Frogging

An evening frog expedition with Milena and Rachelle.

Ending in the bat flight cage. Where Gwendolyn seemed a great deal more intrigued by Sara's red light than by the hungry bats.

Birthday Beach

Later in the day, 12 of us took off for the beach - a very full day for the birthday Wren! First order of business, burying Emma in the sand.

Avery & Lucy described their creation as pregnant mermaid/skyscraper.

We couldn't quite understand what Gwendolyn was saying here, but if she was warning Emma about the incoming tide, she was right on - just moments later a huge wave came washing over, submerging mermaid/skyscraper/emma and all.

Sand rinsed off, we took a boat trip to a nearby seabird nesting island.

Where we looked through binoculars...

...at frigates, boobies and night herons.

After the boat trip, Gwendolyn decided her new UV-resistant pink suit was entirely too confining. Much better sun protection to cover yourself with sand instead.

Then a fresh fish dinner with the entire group: Patty, Emma, Sara, Ioana, Martha, Sean, Avery, Rae Lynn, Mike & Lucy. Gwendolyn & I spent much of this dinner racing around in circles.

And then cake #2. For a very tired birthday girl.

Two!

Today Gwendolyn turned two! Here's my attempt at a Dora cake. Wren's little preschool group was very generous in their interpretation and recognized Dora in this cake right away.

Candles, song, not quite sure what to do.

And clapping!

Happy Birthday, Little Wren.

Where Dad Go?

Almost 2 weeks ago, Gwendolyn and I drove David to the airport in Panama City. It's been David's first real separation from the Wren since she was born. We were worried about how she would take it, especially since she slept through the actual leave taking.


She has been asking "Where Dad go?" but she's heard the answer so many times now that she's started telling random people she meets: "Dad airplane. Uncle Rob. Grandpa John." Which does sum it up. She also keeps looking for Dad in my computer, even though we've only been able to successfully skype once. A few more days, Sweet Pea, then Dad Home!

Stickers...

Beach Trip - 2

The next weekend, Rachelle, Lubo, David, the girls and I joined forces with Marc and Laurie and their 5 kids, and went to one of their favorite beaches on the Pacific side.

This beach is a favorite surf beach, and even the young kids tried out the boards. Milena caught on to the hang-on-and-get-pulled technique quickly, but Gwendolyn had trouble not falling off.

After lunch nap in the shade.

And two very young, very happy drivers on the way home. High point - the new car drove beautifully over some really rough road to get here. Low point - despite multiple applications of 50 SPF sunblock, we all got horribly burned. We're recovering, but following the Seid's sage advice, we've already ordered some long sleeved surf clothes - next time no skin exposed!

Beach Trip - 1

We finally got our new car - and have started exploring spots we could not reach before. First was this calm cove on the Caribbean coast. The first ocean water sheltered enough that Gwendolyn really seemed comfortable (with the exception, maybe, of Taboga).

She and Milena had a great time wading in the shallows (there were only shallows, in fact, even if you waded very far out, it was hard to find water much deeper than your waist).

Looking at the mangroves.

And examining the tide pools.

All of which was made much, much better by the presence of Lubo, Rachelle and Milena.

Milena

Gwendolyn has a new (old) friend. She actually met Milena in Austin, when Gwendolyn was just a few weeks old:

It's amazing how differences in age become less and less important the older you get! Milena is 3 now, and Gwendolyn almost 2, and they can actually play together now (Wren couldn't do much of anything the last time they'd met). Rachelle and Lubo are living next door to us - for 7 weeks of ant research - which is wonderful!

Long Days

David and I have both been working a lot these last weeks. Here's a typical ending to one of our long days:

Gwendolyn racing around, still full of energy.

Me, collapsed on her tiny couch, stealing a moment of rest.

Netting

Several weeks ago, Gwendolyn joined us on a bat netting expedition. Here she is, walking down Pipeline Road. Red crocs, white long sleeves, pink bear in hand - ready!

First, a sighting of howler monkeys in the trees above the truck.

Then a little bit of debate about where to net.

And on our way.

The Wren, doing her bit to help with the poles.

And stopping for a few Cheerios every now and then.

For Gwendolyn and me, the evening ended there. After choosing net sites and setting up nets, we left Patty and Jesús to the actual netting - and got back home by dusk.