Fiesta

A Honduran birthday party is always a great cultural experience, especially for our children. The main requirements are a pinata and loud music, and if there's money enough, throw in a large pot of chicken and rice, a couple of cakes, and plenty of lukewarm Kool Aid.Derek was all too happy to take his turn with the stick.

The mad scramble for candy... almost invariably someone gets hit on the head by the flailing stick.

Sharing candy... It's best to not be a finicky mom in these parts.

No one seemed to mind when this poor fellow came by and flopped down beneath the balloons. His bottle is hidden behind him, the dog is barking mercilessly, and doesn't his face look simply hopeless? Our hosts graciously shared the party food and I sincerely hope he remembers being loved, even for this brief moment.

One Busy Girl

Mandie has an opinion about being on a date with Daddy and Mama.... We're just not sure what it is since she's not actually talking in sentences yet.

Mandie had an opinion about the pool too, and it was this: If you'd just let me go, I know I could swim!

Her self-appointed daily duty of rearranging Mama's messy cabinets.

Oh is this a guilty look or what? Water is the biggest attraction, whether it's the drinking water filter or.............

Daddy's new fish tank! Forget the dolls and the tea parties- this girl is happiest outdoors with her Daddy: petting the chickens, gathering eggs, playing in the vegetable beds, organizing Daddy's tools, climbing dirt piles, and keeping up with her big brother Derek. This is Mandie's kind of life!

Motherhood Moment

Anthony is finishing up second grade Language, and a recent lesson included completing sentences. I glanced over his work, scratched my head, and then suggested, "Um, how about you read your sentences to me?" He willingly complied, and I was able to hide my grin as I stood behind his desk.

My brother is vere funny. (That would be Derek, he explained.)

The old lamp could brake.

Grandmother is vere nice.

The strong wind blew me over. (Chuckles with satisfaction.)

Rainy days are yuci. (More chuckles.)

The lonely dog was sad.

My mother is prite. (This is why I had him read his work to me- I just had to know what I was!)

Oh, and did I mention we're studying Spelling now?