tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854Mon, 02 Sep 2024 07:54:10 +0000expat lifetoddlersislandersfoodfriendsCaribbeanClinica EsperanzaMud Hole RoadbabysittersschoolHawaiian shirtsbirthdaysclothesdogsgrandparentsChristmasaguacowsfamily vacationtwinsBobbiesEasterHalloweenMananaThanksgivingartbanksbeachboat drinkscampcoming homeflip-flopshealthcaremidlife crisispoolprincessesshoesCrocsartistcleaningearthquakespiratesplanessnowThirty sun-soaked months. Two houses, two palapas, two babies. Hartford to Honduras and back.http://www.twinsonanisland.com/noreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)Blogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-4684587042975826304Mon, 28 Mar 2011 01:03:00 +00002013-10-22T15:18:40.753-04:00CaribbeanclothesI broke down this weekend and bought an ironing board. Then unpacked my iron. I don't think I've ironed anything in three years, maybe four. There's no reason to iron anything on a tropical island; you look wilted all the time. I was motivated partly from disgust at how expensive dry cleaning has become. Fifty bucks for three items? Come on.  And I was motivated even more by frustration.http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2011/03/domestic-bliss.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-8478602550604600441Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:47:00 +00002011-01-28T06:47:37.018-05:00coming homesnowSeventy-one (yes, that's 71) inches of snow requires some special equipment. Looks a little different than our last home and frontyard. How amazing to have claimed both sand and snow as your own, and you're not yet four years old. http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2011/01/its-not-like-sand-mama.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-8290464165581438810Wed, 26 Jan 2011 11:57:00 +00002011-01-26T09:39:50.221-05:00coming homeThem: "Mama! Are you going to your work at the Science Moo-Seum Water Park?" Me: Yes. Them: "We want to come too! We can come to the Science Moo-Seum Water Park after school, Mama?" Me: Well, maybe. Them: "We can come to your office with the LEGO's, Mama?" Me: Sure, sometime. Them: "Why do you get to go to work and we don't?" Me: I don't get to play in KidSpace unless you are there http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2011/01/bumbling-mama-re-enters-workforce-after.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-3953267771573435619Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:25:00 +00002010-09-07T17:11:37.839-04:00babysittersexpat lifetwins Heavy-duty equipment: Twins on an Island in their BOB Duallie, 2007 "I don't know how you guys do it," say our friends. They mean to be supportive but really are just pointing out the obvious: We are permanently exhausted from numerous night-time awakenings; dazed by the constant requests for juice, milk, drawing paper, donuts, TV, chocolate milk, grape juice, more drawing paper, donuts http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2010/09/my-favorite-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-1559237734987653529Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:04:00 +00002010-09-05T20:05:55.400-04:00friendsHawaiian shirtsprincessestwinsHaving twins is like hosting a never-ending playdate. As soon as 5pm rolls around, I'm desperately wishing one of them would go home for dinner somewhere else. But, I'm increasingly aware of how lucky Delaney and Hayden are to have each other. They are never (OK, rarely) bored.  Last week they started a new school, their second since leaving Roatan in June. They marched in like they ownedhttp://www.twinsonanisland.com/2010/09/never-ending.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-2046581715239463Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:33:00 +00002010-08-03T09:08:56.289-04:00Hawaiian shirtsprincessesI have gone from Island Mama to Stage Mama, having dragged Delaney and Hayden (and Mike) to not one but two community theater productions in the last six weeks. First we saw Thumbelina, and yesterday it was Cinderella.  Even better, I dragged the poor munchkins on stage to meet the King and Queen during intermission. I'll admit this was more thrilling for me than for either of them. "May Ihttp://www.twinsonanisland.com/2010/08/stage-mama.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-7375645447884698068Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:11:00 +00002010-07-01T16:11:57.669-04:0030 months in paradise.Two crazy gringos, two feisty babies, two beautiful houses.One spectacular view.No looking back. We're home. And it's bueno. http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2010/07/twins-in-mini.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-4731547102599656040Fri, 28 May 2010 16:50:00 +00002010-05-28T23:02:33.239-04:00Remember the bag of 100 balls Mike bought a couple years back, to the delight of Delaney and Hayden who threw them all over the house? And all over the yard.... and over the banister... and under the car...? As an appropriate conclusion to our life at Dos Palapas, Hayden threw them ALL once more into the pool five minutes before we were set to leave for the last time.  Mike's final job (http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2010/05/final-splash.