sleepover, friendship parties and the island from top to bottom

Heather and Charlie are trying to have as much friend time as possible so Heather had 3 friends spend the night on Friday. They played outside a lot and enjoyed High school musical as they sang and danced out of tune and off beat--the best way that 7 year olds can. It was very cute and Heather will really miss her friends from the island. Charlie spent a lot of the evening with a neighbor friend as well but decided not to spend the night--although he was enticed to stay with the offer of the wii. Saturday we took it easy and the kids got ready for their "friendship" party. They decided that the "going away" party they wanted to have should be changed to a friendship party. So the usual gang got together and we called it a special party so that Heather and Charlie could feel celebrated. The kids played outside and made friendship bracelets with pipe cleaners and beads. Did I mention that Cameron has pink eye--oh yeah! His assumed allergies seem to actually be pink eye according to our new neighbor the optomitrist. The kids had a great time and lots of fun was shared by the adults as well. I told one of them it was just a cookout and Heather responded, "it might just be a cookout for the adults but it's a PARTY for the kids".

Sunday we got off to a late start but accomplished some new island things (hard to believe that's possible on this little tiny place). We tried to go on a beach that we hadn't been on since last summer but it was closed (due to flood damage in the winter we think) so since it was clear we headed up to the top of Santa Barbara--the tallest point on the island--a volcano. It was pretty cool to be able to see all around the island almost in any direction to the water from a few different vantage points. The kids took pictures of each other and us and we headed to check out the inside of a different volcano. The Algar do Carvo is one of the few volcano's that you can actually go inside and see out the top. We went there with Heather's class and decided to take the rest of the family. It was very cool as anticipated. We headed back home for a short time and the kids played in the neighbor's sprinkler which was lots of fun for a few minutes. Jeff picked up a new couple to the base and we took them into Praia to walk on the beach, dip toes in the ocean and have some ice cream on the walking street. Dinner from the chicken house completes a great day!

On a Cameron note he is becoming very stubborn and exhibiting his free will more and more by running the other direction when told to stop. Throwing things when told "no". and doing just whatever he wants most of the time...with a smile on his face. He's cute but trouble--hopefully his will will become a bit more tamed and will mesh a bit more with mine...