One Month Anniversary in Costa Rica

Today is Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012 and marks the one month arrival of our family to Costa Rica.  In some ways it feels like we have always been here, and in other ways it feels like we just arrived.  Settling in over the last month has been alot of fun.  The kids started school and are in their second week so far.  Compared to the complaints prior to our departure, no one has said much other than positive comments and all 4 seem to be taking it all in, adjusting, and enjoying all that this adventure has to offer.  I take that as a good sign and a sign of good things to come.  Knowing that we still have 11 months to go for our time here and how much we have improved in our Spanish already, have learned how to get around, and where to buy what...it makes me realize that we have come along way in a short time. 

 

Today is also the one week anniversary of the big 7.6 quake.  While our area sustained little to no damage, other areas have reported more than we have here.  The kids school is doing a collection of important items....powdered milk, water and diapers.  There is a contest between the grades and of course, all our kids hope to win by bringing in some of the large water bottles we had bought after the quake, but did not use as our contribution. 

 

This is also the day that the tooth fairy came for William after loosing his very first tooth.  He told everyone he saw today that he had lost a tooth...incredibly proud of this milestone.  After many discussions about whether there is just one Tooth Fairy or one from each country, it was decided by William that he thought that he would get money from both countries (which he did...a $1 gold piece and 2,000 colones worth $2 US).  He told me that the Tooth Fairy gave him money from both countries because she knew he would need money to spend here and then money to spend when he gets back in the US next year.  Sometimes you just can't argue with the logic of a 6 year old....he is just wiser than most of us at times. 

 

The kids continue to experiment with the after school activity choices.  Today Marissa had gymnastics and then BATON.  She has been so interested in taking baton and now that we have come all the way to Costa Rica, we find a baton teacher!  Go figure.  She also teaches the gymnastics class and is a really nice young gal from Georgia.  She told me she did baton all thru college and that it is really big in the south where she grew up.  Marissa is really excited.  The big boys had their second day of weight lifting at the Jungle Gym with other kids from their campus and both will have soccer and basketball starting next week.

 

Oh, and while Marissa tried out her new classes, William had his first playdate with a little boy from Vancouver, Canada.  It went really well and they seemed to get along great.  They both have been asking to play together, so it was nice to make it happen today.

 

Kurt called tonight and the kids all told him stories of the last few days.  I myself, have had a terrible time sleeping since he left on Monday.  Both the little kids are sleeping with me and every time they move, I wake up thinking it is another earthquake.  A few times it was actually an aftershock which doesn't help me get over all this jitteryness.

 

The last thing that happened today was that tonight was Christie Green's retirement party back at Ross School.  I still can't believe that I was not there, but I sent flowers and notes from both Dominic and I.  I spoke with Christie a few days ago and she totally understands, but I still wish we could have been there.  Being on the Green Team is an honor that Dominic will never ever forget.