Another day at the Pool!!

Today, we are starting week 7 in Colombia, and still, no word yet on the court strikes, so we won't mention any more about that.

Today was just a usual day here. It is nice to have a routine for the boys everyday, but I have to say that I am getting sort of bored with the pool everyday. Yes, for those of you who know how much I love sun and water, that is probably surprising to you. The boys say they don't want to go to the pool in the afternoon, but once they get there they have a great time. They are very well behaved at the pool, so that is great for us.

Diego relaxing in the adult pool.

Jeferson with "elefante"

Another boy, Sebastian, same age as Diego, who was adopted from Bucaramanga. His parents are from Germany. They are staying at the same hotel, and Jose invited them to his pool for the day. The boys get along great.

Diego and Jeferson are both becoming good swimmers. It started out where they were hesitant to go under water, but you should see them now. Diego is becoming a fish in the children's pool, but still a bit hesitant in the adult pool. He only feels secure when someone is holding on to him. That is OK, because then we don't have to worry about him jumping in the pool on his own. Jeferson loves the water, but only as long as he is holding onto someone. In the children's pool, he will go under water, but is always holding onto your hand. He directs you to sit on the edge of the pool, so he can hold onto you. We are trying to teach them as much about swimming as we can, and we don't want them to have any fear of water, since both Eric and Joyce love to be in water. We have taught them to blow bubbles, kick, doggie paddle, and we are now showing them how to dive. They are a long way from diving though. Diego chickens out at the last minute, and has done a few belly flops in the process. Jeferson just likes to jump in feet first, and is always sure that mommy is close enough to catch him.

Check out those bug eyes!

The boys were much better today than yesterday. Eric has taught them to say that Papi is Boss, Mami is boss, Diego is not the boss, and Jeferson is not the boss. As for Jose, he has been named the supervisor by Papi!!! We don't really think they know what that means quite yet, but they will learn. We are trying to use more english with them, so they get used to hearing some words. Today at the pool, I said "cuidado" to Diego, and Jeferson immediately said "careful Diego" which is what the word means. I have used this word repeatedly with them, and today was the first day that Jeferson actually made the connection. We are starting to see some progress. YES!!!!

Bedtime is still difficult with the boys. We are beginning to think that we may need to put them in separate bedrooms, as neither one likes to go to sleep, and being in the same room, they continue to play and talk with each other rather than sleep. We know----- this is normal for children. The good thing, is that once they are sleeping, they are out for the entire night, and usually sleep until around 7 or 8 AM. At bedtime, they love to look at the photo albums that we prepared for them with all of their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We think it gives them a sense of security. Below, each of them fell asleep while looking at the photos.

Buenos Noches!!

Joyce, Eric, Jeferson and Diego