Photo of the Day: Day 22

No matter where we go in the world, we are always on the lookout for chances for Caleb and Isaac to interact with animals. They love them and if we give them time to feed, touch, or look at some sort of animal we can usually manage to squeeze in something else very adult and not at all interesting to them.

feeding ponies,

watching roosters,

and petting goats at Mary Arden's farm in Stratford-upon-Avon

feeding pigeons in Panama

touching a very scary looking anaconda in Venezuela

feeding fish in Panama

the fish, waiting for more crumbs

chasing pigeons in Cartagena

feeding ducks in Stratford-upon-Avon
watching horses go on a mail run at the Royal Mews in London
enthralled by monkeys in Caracas

Photo of the Day: Day 21

Late this year Caleb finally conquered his fear of the pool. He would constantly ask to go swimming and then when we got there he would cling to our necks for dear life. It was not exactly pleasant for any of us. But, after several visits to the beach and a little peer pressure from outside our family circle his new favorite place to be is the water. He can't swim yet, but he's getting better each time and living in perpetual summer gives him lots of opportunities to practice.

Photo of the Day: Day 20

This is one of my favorite pictures of Isaac from this year. He is always doing funny things and since Caleb is in school every day for several hours, he and I spend a lot of time together just enjoying being silly. He found this eye shade and wanted to wear it on his face. After a couple of losing bouts with furniture and the walls, he decided to push it up to his forehead instead. He walked around the house for hours like this, occasionally climbing on our bed so he could admire his own cuteness in the mirror.

Photo of the Day: Day 19

Another favorite photo. Normally the boys don't fall asleep in the stroller (or one does and the other helpfully wakes the first up), but every once in awhile we get lucky and this time we had the camera at the ready too.

Photo of the Day: Day 18

When Kenny was a kid he dreamed about having his own train set. This year we have made his dreams come true. Okay, so the geotrax train set was purchased for Caleb and Isaac, but all three of the boys in my life are really enjoying putting the tracks together and watching the trains go. I am enjoying that this set is very durable and easy for everyone to operate -- life is so much better when Isaac doesn't just have to observe the fun from the sidelines. We started with a small set and then over the year have gradually added more trains and track pieces. Santa is also doing his part for Christmas, so next year we won't have a living room anymore, we will have a train station.

Photo of the Day: Day 17

Today we are winging our way North to the US of A. We will arrive some time after dark in Colorado where our Christmas holidays will begin in earnest. To commemorate this day, I am posting pictures of my favorite frequent flyers. Caleb and Isaac have spent a lot of time in the friendly skies this year. So much time, in fact, that they have both achieved Gold Elite status on American Airlines. I don't know how old I was before I had elite status of any kind, but I was most certainly too old to still be classified a "lap child." Their status means no extra luggage fees, priority check-in and boarding, and, most importantly, that they have become very accustomed to flying and make great traveling companions.

As long as we don't run out of battery life, we're set

having his own seat makes all the difference

Photo of the Day: Day 16

Yesterday was Caleb's school Christmas program. They combined a well-known Venezuelan folktale about called "How Uncle Rabbit Tricked Uncle Tiger," with the story of the birth of Jesus. The gist of the story was that Rabbit and Tiger each came to the idea that they wanted to give Baby Jesus the most special gift. Not surprisingly, they had independently decided to give Him the same gift, a beautiful choir singing His praises. After arguing about whose idea it was to give the gift of a choir or which choir was better, they eventually decided to combine their choirs and give a unified gift. The only remaining problem was who would lead the choir since it wasn't fair for just Tiger of just Rabbit to have the honor. Luckily, the Venezuelan national bird, the Turpial, came the rescue and Baby Jesus was beautifully serenaded by all the animals. At the end of the program, they school let go a bunch of balloons attached to letters addressed to Baby Jesus describing what each child wanted Him to bring them for Christmas. No laws regarding separation of Church and State in this country.

the stage

El Turpial to the rescue
Caleb and Daddy at the end of the performance
a few days before the students all made hallacas (Venezuelan
tamales) to serve after the Christmas program

letters flying up to Jesus

Photo of the Day: Day 15

Though we are leaving Caracas in a mere 2 days for holiday festivities with both sets of in-laws and hopefully a little snow (not too much), we did deck our halls this year like always. The boys are particularly thrilled with getting to advance the advent calendar (see here), especially because we won't be in town all 25 days so most days they each get to select an ornament. Hopefully, they won't remember that break from tradition next year when it will be back to observing advent in the usual manner.

Photo of the Day: Day 14

On a recent trip to Columbia, we visited El Totumo, a mud volcano. Mud volcanoes exist in many parts of the world, and are the result of various geologic processes. El Totumo is about 50 feet high and is filled with mud that is said to have medicinal value. Caleb did not enjoy our dip in the mud bath one bit and so my time in the crater was short-lived. However, I was inside long enough to report that it felt very much as if we had plunged ourselves into a vat of chocolate pudding -- it was squishy and cool and made us very buoyant. Isaac was very content playing in the mud and he and Kenny enjoyed their exfoliating swim for quite awhile. After getting muddy from head to toe, we headed down to a nearby river and were washed by some local women. They whipped off our suits and scrubbed us down -- we were too stunned to protest, but also very clean when the "bathing" was over.

