Beach day

When I told Andoni we would be going to the beach, his whole face lit up. I then had to explain to him that Minnesota is not near any saltwater ocean at all, so our "beach" here is man made and at a lake. He was a little skeptical.

clothes, and ourselves and headed out. And only 10 minutes away, we arrived at Bryant Lake in a city called Eden Prairie for a few hours in the sun and coarse sand. I was looking forward especially to having Andoni meet some more friends and play.

My biggest goal each day is to create diversions from the tv and computer. In the summer at our home, we have a "no computer, no tv rule," because I want my children to get the most out of being home. That has been our policy for a couple of years. However, I know for Andoni, the computer is a real means of comfort for him because he can talk with friends on chat in Basque. So, sometimes he needs some encouraging to engage with us here rather than talk with his friends there. I am hoping that as time goes on, he will begin to naturally desire less time on the computer and more time talking and playing here, with us. In the meantime, I have been inviting him to play games, go outside, and find things other than computer.

I was hoping our trip to the beach would be nice and long so that the kids could really play and make some good memories. And, sure enough, I think Andoni really enjoyed his time there. When we first got there, our friends had not yet arrived and the kids were anxiously waiting for them. Andoni did not know what to expect and I think was a little wary of the whole thing. After about fifteen minutes, our friends arrived (two other families) and there were lots of children for everyone to play with. Andoni met two boys, Jonah and Daniel, who immediately asked him to kick a soccer ball around (of course) and then they swam and ran around playing and just talking the rest of the afternoon. It is so much fun to see Andoni having fun especially with other kids here. I thought it was a great day and we made plans to meet again.

Andoni had soccer practice in the evening and Quinn had a game. Andoni's coach, Phil, thinks that Andoni can play next weekend on a boys U13 team possibly in the Schwan's Cup. Quinn's team is playing that weekend as well, so that would be great fun.

Also, we have made plans to see Andoni's brother on Monday and Tuesday next week!! I talked with Inigo's host mother yesterday and they will bring Inigo to our home Monday afternoon and we will have dinner together, he can stay here over night and then on Tuesday, we may go up to the pool to relax. We are all looking forward to that!! Andoni seems excited.

Until next time.