living room, Pablo immediately pointed out that the Thomas sleeping bag had to be Antonio's because it was his favorite movie.

Driving ... The boys are really good in their distance driving mode. I don't remember any of them complaining. They have a bag of toys between their seats so they keep entertained. The road winded through Dead Indian Memorial Road into the Cascade's. Here's how the road got its name. The pine and fir forests were amazing although pretty monotonous for a 4 year-old-boy so he went on pointing out the road signs: "crazy turn", "careful with the dear", "careful with bicycles"-depending on the sharp turn sign, dear crossing and bikes warnings, etc.

Camp ... Pablo helped with the tent poles and Antonio hammered the hooks into the ground with his orange hammer. Pablo picked up sticks for the fire and Antonio broke the thin ones in half. They ate hotdogs and roast, ran up and down the designated area ... careful not to trip on Grandma's dog Alex. Although Grandma's trailer was a steps away, the boys liked to keep outside where all of us were. Best of all they loved going for walks, so we took frequent trips to the bathroom walking around the forest.

Swimming ... The lake shore was fairly shallow so it was easy to walk in the water. But the bottom was sticky dirt, so it felt strange for the boys to walk up to Daddy a few yards into the lake. With a little help they got waist deep and began building a relationship of trust with the water. Their favorite activity was to lay their bellies on their floating board and have Daddy pull them in circles. They played in the water for about 30 - 45 min until it got too cold. Then they went for a towel with Mommy, Grandma and Grandpa. But Daddy stayed in the water so they always came for seconds into the lake. Then back out for the towel.

Mommy and Me Day!

Pablo and I went out for a Mommy and Me Day yesterday.  We got up, ate french toast (as usual) then decided to plan our day.  We started out around 10:00am walking down the hill for a taxi.  We're so lucky that a neighbor was leaving at the same time and gave us a ride all the way to Las Americas (its like a small mall).  To us that is like a huge service, its really hard to get around sometime in Venezuela, not to mention how expensive it can be just to drive for 5 minutes.  

So went to buy Pablo some Buzz Lightyear shoes but too bad they didn't have them in his size.  To our surprise they did have Spiderman shoes that lite up.  At first he just stood there like a statue and refused to walk.  After a minute he took some steps like his feet weighed tons.  Once he discovered that every time his foot stepped down the lights went off, it wasn't long till he was jumping and have a great time.  

Now that Pablo had a little distracter I went to get my hair cut.  He did really good sitting where I told him, playing with his airplane and a bubble pack the owner gave him.  Pablo would get up some times and come hold my hand like I did with me.  He would reasure me that I really looked great. We even talked with a hearing impaired lady.  When the man handed me the mirror to look at the back Pablo came and stood next to me saying " Mom you really look great, done? Let go now, OK?"  He really has a way of healing people.

After that we went to The Language College to see our good friend Yurima.  She really loves our boys.  She has gave Pablo all of her sons old clothes, bed sheets and toys.  Everything that little boys are into.  I'm talking about really Tonka trunks like we had growing up.  So cool.  Pablo was so excited to show her his shoes.  Yurima even turned off the lights in the school so Pablo could see his shoes glow as he run around the office.

It was around 1 or so and we were getting hungry so we ate a fresh Mango off the tree.  Sooo good.  

Talked with our friends for a while and then come home.  Pablo feel asleep in the taxi right before we arrived.  Took a great nap.  

Now tell me that doesn't sound like a cool Mommy and Me Day!!

Cars and Hills, How FUN!!

Pablo got this car for xmas.  He is learning to pedal, steer and use to brakes.  Pablo and I went out to the street while Antonio was sleeping, to have a little fun.  Enjoy the video.

We are having technical difficulty at the moment, please try again later... as in after Bob helps me find the video. sorry ;.)