Boyd Bear Tracks

Well I'm finally writing an update. Looking back I didn't communicate the exciting day I found a snake by my refrigerator (I had walked by it, thankfully not on it, earlier). It looked like a coral snake, but a guard told me it was just a rat snake (they eat rats anyway--I don't know if that's their actual name). The excitement continued when I realized it had escaped out of the water bottle, and I had to find it and catch it again!! Anyway, that's all over now!

I had a special treat a couple of days before Lucas' birthday. Laura invited me to go and get a pedicure and a manicure. There's a lady that goes to your house and does it for you. How convenient!! :-) I thought I would include a picture of my "wild" nail job :-)!!

Lucas had two birthday celebrations. We had one Friday morning at the park with all his park "buddies". I made cupcakes with plastic fish on them and gave the kids little fish (they were shower grips so you don't slip) instead of a candy bag. He got a lot of presents, including a sword!! I'm sure you can all hear me groan :-)! The lady (Mariana) said that she had noticed he liked sticks so much she thought about just wrapping up a stick for his present. Then, she found this sword and thought it would be fun :-). She has twin boys that are almost three and then a little baby too. She must be a busy lady!! She's very nice and seems to be the organizing force behind all the activities they plan (a ladies' tea once a month, and a big year end party at the end of the year). I should add that it's a good thing the sword has a sheath because then Ellie has a "sword" too and they don't have to fight about it. :-) As they say, always look for the good in a situation :-)!

For Lucas' party on Saturday we invited the three kids that come to church with us (related to our guard). They are very poor and were extremely excited to be in on a birthday party. One of them even came all dressed up with a dress shirt and tie! Of course our buddies the Carters came over too. I decided to make pizza. It was going to take 25 minutes per pizza so I wanted to do two at once. I put a pizza down near the element (I only have one rack) and it totally charred!! So, that one was inedible! Then, I was trying to serve up the pizza quickly because people were waiting and didn't wait for the pizza to set. It practically melted off the spatula (became basically mush). At least two of the four pizzas worked out ok and everyone had something to eat. Next time I think I'll just order pizza :-(.

The shark cake was a great success. People have been talking about hiring me to make their birthday cakes. Maybe I should start a business :-). The blue food coloring on the coconut colored everyone's mouth blue, which just added to the fun!

Lucas got some plastic cowboys and indians. He really loved playing with the ones they had at the school. Jon said he played with some just like them when he was little. I guess some things never go out of style :-). And of course, he got a Spiderman from Jackson (well, actually from all the Carters ;-)). Jackson was so excited about the present he kept trying to tell Lucas what it was. Then, after Lucas opened it, Jackson was quick to point out that it is always good to share. It was very cute!! When they get together they become "Spidermen" and shoot webs at everything in sight, so Jackson knew exactly what to get :-).

Ellie is starting to talk more. She loves to boss people around. At the park when one of the moms calls her child, Ellie is always quick to call them too :-). "Emilio", "Lucas" "Venga (come)"-- except she says "venna". The funniest thing (to me) is when I'm talking to her seriously about something she shouldn't do. She kind of cocks her head (while nodding) and says "Yes, Mommy" with a serious look on her face. I think she knows that when she does that she looks cute!

I'm excited because tomorrow our maid is bringing her puppy to visit. Plus, I'm pet-sitting for another missionary family so I'll have their dog too :-). Now all I need is for Lala (the neighbor's dog) to get out again. Usually I find her in the park, take her home and put her in our garage. The kids love having her and one time Lucas cried when her owners came home and we gave her back. So, I'm not really dog-less after all :-)!