School Year 2018-2019 Begins!

It was a blur.  Just like that the summer is over.  School has begun and the kids are back at it.  Alex is now in 8th grade, Trace is in 6th and they will attend Costa Verde International School again.  We can't believe we started this adventure when they were in 1st grade and preschool age.  Big kids now. Looking forward to another good year!

Sayulita Scenes - A Day In The Life Of Trace

No, not really an uncommon sight in our pueblo but an awesome shot just the same.  Trace, on right, strolling down the cobblestone streets of Sayulita after a surf session with his best buddies.  This is pretty much how T-Man rolls.  He comes home from school, checks in with his amigos and heads to the beach for stand up paddle board racing practice or grabs his SUP surfboard and paddle to find some waves.

Photo by Kevin

Sayulita JR. SUP. Race #2

The Sayulita JR. SUP Team had their second race and I was in town for it. YEAH!!  Ozzy has seen one already so it was super exciting for me. I love this program!  The coaching, support and camaraderie are so amazing for all of the kids involved. On this second event an extra lap was added, so Trace's age group had three laps and Alex's had four.  We figured each lap was probably 1/2 mile. So they paddle one lap come into the beach and run a small lap then head back out to the ocean, repeat. The waves were big at times but that didn't seem to bother the kids, though they will totally affect the outcome of a race.

Pre race jitters

Trace, 2nd from right, and his group are off!

Trace digging in

Trace's running lap.  They have to run with their paddle and finish the race with it.

As they come onto the beach between laps they are able to get a cup of water as they keep running and try to get some in their mouths.  Teammates are on hand to give out the water.

Assistants are in the water to help. As the racers come into the beach they unleash jump off the board and have to run the beach portion, so someone has to grab the board turn it around get the leash ready to put back on the racer as seen above. Local pro surfer "Papas" helps Trace out with his leash.

Trace's race to the finish line.

Alex on hand to support Trace.  He did a great job even though he had been sick the week before and was nursing an ear infection.

Trace and Alex's teacher Carlos and another teacher from school, Diego, came over on the bus from San Pancho to support the kids.  It meant so much to Alex and Trace!

And Alex is off

Alex in front and her bestie Ava.

Alex running the beach portion with her coach Shelby cheering her on.

Alex after her race getting support from Trace and local dad, Jose Luis.  She did amazing.  She led the race the whole time but fell coming onto the beach the final lap so she ended up in third. It was a tight race the whole time.  Alex hasn't really learned how to surf yet and you can't control the sets so you have to deal with what the ocean is giving you at the time. She also received the Team's "Most Improved Award".  Go girl!

Alex and Ava after the race.  Barf?

Maestro Carlos, Alex and Trace

Trace's groups awards ceremony.  Trace is far left

Alex's groups awards ceremony

What a great event.  All of the kids gave it their all!!

"Those Parents"

I have always been in amazement at "those parents" who schedule their kids every afternoon for activities every single day of the week.  School gets out, the kids gobble down some energy and off they go doing whatever they do for part or all of the afternoon.  I wondered, do the kids ever get down time or an opportunity to actually develop the skills to keep themselves occupied?   Do they just follow orders and report for the next activity whether they want to or not?  Are the parents scared to have them at home doing...gasp...nothing?

Well, my thoughts on this have changed a bit in the past few weeks.  I have come to realize that the kids are older now, can do and handle more activity.  They want to do it all.  I have also come to realize that nothing can compare to what this little corner of the world can offer them each day.  So, unintentionally we are totally loaded up each and every day of the week with the coolest and rewarding of activities.  Even better is that all instruction is totally in Spanish.  Here is what is on tap for the next few months.  Each with it's own link.

Capoeira  
I am proud to say that the kids have been in the Capoeira program for over a year and a half and will be graduating again in March at this year's Batizado.  I really like this program and hope they continue with it with all the programs that are out there competing for the kid's time.  It is unique and the group of kids, coaching and conditioning are all amazing.  Certainly without the skills they have learned during their time with Capoeira they would have had a tough time diving into other things.

Alex aims for the knock out kick.

Celebrate the Beat
Alex goes it alone with this one and returns again this year at special invitation from the instructor.  Where Alex learned to dance is a mystery and her ability to control her body, keep the rhythm and remember all the moves is beyond me.  This a fantastic program for kids of all abilities and again, the instruction is fantastic!  We love that she gets to do this.

Entre Amigos Art Program
This one was unexpected and again Alex is attending by special invitation.  She submitted a painting for an art contest at Entre Amigos which is the community center in San Pancho.  For each age group the Entre Amigos staff selected a handful of submissions and those kids were given free art classes to learn new techniques for the next round of competition.  Cool!  Alex is way into it and she gets to take class with one of her good San Pancho friends too.

Alex and Adesha listen to the results.  Yes, Ozzy is in the back row.

Circo de los Niños

This one is really cool!  Circo De Los Niños is yet another offering at Entre Amigos.  You can click on the link to read about the program on the website but here is the short version.  In 2011, Cirque du Soleil co-founder Gilles Ste-Croix approached Entre Amigos with the idea of creating a circus show with the children of San Pancho.

The program basically takes kids out of the community and provides them with training and equipment so they eventually take part in a performance designed, sponsored and choreographed by Gilles Set-Croix and his wife.  It has become a huge fund raiser for Entre Amigos and we attended the performance last year.  It was great!!  Lights, costumes, make up, music, a packed house and we knew many of the kids from school and around town here in Sayulita. Alex and Trace are both in the beginner program this year and a whole portion of the Entre Amigos bodega complex has been rehabbed to accommodate the program permanently.

What is there to do in small town Mexico?  Just soccer and go to the beach right?  Think again!  All of these programs take place in San Pancho so we will be spending a lot of time there for the coming months until each of the programs comes to a climax in late March.  It's going to be a busy time for sure.  

What Are YOU Doing Friday Night?

Friday after school seams to be a popular day to head out to the beach with the kids and family. Just bring as many kids as you can gather, add a bunch of surfboards, a few boogie boards, umbrellas, blankets, food, happy hour supplies and of course the family dog and you have a great evening at the beach.

Tide Pool Exploration Workshop

One of the things that is great about living here is that we not only get to learn about culture and language(and surfing) but we are learning about a different physical environment as well. The Punta Sayulita Foundation put on a free half day Tide Pool Exploration Workshop for kids. Octavia Jolley, who runs the Sayulita Sea Camp, was the leader of the workshop and she took the kids up the coast to search out sea life that we may or may not see every day. The kids had hands on experience with some things that they wouldn't have in Utah and met a bunch of new friends all before lunch.

Soccer practice

Alex and Trace love soccer. It is really cute to watch. Their coach, Martin (Marteen) is great. He encourages the kids, builds self esteem and makes sure they complete the drills in their entirety. They have practice two days a week for one hour. It was just moved to the beach for both practices, the dirt field was getting a little hot for the kids. Not a bad place to learn soccer. When they are done they just walk a few feet and get in their surfing fix. Dillion loves it as well:)

Tacos y Cervezas