Mal Pais Beach, Costa Rica.
Friday 1-2-13, another beautiful 32ish degree day.

It's now been about 10 days at this lovely little beach. Most are spent watching the birds, monkeys, squirrels and iguana in the garden, practicing our Italian, swimming in the rock pools and collecting shells, rocks... or today- for Zac it was sticks- the bigger the better! There are a LOT of sticks on the beach so I was soon lugging around enough for a small campfire!!! These "tough days" end with what seems to be one magnificent sunset after another.

We have found the perfect rock pool- it is quite big (5m X 2m),about waist to chest deep and the water is level with the surrounding flattish rocks. Bit of a hazard if taking an evening stroll!! I nearly fell in it during the day as I assumed it was shallow like all the others! It looks like one of those "infinity pools" at resorts, especially when the tide comes in and fills up all the surrounding flat bits. The kids adore it as it is deep enough for Zoe to "swim", there are all sorts of busy little crabs and sea snails around the edges to keep us entertained, and they can jump from the edge into our arms for hours on end. The sea temperature here is usually 29 degrees(!!) so there's not even a flinch factor.

We've gotten into a routine of being home in the heat of the day so Zac can nap and we get tea ready in advance so we can watch the sunset before racing our hungry little swimmers home for dinner.

We were invited out to dinner a few nights ago with some other travellers and the accommodation owner. It was a stunning hilltop fish restaurant with panoramic sea/sunset views. The owner drove everyone up in his ute in one move (13 adults, 3 children!!!) Crazy! (Don't panic grandparents- your precious grandchildren were safely (but squashily) inside the ute with us and the seat belts). The fish was delicious. The kids did really well for a while, aided by several boxes of toys there- but the wheels fell off about 8 pm so we made a rushed exit. Was lovely to go out though and get a little dressed up (i.e. out of our bathers!).

Having so much trouble keeping food fresh here in the heat- we keep everything in the fridge but keep finding mouldy bread, yoghurts, milk etc within a few days. Not sure how fresh it is to start with but might have something to do with Adam lugging it in the hot sun for 30 mins to get it home. Such a good hubbie!!

Adam would be giving all you FAT BUSTER contenders a run for your money. Since leaving home he has really slimmed down. He claims that it is lack of access to his daily FAMILY sized block of chocolate, soft drinks etc. Confessions of a sugar addict! To be fair though- he is running about 45 mins every second day which is admirable in the heat. As for me... well I'm still lazily making the most of Zac's breastfeeding while I can!

We had our first night in forever that Zac slept through 2 nights ago. BLISS! Of course it has not been repeated (boo hoo!). Zoe too has wet the bed the last 2 nights too and guess who forgot our matress protector?! The $2 emergency plastic ponchos are under the sheets tonight in desperation. Zoe of course is dead against any thought of wearing a nappy, being a "big girl" and all.

If there aren't toys to fight over, the kids have been playing just beautifully together. Zoe gives Zac "horsey rides", or they play chasey, have dance parties or tickle fights. Its gorgeous to watch. In stark contrast- if one has a toy- the other immediately wants it and its on for young and old. Our poor neighbours!

Zac is our wildlife scout. He loves being outside in the garden and points and gets terribly excited at anything that pops in. Worryingly, he also brings half crushed ants or bugs to show us! Zoe seems to be growing up so fast and becoming quite the little safety monitor. She comes out with all sorts of "wise words"- eg "if you lie down to eat your apple Daddy, you might choke". She is also innocently saying the most embarrassing comments lately about people- of course, always within easy earshot too. The cringe list:
"Is that a man or a woman mummy?"
"Are they 2 men?" (to a woman and a man)
"Is that man wearing a wig? Yes, it is a wig mummy!"
"Look! That little girl has a baby in her tummy" (pointing to a rather overweight child with her overweight mother)
"What's that on that man's head?" Then, "Perhaps he's dressing up as a pirate!"

We just want to fall through the floor. Just praying they dont speak English!!!!