The Band Is Back

 My youngest wanted to join the band last year but I said no. As it was his first year at a new school, I needed us to get into our groove first before adding on new and unknown activities.  I know how grueling the band can be.  My two middle kids were in the band at their old school when they were younger. And it is a lot of work. But he insisted so I promised he could join the band this year. Besides, that would give me time to purchase his instrument.

After the tryouts and him making the band, then came the practice days. Two hours every Tuesday,  then daily practices during recess as Independence day drew near. The band had to prep for the parade. 

It was Costa Rica's Independence and the band made their school and their country proud. As for my son, he enjoyed his first band experience and plans to join again next year.

A Life Worth Living

 As we go on living this thing we call life, we have to sprinkle in the fun here and there to make it worthwhile.  For me, that's gonna include a meal out every now and then and one or two cocktails.  Plus a sweet treat of course.

Because what's life if you have nothing to look forward to live for.

Officially A Teenager

 My little guy is officially a teenager,  finally celebrating his 13th birthday on August 29th. And to celebrate this milestone, he decided to have a party with his closest friends from school and his best cousin. 

First, we had to document the special day.

Then it was time to party. As I don't get to host birthday parties that often anymore,  this one took me back to the old days of planning, prepping,  cooking and decorating away to my hearts content,  hoping for the perfect outcome.

A few days leading up to the party,  I had to take my little guy on a special birthday date to his favorite restaurant,  Olive Garden. It was one of the things he really wanted to do and I needed to make it happen. 

As for the party,  the theme was soccer and the location could not have been more perfect. The venue was an actual indoor soccer field that we rented for three hours, which was perfect.

The kids had a blast,  most of the boys even played soccer for the better part of the three hours. Everything was a hit from the food to the piñata to the goody bags. 

The day wasn't complete until the gifts were open and boy were there some really cool gifts. Best of all, Mr. Birthday boy got so much money he was able to buy himself a new phone. Best 13th birthday ever!

Driving 3 Hours To Eat Jamaican Food In Puerto Viejo

 A new legit Jamaican restaurant opened in Puerto Viejo and I could not wait to visit. The drive was about three and a half hours through the rain forests of Braulio Carillo, some of the most amazing views you'll ever see in the beautiful Costa Rican mountainside.

We had made that drive many times before, but this time was different.  We weren't necessarily going to Puerto Viejo for the beach this time.  Instead we had two objectives.  Eat real Jamaican food made by a born and raised Jamaican chef with real Jamaican ingredients. And to also attend the now famous Carribean Cultural Wolaba Parade.

Our mission was accomplished and it was one of the best weekends of my life.

The food at Dutch Pot Jamaican restaurant definitely lived up to my expectations.  Everything was incredibly delicious. It was like a taste of home. 

Next was the now famous Wolaba parade,  which was even bigger and more impressive this year than last.

Although the goal was to eat as much Jamaican food as I possibly could and to enjoy the parade,  we still wanted to soak up the fact that we were in Puerto Viejo, one of our all time favorite beach towns.

For our last night, we decided to stay close to our hotel for dinner. And instead of Jamaican food, we had Italian and Japanese instead.

Almost nothing beats a Puerto Viejo beach trip!