Pooks Canyon

Sandy is here :) Here we are eating at the Dock Cafe by our condo. At The Shoppes doing some shopping! We decided we could both buy this top since I no longer live in Chico.  Axel photographed us outside the dressing room for posterity as this is the first and last time we are wearing it at the same time.  We are pretty sure the world just couldn't handle it if we did. Lunch by the sea. Frida's cafe. Axel's godmother.  We seem to be adopting all sorts of Catholic traditions down here. The night Axel went to Chantal's birthday party Sandy and I got all dolled up and went out to eat.  There was a requisite photo shoot. Full length San Full length Cyn Close up San Close up Cyn  (this was prior to going out and I hadn't changed my dress yet) On the town :)

El Serpentario is a must-visit for animal lovers. Iconic. Colorful birds. Attractive lizards. Bunnys hob-nobbing with birds. Supplicant bunnies. Bird selfies. Dinner (mouse a la egg yolk). Putting the serpent in serpentario. This guy only had one leg. We found the only rainy day in La Paz the day we visited el Serpentario.

Axel has really settled into school.  While he says he is not learning Spanish, it only feels that way.  At the store the other day I was trying to tell the cashier I had brought my own bag and Axel rolled his eyes and said, "Mom, just say 'Yo tengo una bolsa' "  And so he was caught knowing nouns, assigning proper genders to said nouns, and conjugating verbs.  Ha. He's doing so well he received a certificate of achievement stamped by the governor of the state of Baja California Sur. His friends.  The girl with the pink purse is Axel's girlfriend, Janine.  He said he likes her hair. Axel got invited to a birthday party!  When we lived in Brugge, Belgium Leah went to a Flemish school and was invited to a party.  This is a great way to experience another culture.  Leah's party, for instance, was for a 9 year old.  It was held from 7pm to 10pm on a Friday night.  When we arrived the lights were low, the music was bum...

I knew something was up when, on our way to Balandra Beach one day, we were passed by multiple trucks, laden and stacked, wrapped in brightly covered vinyl.  Some were stacked so high with stuff they looked like they might spill over in a corner.   It turns out these trucks were the Carnies, exiting the ferry and making their way down into town. Over the next few days the main street along the beach transformed.  The road was lined on both sided with wild colored carnival tents, selling food, toys, games, and excitement.  Dirt lots crammed with giant Ferris Wheels, Carousels, and all the other rides you see at fairs in the states.  Only they could pack a fairs-worth of rides into an acre.  And there were at least 3 such lots. The theme of this year's Carnaval was el jeugo de la vida- the game of life.  We saw a lot of playing-card themes, chess themes, dice themes... but I am not sure of the theme of this float.  Ideas? Carnaval m...

In mid-February my dad came to visit us in La Paz.  It was wonderful having him here. One day we went stand-up paddleboarding with boards rented from Harker Board on the Malecon.  Dad picked it up very quickly.  Sergio, the kind owner, gave us stickers but we accidentally covered the H so it looks like Arker Board. Grandpa taught Axel how to play poker. Grandpa taught Axel how to beat him at poker. We took Dad to swim with 20ft purple whale sharks. Was a good day. Dad and I made a thorough survey of the margaritas de La Paz. While these two places had great margs, they serve a lot of Americanos.  Here in Baja Sur locals are more likely to shoot tequila with limes and chase it with beer. Thanks for coming to see us Dad!

Today I am playing blog catch up.  It is currently April 15 and Jon has been back in The States for a month now racing his bike.  We miss him so much and have never been away from him for so long. Here is Axel and his precious Poppy. Jon schools Axel (and pretty much everyone) at pool. But Axel is getting better. Out for a walk on el Malecon. Sunset lighting at Las Brisas. See you soon, Jon!  Uno mas mes!!!  Hasta 23 de Mayo xoxoxoxoxo

For anyone who wants an Axel-overload.  Grandmas, here it is, your moment of zen. Comida japonesa A la escuela Arriba mi amor The shared BBQ at our new place. Before he gave up soda for Lent (we're not Catholic but we wanted to try giving something up for forty days - I gave up Facebook). Paddle boarding at Balandra Beach. Getting ready to swim with Whale Sharks. Dinner at Las Tres Virgenes Out for a run. Manta ray statue. Some rock. Pajamas.  (pa-ha-mahs)   ;) The sign in the background says, "If our food, drinks or service are not up to your standards, please lower your standards."  This is at Bandidos, where you can have hamburger patties grilled under the hood of a hollowed-out Chevy. 9/10 on ambiance.  9/10 grill flavor.  4/10 meat. If it seems Axel is wearing the same shirt at dinner, he has one nice dinner shirt.  This is part of the nomad life, you just have a few clo...