Saturday, March 7, 2009

March Already, Update




Hola! Things here are rolling along. We have been crazy busy. Between work and kids and life, we keep things interesting. We have been checking options both here and in the States, and we have decided to extend our time here by at least another year. The kids like school and the schools are fantastic and affordable. Alexandra is speaking Spanish, and so is Alan in his limited almost 2 year old vocabulary. The economy in the US is not very good, and the job markets are tight. We both have job options here (although the pay is low), and we really have no reason to return at this time. We are starting to find our comfort zone with the language and culture. We have made many friends, love the weather, and are really starting to embrace the lifestyle. Maybe we may never leave!!!!

We are planning a 5 day trip to Houston, TX next week to take care of some things, and get some "supplies". Mexico has tons of benefits such as inexpensive fresh fruits and veggies, great weather, and any pirated movie you can imagine for about $10 pesos, but if you want a decent sippy cup, shoes you can afford, toys, or a decent makeup counter, you really may have to go to the US. Alan's birthday is coming up, so we planned to get there and back before he turns 2 so we don't have to buy another full price ticket for him (considering I will be holding him with all my might the entire trip anyway). We have a 2 week vacation for Easter/Spring Break, so we figured it was a good time. It is hard to believe we have been gone for almost a year already. We are planning on driving up to Colorado sometime in July. Depending on when we leave here and how long it takes us to get there, we should arrive time time mid-July. We need to take care of some things up there, and it will be a good time to visit with some of our friends and family. We have 6 weeks off during the summer until school starts again in mid-August. Summer is the rainy season here, and we are looking forward to that. It hasn't rained a drop here since October, and it is getting dry. We arrived here during the rainy season, and it was fantastic. May and June are supposed to have a decent amount of rain (approx 6 inches?), so that will start soon. We have been looking at some other homes to move to that might be a bit quieter than in the city. There is a lot of street noise and roosters here, and we are hoping to find something with a bigger yard for the kids. We might move sometime in June or so. We will see how it works out.

We have discovered an unknown resource here. Birthday Parties!!!!! As of late, the kids have been invited to several of these, and they are really fun for the whole family. Even Alan gets involved. One or more pinata's is a guarantee, and there is usually a bounce house, icy pops (called Bolis), face painting, and other activities. They have a company that you can hire, and they send a group of teenage girls to keep the action going. Alex LOVES it. The adults can usually hang out and just keep track of the constant flow of sugar, hold the pinata bags, and chat with the other parents. It seems like there is one every week lately. For the price of a small, inexpensive gift, you get several hours of kid fun. When the kids get a little older, we may even be able to do a drop off, and not have to spend a full 3-4 hours there!!!

That is about all the update for now. You really just want to see the pictures anyway. Alexandra and Alan in their "fubol" outfits, and us at a chili cookoff (awesome time). Will update soon.

1 comment:

Alisa said...

Hey Brandi! I just came across your blog (via Carrie's), and thought I would say "Hi!" We're so glad to hear that you are staying another year, at least. We will be excited to see you when we return!! Keep blogging, so that I can be jealous of your warm, perfect weather. :-) (Alisa & Jared from Alaska)