Brother's 3rd Birthday

On Saturday the little beaner boy turned 3 years old. We celebrated with a party. I'll share some photos and let you in on the fun we had. The day started at about 6am with cleaning and decorating. Putting up the pinata stakes and washing and filling the pool - which took about 3 hours to fill only half way!

Guests started arriving about 11:30. Our invites said 11, but we knew no one would show at the appointed time. A few showed at 11:30 and then most of the people came around noon. Just in time for lunch. Good timing!

Papa ordered Chinese for the adults and pizzas for the kids. I didn't have to do any cooking. Yes! Thanks dear.

The kids all seemed to have a great time. The pool was a hit and even when it started to rain, it didn't stop the kids from swimming. There was no lightening so no reason to stop them from their fun.

He got a big car and a truck. He loves them both.

His truck when he opened it carried around that thing on his head like he was showing it off to everyone.

Papa arranged a balloon game. I don't really understand how it worked, but you basically pick a number and then you get a balloon. There are all kind of balloons on the board and the hope is to win the BIG balloon. Turns out that balloon had a hole in it anyway.

Here is Brother and his new friend Julian. He is also a 1/2 and 1/2 kid. His mom is American and dad is Honduran.

Here is the Cars pinata before

Here is after during the candy raid

My Girl Dances The Punta

In Sister's 4th grade class they have divided into groups to present different cultures. Sister's group is presenting the Garifunas. Sister loves to dance and so her and another girl volunteered to present the style of dance known as Punta.

Here is a video of the girls practicing and of course little Brother had to get in on the fun. The kids looked adorable but I have to admit that Sister didn't do too bad for a little gringa! I told sister I was going to send the camera to school so her teacher could take another video.

Here is another shared post from my photo blog. Now I'm wondering why I created two?

The Flower Seller Sculpture, originally uploaded by Honduras Sprout.

This sculpture is on a building in San Pedro Sula. It struck me the first few times I drove past and left me staring wondering about it. Then I saw a print of Deigo Rivera's The Flower Seller. Ah ha! After a little investigation I learned that this sculpture looks to be a mix of his works The Flower Seller and Nude with Calla Lilies. I really enjoyed the sculpture though it was hard to get a good photo from below on the street.

Benign Girl

Benign Girl, originally uploaded by Honduras Sprout.

I had to look up what "benign" actually meant when I saw this toy for sale on the street. I don't think I have heard this adjective used this way before.

Traffic Violations

I was on my way to the dentist the other day. There is a left turn lane that you can only take a left on with an arrow. In order to get to the street that the dentist is on, it is easiest to make a u-turn at the arrow and proceed to the next street and take a right and the dentist is 1/2 a block down.

I did this an normal, as we have done quite a few times now being that the whole family is on a mission to get all cleanings and fillings taken care of before out trip back to the US June 17th.

As soon as I made the u-turn I see some cops just ahead waving me over. There are two of them. They told me that it is illegal to make a u-turn at that light. Oh really? I ask them where the sign is that says no u-turn. He points down towards the sign but it was just far enough away where I couldn't really make things out so wasn't sure.

Because I can't speak Spanish very well I get my husband on the phone to talk to the traffic cop. After he talks to the cop trying to argue that a u-turn is legal right there, but him being on the phone and nothing he could do to argue really, my husband tells me to just pay him off with L100. That is about US $5. He was more than pleased to take the money and gave me a huge grin and shook my hand telling me to have a good day. Disgraceful man that he is.

I get to the dentist and apologize for my being late and explain that I was pulled over for making a u-turn at that light nearby. She asked if I got a ticket and I told her I hadn't but that I had paid him off. She shook her head. She told me that the cop was lying because she has lived in the neighborhood for 21 years and knows for sure that you can make a u-turn at that light and the cops were just looking for some quick money.

Aren't cops just lovely people over here?

Pool Top Wagon

Pool Top Wagon, originally uploaded by Honduras Sprout.

Horse drawn wagons are common as a means of transportation, especially for the "invaders" as I mention in the previous post.

I am always amused by the craftiness and resourcefulness seen sometimes. Here this wagon has a child's pool stretched over the top to provide shade from the beating sun.

A Haircut For Brother

Brother hates getting his haircut. It's like trying to get a cat to go into a bath. It is not easy and torture for everyone. We tried to bring him on Sunday after church to a cute barber shop where they have little cars for seats for the kids. So cute. Tried to bribe him with candy. Nope. He was not having it and was starting in with a melt down in the shop so we decided to leave. We stopped at another store in the mall that sells kids toys. They had this really cute tool sets. Brother was so excited about the tools we decided to try the bribe. We would buy him some tools if he got his haircut. That was it. He agreed. So the next day Papa brought him in. We had talked about how much we like his hair long but the length was getting bad so he at least needed a trim. I suggested buzzing his hair since he hates getting his haircut so much then he could grow it out for a long time. Papa was hesitant so when he left I told him to do what ever he felt was best. I would be okay with anything. Just get it cut.

The buzz seemed like the better option. The picture above is from this last weekend while in the car, the kids stayed occupied with the mobile DVD player (thanks lita and tia!). Below is a slide show of some photos I took this morning with his new tools he earned for being a big boy and getting his haircut. He looks so grown up and he seems to really like having all that hair off his face. You can actually see all his facial expressions and they are so adorable! Papa and I also agreed that now that he has his haircut he actually looks a bit like me now. I love it. And I know we can let it grow for a good long time now.