Dear Etrain,
We went to Costa Rica! I have to say, this was one of my favorite vacations with you. We were gone for nine days, which was probably the longest we've been away in a while. You were healthy (unlike in Kauai), and therefore in a good mood and always ready to go do something fun. We made some friends while we were there, had some adventures, ate great meals, and had plenty of time to relax.
Our first day was just travel. Long drive to the airport, long wait in the airport, long flight, then by the time we landed there it was night time. We got our rental car and had a pretty long drive to the condo we were staying in. You were a wonderful trooper considering the travel part isn't that exciting. We never let you play on screens (phones, ipad, etc.) unless we are traveling and on vacation. It probably helped that you got to play games and watch tv shows for 5.5 hours straight on the plane...and eat your favorite snacks. Hey, I'll take it if it means I get a pleasant flight and get to watch a movie or read on my own. ;)
The condo we stayed in was amazing. The building itself wasn't too big, was gated, and had its own pool. Oh, and it was right on the beach. Our unit was on the third floor and we had gorgeous views.
The first full day we kept it simple and played in the pool. We brought an inflatable basketball hoop and you were in heaven. We met a family that was from Tennessee, but had moved to Costa Rica and had been living there for about a year. They were very friendly and had three boys - 9, 7, and 4 years old. You of course made friends with the 4 year old, and had fun playing with all the kids. We ended up hanging out with them by the pool a lot during our trip, you boys had a slam dunk contest in the pool, and a one night we all had dinner together. The adults stayed outside talking, while you kids played inside. You must have stayed up to 10 pm or later that night. It was really fun though. Slam dunking in the pool is now a thing you talk about all the time.
For the trip dad rented a truck. He knew you would like that, plus there are tons of unpaved bumpy roads in Costa Rica and its just easier to have a truck. So after your nap we decided to go for a drive. We know of a beach a ways away and figured we could head that way. Plus, the road isn't paved and dad thought you'd have fun riding over the bumpy, dirt roads, swerving into puddles, etc. It had been so rainy there were plenty of puddles on this road and you loved shouting "puddle!" each time we saw one.
We made it most of the way to the beach, when it started to rain. We basically got there, looked at the water for a couple minutes, then decided we should head back. It was getting dark and we didn't know who bad the rain would get. I tried to time lapse record part of our drive back, but it came out fuzzy because the camera kept focusing on all the rain on the windshield.
Most nights there was a thunderstorm, which was actually pretty nice (better than during the day!) and fun to watch. I tried to record the lightning, but it would come down all over. This video doesn't do it justice.
The next day was a beach day. We went into Tamarindo and hung out on that beach....even though it was pretty overcast. This time of year was the beginning of the rainy season, so the weather was warm, but in one day could go from really sunny to cloudy, to rainy and even thunderstorms in the evening. The sun may had been in and out, but the water was so warm. Like bathwater. You and dad did a little boogie boarding, then came back in for sand castles.
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| You were watching tv, dad was napping, so I went out on our deck for this. |
The next day was probably our favorite day. We went on a off road adventure. I'm not sure what you call the car thing we were in, but you were so excited they let you sit in the front (clearly not up to USA standards, and maybe not so safe, but your dad was driving and at least I could trust him). While the goggles and bandannas they gave us made us really hot, once the car got going you were so glad you had them. We were covered in dust and dirt.
We drove on back roads, main roads, dirt roads, and paved roads all the way to the beach. Dad drove through as many puddles he could find. Before we got to the beach, our guide had us stop to check out some howler monkeys hanging out in the tree above.
We didn't really dress to go in the water, although it was so hot maybe we should have anyway. At this particular beach, the water was soooo calm. It looked like a lake. It was also pretty empty so it was a prefect photo opportunity. Your dad may be the funniest person I know, and he really showed it off at the beach.
After sweating a ton at the beach, we started our drive back. We were maybe a third of the way there when it started to rain! Now, our car thing had no roof, windows, or even a windshield. The rain was light at first, but then it started to DUMP on us. Hard. The wind from driving with nothing to block it made it really cold. And with so much water we had to take off our bandannas because it was hard to breathe. They got so wet and were pushing against our mouths with the wind that it stuck there and didn't really let you have air. On top of that, dad's goggles were fogging up and of course really wet. All that said, the rain was actually pretty fun and sort of a perfect end to our adventure.
