Excuse #3

3. Family and friends have visited.

Well, guess what? Those family and friends left but now I have more - my brother and sister-in-law, and on Thursday, my cousin. A full house coming up. Some years nobody comes to visit, but we like the years when family is here. They all so enjoy the house and the island and we love to share it and have someone other than each other to talk to and cook for.

Over the Christmas holidays we had former guests and now friends Troy and Carreen come to stay. Carreen has a high-pressure job in Arizona, and Troy is a dog-trainer (really a dog-whisperer). Whenever they are here they get involved with Amigos de los Animales (Alison's house and dog rescue), and they give our brood here at the house lots of attention. Troy also gives tips on managing Loco, who is actually a pretty good dog but he does have his moments and room for improvement when it comes to walking on a leash.

It was timely that Troy and Carreen were here during the holidays because Miguel and I went up to our fourth level roof to watch the fireworks. The only access to the roof is via a long ladder propped against the edge of the wall. Up on that terrace are our water tanks. And nothing else. So when the ladder fell when we tried to come down after the fireworks, we were rather stranded. Nobody available to come and help us at 12:15 on New Year's Eve, no hidden key in case a neighbor could be roused, and no piece of rope. Nothing.

But Troy and Carreen aren't late-night partiers, so after watching the fireworks in town they decided to come back to the house and see what we were up to. The red Christmas jacket that Loco was wearing for the special day was a tip to Carreen that we hadn't gone to bed, rightfully thinking we wouldn't have left him roaming the house dressed like that for the night, and so they decided to head up to the roof to see if we were up there watching fireworks. Thank goodness! They saved us from who knows how many hours of sitting up there waiting to be rescued. We celebrated with chips and dip and cheese and crackers and called it a night. I wasn't sure if it was a good sign or a bad sign that we started the New Year like that, because the very next day we broke the microwave plate, a ceramic spoon that I hadn't even used yet, and a glass candle globe. I guess I should be glad nobody broke their leg jumping from that fourth level (that would have been Miguel because I wasn't about to attempt it), so maybe that means it was a good sign. The jury is still out.

In February we were delighted to have Jen, Miko, and 14-month-old Kyle come for a week. I was able to rent a pack and play and high chair which made the travel much easier for them, and made the week easier here at the house. Kyle adjusted to the pack and play for sleeping, the stroller and the golf cart for napping, and the high chair for throwing Cherrios on the floor.

Kyle's favorite toy turned out to be a ball about the size of a volley ball - he carried it everywhere and had a blast with it. His second favorite thing seemed to be a spoon I gave him to dig in the sand. Oh - he also loved the balloon we bought him at the circus, but unfortunately when we left the protection of the circus tent, the wind grabbed that balloon right off his stick and away it flew.

 Kyle loved riding on the golf cart, even when it was windy

Sometimes he was just worn out from all the adventures

What did he do while he was here? What babies are supposed to do - he explored his environment, played with simple toys, and dug in the sand

Sadly, the week went quickly and I wasn't able to convince Jen to stay longer. We'll just have to hope they come back again soon, and often.

Yesterday my brother and sister-in-law arrived, so we're looking forward to a week of relaxing and eating and lots of pictures. On Thursday my cousin is coming for the first time to Mexico, so that will be an experience for him - staying in the colonias and seeing some of the culture. The house is a great home base for those visiting - and some days nobody really wants to go anywhere, they just want to hang out here. That's ok with us, one of my favorite things to do is hang out around the house.

*Update on the kittens - they are also still hanging around the house. Still living in the back terrace area although they are free to play in the front garden. Each day they get braver but when they get tired, they take themselves to the back shed for a nap. Now I'm worn out from writing this blog, time for a nap myself!