Day 2 in Cancun!

We woke up bright and early to eat breakfast and head out to catch our tour bus bound for the Yucatan.  We went to Chichen Itza for the day and were astounded by the expanse of the grounds and many temples, buildings, and archaelogical wonders that reside there.  We were fascinated to learn more about the Mayan people including their traditions, customs, religious beliefs, ways of building, and ways of living.  Each building was used for something different, whether it be astronomy, schooling, a religious site, commerce center, sacrificial tower, ball court, or other ceremonial centers.

 El Castillo.  We've seen pictures before, but nothing could prepare us for its grandeur!  I had no idea there's a smaller structure inside that was originally built, but as the city grew, the people decided it didn't have the "wow factor" they wanted and thus built a larger, more massive, more impressive structure around it.  I found it fascinating that there are 91 steps on each of the 4 sides  totaling 364 steps with an additional platform symbolizing one more step to total 365 steps.  Everything around the pyramid and all other structures are facing certain directions so as to align correctly with the stars and the sun or to cast certain shadows at certain times of the year to signal the start of planting season or harvesting season. 

 We ate at a local Mayan restaurant.  I thought it funny that the chefs wore surgical masks.

 Street tacos, lime soup, cochina pibil, some fabulous chicken, and fruit.  Delish!

 Our tiny ice cream cones!  I had lime and Trent had coconut and yes that is sweat beading off my face all over the place!  It was crazy hot and humid and we were sweating anytime we weren't in a pool or by the ocean!

 Our lunchtime entertainment: This couple danced and spun with bottles on their heads showcasing their incredible balance.

 At the cenote!  Trent chose to dive off the ledge into the 150 ft. deep waters below.

 I took the more conservative jump and cross your arms in front of your chest so nothing pops out as you hit the water approach.

 We were amazed that there are Mayan people living in villages and in the jungles throughout the Yucatan that still live in homes like this.  Thatched roofs, dirt floors, and several families crammed into each one.

 Even though the people seem to have next to nothing, I was surprised how many still had rock walls surrounding their homes and bars on the windows.  Very sad.

 There's a boy here selling hiw wares in front of a restaurant.  The conditions look deplorable, but there's a nice big HD receiver on the side of the building.

 All these pictures were taken while on a bus so I know they're poor quality, but I wanted to remember it all.

Here's the tiny police station outside Vallodolid.  The disparity between the clean streets, high-rise buildings, and money of those that live in and tour Cancun is astounding compared with the broken, dirty streets, barely clothed children wandering the streets, and huts that reside in the nearby villages and towns.  Our trip to Chichen Itza was very educational, informational, insightful, and eye-opening on many levels.

Day 1 of Cancun!

 After a LONG day of travelling, we got to the resort at 9pm, ate some dinner, took a walk aroud the resort and the beach, grabbed some dessert, and then went to bed.  We woke up the next morning and had omelettes and mangoes, then headed to the beach!  The beach is gorgeous!  Such fine, soft, white sand and turquoise water.  There was always a slight breeze too, which was really nice.

 We spend most of the morning relaxing on chairs under a cabana, listening to the waves crash and the smooth, calm, latin rhythm music playing from speakers.  Sooo relaxing!

 We joined in on the water aerobics held in one of the resort's pools.

Our resort had several buildings, this was the one we stayed in and several more surrounded the pool and housed rooms as well as restaurants.

 The chef's special!  We loved the zucchini stuffed with veggies and topped with cheeses--delicious!  Each time we went to the Trattoria to eat, we asked for one of these!

 They were all about presentation here!  This is my chicken breast stuffed with spinach and cheeses, atop veggies including baby onions and peppers. 

 Outside of the restaurant after dinner.

 We took in a show and loved it!  This guy had stilts for his arms and legs.  The show was Quetzal's Rising and there were lots of creatures likes this, aerialists hanging from scarves doing all kinds of amazing tricks with their bodies and even while holding balls.  Men hund from the ceiling during one act with straps around their wrists and we were amazed at the strength it took to complete their acts. 

