Ocho Años

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Lowe turns eight, and as his papa I could go on and on about how great he is. Smart, friendly, imaginative, and an incredibly kind and fun little brother/best friend to his sister. I seriously can’t think of a time he has been mean or rude to anyone. He goes with the flow, enjoys life, and laughs with Ouest. Ali and I couldn’t have asked for a better boy.

The kids were happy that Chavo got to spend Lowe’s birthday with us. He’d be off to the vet to get fixed, and then stay with a rescue group in town for a few days afterwards. Seeing as this isn’t our house we couldn’t really leave him unattended, which made things a little difficult for us when we were by ourselves, and impossible when family visited.

Opening one present in the morning while we waited for Grandma to arrive.

We made the flower stands at the market a regular stop in Antigua.

Always fun when a birthday coincides with a new unique place. The differing locations is how we recall our birthdays as the years go by.

The ruins of Convento la Recoleccion from above.

It’s always interesting to see how these large colonial city blocks are divided. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to discern from street level what might lie behind the doors.

Couldn’t find a cupcake tin this year, but Ali was able to put together a double decker cake that satisfied.

“How many more hours until Grandma gets here?”

This is just what happens to dogs when you have kids—they become one of the dolls.

Grandma made it, and these are two facial expressions that Ali’s sisters will know so well.

I love how excited Ouest is for Lowe’s birthday presents. About six weeks earlier we’d been at the store and Lowe had debated for an hour whether he should buy this action figure guy or not. “Thirty dollar guy” as he would become known in the ensuing weeks. Lowe was sad later on that he couldn’t pull the trigger on the purchase, and that we hadn’t returned to that store the entire time we were in Guatemala City. Little did he know that we’d snuck it into the cart.

And a remote control helicopter. His two birthday wishes had magically been granted.

Recounting the day’s events before bedtime.

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18 Comments on “Ocho Años”

  1. Eight years old! Do you ask yourself, how the heck did that happen? You have beautiful children inside and out. Great job Mama and Papa.

  2. Both these beautiful children are a reflection of great parenting. They have been given a life denied to many, they are so lucky to have you guys for parents… Congrats! And happy birthday Lowe!

    1. Thanks, Peter. I’m not sure I would use the word “denied” as many would never want this life for themselves or their children. When I think back to wanting children, I know I wasn’t thinking this would be how we raised them. Life is weird.

  3. Both kids are extremely wonderful individuals. Such a delight when our paths connect. Happy Birthday to Lowe, what action figure did he get, Ethan wants to know. See you in early October.

  4. Feliz cumpleanos Lowe! What a lucky boy to have parents who enjoy his company & appreciate him! When I taught school so many parents spent so much time working to give their kids stuff that they never really got to spend any time with them! It often seemed their biggest concern as parents was to ensure that their kids achieved academic success so they’d get into a good university! Maybe this is not what you envisioned, Ali, when you thought about having kids but they sure are lucky that this is their reality! Fun adventures every day with parents who like to hang out with them! The joy is always evident in the photos.

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