So the Mardi Gras Parade was not that exciting….sure there was music, beads and people drinking in the streets, but the hard candy hitting us in the head wasn’t so pleasant. The kids scrambled for the candy and we shoved as much as we could into our pockets (knowing that later we would dump it without them knowing). We continued on to the “Kids Party”, it was crowded but we managed to get a spot to see the 2 clowns performing some sort of variety show. At one point McKenna looked at Harris with a frightened look and said “What is this?” Harris broke out into laughter, because he was thinking the same thing. We left and got some ice cream. Our next stop was the live music at “Maria’s” McKenna instantly started dancing and performing for the crowd. A few people gave her beads, and she ran up to us with the biggest eyes and exclaimed “Everyone loves me!” We told her the more dancing she did the more beads she would get! So she danced her little heart out and even convinced Hudson to dance with her. Harris and I sat their with our heads held high as people pointed, clapped and snapped pictures of our adorable children! Never has mom been so proud of the beads her daughter collected at Mardi Gras!

Sunday I woke up, drank too much coffee and insisted we take a road trip and go on an adventure!  So we packed up the kids and headed to Santa Rosa National Park, which was about 3 hrs away - and near the Nicarauguan border.  About half way there is the city of Liberia and they have a “Food Mall” there, which consists of nothing but American Fast Food - Hooray! and a indoor kids play area.  So we filled up on a healthy meal at Burger King!

We got to Santa Rosa and headed into the park ($20) - There we found out it was another 1 1/2 to the coast and that if we wanted to drive to it we would have to sign our life away on a waiver because the road to get there is not always the safest.  Harris said we would PASS on that!  (if we didn’t have the kids we would have probably forged ahead)

We just wanted to take a easy hike into the forest for possible wildlife sightings!  We parked at the monument/museum and instantly saw two huge Iguanas (but I have seen enough of those).  We saw a marked path and decided to take it, not knowing how long it was or even where it would take us.  I should also mention that only Hudson had on appropriate shoes for this, the rest of us were in flip flops and I was wearing a sundress. 

But it wasn’t like we were “really” hiking it was just along a path, so it was actually ok.  We didn’t see anything too exciting, some funky looking trees and a dry river - lame.  Harris suggested that we turn around and go back the way we came because we didn’t know where this path was taking us, I wanted to go a little further so we did and then finally after a few more minutes I agreed to turn back, but McKenna saw some steps in the path and said “NO I want to go up the stairs”, ok we’ll go up the stairs and then turn around.

I got up the stairs first and saw that there was a sign up ahead, so we went to see what the sign had to say, and then realized we were back were we started!  We gave McKenna all the credit and told her she was a great leader and she saved the day.  She acted like a little know it all and gloated for the rest of the day! (From Harris: Actually, McKenna saidher invisible friend named “fear” gave her a map!) If it wasn’t for McKenna wanting to go up the stairs
we would have walked all the way back not knowing we were at the end.

We walked over the the Museum, and well there isn’t anything to report, It was an old beat up building with some pictures, old guns and a wheel barrel. We got back in the car and headed for home. Today was a big disappointment.  We spent probably 1 hour outside of the car.  I told Harris to feel free to remind me of this day the next time I want to go on an adventure!

Who knew the “Food Mall” would be the most exciting part of our day!

 

Saturday morning we took the kids to ride their first horse.   As we got on our horses, Hudson exclaimed “Yee haw, Cowboy!”; McKenna was a little scared at first but after a few minutes she loved it and insisted on holding the rope because she wanted to “drive”, we named her horse Brown Sugar and Hudson’s horse Chocolate Chip Cookie.  We just wanted to go for a short little ride because the kids are still so little.  So, we went for an hour up and down the beach, but the kids did get to see about 5 monkeys in the trees!  On the ride back Hudson fell asleep on the horse!  (I guess it was the motion and the heat)  So Harris turned him around and he slept snuggled on Harris’s belly the rest of the way.

This is the BEST beach ever! The beach is made up of all broken up sea shells - NO sand just tiny bits of sea shells. I still don’t understand it but I LOVED it:) The kids stole about a bucket full of seashells (I just hope we don’t get stopped coming through customs). This beach is also hidden, but after two attempts I found it all by myself

The signs point in the direction of the beach but the road ends and then there is a dirty beach - you have to drive on this beach, I didn’t know if this was legal and was nervous I’d get stopped at some point, but I didn’t see any flashing lights so I continued. Then I came to a steep, rocky path with horseback riders that were coming down so I asked the guide if I could drive up it to Playa Conchal? He said yes, so up I went and once we were over the top I could see we had arrived:) It was a BEAUTIFUL, exclusive piece of paradise.

Harris and I managed to sneak away and get dinner at a restaurant called Mar y Sol (Sea and Sun)  this place has the best view of Flamingo beach and of the sunset.   We had drinks up at the lounge, we weren’t the only ones that were there for the spectacular view:)  And then downstairs we had Steak and Lobster, the lobster was great the steak not so much:(  But it was a great romantic night.

