Happy Birthday, Nicholas and David!

The day finally arrived.... Nicholas turned one on Friday, and David turned 29 on Saturday. Grandma and Grandpa Machak arrived safely in Trinidad from Ohio on Friday night. Saturday we spent a relaxing day celebrating the two birthday boys.

Presents!!!

love the Moe cat!

I am 12 months.... no, I am 1 year old today!!!!!

Birthday outfit #1

we've been reading Nicholas's birthday book all month in preparation.

the birthday boys

oooh wrapping paper is fun!

I got legos and a cool outfit from GG and Grandpa Rhodes!

Party in my PJ's!

Lunch with Grandma!

Out for a swim.

Birthday outfit #2!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Machak!

Grandma and Grandpa Machak brought decorations and everything!

First Birthday cake-- egg free!

The birthdays boys partying it up!

Time for cake!

Yay birthday cake!

Yummy!!!

Nicholas playing with his new toys--and standing up!

Happy Birthday to you!

Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls....

Last Friday was Eids so we got to enjoy another three day weekend (it's only Wednesday and I've decided that going back to a 5 day work week is a little rough). This time we decided to try out the Edith Falls hike near the Chagauramas golf course. It was a nice hike although the waterfall itself was a little disappointing. We got to see monkeys in the trees, though.

Saturday David took us to check out the morning market and we bought some fresh fish and veggies. We also ran some errands and bought paint for Nicholas's room..... maybe one day soon I'll finally post pictures of the nursery!

Sunday we just relaxed and tried to get some rest. We are gearing up for a big week next week: two birthdays and Grandma and Grandpa Machak are coming to visit!



that's a monkey in the tree!

the waterfall was really a river streaming over some rocks at a slight incline

our little man was worn out by the end of the hike, though

fish! we bought these two white salmon and a red snapper from anther booth

the market. Nicholas has definitely outgrown the baby bjorn as far as mommy's back is concerned, but given the crowds I wanted him in front of me

this was after a late night of sushi celebrating a colleague's birthday

We can't believe our little baby is turning one on Friday!!!

Happy Labor Day!

It feels a bit strange to be entering September with no hint of cool weather or changing leaves in sight. Sure enough though, fall is approaching.


The first sure sign: Football! Go Buckeyes! We are teaching Nicholas "Touchdown!" Hopefully the Buckeyes will score a lot this year so he will get lots of practice.




Saturday we slept in and did a little shopping, went swimming then went to a colleague's house for ribs to help celebrate his birthday. Sunday we had intended to go to Asa Wright nature center but they are closed for the month of September. As a substitute we ended up going to Carmel Valley Estate, a cocoa plantation that also has bees, avacados, oranges, plums, bannanas, starfruit, and rabbits, among other things. Nicholas did really well in his backpack carrier as we toured the plantation.

these are the cocoa pods

the gummy stuff around the beans can be eaten. It is pretty sweet but the texture is weird.

we saw bamboo similar to the bamboo cathedral but it was only a one-sided arch

the cocoa trees.

the estate--which happens to be right next to the St. Andrew's golf course.

the cocoa shed.

these palms are indigenous to Trinidad but there is a disease that is killing them which is why many don't have tops.

Afterwards we enjoyed fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, homemade banana bread, and hot cocoa at the plantation owner's home.

Monday we enjoyed an adult activity while Alicia watched Nicholas at home... touring the Angostura rum distillery!

This is a painting of Juvet (part of Carnival) by a local artist.

One of the members of the Steigert Family, who started the distillery, collected butterflies, so there is a butterfly room.

German connection!

Angostura is famous for its bitters and produces rum and some sauces as well.

another cool painting.

it had a nice museum.

And of course, tasting. Angostura is also the producer of LLB (Lemon Lime Bitters) which Christy loves. It's similar to ginger ale.

We found out that next weekend is a rum festival so we just may be back.

Two more weeks until Nicholas turns one! He is standing for about 10 seconds on his own now and has tried to take a step, but then he falls. Not long now, though! We are working on creating a play area in the back of our kitchen so he has a safe place to play while we cook/do dishes/laundry, etc.

We hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day!

Playdium, Bamboo Cathedral, and Random Happenings

Christy is somewhat freaking out that tomorrow is September, aka Nicholas's birthday month. We can't believe our baby is almost one year old! So far we haven't been bothered much by the endless summer weather, but we think it will get weird once all the fall and winter holidays start. We are enjoying a few extra holidays as well, as today (Tuesday) was Trinidad's Independence Day, and next Friday is Eids, a Muslim holiday. Plus we have Labor Day as well!Trinidad celebrates Christian, Hindu, and Muslim holidays.



Our neighbors are in Miami on maternity/paternity leave, and kindly are allowing us to use their pool while they are gone so we've gotten some extra swim time. Nicholas loves his new fighter jet pool floatie (almost as much as Daddy does!) A Woot, Jr. find for a mere $4.99. Not bad.

It's not just the camera, it was getting a little dark by the time we made it to the pool today.

That was because Nicholas took a two hour nap with mommy.

That was because we were worn out from our morning adventure--hiking to see the bamboo cathedral.

After the cathedral the trail starts uphill. We meandered part way up.

.... and saw some pretty views.

We think this is for ants. No wonder ants are everywhere here.

Always in Ohio spirit, we are looking forward to watching the first game of the season on Thursday night!

Moe would like us to please turn the lights off so he can sleep.

Last weekend we went on a CLO outing with other embassy families to an arcade place called Pladium. Think Chucky Cheese. Across the street there was another one called Fun Station, that catered to a younger crowd. Nicholas isn't quite big enough to ride the rides but they made good photo props.

and mommy might be a little bit too big to ride the rides....

side note.... the weather might stay hot year-round but that doesn't mean we'll be missing Christmas in Trindad.... seeing as the stores are already gearing up for the holiday season.

back to Playdium.... Mommy was too tall for the train but thankfully Frances took off her heels and made the height limit.

At least they let mommy on the Merry go Round. The last time Nicholas was on a Merry go Round it was at the National Mall and Nicholas was in his stroller carrier.

Daddy got to ride the bumper cars. Maybe next time Nicholas will be big enough to ride too!

In other news we got a shopping cart cover so Nicholas can ride along in the shopping cart, and we went to Kid's World which is T&T's closest version of Baby's R Us.

Nicholas is learning quickly. Not only does he clap his hands and wave bye bye and hi on a regular basis, he now can point out Curious George on every page of his Curious George Goes to the Zoo book. He definitely understands things. Yesterday when Mommy was leaving for work she said to Daddy outside "Let me say good bye to Nicholas and I'll be ready to go." Nicholas, who was in the kitchen with Alicia eating breakfast, heard her, and started crying. (Nicholas is starting to develop some separation anxiety, which fortunately only lasts a few minutes.)

Stay tuned for more adventures of the Machak Family!