felt play

 yesterday afternoon after the sailboats were no longer to be seen out our living room window, we set out to make some more out of felt.  that is, i cut them out while ezra placed them lovingly on a large piece of felt.

after making a bright and colorful felt regatta display, ezra requested that i make some penguins and an igloo.  why not?

 the big green rectangular thing at the top is a tunnel ezra made.

 precisely placing his penguins 

 father, mother, and son

(always)

 how cool would that be if there really were an igloo and a penguin family watching the regatta?

2011 regatta fun on sint maarten

totally

i've been reminding myself for days that i need to write this one down because ezra's been saying a lot of this lately and it seems to have come out of nowhere.  totally.  he says, "you totally did it!" after i draw something or make something or find what we were looking for.  he also says, "you're totally right," after i put the puzzle piece in the correct place or find a hidden picture in a book for example.  every time i heard these 'totally' statements in the last week i would think how ezra is speaking california lingo just in time for our return.  i think it's michael who says 'totally' all the time.  but, of course now i hear myself saying it too.  just before i came out to write this post we were laying in bed reading stories with michael.  each night we call michael in to read a story and then hide under the blankets.  when he enters the room usually saying, "i thought i heard them, where did they go?" we pull back the covers and scream, "boo!"  we have probably been doing this per ezra's request every night for at least a month - maybe more.  after michael pulled off yet another great act of being surprised he snuggled in beside us and said (as he often does), "here's my kid" and gave ezra a little squeeze, followed by, "and here's my girl" and touched my arm (ezra's in the middle).  the funny thing is ezra says in the same singsong voice as daddy, "and she's also your neighbor!" referring to me.  it's another funny thing he's said more than once - that i am daddy's neighbor.  i wonder if he knows what that means?  we don't have neighbors here on the island.  we just have random hotel guests that stay in the rooms on our floor throughout high season.  well i have to get back because they are now screaming, "mommy!"  it is my turn to be scared.  i just thought i'd write these silly little things down before i forget them and post ezra's totally cool drawing he did yesterday.  

eye candy

ezra woke up in time to take some pictures of his own

i became quickly inspired between shooting pictures all morning to cut out some sailboats for our hanging felt story board.  ezra loves this and has been putting up santa claus and his reindeer since christmas.  it was well over time to make something new!

a break for michael

 today we got a little daddy time.  michael will take his basic sciences comprehensive exam tomorrow. it is an important test that he has to pass in order to move on to the next phase of his medical school career.  he has been working toward this day since we arrived on st. maarten.  part of his game plan was to take the afternoon off from studying the day before the exam.  we looked forward to it all morning.

 ezra was excited to have daddy with us on the dirt road.  maybe that's why he put on his special wool hat i made him for christmas.  they do say that wool wicks the sweat away and keeps you cool in hot weather and warm in cool weather.  he kept it on the whole walk.  it was at least 85 degrees out.

 then we arrived to our favorite local rendez-vous lounge for a little rest in the shade.

 the hat came off at this point and i was a little surprised to see his curls were wet with sweat.

i ordered an iced decaf soy latte and ezra got his usual pain au chocolat.  my drink was perfect.

 ezra enjoyed his favorite all time food in his orange chair that he insisted upon having after everyone had sat down.  he wanted to be by daddy, but also in the orange chair.  there was a little moving around and chair rearranging before we settled into a long hour rest at the cafe.

 erica was with us and ezra took a picture of her and the "trees" with my iphone.  i quite like it.

 he also snapped this picture of his beloved daddy.  

we are so proud of you michael and all your hard work.  we know you are going to do a great job tomorrow and be a wonderful doctor.  we love you!

the great race

it's time for the regatta - the big sailing race held annually on st. maarten.  sailors come from all over the world to participate in this race and it is quite a spectacle from our balcony.  i have been enjoying seeing the different boats that have been sailing around these last two weeks.  

bike ride

first we go in the elevator

and head toward the lobby - or as ezra calls it - the lovy

he rides along the road

and into the basketball court for safe riding

backwards caps keep the hair out of the eyes

drink break

and on our way back. 

michael's cautioning ezra about the cars.

that is michael's school in the background.

riding through the lobby is the coolest!