 Inside the atrium of one building where the shows took place.

 Some of the aerialists, it was not only dark and humid, but a fog machine was adding to the effect as well making it really hard to capture any pictures!  Such a great first day!

Mini Golf Family Date!

We took the girls out for mini golf and dinner and a blast!

Kendra is the most tenacious 2 yr old I know.  She actually hit the ball all 27 times it required to make it down the green and into the hole.  She would NOT give up or touch it with her hands and would jump up and down excited when she finally got it in the hole each time!

I think they liked posing more than playing!

Finally accepting a little help from dad since it was taking a really long time!

Best attempt at a family picture on the course.  We had a great time out together and look forward to more family outings this summer.

Megan's "My Girl!"

This year, Megan's Kinderdance class is performing a ballet number to "My Girl" and a fun tap dance to "W-I-O-WA!" She loves both ballet and tap and looks forward to her class each week.

The morning of the school assembly performance Kendra was feeling a little left out and wanted a tutu on too, so we happily obliged.  She was quite happy to wear hers to school!

I know I'm biased, but I sure think this girl's pretty darn adorable!!

Mikayla is "Stronger!"

Mikayla's jazz dance class is performing a dance to the Britney Spear's song, "Stronger."  She loves her jazz dance and has learned a lot this year.  She loves the hip shaking, high kicking, chasses, and everything they else they do that Mom doesn't know the names for!

Mikayla and her friend Julia before the school assembly performance.

I took a few pics of them posing and practicing at the dance studio.

She is so excited for her first recital next week!  She'll perform once on Friday night and once on Saturday and loves getting up and dancing in front of people.

I'll Miss It...

I'm going to miss hearing Kendra ask for her "elfun gee-gee."  She has always called her special blanket a gee-gee since she could first talk and though she can say blanket, she still refers to her elephant blanket as her gee-gee.  She loves to cuddle with it at night and naptime and lately wants to carry it around the house too, rubbing the silk edges between her fingers. I made her this blanket before she was born as I fell in love with the soft pink flannel the moment I saw it.  I'm glad she's grown to love it so much and I love this toddler-speak and will miss it when it's gone....

Random...

Trent's get-up to avoid any chance of an allergy attack!

Girly-girls wearing fake press-on nails...that lasted about 10 minutes until they were too annoyed with them and took them all off!

Can't tell if there's more chocolate donut in the mouth or on the mouth!

Little poser before church

She HAD to be in the picture!

Kendra is very headstrong and wants to do everything by herself.  Imagine our laughter when she came out of her room proudly announcing, "I did it!  I got my pants on by myself!"  Haha, still not sure how ones puts pants on inside out, but she is just persistent enough that she got 'er done!

Open House

I was the Art Docent for Mikayla's class again this year and this was one of the projects we worked on and had on display for Open House.  We explored the concept of line in nature and they had to draw a simple line drawing of an animal or nature scene, outline it in black marker, and then paint with watercolor.  They all turned out quite different and I loved working with them on projects this year!

I couldn't help snapping this pic of a sweet moment where big sister is showing little sister around her classroom and explaining the life cycle of a butterfly.  So sweet!

Mikayla learned about the different types of volcanoes and knows much about sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks as well. 

Mikayla and her 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Parks.  We have loved having Mrs. Parks this year and she has been really good for Mikayla.  Her writing and reading have drastically improved and I appreciate all the time and attention she's given to Mikayla to help her make great progress throughout this year.  A few months ago Mikayla came home from school with the Student of the Month award and Miss Integrity award.  To get the integrity award, the teachers each submit a write-up of why their student should be chosen and they debate amongst each other which student is most deserving.  We were very excited and proud of Mikayla for her to win the award for her school for the month of March.  Keep up the great work Kayla girl!  On to 3rd grade!