The California vacation continues!

As some of you know, Santi had to be rushed the emergency room and hospitalized for a severe asthma attack a couple of days after the last entry. I'm glad to say that he is now out of the hospital, and after daily medical appointments and a thorough course of medications, he was declared today to be much better and ready to travel next week! To celebrate we hit the merry-go-round (well, since it's around the corner from his doctor's office, we actually took him there after every appointment, but today was extra fun).

He's also been experiencing lots of other fun things such as Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf:

 

We also discovered a great place called "My Museum". It's a children's museum that's like a giant play house. For an older child it's a great way to do hands on learning because there's a play hospital, ambulance, firehouse, construction site, theater with costumes and dressing rooms, a pet shelter, tree house, golf course, farm with a tractor and crops to harvest, a diner, an arts and crafts center, and even an kid's ATM. For a little boy like Santi though, it was just a really neat place to run around and play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also made a visit to "Dennis the Menace Park", where I used to go to play when I was little. Santi had a great time. I think his favorite part was the slides.

Finally we hit the supermarket to refuel and Santi got to try riding in the cart, something he's never been able to do in France (the carts aren't built that way).

The North American Tour continues...

Santi has entered the second leg of his North American tour. After three weeks in Zacapu, Mexico City, and Cholula, he headed up for his first visit to the United States and Grandma and Grandpa's house! It's been less than a week, but  he's already visited his first American supermarket (he was slightly traumatized by how huge it was, I think), a mall, ridden a merry-go-round, made new friends on the playground, gotten a haircut, and seen the sites at the local aquarium. And we've still got 10 days to go!

The laguna park at Zacapu

with Papa on the Zarzita

His patron saint (Santiago) in a Zacapu chapel. Notice that his horse is trampling a Moor in a very politically incorrect way.

The insidious Zacapu balloon vendors! Parents beware!

Relaxing in Mexico City, at last!

Mmmm! Nothing like fresh squeezed OJ.

In California! Grandma bought her little monkey a matching backpack.

First spin on the merry-go-round!

The eco-friendly playground.

Getting beautified.

The stylist's daughter lends a helping hand by distracting Santi with a book.

Santi was raring to go at the aquarium!

He called his buddies to tell them all about it.

Time to crash!

In Memoriam, "Great Uncle" Bill Dillon

We just arrived in the United States after two weeks of fieldwork in Mexico and were greeted by the sad news that our dear family friend and follower of this blog, Bill, had suddenly and very unexpectedly passed away after suffering a heart attack. Grandma and Grandpa had waited until we arrived and they could tell us in person. Bill had been planning to come down this weekend to visit with Santi. In fact, he had just talked to Santi's grandparents over the phone about the visit the night before his death.

We all miss you terribly and want you back. You'll always be in our hearts.