This video are bits of our day. The first part of our ride, the howler monkeys, your drawings at the beach, our ride back (you can see Dada put his hands out at the end...he felt the rain. I had to put my phone away because I didn't want it to get wet.), and you in the rain after our ride. You had been zoning out and being silly so I started to record you, then you weren't amused.
The following day we decided to have breakfast out. Waffle Monkey didn't disappoint. You had a chocolate chip waffle with chocolate drizzle on top. That was waaaay to rich for me (and probably for you too), but I really enjoyed my waffle with strawberries and whip cream. Yum. The beach view was also really amazing.
We decided to try out another beach. When dad and I had gone to Costa Rica (before you were born), we had gone to Lolas. That's not the beach name, but the name of the restaurant and bar there, named after Lola the giant pig. Lolita was there now and when it's not a busy day I guess they let Lolita run around the beach there. That day there was a surf contest so Lola wasn't out, but we enjoyed the beach. You dug some sand castles, but then decided you were too hot, so we headed to the restaurant for lunch. Another gorgeous setting for a meal.
I went out on the beach in front of our condo with the hopes of getting some pretty sunset shots, but the clouds just weren't cooperating.
The next day it was pretty rainy in the morning, so we stayed in and relaxed. Pretty much all morning we watched TV and vegged out. It cleared up later so Dada went surfing and you and I went to the pool. We played in there until dad came back with his surf board, which ended up in the pool. You thought you were hot stuff on that board.
The local kids came home from school while we were still in the pool. One of them came out with some food to feed the iguana. We learned that they named him Melvin.
The next day we decided to adventure to a different beach. We ended up choosing Flamingo Beach because it was just far enough away for an adventure without having to drive forever, and there seemed to be a cluster of restaurants we could grab a meal at. It was a cloudy day and it even ended up raining on us a bit, but overall it was still really comfortable and nice.
The beach was pretty empty, but we ended up parking next to another couple. Turned out they were really friendly and we ended up chatting with them for most of the time we were there. They even offered dad and I a couple of their beers.
We brought the boogie board thinking the water shouldn't be too crazy since this beach was in the same bay as that calm beach we went to on the ATV day. We were wrong. You and dad went up to the waters edge and tried a couple times, but the waves were just crashing down on the sand. Dad even picked you up while you were on top of the boogie board at one point. In the end you had more fun running away from the waves and digging in the sand. Dada did go in the water for a short swim.
By the time we left the beach it was pretty late and lots of places were closing soon. We also really wanted a good burger. After consulting Yelp we decided to head back to Tamarindo because there was a burger joint there that had great reviews. And the burgers were really good.
At the end of dinner, I was looking outside and noticed the sky looked so colorful and gorgeous. I left you and dad behind to go over to the beach and check it out. I was sooooo glad I went over there. Son, this was maybe the most gorgeous sunset I've even seen. It started out sort of rainbow, then turned into deep pinks and purples, then ended in a purple-blue. Each stage was amazing. Don't worry, you and dad came out to see it too.
Our last day ended pretty nice. The friends we made downstairs, I guess, host a weekly croquet party. Neighbors and friends come over to play, eat and drink together. Before the adults got started, you went down to play with the boys. Actually you and Briggs kept playing while the adults did. We just shuttled you where ever no one else was playing, and you didn't seem to mind. We decided to not stay to eat with everyone and went out to dinner one last time. It was delicious and actually all of our meals whether home made or out at restaurants were all delicious.
Just a little dance show from my boy. You told me you were really good at flossing, and let me record you. You are the best, Ethan,
We had so much fun on this trip. We met really nice people, ate great food, saw gorgeous sights, and had awesome adventures. When we got home you were still calling out "puddle!" to dad when we saw a puddle on the road. We had to explain why dad couldn't swerve off the road to hit the puddle the way we could in Costa Rica.
You were great on the plane rides and the long drives. You seemed excited to do most everything on this trip. You did favor dad a bit more than me, which can bum me out from time to time. I get that dad is more fun, but I'm the one who does so much for you daily. I get it though. I would do anything for you, my boy. I love showing you new things and creating fun experiences for you. It's fun for me too and I love seeing you happy.
When we first arrived in Costa Rica it was night time, so we couldn't see what it looked like driving from the airport. I did a quick time lapse driving back.
I can't wait for our next adventure. I love you sweet pea.
Love,
Mama
P.S. Ask your dad about the time you clogged the toilet.
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