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-8546706292181631868Thu, 20 May 2010 17:07:00 +00002010-05-21T16:22:02.439-04:00expat lifeOur stuff arrived on Roatan in a 40-foot container. It's leaving in a 20-foot. But this time it's without the help of Ron and Rob, the "professional relocation experts" in Connecticut who had a truck full of supplies and burly men. So our sincere and special thanks goes to U-Line for creating a "basic moving kit" that they shipped to us novices, stranded on an island with no moving companies, http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2010/05/winding-down-carnival.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-3808328253642901925Sat, 08 May 2010 23:31:00 +00002010-05-08T20:43:49.759-04:00If you look to the right: you look through the window of our open-air Balinese shower, over the Spanish tile roof, across one of two thatch-covered palapas that frame the swimming pool, over the lawn and treetops of the deep Palmetto Bay shore, and out across the vast expanse of the Caribbean Sea. If you look to the left: you look through the glass French shower doors, over the jacuzzi tub, http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2010/05/view-from-shower.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-592557504364047909Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:08:00 +00002010-04-30T11:55:57.831-04:00dogsSooner than we thought, it's time to say good-bye.Sonoma died of poison on Palm Sunday. She whispered farewell in a dream, dreamt by my Dad in Los Angeles. At the time we didn't understand the dream's significance, but now we do. We were far away, but Sonoma found us.Her body was discovered on Easter and she was buried on the lawn of Dos Palapas, our home on Roatan for the last two-and-a-half http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2010/04/remembering-sonoma.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-4046214715487691586Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:38:00 +00002010-01-30T22:32:43.021-05:00toddlersDelaney and Hayden have recently discovered the world of fairy tales through the movie Thumbelina.I still remember the original Hans Christian Andersen film: "Thumbelina, what's the difference if you're very small? When your heart is full of love, you're nine feet tall."But this remake features new music by the unlikely ensemble of Barry Manilow, Charo and Carol Channing. Try tuning into this http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2010/01/someday-my-prince.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-4213470358646257157Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:32:00 +00002010-01-15T17:39:27.257-05:00ChristmastoddlerstwinsThis Christmas gave us another opportunity to reflect on gender stereotypes, what it means to have Twins, and the continued relevance of Dear Abby.Without prompting (we swear), Delaney decided she wanted Santa to bring her a Baby with a Bottle. Hayden decided he wanted an Airplane, with an Airport.We (Mike, me, and my Mom) discussed (debated) the idea of getting Twin Dolls, one for each, a Boy http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2010/01/twice-is-nice-but-to-each-their-own.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-6852971644574319160Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:07:00 +00002010-01-09T21:54:23.174-05:00ChristmastoddlersLook, Laney. There's That Man. That's not a Man, Hayden. That's a Prince. Like you. Somewhere between Christmas and New Year's, between Los Angeles and Roatan, Delaney stopped calling her brother "Aynee" (rhymes with "heinee") and started calling him Hayden. Her Prince.src="http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=54f1cb33-36de-4935-8007-a31d068831d&type=website&style=rotate&http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2010/01/look-laney.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-1411670811508013558Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:03:00 +00002010-07-01T12:12:33.397-04:00Clinica EsperanzaislandersMud Hole Road It's been almost a year since I last wrote about Maria, the woman with 12 children who lives in a patchwork one-room house of thatch, metal and driftwood. Perched on a knoll alongside Mud Hole Road, within walking distance of the sea but miles on foot to anything approaching civilization. So many friends in Connecticut were kind enough to send clothing, toys and vitamins for Maria, her husband http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2009/12/maria-by-side-of-road.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-5161574283861223246Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:39:00 +00002009-11-08T21:18:25.198-05:00Halloweentoddlers"I want to put a sticker on the moon," Hayden says. "La Luna," Delaney corrects."Moona," he insists. "I want to put the sticker there."****"Storm coming, Laney," Hayden tells his sister."Going to rain?" she asks him."Yes, and tunder wake me up," he says."Need to take our rain coats to kool," she reminds him. "We no want t'get wet."***"Me do project," she announces."Me need goo.""And pens.""And http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2009/11/moona.