Merry Christmas Day

Christmas morning and not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse… and Patt and I were awake all alone in the house.  (for a minute).  It was a pretty morning too and then it got better.

Jen and Clinton made their appearance — for a breakfast bottle and then a walk with the dogs.

Slow waking, and we do mean s-l-o-w, waking Stephen and Raleigh soon appear.  These boys do not rush into the day.  For those of you who remember, Stephen is still not first out of bed and still starts slowly.  Raleigh did not fall far from that tree, though he does bring lots of toys with him, Stephen, a hat.

Present opening and Santa arrival with  a Paw Patrol Spanish  speaking toy dog  ---- one of the key presents.  FYI — Paw Patrol is popular with the kindergarten set here and these toy dogs rescue other animals in various sorts of trouble.  Think Mighty Mouse  saves the day for us baby boomers and the rest of you- My Little Pony or something like that.

Clinton also got a stuffed animal but I do not recall if this one talks or is featured anywhere, but it is soft.  Ho got more than one I think.

 some action photos

Raleigh got cars too, match box, hot wheels and these cool ones.  Patt is prone to give him one every now and then while we are here.  So much so that I once asked her if there was going to be enough left for stocking stuffers.  She assured me that we would not run out of hot wheels.  Buy stock in Matel you investors looking for a "buy" opportunity.

The present opening actually took quite a long time as Raleigh is a one toy / present at a time kid.  He likes his toys and plays with one till he pretty much plays it out before moving on to the next and on a day like Christmas it took a little help from time to time.

You will note on the table in the front left of the photo below, Patt and I are helping Jen complete her formal dining ware set with more Deacon Cups.  We brought her a table setting of eight of the bourbon and coke sized cups.

Raleigh with his Paw Patrol truck, Jim and Fa looking at Clinton with Jen(their first morning getting to see him).   Patt arranging something at the breakfast, present staging, coffee table, Stephen talking to Deuce who had been chewing up boxes as if it were an assignment.

Well Deuce  finally got tired and did not finish all of the boxes.  ….and  a Merry Christmas to all and to all  a good afternoon - time for a nap.

Last minute Christmas shopping includes entertainmnet center time

Midmorning the 23rd Patt, Jen, Raleigh and I went Christmas shopping to another large mall in town.  It included time for some particular toy store shopping for guess who and guess who was not included.  So fortunately nearby was a play space.   I mean whoopee — play-a-the-blocks were there, the giant kind and Raleigh established how large we were going to build.  Actually we built several structures.  This last one was while Patt was watching and recording.

Occasionally we would have to discuss future plans, mostly though it was just working.

Christmas eve morning — and sunshine is here.  Patt and I are having morning coffee

Jim and Fa will be here soon and the days activities will begin.

Merry Christmas

some catch up photos and a little from goings on in the neighborhood

Clinton and Patt discussing which of the toys shall be tossed to the side next — or will Clinton topple to the side not propped by the pillow.  Learning to sit is a full time serious job, apparently more difficult than smiling back at me.  

He  of many expressions — in the morning - and Patt and I are early risers and meet Clinton in the morning and have a very good time talking over the day's plans.

Patt has a very serious food prep partner. A participant in every sense of the word, usually running  a monolog, agreeing with most of Patt's comments with a "yep Grandmama".  Patt, too, is most patient.  Raleigh is a very fortunate little boy (so am I, though no longer quite so little).

"playing the blocks" remains the hands-down winner of all activities. I thought at one time it was generic for "play with me" but now I am moving towards believing it means play with the large legos. And from the Orient to the tropics, I can build a garage, bridge and car park with large legos.

In the neighborhood at Parque Uraca we came upon a Little League type ball game. The pitcher, just standing there as a spectator, had just given up what was to be a three-run triple to deep left field.  Note action on the field. (Double click the picture and you can even see the ball if you wish).

And the home team Bella Vista was behind by three, with no outs, to the visitors when Patt and I went on our way.  True to form, this being Panama, and December, the game was rained out before we got home. Bella Vista is the neighborhood in which Stephen and Jen live.

