Life is a Zoo in the Jungle: FS RoundUp

MY FAMILY

This is my first Foreign Service Round Up post. But I guess it is better late then never. We were asked to talk about a favorite vacation spot, or somewhere we have been that will make others drool. We have been in Paraguay for a year now and have done almost nothing in South America. We have however traveled home twice. We have a bucket list, yet our time here is quickly whittling away so we will pray we get to half of it.

However for Christmas this year we realized just how hard it is for Santa to organize his sleigh when we are not at home. Not to mention getting all of those toys back home in suitcases. So after much discussion with Santa, and other family members; Santa brought our family (including my parents, sister, brother-in-law and 2 baby nephews) a cruise. This was a great solution to our problem. The kids have been dying to go on a cruise. We have yet to vacation together as a family since my sister was married 5 years ago and a cruise is a great way to do that because we could help each other out with the kids, and spend time together or not.

SlimeTime Live Underwear Contest

WE WON!

On the first day of the cruise our kids wanted to try out for "Slime Time Live." This is a game show like production that we got tickets to see but after our very funny try out skit we were selected. If you know our family you know the my husband and kids LOVE Star Wars. So for our skit we put Eli in the middle of the stage and each member of the family portrayed a differed character of Star Wars. Emma was JarJar Binks and had her arms flying all over as she talked funny about how Eli smelled. Isaac was Yoda and did his funny walk out onto the stage and said, "Stink I think you do." Then my sweet husband, who does not enjoy this kind of stuff at all, and was not in anyway excited to participate in this activity stepped up to the plate and came onto the stage breathing very loudly and said, "I AM NOT YOUR FATHER!" Each person passed out after their line and then I picked up the baby holding him at arms length and said, "As usual I guess I get suck with the dirty jobs." I do regret that we did not video tape the tryout because it was so much fun. Most of the other families sang or danced, but we were by far and wide the most creative. I guess we should be grateful that the people judging us knew Star Wars.

Shhh, don't tell the hubby, I was kissed by a Blue Man.

The kids with a Blue Man

After Tryouts we went directly to see Blue Man Group, which was probably the best part of the boat. It was so good in fact we went back to see it again later in the week. Eli sat through both performances totally mesmerized. The second performance we were sitting so close to the stage that we got banana all over us as part of their act. I'm a little surprised my gag reflex did not kick it.

The kids love going to the kids' club. And the grown ups loved the option of dropping them off there.

This water slide was pitch black. I had to take Isaac down for the first time.

Emma in the "toilet bowl."

We swam, did the slides, and Emma and I even climbed the rock wall, and repelled down the repelling wall.

Our first stop was St. Martin where we went snorkeling. The kids had a blast.