Playa del Carmen, Day 7

*This post was written by Jeff, as if it was me.  In truth, I was so tired this night I couldn't stay awake long enough to write anything.  I've added my own comments, too.* 

Today Michael and I went shopping and spent way too much money while discussing last night’s “Mr. Iberostar”  Good thing my husband loves me anyway.

*Cami's note: The Mr. Iberostar show was a Chippendale-type show they did at the hotel the night before.  I did NOT attend, but the guy at the shop insisted he remembered me from it.*

Jeff stayed home with Faith and Lauren.  They played on the beach, found sea shells, and buried their legs in the sand.  Lauren really got into it, and thought it was great to be buried all the way up to her neck.

After we went home, the girls took naps and Jeff took Michael back to the beach.  He had the biggest smile the whole time they were there, and kept saying how he wanted to stay for “like three more weeks.”  He worked hard to make sure everyone in his class at school had a good seashell.  Jeff went snorkeling and found some fish.  Michael thought it was pretty cool when they ate bread out of his hand.

After that, we went to dinner at the Italian Restaurant. Faith sang about how she was eating her food instead of actually eating.  When we pointed out that she was singing and not eating, she corrected herself and started singing about how she was NOT eating her food.  A Mexican three-man band came in and started playing music at each table, which was also a lot of fun.

It will be hard to get into the flow of things back home.  With all the buffet meals, Michael has been eating very well, and we’ve been able to just turn him loose and let him find food he will eat. He’s been great about eating enough food at each meal, and finding new foods he’s willing to try after that first difficult day after we arrived where he didn’t want to eat anything.  Faith’s had her typical darling and devil moments, but for the most part has brought us a lot of smiles. Lauren has really warmed up to Jeff’s family after they’ve spent so much time helping us to take care of the kids, and they’ve all commented how fun she is to play with.  And we’ve got to have a whole week with no laundry, no dishes, no work, and have all been treating each other much better as a result.  Hopefully we can keep this friendlier spirit going once we get back into the grind.

*Cami's note: Since we've actually been home, Jeff has sorted all the stinky laundry, so the friendlier spirit is still going at least this long.*  :)

*Cami's next note: One of the highlights of the day happened while we were shopping.  There was a man with a small monkey, and for $5 you could have your picture taken with it.  We had Michael hold it while we took his picture.  He was a little hesitant at first, but once the man put the monkey in his arms, he was really excited.*

*Cami's note too: This is an ROUS.  We later learned from a tour guide that it is called a tzereque, and is actually a member of the rabbit family.  He called them Mayan rabbits, and said they taste like rabbit.  I still think it looks like a rodent.*