allergic to ham...in the hatfield family?

Hola. Today has been a good day. We began this morning getting breakfast at the buffet, eating much fruit and ham and eggs (except for Juan David, who is allergic to ham) and chose from a wonderful selection of bread and juice. Again I was congratulated by the staff for our newfound parenthood, which is a nice thing about being here; the staff are very kid friendly and have been very nice.

After a big breakfast, we came back to the room and changed to get ready for the pool. We found out quickly that Juan David does not enjoy the pool, but Shirley and Andres jumped in almost immediately. We spent a couple of hours relaxing, splashing, and throwing pool toys back and forth, Andres jumping up and down in the water, Shirley expending her energy by staying active the whole time. Juan David was comfortable playing poolside, enjoying the occasional soak from Mami or Shirley. The kids thoroughly enjoyed it and I am believing that it will be an almost daily occurance, and sometimes twice a day.

After the pool, we stopped for ice cream before heading back to the room. Andres proceeded to pee all over the walkway as we were leaving, but either no one noticed or it was understood that it was typical of a young boy. As we slowly made our way to the room, I had to coax Andres along by carrying the ice cream in front of him. In the room, the boys finished their ice cream (Juan David had some sort of aversion to his ice cream, so his siblings gladly helped him finish) as Shirley and I imitated golfers who played down below our balcony. Shirley startled one by screaming out to him as he prepared to hit. After quieting her down, we both had a good laugh. Then we had a classic lunch, filled with chicken bologna, some freakish processed cheese, and rolls. The kids all seemed to enjoy it, and ate without much incident.

Following that we went for a long walk to the market. It would not have been too long if we had known exactly where we were going, but we made it never-the-less, succeeding in our goal to find Shirley some shoes, all three some sippy-cups, and a few other odds and ends that we did not think of last night (we must have been preoccupied;). On our walk back, we began to feel some sprinkles, but it has yet to rain. The sky is a mix of dark gray clouds in one direction and blue skies in the other. Right now the boys are napping, something we will have to figure out in the schedule of all things, and Janine and Shirley are playing a card game. Their celebrations when they do well are something to behold, for sure.

I am more tired than I thought I would be, perhaps than I normally would be, but I guess it is to be expected. I forgot to mention earlier that Andres took a tumble off the bed at 5:30. He recovered well, even better than I did, as he slept another three hours after that. I slept none. One thing I miss: my coffee maker at my disposal. Oh well.

Tonight I think we will begin to introduce some of our photos to the children. We will begin to show them their new home, their new family, their new dog. I am not sure how much of it they will understand, that it is far away, in a different climate, where everybody talks like Mami and Papi do to each other (English). Transition.

Janine is so wonderful with the children, as if I expected any different, and has not shied away from any parental duties (I have yet to clean a poopy diaper). She is a mother. She is Mami. I love it when the kids call me Papi.

hasta luego...