Different day, different adventure center

Today we went to the Y as usual but the parking lot was so full, they had a guy out lining up cars to wait for people to leave. I said forget it, and we went to the Westside Y instead. It's a lot farther away but they have a huge parking lot so you know at least if you make the effort to go, you will actually be able to get in. They have a really nice adventure center; last time we went Brian was too small to climb up, but this time he was all over it. It's an amazing climbing structure with a HUGE slide.



"Cheese!"


Up, up, up!


And down!


Eli was too little for that, but he did manage to cross the rope bridge. He's quite a little monkey!









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At last, a snowman

So for those of you in warmer climes, let me tell you that not all snow is created equal, and so far all the snow we've had has been light and powdery. Brian always asks to make a snowman and it just can't be done with the snow we get. Finally, on Tuesday it got up in the 40s and the snow sort of partially melted and became perfect snowman snow, so here it is, our snowman!



And here is Brian posing with our friend, such a great expression:



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Arts and crafts

Brian and Eli both did some painting this morning:

Adventures in the adventure center

Our favorite way to kill time in the afternoon is to go to the adventure center at the Y (as long as it is between 3:30 and 4:30 on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday). We had the place to ourselves for most of the time, unless you count our buddy Wilson.






Seriously, though, the ball was their favorite thing. Of course we also played in the castle, delivering packages (blocks), and in the blocks themselves.






It's hard to see, but Eli is getting really good at the little slide.






And when we were done, Brian sat in the lobby to read the paper.



Check out what section it is!



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Winter wonderland

We got a lot more snow than I had expected! With Calvin traveling, the boys and I took over the job of shoveling, which we have done 3 times today already. Brian's job was to entertain Eli:


But after a while he got bored and went to play in the snow.






So did Eli! He was eating the snow using bare hands...if you have ever touched snow you can guess how our snow expedition ended.


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Last day

January 7, 2011

Knowing it was our last (half) day at the beach we were determined to make the most of it. It was pouring torrentially during breakfast but these storms never last long.

It made for some dramatic views at the beach.


Brian made a stunning castle with his aunt and uncle.



I went for a walk on the beach.



And Eli did not want to miss any of the fun. He refused to take a nap, so grandma brought him out to the beach.



Finally, it really was naptime, so I took Eli back to the room, then went on to the kids' club to meet Brian, Tim, and Denise.



One last visit to the waterslides.



Then time to get dressed and packed. On the way back to the room, Brian made a little friend.



- Goodbye little insect, whatever you are!



We went to the "play ground" one last time to play the ball game, as Brian called it. I asked him how you play, and he said "Well, you take the balls like this and then you put them in the hole like this." Hey, if it's fun, who am I to contradict that?


Eli danced to Lady Gaga, clapping his hands and tapping his feet.


A game of ping pong with grandma,



one last picture,



and it was time to go. Goodbye, Dominican Republic, hello reality!



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A day in the life

January 6, 2011

After much uncertainty, it turns put today was our last full day in Punta Cana. It's a shame because we are finally hitting our stride, finding a comfortable routine. It goes a bit like this:


The kids wake around 7 and we go to breakfast. It had rained a bit but was clearing already.


After breakfast it was nice and sunny, the first calm, clear day so far. We headed to the beach and I left the iPod behind after it got a little sandy last time. We did the usual, I built little structures for Eli to destroy, Brian worked on a castle with his uncle Tim, papa rested in the shade while the rest of us went in the water. After Eli was good and soggy and getting cranky I took him for a nap. This is my nice quiet reading time. Then Eli wakes up, everyone else comes back from the beach, and we wander around until lunch. This is the "playground" which was a disappointing misnomer:


-We're playing tennis with this orange ball!
-Oh yeah?
-Yeah, you try to hit it into the net!
-(this explains the level of success he and this little girl are having) No sweetie, you try to hit it over the net.
-Oh, is that how you play tennis?


We walk back to the beach for lunch, a great meal out on the terrace, watching the birds fly all around.


Fries!


Ice cream!


Cookies!
And for the adults, beer!


Now it's afternoon naptime and both children comply. They are finally getting worn out! In the late afternoon, we visit the pool.


Both of the boys got a turn riding the floaty thing with uncle Tim.


Eli made motorboat sound effects. What a ham! Then dinner, bed for the kids, dinner for the adults and now bedtime for the adults! Can't believe it's almost over when we are just getting it all figured out. Ah vacation, your brevity makes you all the sweeter.


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