The "Nanny"

Today went OK. Even though we all missed Daddy terribly we made it through the day. This morning everyone had a shower. After showers Maria came to me wiggling her loose tooth. I could see a little blood so I know that it was loose enough that it could probably come out now. She asked me to take it out so I gently did. It stopped bleeding within 2 or 3 minutes and didn't bleed a lot at all. Now we need to notify ratoncito Miguel. Now breakfast which I can happily say did not consist of eggs and carne!! Maria and I had pancakes!! Juan had eggs. After breakfast we waited for Ms. Betty to arrive so we went back to our room and the kids were playing, watching videos and coloring. During one of the many skype calls (thanks by the way for everyone who called me today: my sister, ken & cindy, my hubby, both moms and the message from Donna and Tony - it is nice of you all to be thinking of me at this time. It means a lot and it helps!). Ms. Betty came in with brownies and chatted a little with family. We had plans to go to one of the 3 parks walking distance from here but, it started to sprinkle so we couldn't go. Instead we played Uno, after grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. The sun came out and we played in the garden - Tag, monster where I chase them around, and a hunting game where you hide something and then they had to find it using hot and cold for direction. Afterwards we sat outside at the picnic table and colored for a bit. I looked over at J.P and he had his thumb in his mouth which is a sure sign that he is getting tired. We packed up the coloring book and crayons and went back to the room. I put a movie on thinking that if he layed there long enough his eyes would get tired and he would fall asleep. I had the movie playing in spanish and figured it would settle them down - it settled them down but, he would not sleep. I swiched the language to English and then he finally fell asleep. Maria is about the age now where I guess she really doesn't need to nap but, I want her to lay down and rest. If she falls asleep then she needed it if she doesn't then she didn't. After J.P. fell asleep I let her get up and color some more. (I am trying to get them into some kind of routine which should include meals, an outing, games and fun time, a movie, siesta then I am not sure.. and not necessarily in that order - just something). When he woke up we went over to the family room where Ms. Betty was sitting working on the computer. The kids played. We made a trip to the grocery store which is 100 yards or so from the front door here. I picked up some fruit, bread, peanut butter/jelly and cheese (for lunches here) and some stuff to do laundry. Yeah! I never thought I would be so excited about doing laundry. It's nice to have clean clothes. :) We had dinner about 6PM and everyone was there: chicken, white rice, mac n cheese and soup. Oh and lets not forget the yummy chocolate dessert. Ms. Betty was nice, even though she did not eat she sat with us at the table and was wonderful teaching the children table manners. Ms. Betty - Everyone calls her Tia Betty, is bilingual and is fantastic with children. She has this gentle way of explaining things to them and they immediately pick up and learn guickly with all - i.e. use your silverware, we do not use plastic or paper for dishes so everything is sort of formal but, not if that makes sense. Manners are what we worked on today - I would make the request and Ms. Betty would translate for me. I have learned a lot from her and so have the children. After dinner an Attorney visited to speak with the other family that is here. He was super nice and spoke well with the children. J.P. got so comfortable with him he started to sing for him. When the gentleman asked him to sing more J.P. told him he would sing for change. It was so cute. He and Maria sang some songs and the gentleman gave him 1K pesos. Bravo J.P.

Afterwards we came back to the room and the children watched some TV - usually the cartoon network. Maria was too excited to watch any more so off into bed she climbed anxiously awaiting ratoncito Miguel. Mommy is getting tired after a long day. Tomorrow we have a meeting with the CAII rep Silvia here at the residence at 11AM to talk and maybe we'll try to make it to the park for a couple of hours. Guess that's it for now. Until tomorrow. Good Night - Good night honey. Luv you all lots.