Shadow games

Funny from tonight's family walk (we go for a walk every evening all together): I point out our shadows to Gustavo. First he walks like is trying to get his feet unstuck from something and tells me "all done mama" "off, off". Then he tries to catch his shadow, including bending down to try to touch it on the street. And finally he has an insane laughing fit trying to step on my shadow.

Such a fun age to watch them discover things! Gustavo is speaking both Spanish and English with some words in one or the other language. Since he hears mostly Spanish at his preschool we have ben trying to speak a lot of English at home. He tells us all kinds of stories and likes to remember things and tell us about them.

Gustavo favorites include:
pea-tut-ter (peanut butter)
Tayo (his name for himself)
Bye bye Mama (when he is doing something he knows he should be and doesnt want me to see it)
LUNA (the name of our dog. used in response to anything that happens like "who spilled the water?" but also as a general conversation starter)
MOM (in reference to my mom, his grandma, whenever the phone rings)
ULITA (his name for Finnula, usually yelled as he runs into the room to wake her up or confirm that she is (was) sleeping)
Yo ya fui (literally in Spanish "I already went" but used to indicate that anything has already happened)
Esquina! ("the corner" meaning he wants to take another lap around our neighborhood on our walk)

Favorite songs:
Pio Pio (he plays his guitar to this)
Frosty the Snowman (we only know the first line)
Happy birthday TO YOU (essential that the TO YOU is yelled at 5x normal volume)

Gustavo singing Frosty the Snowman to Ulita

Finnula

Finnula is growing so fast! She was 15lbs and 63cm at her 2 month visit. She is a healthy happy girl!

Finnula's first trip to the beach

Not so sure what she thinks about the water

it's bad definitely bad.

Finnula's cute bathing suit

taking care of kids is hard work...

Gustavo and Finnula hanging out on our bed

Getting ready for bath time

Finnula LOVES bath time (see video below)

Bath bunny

Sweet smiley girl (Three months old here!)

Passport foto: Finnula is a citizen of three countries -- Nicaragua, EL Salvador and soon the US!

Catch up - Christmas & Mom's visit

Mom playing with Finnula

Pre-Christmas Eve eating some of Rafael's famous home made pizza

Putting the star on the Christmas tree (tree courtesy of the US; decorating courtesy of Mercado Huembes)

Mom introducing Finnula to Santa Claus. Not sure what to think

Christmas party with good friends (Gustavo clearly had fun)

Trying to put together Christmas toys

Santa Claus found us in Nicaragua!

Gustavo getting up in the morning

Very excited

Family picture by the tree. Gustavo got in his tricycle and did not get out for the rest of the morning

Mama & Finnula

Still in the Tricycle

So happy

1st Christmas! (thank you Aunt Peg for my cute outfiti!)

Playing Playdough with Mom

Smiley girl :-)

We had a wonderful stay at home Christmas with my mom here for a visit! Mom is the ultimate holiday celebrate-r and even brought a Christmas tree with her! Gustavo had no idea what was going on on Christmas but he liked it.... whatever it was.