Disney World for 9 days

We spent an eventful 9 days at Disney World the week before we moved to Buenos Aires to celebrate Abe's 4th and Peyton's 2nd birthdays. We were joined by Steve's parents, his older brother Shane and his family, and his younger sister and her husband. We had 13 people together for our combined Pirate and Princess Fiesta.

In true Barlow form, a vacation was needed from this vacation and there was hardly a moment to breathe. For the first 6 nights, we stayed the Animal Kingdom Lodge where our balcony overlooked the Savannah where the kids awoke every morning to see the giraffes who preferred our end of the hotel this time of day. The last 3 nights, we moved to Saratoga Springs. We loved the pools!

Here was the itinerary:

11/4: Arrive in the evening after a very emotional day of goodbyes.

11/5: Animal Kingdom. Dinner at Boma.

11/6: MGM. Lunch with Leo and June from the Little Einsteins.

11/7: Epcot. Lunch at the Coral Reef.

11/8: Magic Kingdom. Dinner at Chef Mickey's.

11/9: Pool at the Animal Kingdom in the morning, Epcot in the afternoon. Dinner at Chef's de France

11/10: Magic Kingdom. Change Hotels.

11/11: Lunch at Hardrock Cafe. MGM.

11/12: Peyton's bday at Animal Kingom. Swimming and family party at Saratoga Springs.

Since we have been in Argentina, Abe has not stop talking about everything that we did, all of the things he hopes to do next time and go over the maps with ride descriptions again and again. He LOVED this trip. I think about the most talked about rides are Riding with Grandpa in the Haunted House and a ghost sitting on his lap, the Tower of Terror and how he liked it the first time, but after the second time he doesn't know if he NEEDS to go on it again until he is a little bigger, riding Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Railroad nearly a dozen times, battling Cpt. Sling with help from Cpt. Jack Sparrow in his pirate costume, Mickey battling the Dragon during the Fantamic! show and surprisingly, Mount Everest at Animal Kingdom which he was not tall enough for. He describes it from the commercial he saw, asks Steve for minute by minute details right before he asks if we can go to Disney World when he is big enough to ride it. Abe runs a slideshow of the Disney pictures at least once a day. It was really a magical week for a four year old and much needed family time.

The Internet

After 40 days of drought, I now feel like a liberated woman with internet! 3 weeks of back-and-forths with internet companies, first one and then another, we are finally up and running! It is a great day for the Barlows! We have added all of our pictures from 10 days at Disney World and our first trip into the city of Buenos Aires on Flickr. I will post many stories and pictures over the next couple of days as well. THe internet connection also means that we have our home phone working again! You can call us locally at our phone number from the States. I look forward to hearing from you and posting regularly.

A Thanksgiving Update

We have officially lived in Argentina for a week! We still can´t believe that we are here! I have really created a little island for myself. I have yet to go into the city because, well, it is just more difficult to do a lot here with two kids in tow. There is limited handicap accessibility, which means that it takes more effort to get the three of us with a double stroller in and out of just about anywhere. I walk to the downtown area of our suburb just about everyday to check email and get out of the house.

We dad Thanksgiving dinner with a small group of other expat families. The time with other Americans was needed! I speak very limited Spanish and thre are very few people whom I have come in contact with (retail stores and security guards) who speak English. We have only seen two Argentine children out during the day in the entire week (excluding Saturday) that we have been here and both have "attacked" Abe. Once in a restaurant where a little boy came to our table and tried to start kissing Abe and crawling on his lap. When we asked him to get down a few times in both english and spanish, he did not listen. The waiter finally came over and pulled the kid off of Abe and took him to his parents who were apparently on the other side of the restaurant eating and hadn´t really noticed that he was gone. The second time a small child, about 2, walked up to Abe and started poking him all over on his arm and face. He was just being a kid, but needless to say, the interaction with other children from Virginia and other parts of the States was really a huge relief for Abe. They had a house full of toys and the other boys his age. He didn´t want to leave. I think that it was nice for him to see tha tthings will be different for him here when he has his own toys and starts school and makesnew friends. I think that our move has been the most difficult for him. He has known most of his friends in Virginia since birth and this is a big transition. I know that in a couple of months he will have worked through the transition.

They are just beginning work on our new kithen in our permanent house this week, so we will be in temporary housing through the holidays. We have had the opportunity to walk through this permanent house and we are very pleased. We think that it will be great for our family and will work with our own things. Honestly, I don´t really mind not having most of our belongings, but I am really looking forward to getting them because I realize what a comfort it is for our children to know that they will still be able to play with there favorite toys and sleep in their own beds.


