Warren Piece: Summer Vacation Part IV

Grandma turned 62 while we were in Mexico! To celebrate her birthday, we decorated the hotel room with streamers and balloons. Everyone was given a party blower at Grandma's special breakfast. Jess made one of his Mexican specialties - huevos con salchicha (English translation- scrambled eggs with sliced hot dogs). In honor of Grandma's birthday, Grandpa took the entire family to a Mexican fiesta on the beach. A huge buffet of traditional Mexican fare was served including: tamales, mole, carnitas, tacos, quesadillas, fresh fruit, and every imaginable salsa. The desserts were just as yummy: rice pudding, flan, churros and rosettes with chocolate dipping sauce, crispy candy apples, and Mexican hot chocolate. While we feasted, a 10 year old Mexican boy created hats, swords, and animals out of balloons for the kids. At dusk, we enjoyed watching the performances of Mayan dancers, Mariachis, and folkloric acrobats who swung upside down from a tall pole all the while playing traditional flutes and drums.

Grandma's "Happy Birthday" streamers.

Nicholas loved playing with the balloons.

Ava wearing her balloon hat at the fiesta.

Brahm and Ava at the fiesta.

Dangling and playing instruments at the same time.

There was a lot of "Ay ay ay ay!" from the audience while the Mariachis performed.

Simon and Brahm eating their crispy candy apples a day or two after the fiesta.

I loved the Grand Mayan resort, because there was absolutely no need to travel outside of it. A lazy river, a wave pool, a Mayan pyramid water slide, water spewing fountains, and several swimming pools kept the kids occupied for the entire week. The resort offered complimentary activities such as yoga, volleyball, water aerobics, Latin dance classes, and craft making. The afternoon poolside games and dancing kept us (onlookers) very entertained.

Grandma with Simon and Ava in the lazy river.

Grandma, Simon, and Ava nearing a waterfall.

Jess and the kids in the lazy river.

Climbing up the pyramid steps to the water slide.

The water slide.

Here comes Ava....

.....and Simon!

Simon and Ava in the wave pool.

We were witnesses to a beautiful beach wedding reception one evening. The night prior to the reception, we watched two men sculpt the Virgin Mary out of sand for the event.