Today while the kids were at school we went jet skiing.  I had never driven one, but I think it is easier then riding a bike, there is a go button, and stop button and the gas, not too difficult.  We had an hour to tool around on the water,  in some spots where the water is choppy the water just comes up and slaps you in the face.   The ocean gets a little scary when you don’t know how deep it is or what’s down there….

The kids had their first day of school! Sorry kids but we were glad to get rid of you for a few hours! Just to be in the car with SILENCE - was refreshing. McKenna can be such a chatterbox and well Hudson repeats everything she says, so it gets to be like just like static noise! We have been beach bums for the last week, so we were looking for some action of some sort. We took a 2 hour ATV tour that went around the beaches, on the back roads, and up to some great look out points. We even got to see monkeys in the trees!

Sunday we spent the day in Tamarindo, a much more active beach with surfers, tourists, restuarants and souvenier shops. We liked the busy town, lots of families with kids, surf lessons going on and lots of people swimming and boogie boarding. We were having lots of fun, and while Harris was digging a hole for the kids to jump in and I was playing with McKenna in the water, Hudson was playing with his ball.

I looked over at Harris and Hudson, but didn’t see Hudson. So I yelled to Harris “Where’s Hudson?” Harris said I thought he was with you!?, NO! I instantly looked all around me and in the water. Harris started to look around the beach and towards our chairs up the beach. We did not see him anywhere! Harris headed to the Life Guard Stand and told him we lost our son. The guy said “how old?” -(2) Oh he’s little! So the guy jumped on his bike and started to look as well.

I stayed with McKenna and tried to keep calm - with thoughts of the evening news flashing in my head. Suddenly I see Harris running towards something, I assummed he spoted our little man, because Harris doesn’t usually run! Sure enough about 2 football fields in the distance Harris picked up something that appeared to be a little boy. The wind had taken his ball and he had innocently chased it down the beach, he got pretty far for those little legs. We didn’t quite get to panic mode, but had us shaken for about 5 minutes! Other then that our day at the beach was a BLAST!

(From Harris: Actually, I thought I said “Where’s Hudson” because at first I thought Andrea was playing with *Hudson* in the water, not McKenna … then realized a couple minutes later it was McKenna. Hudson still has no idea that he did anything ‘wrong’ either. We’re gonna have to get a GPS for that kid.)

We were told about a big fiesta in town (a few times) so friday night we thought we would go and check it out! Little did we know what FUN was about to ensue! Trampolines for the kids, traditional Tico food, and a REAL bull riding arena. The kids jumped in the dirty blow up trampolines, and then we walked up the not so steardy wooden bleachers (knowing one of us was bound to leave with a splinter) Oh the Lights, the Dirt and the very loud Spanish Band, this was gonna be fantastic!

Harris ate meat on a stick, I had a cerveza and the kids munched on some sort of
Churro - sugar stick. McKenna and Hudson LOVED watching the not so interested bull and the bull riders fall off. Hudson said ” I want to ride the Bull!” There were horses, dogs and drunk locals all sharing the same ring - it was quite the sporting event!

Afterwards we went and met up with our American friends, the J family from Philly at a place called “Outback Jacks” which is owned by a guy from Florida, and has very, very good food! THe kids wanted to jump on the trampoline one last time and well why not, but when it was time to say goodnight, oh how the tears rolled. Not to mention McKEnna was still holding a grudge because I wouldn’t buy her cotton candy but all and all it was a very unexpected fun filled night.

Yesterday we found out about a little school here called “Escuela la Mariposa” so we went to see about having the kids go there a couple days a week, how much it would be, and if we felt comfortable dropping them off there.  The teachers name is Janet and she was so great with the kids, she teaches all in english, and there are other american kids there and italian kids.   The school is open Monday - Friday 8-12 only.  So starting monday McKenna and Hudson are going to go 3 days a week Mon, Wed, Fri.  Not only does this give us some freedom but it lets them play and learn with other kids just like they are used to back home.  It’ll be great!

Last night we went down to beach to watch the sunset and the kids splashed around in the waves.  A few sailboats were in the distance and seagulls were flying around and diving in the water trying to catch some fish for dinner!  It was nice to see our kids actually laughing and playing together.  I guess it’s because there is plenty of water and sand for both of them and they don’t have to share!  (which is a constant battle)

Today we are going over to a different beach to meet up with another American family that we met at dinner the other night.  We were at “El Forno” Pizzeria, very good pizza!  McKenna and Hudson saw other kids and immediatly ran over to them (desperate for playmates) They are from Philedelphia and are staying at Potrero Beach, the beach right next to ours.  Their kids are a bit older Julia is 6 and Jordan is 8 but they seemed to like our little ones so it should be a fun day!

(Harris adds: At “El Forno” McKenna was so excited that she came running back to tell us something, tripped, and bonked her cheek on the bench. The next morning there was a good little mark & small bruise on her cheek. She’s okay though.)