Fantastic, Fabulous, February!

Fantastic, Fabulous, February!

Our Fantastic February started out with my friend Elaine stopping me on the side of the road after dropping the kids off at school asking if I could run to the SDA School and help serve the kids breakfast and prepare breakfast boxes for Adults from the food sale raising money for the school.  I was still in my PJ’s of sorts and with crazy hair – but most people tell me I have ‘wash and go hair’ – I guess compared to the local people I do, but I would say otherwise!  But I ran home, got changed, tried to do my hair and got to the school in plenty of time.  I was a little shocked at how little help they had from parents.  I was the only one other than Elaine and then there were a couple teachers in and out but that was it.  A lot of parents are working though so that can be difficult on a Friday morning.  It was a lot of fast work at times but I enjoyed working with the few ladies, seeing Jase and Courtney with their friends and serving all the kids!

The Hunters had another bonfire at the beach – yummy marshmallows and friends.  We brought along Niz and Zay  to hang out this time.

One of the activities we do together as a family on Sundays is to go around the island to different places where we know we can get some fruit and see if there is any ready!  It’s always a fun adventure!  This time we found some papaya’s ripe for the picking – you just need to get creative sometimes about how you get it down!

My big boy Jase who once was so little turned 12 this year!  Todd and I feel so old, or is it that we don’t feel old enough to have a son who is 12?!  Yikes - how time is flying by!  This kids all had a week off of school in the middle of the month so we chose to celebrate his birthday with his friends a week early during that time off.  Unfortunately there were a few friends who couldn’t make it because they were gone for the holidays or had other plans already.  The day was cloudy, cool, and sometimes a little rainy but it all worked out fantastic!

Here’s the boys : Justus, Mattei, Jase, Orville, Adulfus, Stuart, Sharique and Zay who couldn’t go in the water due to an ear infection.

Marco Pollo and lots of fun!

Boys will be boys at times and some were making a water mess in the house from the pool and sweet Adulfus asked for the mop so he could soak up some of the water for me!

Then there were lots of snacks, outside games – which I have loved having warm weather for my kids b-days (has never happened in Canada obviously with the months my kids have been born in), Minute to win it games, cake and gifts. I was betting on the pizza place being open to order pizza for the boys to eat but it wasn’t open! A lot of the restaurants and some stores are run by families or individuals so sometimes if I doesn’t suit them to be open they don’t – which is not a bad deal for them but sometimes you just don’t know if you can count on them or not.  Sooooo, already mentally prepared for this chance, I made a last minute dash to Duggins to buy a bunch of pizza stuff with Courtney and my friend Zay! – He loves to come to the grocery store or for rides in the car when he’s at the house.  Love that boy! He really knows how to make you feel special!  And thanks to Todd coming home to help me put dinner together for these boys it was a success!

Minute to Win it!

Adulfus

Stuart

Zay

Justus

 Sharique

                    

 Mattai & Orville

We had been prepping the house and the kids to show the house to some people who wanted to see it.  First they were coming on Saturday night and then the time didn’t work and it was rescheduled for Monday.  The kids were pretty good at keeping the house tidy.  And so Monday after getting the kids to school and letting them know that I had to pick them up at about 10:30 because we had a ‘appointment’ with the immigration office, Todd and I picked up my parents from the airport!  Our visitors who were suppose to come and view the house on Saturday!  They had troubles with their flight in Canada making them miss their flight from St. Maarten to St. Eustatius and the flights were all booked on Sunday so we had to settle for a Monday flight.  That left only 5 days to have them here with us.  We went to the house and waited until it was time to get the kids from school. – Here the system is a mandatory school system so I had to make special arrangements with the school to let the kids come home early everyday – which actually worked out just fine.

I picked up the kids and had a fake file full of papers in the car looked at it and told them I brought the wrong folder and had to go get the right one from the house, called Todd and told him I would be a little late to the appointment because I had to go home and get the folder I forgot – but really telling him that we would be there soon for the surprise.  Almost home I told the kids to not get out of the car and I would be right back out.  Getting into the house I turned around and went back to the car and said’ “Well I don’t know how long this is going to take so you might as well run in and grab your games systems or a book or something just incase we have to wait for a while.  So they jumped out of the car I ran in ahead of them to record the surprise and Todd took pictures. Coming in they were so surprised tears were shed and it was so wonderful! SURPRISE!

Grandma and Grandpa then did what Grandma and Grandpas do best – they spoiled our kids and us rotten!!  Bringing treats, snacks you can’t get here, outfits, jewelry, church stuff, Jase really needed a belt!, and Grandpa is always spoiling us by making sure that everyone gets their birthday & Christmas money for the year. But best of all – themselves!

