Lucas graduating from ILVEM

Lucas graduated from ILVEM yesterday and Im glad. ILVEM is kind of learning how to read and understand faster, talking to people and similar and though Im not sure how exactly this has helped Lucas I believe it has at least.

Mindo house construction

So finally the water tank is installed. We are still missing water pumps etc but at least we have water next to the house now.

Second and probably last layer of lack was done yesterday so from now on there will only be socks or indoor sandals allowed in the house.

The septic tanks are connected to the house and the only thing missing now is the last filtration stage.

The soil around the house has been smoothed out quite good.

And we now have the stairs ready finally.

Party at Fabian

Fabian and Patricia talking.

Katherine, Fabians daughter, graduated today and the party was for her.

Fabian with Katherine.

Santa Cruz highland

In Santa Cruz we were checking out some places where we would like to work with GLA next year. At one place they have a very big lagoon for the tortoises to cool down in.

Same tortoise in the foreground with some friends behind.

Visit to Isabela Island

Checking out Campo Duro in Isabela for the GLA groups. There are now three nests where we were digging last year.

Wilfrido from Campo Duro and Eduardo the driver with Patricia.

In Isabela it hasnt rained for two months now so even the pond for the tortoises is drying up.

The old sea lion water tap.

Kiara's birthday party

Kiara turned 6 years today and at the place we hired for the party they made sure to paint her up as a princess.

Dana teaching daddy some bad trix.

Kiara playing with some friends.

Kiara and her classmate.

Mom had a speech. They are so formal here.

More games.

Kiara with another classmate.

Last four fighting in the game for the first place.

Pinata time. As we had paid for everything included we didnt have to take care of anything which was great but all the toys and candy was very cheap.

With mom and dad ready for the cake.

Lucas and Alex, always competing in everything.

The traditional bite the cake turned into face in the cake and who was to blame.....? Daddy of course.

After the party we went skating for a while.

Kiara and Lucas are doing great skating. Alex is getting better and better as well.

Kiara helping Shaya to skate.

Kiara didnt have socks so after ten minutes she had a first blister and couldnt go any more.

Kiara and mom looking at us skating.

Dana's birthday party

Dana turned 4 years today and we just ha a small party home with some family and a few friends. Here Dana is ready to blow the candle together with mom and grand mom.

Dana with mom and cousin Camiel.

Making her wish.

Lucas also ready for some cake.

The traditional cake in the face.

Visit to Mindo

Me and Patricia took the kids to see the house in Mindo and though they like the house they LOVE all the other stuff and dirt outside.

Dana with the shovel taking care of the sand 

While Lucas hammers and Kiara mixes cement.

Mindo house construction

First time I work with plumbing and fingers crossed that everything works and is water tight.

I start to feel old crawling around under the house on my knees.

I also had some garbage and old materials to clean up under the house.

The wall around the house starts to be finished.

The gap between the house and the wall is for ventilation.

The platform for the septic tanks is taking shape at last.

The water tank is getting ready but you can see in-front of it how much water we have coming from rain and through the ground.

Dana at school

Dana had a presentation in school today.

All the kids had to have a mask it was said, probably for the shy ones to easier talk if they felt they could hide at the same time.

And when it was Dana's turn the mask was gone. 99% of what the kids showed under the presentation to demonstrate what they have learned is made by parents....it is a joke I think, sorry teacher but I would like to see what the kids actually make even if it is ugly.