What did the kids do during summer break?

School is over for 2 months. In the morning on week days we do some homeschooling (spelling and conjugations). On Sunday mornings we go to the local Vilcabamba market

We had a bicycle built for Louis at this shop.

We could not find a helmet that would fit Louis. Head shapes are different here. Bring your own helmet!



This is Chino. He built Louis's bike mostly from used parts, for a total price of $80. It is a good deal for here since a new bike will cost at least $140.

Louis loves his bike and rides on the plaza with Leo.

Louis loves crochet

and also practices wheelies

We went to Loja by bus for our big errands

Louis and Angelina do not enjoy the bus ride

The bus can be very crowded

But they do enjoy the toy store "Jugueton" and the French fries at "Supermaxi"

They love reading "Tintin" at bedtime using their headlamps

Sometimes we borrow a cartoon from the library and they get to watch it on the laptop. They watched the latest
'Tintin" movie by Steven Spielberg. They said they want to borrow it again.

Louis and Angelina had a special surprise for their dad on Father's day

They came up with this design on their own out of nowhere. Here it was on the kitchen floor all of a sudden. Peter was very touched.

We have been hanging out with Leo and his mum Ely. Leo is from Texas and lived in Chile for 6 years. They have been in Vilcabamba for a little less than a year. Marshmallow skewers are great. This campfire is in our backyard.

Waiting for the fire to be ready

Ely inflated ballons in the shape of flowers, swords and helmets. It was a riot at our house!

When the weather is sunny enough they acan go play in the river or the creek next to our house

 Leo comes out with a bunch of toys, it's great

Some locals were playing base-ball with an old foam tube

Ah, the yoyos!

There was a real base-ball game going on with Leo's dad

They also love playing video games at Leo's house on a windy afternoon. The girls on the right are Yukira from South Africa and Haley from the U.S.

Louis and Angelina enjoy hanging out at our neighbours' house

Angelina likes helping Gisela do laundry outside by hand. A stone laudry wash basin like this is a luxury in Vilcabamba. 

We had another campfire on another day. Angelina made a wedding drawing and Louis played with his top in the backyard.

Angelina especially loves to draw and paint. She is very good at it. She also likes to write short stories.

Louis is getting good at spinning his top. Check out this movie:

 Louis enjoys playing soccer with our next door neighbour "Vice"

We also go for hikes

We go out for lunch once a month, This time we went to the restaurant "Terraza" and had hamburgers and fries. We played cards while waiting.

We also enjoy having an organic soup for $1 at the "Juice Factory". People also play chess there and hang out a lot.

A musician was playing at the Juice Factory that day

 Louis has a great time with the new RER he just received.

This man makes interesting metal toys

 We bought the buggy for Louis's birthday. He's going to have to wait to have it... We bought the heart for Angelina's upcoming birthday

 This is Taelia, Angelina's best friend from school, and her little sister

 Yanou gave a ride to Angelina

 Peter still makes Fremch toast for brunch on Sundays.

This is the old French card game called "1000 bornes" or 1000 miles.