Art Time

We try to do an art activity each day. Lincoln loves this time of day. Today he wanted to paint on canvas. He loves learning how when you mix two colors together a new color is created.

I'm glad I brought a tonne of art/craft supplies ( one whole suitcase) because there is not much to choose from on the island. They have the basics here, but not much. I sure miss my Dollar Stores. They need one here.

Adjusting to the Statia Life Style

Island life on Statia is a bit different from what we are used to back home. Statia is a Caribbean Island that doesn’t have Resorts, it does have hotels, but other then that, there is the local way of life. To me Island life is what I would call "behind the times". My motto for Statia has become, if it still works keep using it, don’t go buy new stuff. This is a big change from what I am personally used to back home. Form is definitely a distant second to function on this Island.

Roads are tiny, most don’t even look big enough for two cars to fit side by side, but somehow they do. Roads can also be very bumpy, Lincoln is not a fan of them. There are also some cobble stone roads that were apparently built by slaves back in the day. Most cars here are small and have tones of scratches and dents. If you see a nice car it just means that it hasn't been here long.

You will find cows, chickens and roosters wondering around everywhere, they don’t have to be fenced in. Lincoln is a fan of this. He always wants to find a rooster and pet it, not sure if this will ever happen. 

Everywhere on the Island you are on constant water rations, you need to limit the amount of water you use. Baths don’t exist here. Showers do, but its not a real shower, the water just trickles out, it’s just a tease. European washers are very popular here and we are lucky enough to experience one (extreme sarcasm). But in 4 months we will be moving and we will get an American one (yay!). I thought at first maybe the washers are old and out of date, but it turns out that the one we have was brand new last year! So I guess Europeans just like making things complicated. To use the washer your have to first fill the the washer side with water from a hose. Then you put the detergent in with the clothes and let the washer wash them. After its washed you have to take them out and over to a separate rinse bin to rinse the detergent off. Then you put the clothes back in the other side of the washer for the spin cycle, and as for drying the clothes. Dryers do not exist on this island. I’ve learned to do it the old fashion way, put them on the clothesline.

Even with all these differences, we love Statia, the island life. It makes you realize what you take for granted each day. It’s going to be a fun Adventure.

Island Creatures

You can find lizards (Lincoln calls them geckos)
 everywhere here. He is in heaven and has learned 

very well how to spot them in our yard. 

It’s like he’s at the Petstore

 every time he steps outside!

Apparently there are a lot of other 

creatures that we haven’t spotted yet.

 Banana spiders, tarantulas, snakes,

giant wasps, and more I’m sure… 

and these are just the ones on land!

 Lot’s of crazy stuff is going 

on in the ocean as well, 

as I’m sure you can imagine.

Our New Home

Our house is very nice... for Statia. Nice for Statia is different than normal Canadian nice. Our land lords lives above us along with 2 other university students.Our landlords Terry and Mr. Mike are a super nice couple. They take very good care of their house and yard. There is a gate that goes around our house so the cows don’t come into the yard and poop everywhere. From our house we have a very nice view of the Caribbean Sea. Lincoln loves seeing the boats in the water....One thing I should worn you before you take a look at the pictures is things are very dated here, but still functionable. That seems to be the norm. Function is definitely first, Form comes second. 

Our House- We live in the bottom left suite.

 Our Yard 

 Living Room/Kitchen

 Bathroom-There are no baths on Statia. They do have showers, 
but they aren't showers that we know and love back in Canada. 
These showers drizzle a tiny bit of water out, thats about it.

Lincoln and Lacey's Room (Master bedroom)-

The kids have be awesome at sharing a room.

 They got the master bedroom because it was bigger, 

but also because the other bedroom has a door that goes out side, 

and I didnt feel comfortable leaving them in that room.

We love our house, but we will be moving at the end of August into another house 2 blocks away. There are a few reasons for the move: cheaper rent, we will be right next to the Farrell's and an american washer :) 

Hopefully this was a good taste of the Island living for you! 

I LOVE being a mom!

Mother's Day 2013

Happy Mother's Day!

I couldn't be where I am today without my mom. She is an amazing person and has taught me so much. Thanks for all you have ever done for me and my family. Love you lots!

8 Months!

Lacey is 8 Months old! I can't believe it. She has been such a great blessing in our family.
- She has a great personality. She can be demanding at time, she knows what she wants and its usually NOW!
- She's always full of SMILES, unless she is hungry or tired.
- At 7 months she started playing strange with other people, even to to Nana and Papa's.
- She loves playing with Lincoln. Lincoln's still the only one who are get her to really laugh.
- She always wants what Lincoln has.
- At 8 months Lacey has started to army crawl/ crawl (she will switch back and forth between the two), then started to actually crawl a few days later. Along with sitting up on her own. Now she also wants to hold your hands and walk. She is loving being on the move.
- Lacey is also a tummy sleeper like her mom. She loves her food. She would always rather eat what we are eating then baby food, now she just needs teeth.
-She loves morning walks in the stroller.