On another day, we were privileged to have a sky box view from the apartment of the much anticipated Disney On Ice Parade - and all along the 3-4? mile or so strip that we could see of Avenida Balboa next to the Cinta Costera was packed with people. They had come to see floats, bands and a few horse groups.  Here is the famous ice skater, Lightning McQueen.  Well if not ice skater, at least a crowd pleaser I am sure.

Of those  in our sky box, only one ventured out into the heat to check out the action along the route - me.  The umbrellas were not for the rain. The sky was blue, the sun was hot, food was plentiful, and people were crowded.  I stepped up onto the embankment of the ramp to the overhead bridge for this photo.

In front of a billboard announcing the pending arrival of Disney On Ice parents were lining up to take photos of their kids with characters not quite identifiable with the climate - but identifiable none-the-less.

And ole standy-bys Mickey and Minnie, get partners too.  This billboard is in front of the building next to Stephen and Jen's on Avenida Balboa.

Not dull in December in Panama City.

Christmas is getting near.

Been doing more shopping and preparing.

A hike in the jungle

A day or so ago, Jen, Patt, Raleigh and I went to Parque Metropolitano Naturales in Panama City.  It is a large natural preserve somewhat in the middle of the metro area - the only rain forest within a city limits in all of Central and South America.  The park has been here since the canal construction days to preserve a water runoff area for the locks on the canal.  

We went on one of the shorter less challenging hikes in the park, see below, and though we heard lots of birds and saw a few flying, heard others things, saw a couple of neque (pronounced neck-kay - little rat/pig like animals).  Did not see monkeys and probably just missed seeing the sloths that are there.

Raleigh started out like we were in the company of a real hiker.  We were optimistic.

Our optimism was short lived.  Jen was busy eating famous words of the last hike she was on with Raleigh of which his hiking abilities had attained mythical proportions - now certified as mythical.

The poor boys' legs completely turned to liquid.  Reminded me of Randolph Childress after a hard foul back in the day — he may be lucky to ever regain use of his limbs again.

Note how helpful he is to the person carrying him.  I mean he was like a Rhesus Monkey, clingy, hanging on, climbing all over you, just amazing his strength. Notice Patt's wet shirt - it was hot and humid!

Jen, bless her heart, did get Raleigh to walk down the steps when we got to steps and slippery places. It had just rained (this IS Panama).  As you can see, Raleigh is enthusiastic about it.  Jen is very patient.  Raleigh is very fortunate.

After we got out of the jungle we saw jungle creatures, "leaf cutter ants".  There was an entire caravan of them carrying their harvest of cut leaves from field to store house.  (we found neither).  It was fun to watch.  And watch we did.  I even tried to photograph said jungle wildlife— albeit from the security of a sidewalk and a freshly mown lawn.

Close examination reveals two ants, top and bottom of the frame, each carrying a cut leaf.

We will try again.  

I like to hike with my grandchildren, we like to carry them too.

after the tree, time for a little shopping

Well, I'm thinking the new fancy dan mall with the new fancy pants stores is where I need to go to get something for Patt. Off Raleigh and I go.  Hoo-Boy-  doors opened by suit wearing doormen, clerks speaking English and people are ready to help me.

yes-sir re Bob, tom, dick, harry, bill, and becky sue.  I'm sure all of you would be welcome too.

The observant will notice the absence of a porter following with bags or a cart man with a cart.  "Good eye" as we would say on the diamond.  Jump not to the conclusion that there is a big order being delivered either.  And no I didn't get a small package either.  Just didn't see anything we needed.

In a brand new mall with stores this expensive, there are just not a lot of customers yet and it makes for a good place for some serious scooter riding.  Wish I'd had one myself - or a segway to try out.  

In here the clerks were a little more solicitous than usual and for some reason seemed to pay us a lot of attention.  I thought it was nice they were so interested in Raleigh.

 Occasionally there was a futile effort to include Blue Bear into the ride but that skill is not here yet.

Lunch time came and Grandmama and blue bear were important sources of the nourishment.