Summer!!! Yeah!!! We get to spend it in the sun, in the pool, in the beach, with family and some friends! But it hasn't been as sunny as it sounds. Both boys have been having issues, which I blame on the move and their (temporary) separation from Nico. The first couple of days were a nightmare. Both of them were on their worst behavior: Santi was super aggressive, hitting us all the time and yelling; Mateo was uncontrollable and just mischievous. To top it off, Santi had trouble going to sleep at night. He would refuse to sleep if I wasn't there with him. Then Mati started expressing nighttime fears associated with the dark. So, I also had to sleep with him and then in the middle of the night, he woke up and came to my bed to sleep. Mati's fears have been eased with a night light and some glow in the dark stars. Santi's ... well ... we're working on it and some nights have been better than others.
Mateo started his summer school and camp and is doing great now. At first he felt a bit lost in the camp setting, but I'm so proud of my little man. He has been brave and confident and tackled all his problems with a smile on his face. His school has been great at communicating with me, so we made some changes and placed him in a smaller camp setting with the preschoolers. He used to be with the elementary school students, who were bigger and older than him. At school, he has flourished. He has learned to read time, is learning lower case letters and is starting to do some reading. He's a happy camper!
Santi is talking and talking and talking!!! Since we arrived, he's advanced to two or three word sentences, his favorite: "Santi's turn," as he places his hand on his chest! Another one I hear a lot also, "Waka waka mami si?" (Waka Waka is one of their favorite songs!). Being more vocal, he is expressing more his likes and dislikes. The little prince has started complaining that "this diaper no like mami", with a wrinkled nose! Or among his likes, "rice milk cookies". No translation needed there!! And he will talk with anyone!!! This boy ain't shy!!! At the supermarket, at the stores, on the street, at Mati's school: he will let them know what's on his mind or what happened to him during the day. His energy level has also increased and he's sooooo physical!!! He climbs everywhere in my parent's house, which led me to find a gymnastics class for him. He loves it, especially the bars, rings and trampoline. He can do (assisted) backflips, which he finds hillarious and can hang on those rings for a good 5 minutes, while bringing up his legs to 90 degrees.
Apart from going to the beach, this summer's big attraction has been the diving board. Mateo started jumping out of it and guess who followed? "Santi! Santi turn!"
Oh, and let's not forget the World Cup. Everyday Mateo needs to get his dose of soccer at home and every morning he fights to wear his soccer outfits. But anyways, enough writing. Here are some pictures! Enjoy!