Before

During

and

After

Photo of the Day: Day 13

A couple of weekends ago, we, along with some friends, completed our scuba certification requirements. We spent two days at the beach going on 4 dives where we practiced the skills we had previously learned in the pool and also saw some impressive sea life. We saw eels, manta rays, hundreds of fish, incredibly vivid corals and several kinds of mollusks. I had some residual water in my ears for several days after our dives and my pelvic bone is still bruised where the 14 pound weight belt rested all weekend, but being able to breathe underwater was an indescribable sensation and totally worth whatever hassle and pain accompanied this process.

This is after our very fist dive

Here we are just before our 4th and final open water dive,
after this we were officially scuba certified

Photo of the Day: Day 12

Caleb in the hotel bed

Isaac looking out on Lima from our hotel balcony

Earlier this year, we took a weekend trip to Peru. Caleb arrived with a 103 degree fever so we spent almost the entire time in our hotel room. It was a pretty fabulous hotel, but not exactly what we had planned for our weekend getaway. Peru is such a wonderful place with lovely people, delicious cuisine and endless travel opportunities. Even from inside the hotel we were reminded of our two years in that beautiful country and why we will always remember our time there fondly. If you've never been, let me say again for the umpteenth time...GO!!

Photo of the Day: Day 11

One of the first words Isaac learned to say was "movie." He will often walk up to me and say, "movie please," in the hopes that was this photo depicts will happen. He loves to sit on the floor in front of the tv with a bowl of popcorn watching whatever I have convinced him is that moment's movie. He doesn't actually watch, he just eats his fill of popcorn and wanders away in search of the next diversion.

Photo of the Day: Day 10

Caleb's first year of school was terrific. He had a fantastic experience and really loved his teachers Margot and Mariolga. He is enjoying his second year just as much and we are thrilled that his Spanish is markedly improved, as are his social skills. I was hesitant about starting him in school so young, but he loves it and wakes up everyday ready to go. The above pictures are of him with last year's teachers and at his graduation ceremony.

Photo of the Day: Day 9

This is a sampling of our family photos taken earlier this year. We took these right outside our apartment complex in early Fall. The bright spot of living in Venezuela is that the weather is gorgeous year round and everything is always lush and green.

Photo of the Day: Day 8

Isaac spends much of his time following me and Kenny around like a little shadow. So one night when he wasn't underfoot we got a bit worried. I thought I heard him in the bathroom where Caleb was finishing up his bath and when I arrived I found him fully clothed in the tub. He is definitely a water baby and I think is convinced he can walk on water. We have to watch him very closely around pools and the beach to ensure he doesn't take in too much water as he jumps, spins, dives and cavorts in the waves. I love that he isn't afraid of the water and that his fearlessness has helped Caleb become more interested in swimming.

Photo of the Day: Day 7

I am a lazy cook. I like things that I can make in a short amount of time using as few bowls/pots and utensils as possible. The picture above is of a key lime pie made using a recipe I found by typing "easy key lime pie" into Google. It is beyond simple to make and including the whipped cream topping and graham cracker crust only involves 8 ingredients. The first time I made this pie was late last year, and it was a hit. People raved about the pie and begged to have it again. So, I made it again, and again, and again, and again. The most recent time was this past Friday. For the last year, no matter what we are invited to, this is was I am asked to bring. I can now make this pie with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back. And, really, it's a pretty good tasting pie, but come on! Occasionally, I "cheat" and bring something else too, an apple pie, a cobbler, even something savory, but the key lime pie is always given top billing. This dessert has become such a fixture in my life over the last several months I couldn't do a year in review without featuring the pie. I love pie, all varieties, and lots of it. But, this key lime number has gotten far too much play time and the peaches and apples in my life are feeling neglected. I'm looking forward to leaving Venezuela and eating anything but, key lime pie. I've included the recipe below in case you are interested in finding out what the big deal is. But, I warn you, this recipe is easy for a reason, and after this experience, I am convinced the majority of foreign service palates are not to be trusted -- flavor deprivation seems to have taken it's toll.

Key Lime Cream Pie

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup key lime juice
• 1 teaspoon grated lime zest

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, condensed milk, lime juice, and lime rind. Beat on medium speed with electric mixer for about 1 minute or until mixture is thoroughly blended. Pour into baked pastry shell.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until center is set. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes, then chill at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream if desired. Immediately refrigerate any leftovers. Do not store for longer than 3 days.

CRUST

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 ounces butter (I don't use margarine)
3 T sugar

Mix the graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Melt butter and combine until all dry ingredients have been coated. Press into bottom of greased 9 inch pie plate. Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until crust starts to brown. COOL THOROUGHLY before filling, that is critical.

WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING

1 cup cold cream and 1 T powdered sugar, beaten together until whipped (about 2 minutes).