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-2321295821770924173Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:00:00 +00002009-10-26T17:51:00.366-04:00schooltoddlersFridays are the days when Delaney and Hayden bring home their week's worth of artwork from Discovery Bay preschool. Usually there's a painted paper plate and the Letter of the Week colored in the Color of the Week.This Friday they had a surprise for Mommy. They had multiplied.The class project involved stuffed, life-size paper-bag recreations of themselves.Wearing their own clothes.Looking http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2009/10/and-then-there-were-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-7676830693602870713Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:24:00 +00002009-10-17T11:49:15.877-04:00Clinica EsperanzaislandersEver wonder what cruise ships do with their worn-out "stuff"?Well, the Carnival Valor gives a shout out to Nurse Peggy as it passes by our shores.Here, the Valor's Head of Housekeeping gives Clinica Esperanza notice of its bounty:From: VALOR HOUSEKEEPINGSent: Monday, September 28, 2009 8:08 AMTo: VALOR ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICERSubject: Donation in RoatanGood morning, Please be informed that this http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2009/10/good-nights-sleep.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-9032856919307765096Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:01:00 +00002009-10-11T19:57:44.013-04:00boat drinksCaribbeanexpat lifetoddlersLast Sunday we sought out the air conditioning at Wendy's Mega Clown Jungle Gym. Our hopes for endless hours of entertainment were so high that Mike and I even brought along books to read. You'd think we headed for Starbucks on a pre-twins morning after a hot date.Turned out only the room was hot and the clown was (as I've noted before) freakishly scary and far too big for unsupervised play. Sohttp://www.twinsonanisland.com/2009/10/holy-mackerel.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-3840017003628519691Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:51:00 +00002009-10-09T22:53:47.786-04:00expat lifetoddlersThe Mega Mall. Our new suburban-like parking lot surrounded by a scattering of shops, on the other side of the bumpy windy mountain road from our home at Palmetto Bay.Last Sunday Mike and I needed a mega dose of mall entertainment. At least I did, and I convinced him that he did, too.We decided to hit Wendy's for a cup of hot coffee in a sublimely air conditioned interior, complete with kids' http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2009/10/off-to-mall.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-3094043389886408407Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:37:00 +00002009-10-05T20:13:31.727-04:00expat lifetoddlersI've been thinking a lot about balance lately.Last weekend Hayden emptied the outdoor fridge of its contents (beer) and made his first (world's first?) Salva Vida Leaning Tower. Look at that smile and that perfectly balanced pose.He's started riding his baby-big-wheel while standing on the seat. Generally buck naked. Vroom Vroom.Delaney has learned to hold her breath and swim underwater. Without http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2009/10/balance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-3894063260082241662Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:08:00 +00002009-08-27T11:50:35.616-04:00by Michael KintnerThis week Hayden and Delaney turned 2 1/2. Forty years ago this week was my last week working for Senator Ted Kennedy in Washington.Last week, Delaney and Hayden (with considerable help from Mommy) made cupcakes for my 60th birthday. Last week, I assigned my high school class a paper on Woodstock, which was 40 years ago.Time has been on my mind, if not on my side.Two-and-a-half http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2009/08/time-and-senator.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-1268512997413959488Sun, 23 Aug 2009 02:29:00 +00002009-08-22T23:10:51.347-04:00Caribbeanexpat lifeThere' s a moment in the morning that sets the mood of the whole day, kind of like the first sip of coffee. It's the moment when I look up and actually notice the Caribbean sea in front of me. I can go for an hour, maybe more, without focusing on the ocean waves and expanse of blue that surround our house. So caught up in the first diaper changes ("change me pants"), first sippy cups of milk ("mehttp://www.twinsonanisland.com/2009/08/s.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-1337308391858330821Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:14:00 +00002009-08-13T22:22:55.847-04:00expat lifetoddlersMike bought me a treadmill last Saturday. Belated 40th birthday present.(Not in the same category as a blender or toaster gift. I really wanted this.)It was delivered early Tuesday morning. (Who would want/need a treadmill when you have year-round tropical weather and a pool and beach at your doorstep? Easy answer: air conditioning, satellite TV plus gorgeous views out the floor-to-ceiling http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2009/08/like-mice.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358476844416423854.post-2141690884387771969Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:06:00 +00002009-08-08T22:47:58.987-04:00toddlersAs I washed my face this morning, I glanced out of my right eye to see a lizard on my hairspray, peering at me curiously from above the words "super bounce and hold."Having just returned from New England vacation, I'm feeling overrun with tropical critters and lizards. This one was perilously close to my toothbrush.But while lizards in the bathroom are old news, there's much to report on summer http://www.twinsonanisland.com/2009/08/shoot-me-now.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Island Twins Mama)1