Just one of those days

Wednesday July 24, 2024 - Pereira, Colombia-

“Those days”. You know the ones I’m talking about. When you wake up in the morning with the attitude of “meh!”. That was me today, but was it just me?

The kids and I stayed up and watched a movie last night. But we still all got to bed at a reasonable time. Even peanut was a bit “meh” today. Not really cranky, but not full of smiles like the bonus video the other day. After a quick breakfast, we needed to un to Santa Rosa, a recurring theme in our lives. For the record, so much of our Colombian life is based out of that town and is why we he’d that direction so often.

Hint for tomorrow…never guess where we are going again?!?!

Anyway, our trip there as a relatively quick one. I think we were at our lot for a grand total of 30-minutes then right back to Pereira. Plenty of time for Santi and I to explore a new area of the lot. This got a bit treacherous and we abandoned our mission. Even I was falling into ruts that were waist deep and a risk of breaking my hip (again). Check out the grass compared to my little bud!

Bold and brave! Not afraid of tall grass….spiders…maybe even snakes…

Forward, March!

Abort! Run away!

The in-laws had a medical appointment this morning so Mariana stepped up to stay home and care for peanut! This was her first time alone babysitting and she did great.

Mango goo! Gross! Yes, some did get into his mouth.

Note: You may be asking with all of these trips, why didn’t we just stay there to begin with? Well, initially, we couldn’t find a place that we were willing to pay for. Secondly, to allow time with grandma and grandpa, we needed to be closer to them. Thirdly, it gets my in-laws upset when we don’t stay with them…never mind having a new baby!

On the way home, we got a call from the in-laws who had a car that was dead. We diverted our trip but fortunately, the dead car (battery just needed to be jumped) was one of our go-to restaurants only a block away; Delight. Strange combination of food but we love their hamburgers & lasagna. Don’t ask questions! Of course it makes sense! We brought home lunch for everyone, 3 burgers and 3 lasagna. I said, don’t ask questions! It was delicious by the way. Burgers here have pineapple and thick sliced sweet pickles on them by the way…you should give it a shot.

2:00, claudia and her mom had appointments for manicure & pedicure. The men tagged along and got much needed haircuts. Ok, cost of living comparisons Colombia vs USA. I’ve been told, that a manicure/pedicure at home will cost $100 per person. My typical haircut at home is typically $30-40. Today, Hernando, Santi, Mariana, Aminta, and I all got haircuts/ styling & Aminta & Claudia had the mani/pedi for a grand total of $64. Part of me felt like we were hillbillies who just came to the big city and all got haircuts at the same time. So we will probably go back before coming home. My hair is pretty long and curly right now and might not quite be in military standard to go back to work. And paying $5 for a nice haircut instead of a $40 pet-clips haircut is way more palatable.

During these groomings, a certain peanut required entertainment. It was nap time so there were a few trips around the block to get him to fall asleep. It worked. While he was sleeping, me and the kids went to the Pereira cathedral. Someone forgot his phone at home so I’ll have to give you some stock photos from previous trips.

The first time I was here, I thought it was under construction. But looking at the wood work and the beams and structures, it is awesome. I also love the mural above the altar though this picture is a bit far off.

We prayed for a bit. I noticed the priest was starting to do confessions which Santi and I took advantage of later on. But we went to a few religious shops near the cathedral and bought Santi a nice crucifix for his bedroom. He wanted a more “big boy” crucifix (my words, not his). And it was really nice. Nani had a time limit for being back so we brought her back and Santi and I headed back for confession.

Remember what I said about a “meh” day? I think it cleared up while we were in town. Time spent at church and confession may have been just what I personally needed. My attitude may have also been driving others down as well. Sorry family if that’s the case.

:(

On the way home, it was another Queso & Cafe night. Peanut was awake, on his game and wonderful in the restaurant. Did I tell you that last time at this restaurant, I felt his bottom two teeth poking through? Well, he hides the, well and when you try to open his mouth to look, well, be ready for a fight and screaming like you’re committing homicide. But Nani did get a glimpse of the “tooth” she said, she thought it was just one. We discovered at this restaurant as well his love for mandarin juice. He has been devouring it. Tonight was no exception. We got home and played on the floor for a while. He is getting closer to crawling. It’s about 90/10 that he gets on his arms and dragged his legs across the floor. We catch him up on all fours every now and the. When we try to help, laziness steps in and if you try too much? Screaming homicide again. That little grump!

Oh, one last note before I go. Bath time is a favorite time. I’ve been doing a majority of these duties. The routine consists of going into our bedroom and removing the clothes and the diaper because once he sees the water, it’s a mad scramble to break free and get into the USS peanut I introduced all of you to weeks ago. Anyway, while transitioning from bedroom into bathroom, I felt my stomach start getting warm, then I felt the wetness. All that mandarin juice he had earlier was now being released all over my shirt, and across the hall. Ironically, the diaper I had just removed was heavy from urine. This dude has a tremendous bladder for a little guy. He is all too willing to pee on anyone! Never had this issue with Santi….this dude’s making up for lost time. Of course Clau is no help! Her and her mom laughed hysterically!