On This Earth Day...

On this Earth Day I shall:

Take a military shower and wash one dish at a time, turning off the faucet between each and every dish, to conserve water in our cistern.

Why? Because there is a water shortage in the dry season and the government is not providing us with water between the hours of 5am and 8 pm. And knowing my luck, the cistern would run dry this year and I'd hear, "oh that's NEVER happened before".

On this Earth Day I shall:

Cook in my Crock Pot and use my electric skillet.

Why? Because propane is expensive and a huge pain to deal with ordering more. Plus, it's so freakin' hot in here and cooking with fire indoors makes it hot hot hotter!

On this Earth Day I shall:

Recycle my plastic containers to hold extra water in case we run out. Recycle old cracker boxes to help organize our clutter.

Why? Because all the cute and cheap organizing tools you find in Target and Walmart are not so cute or cheap on an island.

On this Earth Day I shall:

Watch my shower water and laundry water wash out to the ditch beside our house.

Ok, this one is not so "Earth friendly", but it's the way it is here. I cannot imagine that it is remotely good for the environment. So when other SO's ask, "why don't we have recycling in Grenada?", I have to laugh. They don't have proper plumbing, so I'm not surprised that they don't worry about plastic vs. paper. I do wonder where all the trash goes though....hmmmm?

And finally, on this Earth Day I shall:

Cook with heart-healthy margarine.

Why? Because there hasn't been butter on this rock in weeks!! Again, not Earth friendly, but still, the truth.

So while it might be the "cool" thing to do in the states, in Grenada, you are forced to "go green" whether you like it or not. It does hurt to throw away so many bottles and boxes. Especially when Josh and I would drive 20 miles to bring our recycling in before Fate had their own recycling program.

But this is life in Grenada....at least there's water at the pool, right?

Happy Earth Day Everyone!! ~~ Tarryn~~

Analeigh's Olympics

Analeigh attends the Grand Anse Playgroup, or GAP, on Friday mornings. Since she's used to being in daycare 5 days a week, I was worried that she would get bored just hanging out with me and Noelle all day. When I heard that the GAP was an option, I signed her right up. Fridays are typically the pool day at the GAP. On Pool days, the employees get out all kinds of inflatable pools for the kids to play in. It's a really fun time and Analeigh loves it! She asks me everyday, "is today GAP day Mommy?". Every day. Then when I drop her off, she hides behind my legs. Such a silly girl!

A few weeks ago they had the annual GAP Olympics. They have 3 teams: red, yellow, and green which are the Grenadian colors. Analeigh was on the green team this year. She's in the junior room which is 3 to 5 year olds and that's who she competed against.

When you say "smile" this is what you get. 

There's my pretty girl! 

Noelle came to cheer on her sister. 

Analeigh's teacher Ms. Teresa. She has the same birthday as Noelle. 

I get that look a lot. 

Her 1st race was a foot race. 

She did so good! I know she had fun. I don't think she really understood what was going on, but when we told her to run, she did!

One of the kids gave Noelle a pool noodle to play with. 

for some reason, it upset her

the fun area where the athletes can relax before their race

Getting ready for the next race. She has to run to the blue bucket, fill it with water, and run to the finish line. 

Somehow she found a drum. 

Hanging out until the next race. 

Next was the sack race. Analeigh wasn't supposed to do this, but someone bowed out or had a meltdown.

We told her to hop like a bunny and she said okay!

After the kids ran, there were mom and dad races. I actually did an impromptu 50 yard dash with other younger moms. So no, I did not win.

But I did win a race with Analeigh. We had to run half way to our kids, put on a shirt and button one button, and run together to the finish line. I was a champ at that one thanks to my 3 kids and countless times running late to get somewhere. Analeigh was so pleased to be a part of a race that Mommy was in too. (Meanwhile, in the background, Noelle is screaming her head off while one of my friends keeps an eye on her.)

Yay, we won!!

Everyone is #1 at the GAP and they all received a gold medal. 

So happy, such a fun day!

Analeigh is growing so fast! She's 3 and a half this month. She's talking better and working on tracing her numbers and letters. She's a perfectionist with her writing, and if she does not get it perfect, then she doesn't want to do it anymore. We're working on that and she's getting better. I've started doing a mommy preschool twice a week and it's improved her writing skills a ton! Plus, she loves it! There are 8 kids and 6 of us mommies that teach it. It's been a lot of fun for me too. Teaching preschool is harder for me than teaching high school, but the kids are so sweet and it's 2 hours...so, no problem! 

