A weekend with host-family

This past weekend I stayed at home with my host family and it was a great decision. I did a lot of relaxing and spending quality time with my family. Saturday morning we went to swimming lessons and my two-year-old brother loved it. They had a little kiddie pool and he had to splash and swim around picking up little pool toys and taking them from one end to the other and he loved it. The name of the place was Dolphins and he definitely fits that description.

Later in the morning, I went on a hike up the mountain with a friend and it was a relaxing and warm time. ;) I didn't know it, but I got a good coat of red on my skin again!

Aldito and I hanging out at the pool while mom and sissy finish up.

Sunday morning I got to go to a little church that I found up the road, and I have to say it was a better experience than the first time. :) I understood what was happening around me much better. They also sang the songs from memory so I wasn't able to join in much on the singing, but understood parts of the message. It was really great to be in church.

After church, my family was at a birthday party for a distant cousin so I joined in and was reminded of how much they love to party! It was a party for a two-year-old and they had a bounce house, a huge pinata, a clown, music, decorations, food, cake, cotton candy, treats, grab bags, prizes, Granados, face painting, and I don't know what else, because I arrived late! For food, we had a delicious rice dish, vegetable salad, and potato salad. When I was talking with the other student there I asked what she thought would happen if we served rice at a birthday party in the states and she stated, "everyone would complain." Unfortunately, I think she is right, everyone would look at us like we were crazy. The mom and dad of the little boy kept walking around to make sure everyone had everything they need. It was very interesting, they took hosting to the next level for sure. They even dished up the plates and handed them out, and then passed out cake to each person while making sure plates were picked up, and glasses were filled. They took a picture with each family that was there and greeted each person. It was amazing to me. Here is a picture of me with my little siblings. Birthdays are definitely a different experience here.

After a good nap I was able to talk to my family in the States for a while and then go and visit with papa cocí again, and he told me about his flowers, and his one experience with snow and all the clothes he had to buy. :)