Paradise Island

Yep, we took off again for the long weekend (our long weekend I mean :)....... and this time it was my kind of vacation: 45 minutes flight - gotta love that! The itinerary of choice was the Atlantis hotel on Paradise Island, Nassau Bahamas. Everybody talked so much about this place that got us itching..... and as you all know, when I itch, I go!!!

The place indeed is all that I heard about: beautiful, full os attractions to guests of all ages (including my boys), gourgeous swimming pools, impecable service and of course, a little too pricey. But the positives by far outweight the negative..... and if you plan ahead you don't get trapped on any of the pitfalls.

Although a great hotel is a dream come true, my bread and butter is really the history behind the place and the locals. So off we went for 2 days with Tyrone, a great taxi driver, that besides taking us to 'unusual tourist places' told us all about growing up in the island, Bahamian food and beer :) Who can complain???

We also had two very windy days..... but when you have a 1 1/2 and a 3 year old, all you watch is Dora, Diego, Backyardigans, Little Einstein and Max and Ruby - and completely ignore the hurricane sweeping over the Caribbean. Thankfully it was just wind on our end...... and a lesson to at least check out the news online!! And for those of you doubtful that traveling with kids is no fun........... I guess a picture means a thousand words???

Til our next itch my fellow travelers! Cannot wait!!

Something 'old', something 'blue'

In this crazy society that we live in, where people are always after the newer, bigger and better; where you can buy (and loose) everything you have in a split second..... it's always comforting to realize our objectives are a bit different than 'the norm'. Yes, my dad would say I have an expensive taste (who doesn't??) but at the end of the day give me my family, my few dear friends and the opportunity to travel, to see and to show the world to my kids and we're all set :)


Friendships particularly are few and further apart, some that started some 20 years ago and some that are recently blossoming but still so dear. An old friend is kind of like the love we have for our grandparents...... it's been there for so long that you just cannot imagine yourself without it . The newer friends is like a new boyfriend... so darn exciting and so much to learn from each other that you see yourself making plans 24/7.


I can see Bernardo starting new friendships in school and that to me is just so beautiful. I don't expect him to be close to all his new friends forever, but I do hope he keeps these memories close to his heart for as long as he can remember (last not forget, he's only 3 years old!!).


Jay has been his buddy since they were 9 months old; and Christine mine :) Watching them grow together has been a privilege and a blessing.







Victoria and Erna have also been a good surprise these last couple of months. Great family from Iceland with priorities and goals similar to ours. My weekly breakfasts with Erna (when I can remember) and our family outings are just tremendous!

This post is then dedicated to the little in size but huge in heart friends of Bernardo :)

Mouth Wide Open

This one is loooooooong overdue but better now than never - plus the pictures are so worth sharing that I couldn't resist!!!

Halloween came and went and we already miss it :) This year our Halloween was very special to us, since Bernardo now incorporates a new persona depending on the polyester costume he has on for the day. It was just amazing to see his little eyes looking at all the good and evil doers out and about asking for treats, with their big pumpkin bags. Between Tinkerbell, Spiderman, Superman, Captain Hook and the cutest little ghost I have ever laid my eyes on, I think that was the day Bernardo kept his mouth wide open and his stare look on the longest :)

Even more magical then watching your kids live this fantasy world? Seeing the parents, some dressed up from head to toe (not me sorry, just thinking about storing all these costumes gives me chills!!), adding fuel to our not-so-little-ones amazing imagination! Bjorn, you did it again!!

When it came time to eating his treats, all I heard from Bernardo was 'this is too yucky' - with the exception of M&M's. Daddy is not complaining....... nor Miguelito with all those lollipops!!

Til next year Halloween :)

xoxo

Mari