The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost

the 1 less traveled by

A move to Nicaragua

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Toddler Tales

My Mother's Day view.
By Jenna Reid 30 Views

Mother’s Day in Nicaragua

Today was Mother’s Day in the United States. I love Facebook because I am able to see how all my friends & family were able to celebrate it and all the sweet gestures by husbands and kids. My tradition used to be mimosas & breakfast at a not-so-busy restaurant with the family then I would get dropped off to enjoy a massage. It was perfect. I could get the same thing every year and be completely satisfied.

Last year was our first Mother’s Day in Nicaragua and my husband tried to keep this tradition going. Sadly, as the US Mother’s Day is always on a Sunday, it was impossible to find a spa open for my massage. We had to settle on just breakfast and the hope that I’d be able to celebrate more fully on Nicaragua’s Mother’s Day on May 30th.

Kharron’s mom is in town and she’s been wanting to spend the day at our most beautiful beach, Playa Hermosa. We left the house around 9am and were able to score the large palapa with comfy couches. It was a fabulous & surprisingly relaxing day.

My Mother's Day view.
My Mother’s Day view.

Both kids were able to take a nap so we were able to stay longer into the early evening. Azalea boogie boarded for the first time, and even Kharron & I got to play in the waves.

Azalea loves her time one-on-one with Daddy.
Azalea loves her time one-on-one with Daddy.

 

 

 

 

Kharron’s mom did discover that at Playa Hermosa they still do massages on Sundays, so she was able to enjoy her Mother’s Day fully.

This was also my view on Mother's Day. Somehow both kids took a nap at the beach so we got to stay all day - an unexpected gift!
This was also my view on Mother’s Day. Somehow both kids took a nap at the beach so we got to stay all day – an unexpected gift!

I think Mother’s Day is better than my birthday and I feel so lucky not only to get to celebrate it, but that I have such an amazing family to celebrate it with.

Kids by the school sign
By Jenna Reid 87 Views

Preschool In San Juan del Sur

They say it takes a village and San Juan del Sur Day School is part of ours. This week Titus started going to the same amazing school as his sister, for two days a week. I love how Nicaraguan families live and raise their kids together, its a practice that disperses the responsibility of a family outside of the North American norm of just mom & dad. This allows their children to be cared for by the family members who are not working. Younger siblings help cook and clean, and grandparents grow old and are cared for in the same home they were born in. Even with my envy of these strong family values, I am thankful that my family can afford to send our preschoolers to a formal school where the goals of education, growth, and independence can be nurtured.

On the first day of school for Titus we took the bus from our normal spot by the park. It was fun riding the bus with all the crazy kids and singing “The Wheels on the Bus” as we made our way up the hill to school.

Titus & Azalea were excited about going to the same school together and we made sure Azalea knew that as a big sister she needed to be a good role model and show Titus how to be a good student.

It was hard to leave him the first day, when I said goodbye and walked away I could hear him crying and pleading, “Mama…” I know that this is what is best for him and his growth to independence. I ran the 6km back to my car by the park, which I think I’ll make my weekly routine.

Titus’ wonderful teacher sent me pictures of him throughout the morning enjoying his first day at school.

The second day of his first week I parked at the bottom of the organic farm where the school is located and we road up to school on the bus from there. He was a little more hesitant when we got to school and didn’t want me to put him down. I finally coerced him to the floor by playing with an animal puzzle. As soon as he seemed more comfortable I said goodbye and gave him a kiss. Again, I walked away to the heartbreaking sounds of his cries. Again I had to tell myself that this was what was best for him and reminded myself that on the first day he only cried for a few minutes after I left. I had a nice leisurely walk down to my car and then enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Barrio Cafe with some friends!

Titus had a blast at school the first week. He arrived off the bus very sleepy. I am so glad that San Juan del Sur Day School is part of our tribe. I look forward to watching him grow and now get to participate in all the fun school events.

Titus usually naps at 10:30, so a 12:45 bus drop-off is late for this little guy.
Titus usually naps at 10:30, so a 12:45 bus drop-off is late for this little guy.
Happy Girl with her eggs
By Jenna Reid 1 comment 102 Views

Easter in San Juan del Sur

Easter week is pretty crazy here in San Juan del Sur, because it is a Nicaraguan tradition to head to the beach for “Semana Santa” (Holy Week). Our first year here, we visited a friend in Northern Nicaragua where it was much less crowded. This year we decided to stay and experience at least one Easter holiday in our home town.

Last minute I decided to plan a small Easter party at our house. I was on the fence about planning something because I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend my Sunday morning preparing for a party instead of just enjoying the day with my family. Then, one of the first things Azalea asked me in the morning was where her Easter dress was. I had to rummage through her closet for something “special” to wear. She got dressed up with “Easter shoes” on before the clock struck 7am. That settled it for me, we must do something fun for the kids.

Happily a few friends were able to come over to enjoy the day, then we headed to the Playa Hermosa for some relaxation and a cool down in the ocean.

Heavy load to pull today
By Jenna Reid 138 Views

What to do for St Patrick’s Day in Nicaragua

St Paddy’s Day in San Juan del Sur

This was our second St Patrick’s Day while living in Nicaragua. The first landed only a couple weeks after we landed in this country. As awesome it was, the true beauty of celebrating this holiday in a foreign country that we are used to rejoicing in the United States, was not as deeply appreciated as it was this year.

Azalea’s school, San Juan del Sur Day School, organizes an ox cart ride around town for the students every year. Last year Azalea was only 3 and too young to be able to ride in the cart, but this year she was able to be part of the parade instead of just a spectator. She was all smiles as she passed by with her class and teacher.

Later in the day those same ox carts are used to in an annual pub crawl that is coordinated by one of our local Irishmen, John Crilly (also the co founder & husband of the school’s Director). To read more about this pub crawl and see pictures from past years, please read In Nica Now’s blog entry on this topic. As a parent, it is hard to take part in this event, so I must give photo credits to DanCesar.com and Elisha MacKay from In Nica Now.