Cancun Escape

We took a break from the wintery scene and hopped on a plane bound to Cancun. The first few days were rainy but still warm enough (if you consider 72F warm - we do!). We decided to do something different on this trip besides being on the beach.

Ziplines: At first Lauren and Emma were frightened. We did have to go up the stairs and be on a very high platform. But after the 4th/5th platforms, they relaxed and enjoyed the ride. I loved it right away. I especially enjoyed the long slides because you can go faster. After the ziplines, we had the opportunity to swim in a cenote. We opted to be driven in a van to the cenote but the gate leading to it was locked. Fortunately, there was a group on ATVs and gave us a ride. The swim was refreshing and Lauren used the zipline to jump into the cenote.



















































Jungle Place: An hour south of Cancun is a reserve for spider monkeys. We had a chance to interact with spider monkeys. We were lead into the cage (Yeah - CAGE) and were told to sit down and to not make lots of abrupt, sudden movements. The monkeys were docile and a couple took to Lauren and Emma right away. Nena (8 years old) sat with Lauren like a toddler and stayed with her - content to be in her arms. Maya (3 years old) happily sat on Emma's lap. We marveled at their beautiful tails and hands so like ours. They cuddled and ate nuts off our hands. They were very gentle. The day before they received an abandoned 4-month old baby. The baby was unbelieavably adorable.





































Xel-Ha: Okay, so this one wasn't quite different since we we visited the park the last time we were in Cancun. But it was nice to relax and float in the river. We even had a chance to look at the manatees in their enclosure. We also tried the rope course. Emma could have made it to the end but it was a very long way!

































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Lauren at Twelve

She insisted that she wasn't twelve when I greeted her Happy Birthday at 7 AM. She said that she will be 12 at 11:35AM. But she was all smiles.

She insisted that the Christmas tree not be taken down until after her birthday. The poor pine was shedding its razor sharp needles all over the family room. She doggedly watered the dead tree.

She insisted that reading Twilight and New Moon over and over and over and over again is okay. But she loved it when Colin reads The Lord of the Rings to her and Emma.

She insisted that her birthday cake be vanilla with vanilla frosting. I only found yellow cake with white buttercream frosting so I baked one. She was surprised to learn it was not from a bakery even with all the funky writing on it. She thought it was beautiful.

She is beautiful I must insist.

























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Resolution Ver. 2009

Inside this small scroll of paper, Emma had written her resolutions. Two, in fact.















I will place the scroll in my desk drawer for safe-keeping.