Brandon rocks, but we already knew that.  While making a b-day card for Abuela, Brandon wrote his first word.  And yes, it is just one word right now, but he’s only 4!  I thought it was pretty cool to see it on paper.  (sorry it was in  yellow!)

P-I-E

In this first set of pictures, Brandon was cutting and taping up a robot (so  he says).  It was fun to watch how hard he was working on his project.

 

Here, Brandon decided to sit IN the garden and make a house.

Putting the Dough on the Tortilla Press

Virgilio was at work studying for his two tests this week-end.  So, I got the urge to try-out some of my Tico talent that was magically bestowed on me during my citizenship “ceremony”.  I had a hankerin for chicken empanadas.  We had left over chicken and the rest of the ingredients, so Brandon and I went for it.

Using the Press

Brandon was a rock star with the tortilla press.  Making tortillas without one is part of the 50% Tico talent that I don’t have.

The Perfect Tortilla!

Look!  It really looks perfect!  The bowl is the chicken and veggies that are the filling for the empanada.

The Fabulous Finished Product

They do look delicious, don’t they?  Well, they really weren’t.  Bummer.  They were kind of bland.  (I have to be honest.  It’s lent!)  I should have used this chicken seasoning stuff that tico women put in all chicken dishes.  Alas, again, must be the 50% of me that is from the US.

Munchin on the Empanada

Brandon liked them and I ate mine.  I was happier with the fruit smoothie we had with the empanadas.  Lesson learned:  Either stick to eating other people’s empanadas or go make them with Dona Josefina.

 

Practicing Winking

Making a Robot like Curious George

Playing Under the Lemon Tree

Rolling Around in the Dirt

 

Practicing his Percussion Skills on the Drum Tio Tim gave him for his B-day

Besides regressing with his potty training (ugh), we are doing really well.  He is growing like a weed and it is fun to see the types of activities (like the robot or rolling around under the lemon tree) that interest him.  Don’t worry, he is still spelling up a storm and likes to tell us the sounds that the letters make.  He is doing some basic reading of the magnetic words that Grampa Bill got him.  (I’ll get video.  It’s pretty cool.)  Best go put our little dirt roller in the shower (again)

Have a great week!

Here it is Brandon fans:

"I love a parade!"

We marched around our yard for about 20 minutes until my voice got tired of singing the spontaneous parade song!  He carried the F-L-A-G.

Monkey See Monkey Do with the Cat

Playing Soccer in the Front Yard

Brandon can really kick the ball hard.  It often goes under the fence and into the pasture.  Many times the “game” ends when there are no more balls on this side of the fence!

 

25% Time Brandon is on the Ground

Just like Tio Tim.

 

 

 

 

Great Grandma Dooley Made a Visit

With Chumeca (black) and Vallita (White-ish)

Don Virgilio has two calves that we enjoy having on our property.  Sometimes Don  Virgilio will stop by and Brandon will ask to accompany him to feed the calves.  One day he came home very excited that Chumeca had licked his hand.  Unfortunately, to tell the story, he had to lick his hand that hadn’t yet had the cow spit washed off it!  EEEEWWWW!

We drove down to Playa Hermosa for a few days so that both Brandon and Gramma could get their respective beach fixes.

Playing in the Pool with Gramma

 

A friend lent us a little life vest and Brandon felt more confident floating on  his back and trying to swim.

Still loves the water!

There was a mini family reunion going on at the hotel and the grandmother took a liking to “B” (who wouldn’t?) and enjoyed talking to him and tried to teach him to swim! 

"Brandon so cute" says this modest fellow

What can I say, he IS cute!

 

Delicious Dinner

Bill’s Aunt La Verne is so kind as to treat the four of us to dinner every time Mom comes.  This time we saved it for grilled chicken and filet mignon on the beach!  Doesn’t get much better than that!

Brandon really enjoyed playing at the beach (so did Gramma and Mama).  Even now he sees the ocean on our way home from school and comments “Brandon likes the beach.  Ocean is fun!”

Gramma was here for a quick 2 week visit.  We had been looking forward to her arrival.  During the 3 1/2 hour ride  to pick up Gramma at the airport Brandon shouted out “Gramma, plane, yay!”  every ten minutes (not an exaggeration).

Brandon Frog

Brandon LOVED playing ball with Gramma, singing with Gramma, playing letters with  Gramma and showing Gramma Brandon Frog, Brandon Penguin, Brandon Crab, …etc.  He spoke with Gramma so much that his verbal abilities improved!  Thanks Gramma!

Rock Star (I am envisioning KISS)

Brandon got a new guitar and could spend a couple of hours (I kid you not) strumming and singing Kumbaya, Happy Birthday, the Alphabet song.  His excellent mimicking ability gives him excellent stage presence and he appreciates the (read: requires) the applause from his adoring fans.

Gramma bought us a yummy lunch at the New Morphos.

Coming Soon:  Gramma’s Visit:  The Beach Trip

Create a digital greeting

Never much cared for this song, but it has quickly climbed the charts to number 1 (followed closely by Skidamarinki Dinki Dink), which I will put up soon! Stay tuned.