Still our little princess, Analeigh has hit the "terrible threes" with finesse. She's a sweetheart one minute and turns on you the next in a fit of 3 year old rage and temper. And when I say "you" I mean me and Josh. She's always been a good girl for other people though. Phew!

Watching their favorite show: The Fresh Beat Band

Her and Ethan love to play together, mostly outside, and she's started really getting interested in Noelle and all that she is doing too. I see these 2 sisters really having some fun when they get older.

My Sweet Analeigh

Thank you Mrs. Nicole for letting me use some of your pictures!

~~Tarryn~~

Ethan Turns 7 !!

Hello everyone!! So sorry I've been absent from my blog, but I've been busy and actually out and about having a ton of fun. I hope to get you all updated this month with Ethan's birthday, Analeigh's GAP Olympics, and Easter....so enjoy!

I cannot believe that my little guy is now 7. Seven seems so big, so mature, so much bigger than 6. Before you know it he'll be 10 and then off to college. *sigh*

So we decided to have a birthday party this year for him and his friends. First, he started with a Sponge Bob theme. No problem! Then it turned into a Lego theme...even better! Then....no no no...he wanted another change, but I vetoed that idea since I'd already started to buy Lego theme supplies.

I got on good ol' Pinterest and found lots of great ideas. What ever did we do before Pinterest? I guess we actually had to think of our OWN ideas and CREATE stuff from, ya know, our own minds! Can you imagine?!

I kid, but I am addicted to Pinterest....seriously....if I only had the time to create the 20,000 things I find on there. I could make my own laundry soap, really? I had no idea. 50 uses for a dryer sheet? Surely you're kidding. Ok, I think this topic will deserve it's own post...but later...

Ethan's party was on Saturday the 23rd, so on his actual birthday, Thursday the 21st, we ate at his favorite place, Prickly Bay Marina, and had a little celebration.

so happy to have some pizza!

They love to go to Prickly because they can dance and there is usually a band, steel band of course.

All 3 are off and running. 

This one is the one that keeps us on our toes. Even though we look so innocent. 

 Since he's got a cake coming on Saturday, I made some mini cupcakes and put them on plate so we can have a vessel for candles. You have to sing and blow out candles on your birthday!!

Make a wish!!

Super excited! 

I love Analeigh's face in this one. Who knows what she is doing to Noelle. 

Oh Daddy I really want one too!

Party Time!

For Ethan's 7th birthday, we let him invite some friends from school to the Pavillion near Grand Anse beach for some Lego games, Lego cake, and Lego Lemonade. 

He requested a green Lego cake this year. 

It says "Ethan" in case you can't really tell. I had to raid his stash to create it. 

Decorations were all Lego

The Games

Pin the Lego Man Head on the Lego Man

I made a bunch of Lego heads and put everyone's name on them. They did really well. I think they could see through the blindfold. 

And then someone has to be the comedian...it must be a boy thing because Josh thought is was hilarious too. 

 Lego Build - For this one I wrapped a bunch of Lego in different packages and each kid got to unwrap a package and use their Lego to add to the previous kid's creation. Ethan got to start it and I think they really had fun with that one. I thought it might be more fun than just bringing a bunch of Lego for everyone to free-build.

Ethan getting it started and Merrick looking on. He couldn't wait to go next!

Two Spidermen showed up: Turner and Memphis

Eliza adding her Lego 

The Final Product

They did a good job!

Lego Ring Toss
They really enjoyed this one. I grabbed some Duplos to toss to make it easier to find.

Time to sing to the birthday boy, but he got a little shy.

It rained while we were there so it was good that we were in the Pavilion. Some of the kids got wet.

Noelle

Noelle and Blythe

All the little kids loved the water

Merrick and Eliza coloring some blank Lego Men

Leia having fun

 They all got sent away with a goodie bag, complete with Lego crayons!

Before we left we tried to take a family picture...thanks Patty!

I think everyone had a great time! Thank you Patty and Amy for coming and making Ethan's birthday a really fun day!!

~~Tarryn~~