Boyd Bear Tracks

I was going to say after the hurricane, but I don't think what we've gone through even compares to what the people in the actual hurricane went through. These last couple weeks have been really busy!! We helped out with the school kids during orientation. It was pretty fun! I had Kindergarten and 1st grade (about 8 kids). There was one little girl (I think she just turned 5) who just cracked me up!! :-) The leader was giving them some tips on dangers in Costa Rica and she mentioned stray dogs. This little girl (Kenedie) pipes up and says, "I want to tell you about Beuford!" "Beuford is a dog!" Then she went on to explain how he died and almost his whole story (except the leader interrupted her :-)). It was hilarious!! She was quite the little character. All of a sudden I would hear this sniffling and look over. She would have her face all screwed up trying to squeeze out some tears and would say, "I miss my mommy and daddy". When we worked on a project she got some glitter on her and all day she kept asking me if she still had glitter on her eyebrows (she "cried" every time about that too!). I was trying my best to be compassionate, but I was working too hard on trying not to laugh :-) (she had the most expressive face)!! I hope her Kindergarten teacher is pretty patient :-)! It was fun to work with the kids and help them get used to a new culture and new things. Plus, all the little ones called me Aunt Holly :-).

Surprisingly, Lucas and Eliana did really well in the daycare too! The teachers were surprised at how well they can express themselves in Spanish. I guess speaking Spanish in the mornings has helped them keep up with it :-).

We've also been showing Shelley and the Ashbys around. Usually Jon ends up going with the Ashbys and I go with Shelley and our kids. Otherwise we would need a bus for all of us! One time we all went to San Jose and we never even met up with each other :-). Now we're dealing with helping them with adjustments to their new homes. Shelley is living with a Tico family so I've had to go talk with them about some changes. Plus, the Ashbys just moved into their house so they're discovering things that need to be fixed. So, being a big brother/sister is a little more work than I thought at first :-). At least, I've gotten a lot of exercise walking all over the place :-)!!

Yesterday (Friday) was "kids day" here in Costa Rica. The ladies from the park decided to celebrate it on Thursday. So, we went to a pizza parlor (with a play area) and had a good time together. The kids played really well together (I suppose it's because none of them brought any toys to fight over :-)). I hadn't been able to go to the park in a while and I had missed their company. So, it was good to get together again!

Lucas is enjoying making cards for people (like the Ashby girls). He is also getting really good at coloring. Also, he won his class' Sunday School contest (attendance, memory verse, behavior, and bringing a Bible). He fufilled all the requirements. The only one I wonder about is whether he was good every time :-). Anyway, he got a book on bugs. I was proud of him (although half the work was ours--as parents :-)).

Eliana has been talking more. She likes to imitate what we say. Yesterday I said, "We have to take the movie back." So she turned around and said, "Daddy, take movie back!" She's still my little cuddle bug. In fact, many times she won't let Jon help her; she'll say, "no, mommy" (meaning that I should help her). She does get mixed up sometimes with what she's saying. Instead of "Yes, Jesus loves me" she sings, "yes, Jesus mommy". I guess that's what it sounds like to her :-).

I've started playing soccer again. There are a lot of people coming now. On Monday we had three teams of 5 plus a sub. So, we switched teams every 10 minutes. It's nice to have a break, but I wish the break wasn't so long :-). Some of the guys call me Mia Hamm, which is funny because when I'm playing forward with them they won't pass me the ball (I might miss!!). The truth is, I don't like playing forward anyway. I prefer defense. I'm not very good at ball handling, just ball taking :-). Although, it's nice to be able to get some exercise. Maybe I can find a soccer team in Colombia :-).

I haven't been taking many pictures lately, but this month is the Independence day for Costa Rica so maybe I'll add some pictures in my next blog. I'll probably have some of the kids dressed in the Costa Rican national colors (blue, red and white--yes, they're the same as the USA :-)).