The Finger

Not the middle finger, the bird or flipping someone off. No, none of those you potty mouths!  I'm talking about the Mexican chica finger. That's what I call it anyway. You know when your talking to your gal pal and she agrees with you about something and that pointer finger shoots up then begins the up and down motion as if saying yes with that finger. And then there's the side to side motion with that same finger which indicates "no, I don't think so". 

I love this, and have only seen it used since living here in Mexico. Or maybe I just never noticed it before. My daughter and I do it all the time now. My son tells me that men in Mexico think it's rude for a girl to do that to them and it should stay among the girls...???? Whatever the case, its cute. Do you do this? 

Day of the Dead

We are upon one of Latin Americas most famous Holidays - Day of the Dead-

On Monday November 2nd, families will travel to where their loved ones lay and bring offerings such as bread, candles, flowers. It is believed that the departed visit the living on this day also known as All Souls Day.

The kids school hosted an event in honor of this holiday by having the students of Ameyali preform skits and dances. JJ took part in a skit (he is in yellow) and Leah preformed a traditional follk dance. There was lots of traditional Mexican food, games for the kids and it was a good time to visit with other parents too.

Destination ....Some Beach Some Where

This past Saturday we took off to explore the southern parts of the Banderas Bay. Destination Mayto Mexico. Hwy 200 was pretty curvy but so beautiful. Wild orange poppys hugged the roads from Puerto Vallarta all the way (2 1/2 hour drive) to Mayto. For the first hour the road is nicely paved then once you enter El Tuito, which is the turn off for Mayto, it is all dirt road for the next

1 1/2 hours. The views were spectacular! We had a great time listening to our favorite music and the kids had their heads out the top of the sun roof....

Once we arrived to Mayto and checked out the little baby sea turtles we realized the ocean was too rough for the kids to swim in so we headed about 5 minutes south to Tehuamixtle where

We spent the entire day lounging on the beach under our 20 dollar beach umbrella, tried to fly a kite, swam in the ocean, built sandcastles, and searched for beach treasures....

JJ playing on the beach of Tahu
Leah was really focused in on the crabs
JJ working on his sand castle
Trying to fly our kite with no wind!
awweee!

Friends, A Life Without Them is Far Too Lonely

A year ago I left true life long friends and started a new chapter in my life in a whole new world. Coming to Puerto Vallarta was so new, exciting and scary all at the same time, but I didn’t have any friends to “share” that experience with. The people who surround us make up our daily lives. What’s important to me on last Friday becomes important to them. Before coming here I could just get in my car and drive to my friends’ house to gossip, have coffee, go on walks with and share those daily life experiences with. My life was lonely without them.

I found a quote recently that I absolutely love~

"It was by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends"

I have found new friendships in Vallarta that I will cherish forever. These gals are the best! We all got together yesterday and someone commented “isn’t it crazy how we all met” I agree. I love each of their personalities, spirits and hearts.So gals, (Jackie, Sara, Maritza and Michelle) if you happen to be reading this, Thank You for all that you are and everything you do that makes you all my……..new found forever life long friends.

Slow Sailing

This post is a little delayed but wanted to share anyway. Puerto Vallarta has a beautiful marina with a breathtaking variety of boats. The family went on a very relaxing sailing trip over the weekend on The Brier Patch, a gorgeous 60 ft vessel . I love to sail and have been patiently waiting to experience it again on beautiful Banderas Bay. JJ & Leah practice knots with Dad before we went out and were perfect little deck hands.

Leah is cooling off under a shower, while JJ helps the captain

Nap Time

JJ getting a lesson from Papa

Afternoon Get Togethers

Yesterday the kids and I met up with “the girls” at a café just outside Puerto Vallarta I believe the name was something like Lumbake but honestly I think I am way off on the name and will have to come back and edit it later……I think the colony was Fluvial. I am still learning my way around this city. The café offers a nice menu of mostly sandwiches, salads a great kids selection and of course fabulous beverages. I had the ice tea which was too sweet for my taste but there are Italian sodas, mochas, smoothies and lots more.

from left to right....me of course, Michelle, Maritza, Jackie, Sara

So here is the big secret about the place……there are fun play structures for the kids outdoors and an indoor air-conditioned play room, with toys galore, flat screen tv, arts and crafts and the best part is that someone is “watching the little ones” while mom and dads or in our case girlfriends can catch up and gossip! I loved it and hope we go back very soon.