I love the look on the girls faces as Grandma pulls out their Hello Kitty stuff!

There's nothing like cuddling with Grandpa and eating Canadian Licorice! 

Showing Grandma some of his cool stuff on his DS-XL.

That night the kids had Judo and wanted to show Grandma and Grandpa all the awesome new judo moves they have.  They love Judo and Tr. Vienna is always telling me how much she likes teaching our kids with how well they listen, learn and are actively participating and trying their best.  They are pretty fantastic and I am a proud Judo Mom!

Courtney and Katie doing their thing.

Jase doing his thang with Sharique - best Judo Buddies!

On Tuesday we decided we would go and visit Courtney’s class and school!  We visited with the kids, and Tr. Anna, They did some fun activities on the Smart Board and even looked up to see where Canada is located in the world and they did their Dutch Flash cards. I think my parents had a really neat time seeing the class in progress because last time they came it was Christmas break and I really think Courtney was excited to show her Grandparents her class.

After our visit we gathered all of the kids from school and stopped off at shop where Rachael works to say hi, pick up some things for Jases’ party sacks at school, and grab a drink.  I know Rachael was thrilled to see my parents because she considers us family. 

After Todd finished class and studying – because he has a big exam the next day – we went down to Whitewall to see the view and just enjoy the beauty of the ocean, which you NEVER get tired of!

The girls were so excited to show Grandma and Grandpa how amazing they are at ballet!  Our sweet friend Hannah has so generously offered to teach the girls ballet for us - seeing as it is no longer offered on the island.  She taught ballet back in Canada but took a break for a while to raise her gorgeous little twin girls! And then she came here! So we feel very honored that she would take the time out of her very busy life to keep Katie and Courtney’s dancing dreams alive!

The next school day we went to see Katie’s, and Jase’s classes.  If you can see in the pictures of Katies class there are only two students there that day. Jasper and Katie, I think Sarah was sick that day, but that is all the kids in her class!  Makes for some really good education and she really loves her school and teacher – Tr. Hilda.

Then we were off to Jase’s school.  When we first got there the kids were outside for break and just about to go back in for class.  Somehow the topic of whistling came up and there were a few of Jase’s friends there who wanted to know how Jase’s Grandma whistled so loud.  I remember that whistle extremely well as a kid being called in from out on the acreage to the house – you heard the whistle and you were to come running in.  So Mom, Grandma, was out there with the kids trying to teach them how to whistle. Actually whistling is not really used here; you don’t really ever hear people doing it.

*Side note, To get your attention here if you are walking away, or teachers and parents use it to get kids to quiet down and listen. It is a sharp short ‘Ssssss’ sound like you would to pronounce the letter ‘S’ with a lot of air behind it so you can hear them.  It’s actually quite effective because you can really hear it!

It was Jase’s birthday this day so we brought cupcakes, chips, and a drink to share with his classmates.  They had him stand up in front of the class while they sang happy birthday, and a Dutch part they add at the end, which I really don’t know what they are saying.  Both Jase and Katie, because we took her with us from her school, helped to pass out the treats to the kids and I think they were both really proud to be able to show their schools to there Grandparents.

On our way home for lunch we stopped by Todd’s school to peek at him in class and to show G & G the University.  I think I have posted pictures of the actual University before so I didn’t take a picture of the outside. 

We went off to check out Leontine and Tony’s, our landlord’s store, Mazinga on the Bay right next to the beach.  It’s a fun place to find little trinkets, gifts, jewelry, very nice things to take home for souvenirs, and many other items. And it’s also a great place to get drinks, snacks, and ice cream treats on a hot day at the beach. They also have a really nice lounging area for patrons to use while the store is open.

They also have a little collection of historical items found while restoring their building – hundreds of them!  But they only have a few of them on display that they were able to keep and show.

Behind Mazinga on the Bay and Squbaqua dive shop they recently uncovered ruins of shops, storehouses and a hotel - I believe - that had been over grown for years by vegetation.  We could see bit of the ruins before but could never physically walk around them.  Now you can and its amazing.  They are really starting to clean the island up better and taking more pride in the beauty here.  My parents even commented on how clean the island look compared to when they came over 2 years ago.

Walking up the Bay Path, commonly know with its nickname ‘The Slave Trail’. Its amazing to think of the amount of people that have walked to and from Upper and Lower town using this trail; thousands of people for hundreds of years.

We finally went and checked out the museum! 