Photo of the Day: Day 6

I think there must be something in little boy DNA that compels them to defy death at every turn. Honestly, if I had a nickel for every moment during the day when my heart has skipped a beat while watching Isaac and/or Caleb do something completely insane, I'd be wealthy beyond my wildest dreams. Right before my eyes, an ordinary house, playground, pool, beach, etc., transforms into a gauntlet of treacherous tasks and impossible feats only their unfettered imaginations can envision. Astonishingly, no broken bones or stitches yet, but I am aging faster than I'd planned and I have my fearless sons to thank for that.

Photo of the Day: Day 5

Caleb has recently discovered that computers can be fun (read, absorbing) for kids too. He has his few sites that he loves to distraction and begs daily for computer time. Apart from the incessant and generally mind-numbing music, I find most of the games he plays to be more than just time-wasters. He doesn't play as often as he would like, but his computer skills have improved dramatically in just a few short months and there are games he is already bored with. I suppose the purchase of his own computer isn't that far in the future, but for now his nickjr and playhouse disney time is limited to a few hours each week and that is sufficient to satisfy his current needs.

Photo of the Day: Day 4

Though you can't see their faces, this is a picture of Caleb and Isaac feeding a tapir. A what? you ask. A tapir. Tapirs are mammals that are native to South and Central America and parts of Asia. They are an endangered species, though probably not because they are so odd looking. We have seen these unusual animals many times during our sojourn in South America both in the wild and in captivity. However, this visit to a petting zoo just outside Caracas, was the first time we were so close to one. The petting zoo had all sorts of animals including llamas, alpaca, deer, cows, pot-bellied and regular bellied pigs, monkeys, donkeys, goats, birds, a very large camel and an ostrich. I don't know how familiar folks are with ostriches, but they are not at all friendly and they have an exceedingly sharp beak. I was stunned that the children were allowed to feed the flightless bird, so stunned in fact that I don't have a picture of Caleb dashing for safety from the gaping beak with his carrot trailing behind him. Ergo, we have this picture of the more subdued and far less menacing tapir.

Photo of the Day: Day 3

Easter Sunday 2009

Looking at this photo makes me think about the future and what kind of men these boys will grow to be. They are so different, but the same in that they are both mine. I feel daunted by the responsibility to introduce them to all the flavor, opportunity and possibility that life has to offer. I want the world for them and, naively, I pray they will never suffer the pain of bitterness or despair. I want them to love each other and to love period. I hope they will be confident in their decisions and unrestrained in their appreciation of art, music, dance, science, language and literature. But, above all, I hope they find in their lives the joy they bring to mine.

Photo of the Day: Day 2

In the last few months Isaac has rejected the highchair in favor of a booster seat and started to really enjoy feeding himself. He is especially happy if the process involves more than one utensil, spoons are easiest, but it is surprising what he can accomplish with forks and knives (no, we do not let him have knives, but sometimes he is more wily than we give him credit for being). Most times he manages without too much mess, but sometimes, he throws himself into his meals with such abandon we just sit back and let him indulge. He loves food and eats just about anything. His favorites lately are tomatoes, pasta, cheese and avocado.

Photo of the Day: Day 1

The blog has suffered this year, I know, and not because there hasn't been plenty to blog about. In an effort to salvage what has been an abysmal effort at record keeping for 2009, I am going to post a picture every day this month in the hopes of providing 1) anyone still reading a reason to continuing doing so, and 2) some evidence that though we haven't be writing about our life this year, we have, in fact, been living it.

Here are Kenny and Caleb (Isaac did not join us on this trip) at the Sea Aquarium in Curacao petting a shark. Moments before this we saw the shark bare it's myriad teeth as it was fed. We were petrified, Caleb was enthralled.

We visited Curacao with our dear friends Adrianne and Mario in January. Curacao is just a 30 minute flight from Venezuela and boasts pristine beaches and laid-back living. The island is part of the Netherlands Antilles and because of this, it's proximity to South America, it's history of being a slaver destination and the thriving tourism trade, there are four recognized languages spoken on this small island of fewer than 150,000 inhabitants.

The grocery stores on Curacao were overflowing with a wonderful assortment of "impossible to find in Venezuela" products and we stocked up on cheese, root beer, salad dressing and European chocolate. Our visit also included lots of sun-bathing and swimming and we even rented a car to drive to some of the more remote parts of the island to enjoy more beautiful beaches and glorious weather. A highlight of our trip was an afternoon at the slavery museum. It is one of the most interesting, informative and accessible museums we have ever been to. We learned from the exhibits at the museum that in the 1600s, the Dutch West India Company made Curacao the center of it's slave trade and for 200 years slavery was the major economic force on the island.

The architecture and design of the capital, Willemstad, are a unique blend of many cultural and historical influences. Many of the buildings are well-preserved and historically significant which has resulted in Willemstad being designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a great maritime museum in Curacao as well. We enjoyed our visit to this island so much, we would go back in a heartbeat.

Okay, I know I said one picture, but Curacao is so lovely, a single photo just isn't sufficient.

Dolphins at the Sea Aquarium

Enjoying an afternoon at the beach

Inside the slavery museum

Beautiful Willemstad