We have setup our computer at home, but will not have internet for another week, so until then, communication is limited and difficult. When we get internet, our phone number from the States will once again work. If you call it now, I can listen to the voice messages through my email.

Despite the previous complaints, we really are grateful to be here. This is a wonderful city and we look forward to having many more wonderful experiences here. I look forward to catching up with everyone very soon!

Bienvenido a Buenos Aires

I just want to let everyone know that we have arrived to Buenos Aires safely. We will not have internet access for sometime, but I found an internet cafe a long walk from our house. I will try to update you periodically until we have our own internet access. We have hundreds of pictures from Disney World and Buenos Aires that I will post to flickr.com.

We love and miss you all! Who knew that so few people would speak english? Here is to hoping that I don´t have a lot of trouble expanding on my limited knowledge of the language!

A Pirate Halloween

Here are a few pics of the kids from tonight. I will update this entry later. I am only posting these now because the movers take my computer away in the morning and I will have limited access to the internet until around Thanksgiving when we receive our shipment in Argentina.

Our New House a.k.a. The Fortress

We just received these pictures from Buenos Aires this morning and I thought that I would share them. It seems a little intrusive to post someones pictures who obviously was not aware picture would be taken that day, but we are excited about it. It definitely does not lack greenery! And there should be no question about our safety! There are lights on motion sensors, a security system, and the huge walled gate! I think that this house has a lot of potential! It is hard to visualize when it is filled with someone else's things, particularly if it is not your style, but with these beautiful hardwood floor and a little touch of Pottery Barn and we will really be able to make it our own!

Full Front View

Front Door

Swimming Pool and Pool House

BBQ "Quicho" with full and half bath for visitors

Playroom with small kitchenette

Master Bedroom

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Guest Bedroom

Living Room

Dining Room

Garden (wall with plants has been replaced)

Garage

Half Bath (Check out the gold sink!)

Hall Bathroom

Housing Assignment

After much anticipation, we finally learned about our housing assignment in Buenos Aires! This was a much needed "pick-me-up" in the midst of all the moving preparations and the sadness of saying good-bye.

Here is the email description:

You have been assigned to a house in Martinez. The house has four bedrooms, a nice playroom with fireplace and outdoor terrace on the top floor, a yard with pool and pool house. The kitchen is being completely remodeled as I write this and it may not be done in time for your arrival. You should be prepared to be in temporary housing for a short period – we’re trying hard to push forward on this to make sure you are in your permanent housing before he holidays. Temporary housing would either be an apart/hotel or perhaps a vacant unit in our housing pool if something comes up to coincide with the time you would need the temporary housing. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions that you might have…..being specific about work completion dates is more difficult in Argentina than in the U.S.

We feel so blessed! Martinez is a suburb in the north of the city close to the American School. It is about 9 miles to work, but on the best days will take about 30 minutes. Most days however, will take about 45 minutes. In a city of 13 million people (nearly twice the size of NYC), we had to sacrifice proximity for a yard! We hope that you find time to come and visit... apparently we will have room for guests!

Cox Farms

Yesterday, a large group of us (it was scheduled as an Enrichment Activity) took the kids to Cox Farms. The weather was wonderful (unlike last year) and we could have spent another 3-4 hours there if nap weren't needed. Abe has been looking forward to going again since we went last year and he remembered right where everything was located. It is a large farm with a tractor hay ride, 10 large slides built on the hills, including a potato sack ride. There are apple and cider located throughout the park and everyone get to take home a small patch pumpkin on their way out. The entire farm was covered with the beautiful mums at the height of their bloom and color. Fall is the best!

"Big Smile" a.k.a "Stretch Your Face"

Peyton loves to give "big smiles" on demand, which is the same facial expression, or should I say body expression (the whole body tenses up), as my sister would do when you asked her to "stretch her face"! It is hilarious and she will do it over and over because she knows that she always gets a reaction! We all like to join in the fun. Cristi, this one is for you!


Last week, the kids and I made and decorated Halloween cookies. They really loved it, but I think that they might have loved eating the sprinkles that missed the cookies even more!


Steve also contributed to our dinner by making these fantastic shish kabobs. They looked great and tasted even better!

National Zoo

Yesterday, after the first session of General Conference, we headed downtown to the National Zoo as a reward for sitting reverently (I am not sure that is the right word to describe the situation- lol) for 2 hours. We had a great time and thought that we would share a few pictures.