Excerpt from    http://www.euxonline.com/museum/  

*The St Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum is located on Emma weg in the center of Oranjestad in the 18th century house of Simon Doncker, who was a wealthy merchant. Artifacts from the famous Golden Rock Site can be seen, prehistoric archaeology, genuine furniture and ceramics form the 18th century.

We did see and read some fantastic things and information about Statia, it really is a beautiful little museum.

Todd found cannon balls just like these behind Smoke Alley.  A big one and a little one.  For all we know two of these could be the ones we found and gave to the archeologist!

Down in the basement where they have different items of interest like uncovered bones.

This special night February 20^th, 2013 was the main purpose of Grandma and Grandpa coming this time of the year and this special year – Jase’s 12^th birthday.  For us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it is a special time when a young man who chooses and is found striving to be the best he can is given his first piece of the Priesthood to learn to use in the service of his fellow men. 

***For more information please go to: 

 http://mormon.org/faq/purpose-of-priesthood

Here is Todd sharing with Jase his record of the line of Priesthood going all the way back to Joseph Smith and ultimately to our Savior Jesus Christ.

A group picture of who Jase specifically asked to come and help him receive the Aaronic Priesthood.  It was wonderful to have them there.

After the brief gathering we sat down with Jase to open some special gifts that Grandma and Grandpa had brought with them. 

I asked my Mom to get him a fancy watch because he loved his watch he had before that had broken not that long ago.

Grandma and Grandpa had brought him a very nice CTR ring to always remember to Choose The Right.

A special tradition in our family is for every young man and women when turning 12 years old receives a special journal with pages filled out by their Aunties or Uncles, Grandma’s or Grandpa’s (girls for girls, boys for boys) and parents of encouragement, guidance, experience, caution, testimony, and love at this special time in their lives.  It is a time when ones choices have the possibility to mold the person who they have the potential to become.  It is a most amazing gift.  The fact that our sweet family thought and loved us so much that they would take the special time to make sure Jase had his book and to bring it all the way down here for him touched our hearts.

We took Jase out for a special birthday dinner to Smoke Alley afterwards to celebrate!  We love you Jase.

The next day we took G & G to see the falling down sugar stack.  The historical item and buildings on this island never ceases to amaze us!

We then went off for some lunch at Lynn’s Dream Bakery.  I call it Jacintha’s bakery because my friend Jacintha owns it.  It’s a Dutch bakery with a few local pastries at times.  It is really yummy and will be sorely missed when we have to leave here – Booooo! In fact all the bakeries are really nice here, and they all have their specialties – oh it will be a sad day!

Trying a variety of coconuts from the trees.  Yellow ones, green ones and Campaign coconuts…

…and a beautiful evening at the beach.

The next day was DBQ day – Death By Quill Day – or so I thought after I opened my big mouth about climbing to Panaramic point, after we had just finished the hike to the rim, rated a difficult hike on the Quill.

The hike to the rim was a really nice pleasant hike we visited, sang songs, looked at plants, creatures and just enjoyed the vast beauty.  

And at the top meeting and feeding our Rooster friends – one among then know as Dutchess.  Yes it is more of a female name however we can blame that name on Hannah Madden the National Park Ranger/Education Officer at STENAPA.  – The kids absolutely adored being with Hannah during their years at Junior Rangers. 

This is where I mentioned about climbing to Panorama Point and my parents were 100% for it and they were ready to keep going!  Instantly I had doubt and worry – after Todd mentioned to me it might not be the best thing to do seeing as my Dad is pushing 64 this year and my Mom is nearing 62.  My parents would have none of it!  While they were still young enough to enjoy doing whatever they possibly could they were going to do it, and how often could they say they have gone to a little island called St. Eustatius, climbed the Quill volcano and see one of the nicest views on the island.  And it was a fantastic hike with a few slips and spills but well worth it.

My plans to go walking down Zealandia beach never happened that afternoon because of the unplanned extended hike so I felt bad that they never got to walk it.  It is a beautiful peaceful walk.  But after showering and resting a while we went out for some Yummy, Yummy Butter Bread from the Spanish Bakery. Of course I can’t remember the real name of the bakery, but their butter bread is to die for and they have it on sale only on Fridays and around 6:00 in the evening.  So that’s when you see lines of people just to get their butter bread! And then we took our butter bread and walked to the Fort Oranje and enjoyed the bread and view.

I forgot my camera so I just have bad iPhone pictures!

Yummy Butter Bread!

Alas the 5 extremely short days came to an end.  It was really sad to see them go after having very few days with them but it was so wonderful sharing some of the love we feel for this tiny little island we have called home for the last 2 ½ years.