The Gang's all here...

Today was Roberts first full day in Salvador. We had a relaxing day with the kids and they could not be more excited to have their daddy with them. Maya was so emotional when she first saw Robert that she stood frozen and confused as we watched every emotion pass over her face and no idea which one to pick. She finally went with crying because she was so happy to see her daddy. She has not left his side since and keeps a constant check on where he is at all times.

Here are just a few more random pictures of Salvador and the kids playing. We miss you all and cannot wait to see everyone. Hope you are all having a great summer.

Tracy, Robert, Jacob & Maya

Cute Pictures of the Kids

Maya is sitting next to Mommy reading her book while Mommy tries to read hers.
Jacob is showing me how much he is enjoying his rainbow colored, bubblegum flavored ice cream after dinner at the mall. Maya is enjoying her ice cream, too!

Jacob is standing in front of the extremely cool waterfall that falls from the ceiling of the mall. It even changes colors!! 

Chave's Birthday

On Sunday Night, we celebrated Chave's Birthday. Ruth got her a cake from a bakery that has been around for years. Robert grew up with these cakes. They refer to them as Cake Lido, after the name of the bakery. They are made fresh and all hand decorated. Nothing is computerized or made in bulk. Ruth got Chave a Strawberry Shortcake cake to remind her of her new great grand baby which Chave calls Fresita or little strawberry.
Chave is the one in the middle that the kids are kissing on. She has been with the family for almost 40 years. It is amazing b/c she does not need to work. She has been extremely loyal and devoted to the family even when they were living in the States. She is a very sweet and loving woman who is like a second mother to Robert. She was the nanny for Robert and his sisters when they were growing up. Now she pretty much runs the house. She does not speak English but somehow we have all been able to communicate with her.

 

Now You See Him...Now You Don't

Jacob had a great time swimming. He was extremely proud of himself for going under water. He asked that a picture being taken of him under water.


 

Bouncing Around

Jacob and Maya both had a blast in the bounce house. This should be obvious by the smiles on their faces. After all that jumping around, we went and got ice cream treats!! They are the kids favorites.


 

It's Pinata Time

Here Jacob and Maya are waiting for Joselito the Clown to string up the pinata. Note all the ladies in uniform are the nannies of the kids. One of our nannies, Alba, is standing directly behind Maya. The kids adore the nannies and often seek them out to play or hang out in their room with them. Jacob's turn to bat...

Jacob and Joselito the Clown
Maya and her loot... 

The Deportivo

Here are more pics of the Deportivo. This was the view from our table to the playground. The playground still has some of the same swings that Robert played on when he was a kid in El Salvador. They have been kept up and are perfectly safe.
Here you can see the kids pool, bounce house and Joselito the Clown. Above the clown is the life size pinata's they have in El Salvador. They are amazing, hand made and only cost about $15.00. Jacob had the best time swimming and playing in the pool. He loved going under the waterfall in the kids pool.

Here are the kids at lunch eating their hamburguesa de queso's. After lunch it was pinata time!! 

Sunday at the Deportivo

The Deportivo is a private club that Robert's parents belong to. It has been around for years. Robert's grandparents used to take his mother and aunts to this same club when they were young. Every Sunday the club has a fiesta with balloons, clowns, pinata's and a bounce house. We went and had lunch, Jacob swam, Maya played on the playground. The kids participated in the games with the clown and had a great time hitting the pinatas. Below are pictures of the club and the fiesta.

This is a picture of the view of the volcano that you can see from the Deportivo.
 

Father's Day in Salvador

This is my favorite cake. It is the most delicious cake in the entire world. It is a toffee cake with enormous bits of toffee and almonds on it. You can get it from Sweets Bakery in San Salvador. It would we worth the trip to Central America just for this cake!!
This is another cake from Sweets Bakery. It is a triple chocolate cake with chocolate covered cherries on top. This is Jacob's favorite cake. We had this cake for Father's Day which is celebrated here on Saturday not Sunday.
Here is a great Father's Day picture. We spent the day hanging out at home and playing outside. Here is Maya playing outside. She loves running around the yard. She prefers without clothes b/c it is so hot and humid here. Both kids love to play "futbol".
 

The Garden at Mimima and Papa's House

This is the garden or backyard at the house. The kids are having so much fun running around. They are outside unless it is raining. All the homes have huge brick walls so there is no way for the children to escape.
This is the beautiful fountain Ruth and Paul had built in the foyer of their house. Normally, it has water in it but Ruth had the water taken out so Maya would not be tempted to go swimming.


This is the view of the volcano from the back terrace that we see everyday. We eat all of our meals on the outside terrace. It is covered but open. This is where the kids do most of their playing if it is raining outside.