Happy Birthday Alicia!

On Wednesday, we threw a surprise bday brunch for Alicia. Her husband took a few hours off of work in the morning to get her out of the house while we all snuck in to surprise her when she arrived. She had NO idea. We had a wonderful time.

Alicia is one of the strongest, kindest, warmest women that I know. I am extremely grateful for our friendship. We have had so many wonderful times as we have raised our children together for the last 4 years. As many of her friends are, I can't help but be humbled by her example.

Happy Birthday Alicia!

Our Pennsylvania Getaway

With our house on the market and potential buyers ready to arrive at a moments notice, we decided that it would be better if we took the opportunity to go away for the weekend. Since we moved to DC 4 years ago, we have wanted to go and visit the famous Chocolate World in Hershey, PA. We had driven through late at night on our few trips from Oberlin to DC, but there was never time for the detour.

The kids loved the Factory Works Experience. They gave them hats, pushed a button that filled up their "gears" with Kisses from the conveyor belt and then asked them to shake them up with a little dance before sending them away. The girl in charge of the exhibit was so energetic. She really acted as though it was the first time that she had done it that day and yet, it must have been the trillionth!

We then headed from the Hershey's Great American Chocolate Tour to learn about the chocolate making process. This was the kids' favorite part. It was a short ride and probably has not been updated since the 1960's, but we had to go on this ride 5 times in the course of the two days. It turned out to be the best bargaining chip for good behavior available. If only we did not have to bribe our children... :)
Hershey's Really Big 3D Show is an animated 3D show meant for children. We wore 3D glasses, were "rained" on, and felt rats under our feet. A huge spider even exploded on us and it felt like all of it's guts had gone all over us. Peyton refused to wear the glasses, so I can only imagine what she thought was happening. She was really confused when the water sprayed down on us and spent 3-4 minutes looking all around the theater and up at the ceiling.

In the morning we woke up and headed to Hershey Gardens including The Children's Garden and the Butterfly House. Although it took some time to sell the idea to Steve, we
all had a great time. Peyton insisted on kissing all of the animal statues (as she kisses just about anything that looks alive and non-threatening). Steve and Abe found their own fun by playing hide and seek - the tall bushes were just too irresistible. Abe was enthralled in the physics of the ball at the top of the fountain and sun clock.

On our way home from Hershey we took a detour to Lancaster. I am completely intrigued by the Amish people. I am not quite sure what my fascination is exactly. I love the peaceful country roads and getting a glimpse of what life was like not so long ago. Living in Ohio, we had many opportunities to go to Amish country, but we thought that the kids (abe in particular) would appreciate the horse and buggies. We found a small petting zoo and park in the heart of Intercourse. There were modern and Amish families enjoying the weather and it was nice to sit and have a conversation with an Amish woman and her 5 nieces.

Fall is my favorite season and it was a great time of year to make the trip. Gourds decorated the facades of many quaint buildings, tall corn filled the fields
and the trees have begun to change into many brilliant shades of orange. As much as we had hoped to be overseas by now, I am grateful to have one more beautiful fall in Virginia.

FOR SALE

As we prepare to begin a new chapter of our life, we must close on this one! Here are the pictures for our online listing and brochures. We can't believe that we are actually selling it! As most of you know, if was a very difficult decision. Our plan is to feel out the market through October and then rent it if we don't feel that we are getting the offers that would compensate us for all of the renovations. Sometime in the near future, I will post before and after pictures together. It is astonishing to see the old pictures from our walk-through when we purchased this condo 3 years ago.

The Cruise

Last week, we enjoyed a 7-night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Adventurer of the Seas. We departed out of San Juan, PR and made 5 more stops on islands in the Southeast Caribbean. I will blog about these islands soon, as they were more interesting than the ship.

Thanks to my mother-in-law, we were able to leave the kids behind and spend some well-deserved time together. With all of Steve's travels this year and the pressures of a large move, it was nice to forget about all that we left behind and just have a great time! We enjoyed first-class dinners while they were were hot, only cut up our own meat, sat and talked for as long as our conversation lasted and slept until our bodies told us that it was time to get up. It was completely rejuvenating.

There was a professional photographer around every corner and so we took advantage of the time that we had to actually get ourselves ready! This was the first time that we have had professional pcitures of us taken since we were married more than 7 years ago! Now if we can just brave a family photo...