The Sacred Valley

 Last weekend we took a quick trip to Cuzco and stayed in the Sacred Valley for a couple days. Let me just tell you how amazing the hotel was that we stayed in, it was right on the river, indoor pool, great food our own butler with our room and amazing views!!! Chris has been traveling so much lately that sometimes it is easier if we go somewhere when he is home so there are no distractions. This is not our first time to Cuzco, but it was so relaxing this time since we were not trying to jam in all the tourist stuff. You need to come for a visit so we can go again!!!!!

 We arranged to take a horse back ride through the valley with the boys and they were so excited. When we got to the ranch Zander talked our guide into lending them these hats for our ride. The guide was wearing one so the boys of course thought they should have one as well. Luckily he was a good sport and found 2 for Brock and Zander.

 Ready mom lets go!!!!!!!

 Brock on his horse!!! I think he was a little nervous to ride alone.

 Brock and Z! Zander was not scared at all to ride alone, in fact he loved it when his horse would go fast!

 Chris and Cooper, yes mommy got to ride alone, and it was wonderful.

 All of us an hour into our ride! The valley is so beautiful we could have rode for hours.

 Sacred Valley.

 Its turtle time! Two blocks from our hotel is the studio of a famous artist named Pablo Seminario, so we decided to ring his bell and see his work. He had monkeys, llamas, birds, and of course turtles. The boys loved playing with the animals while mommy and daddy looked at the beautiful artwork!!!

 We even got lucky and he was in his upstairs studio working and invited us up to see what he was working on. What a nice man and what amazing art he has in his studio. He has art in museums in Chicago and has spoken at the smithsonian as well. He talked to us about his vision and how he builds his art with the clay right from the mountains in the Valley. It was such an honor to meet him, and for the boys to meet him as well.

 So how could we not buy something??? Well we couldn't. We bought this piece that he calls the tree that was born square.  The tree is in his book, and it is a one of a kind. He does not do replicas, so we thought it would be fun to get the book and have him sign it. Here is the page out of the book!!!! Our first piece of art, it was so much fun.

 Cooper and I outside of the hotel.

 Brock warming up by the fireplace.

 Our room had a gigantic whirlpool tub so the boys decided to try it out!!!!

Zander checking out the birds and Pablo Seminarios shop.

 Last Saturday was the annual sports day at the boys school. Each child is put into a house when they start at the school that they compete and earn points for until they graduate, so this sports day is very competitive for every house. Both Brock in Zander are in the Selwyn house, and this saturday was game time.  They compete by grades so of course Z'man was up first.

 They rotate in groups doing different relays, go Zander go!

 We won, all the kids were so excited and the crowd of parents went crazy! Everyone dresses in the color of your house and they have drums, noise makers, hats, mascots and the whole deal! Thank heavens we won, I would have had one sad boy.

 Next it was Brocks turn and part of me could only hope that they have to win as well, or the whole car ride home would be so fun full of we won and you did not! Brock was excited because he got to lead the group and carry the flag.

 Here is the Selwyn house, complete with mascot.

 Brock could not sleep the night before, he was so excited and he came ready to win!

 YES! They won as well so I will be going home with two boys with medals, and great big smiles!

They even had a competition for the parents, Chris was so kind to participate!

 Last week I had the opportunity to go to Zanders class for his mothers day celebration, and we had such a great time. We made a coupon book of things I would like, like helping with the dishes etc. They drew us a personal portrait and read us a sweet story. It was a wonderful morning and I am so glad I could spend it with my Z!

 See this smile, he was so excited to have me come to his class!

 Here is Z with the coupon book he made me, and the picture he drew of me.

 This is the picture he drew of me!

Me and my Z man!

 The munchkins had the week off school so we took advantage of the time and went to Cali for a quick trip! The trip had a purpose since we are looking to buy a house and went house hunting while we were there. We had two days of fun at Disneyland and then the rest was looking for houses, and sitting in banks! Not so fun for the kids, but they got to see their cousins so it was all worth it.

 The famous picture spot!

 Brock and his cousin Tameryn, they have been best buds from birth!

 It was wonderful to have the crew come down and spend some time at disney with us. Chris, his sis, his mom, dad, brother in law, and cousins of the boys! We had a great time my boys miss having moments like this!

 Grandpa and the grandkids.

 At lunch the grown ups had their own table and the kids had theirs. It was the most pleasant lunch we had all week.

 My Cooper loves horses, and boy was he excited to see this one at the park!

 You almost got it Brock!

 Pull Zander pull!

 I love going to amusement parks with my family, but I hate getting wet!! Thank heavens for ponchos.

Can you see Cooper holding mickeys hand, he would not go near any other characters, but he loved seeing Mickey!

So all in all it was quite the week, we had a great time but it went so fast. We found a house that we put an offer on in Rancho Cucamonga so fingers crossed we get it. And no we are not moving back to the states, we are just ready to have something to come back to when we visit!!!

 On May 9th I got the dreaded phone call from the school that Zander had fallen and hurt his head and they could not get it to stop bleeding. This was all the information that they gave me, and keep in mind that his school is a good 35 minutes away! To make matters worse I was just heading out the door to go to Coopers mothers day celebration at his preschool, and Chris was out of town. I had to rush to go get Cooper from school early, miss the celebration, speed to go get Zander so by the time I got there an hour had gone by, poor little guy. Come to find out it was only his chin, but it was open all the way to the bone!!!!

 Luckily when we got tot the hospital we were seen right away. They wrapped him up like a burrito with a sheet so he would not move, but he freaked out and would not hold still. I told the doctors to let him out and he would promise to be still, Zander is a brave little boy. So they did and he kept very still as they stitched him up!

A few stitches later and we were are on our way home. As soon as we were home guess what he wanted to do?? Jump on the trampoline! I have a feeling he is going to keep my busy!

 Brock finally lost his first tooth!!!! This poor little guy has been waiting soooo patiently to loose his first tooth, it only took 7 years and 2 months!!!!

The tooth fairy and ratoncito brought him $4! Since we live in latin america he was lucky to have both the tooth fairy  and the famous ratoncito, here in Peru, come and work together to bring him his money! He woke up a very happy guy.