9/13/2010 - Jake turns 5 in Refugio!

We’ve been up in Refugio again for a few days and the big event was Jake turning 5!  Another birthday in Mexico, another party without kids.  Oh well.  I actually think he likes it better since he doesn’t have to compete with anyone for attention.  The benefit to us is that his expectations get lower every year.

This birthday started with chocolate chip pancakes and Gatorade.  After breakfast, Jake helped me mix and bake his birthday cake and make the icing.  He then proceeded to design his cake.  It was pretty extravagant.  He wanted a submarine shooting torpedos at an angler fish with a mini submarine escaping out the back.  Here’s what we ended up with…given my lack of talent for cake making and the materials we had to work with, I think it turned out ok (I know my friend Hunter is dying as she's looking at this.  She makes beautiful cakes...wish you were here!).

 For lunch he was treated to a bottomless plate of pb&j and cheesy poofs.  At 2:00 Mr. Scott and Ms. Terri came over for the showing of Return of the Jedi (I know, he’s only 5, but once you start them on Star Wars you can’t go back).  This was a special showing because it’s a movie bought in Mexico and only works on our computer as opposed to our dvd player (i.e. a whole different set of cables running to the tv).  Since mom and dad are lazy, we rarely watch it.

Following the movie, Jake was treated to his favorite meal of spaghetti and meatballs, complete with the meatballs!  The night ended with chocolate cake and presents, of which Jake was completely surprised since he thought he got all of his presents at Gigi’s house.

So here we sit the day after, trying to decide where to go next.  Andy hurt his back a few days ago so we’re in no hurry…I want to make sure he has enough time to really get better. 

It’s getting that time where we need to start thinking about heading south and making our way out of Mexico.  This is where it gets scary for me.  I’ve gotten quite comfortable here in the Sea of Cortez.  I won’t say I love it (It’s very dry…. all of my east coast buddies will understand when I say I need to see something GREEN), but I’m comfortable.  Once we start heading south, we have to step into the unknown again.  New cultures, new anchorages, new boats, new rules.  It’s exciting and intimidating all at the same time.  Someone called me brave a few weeks ago and said I must not be scared of anything.  I laughed at that.  I’m scared of EVERYTHING….I just do it anyway.

In a few more days we’ll take the long way back around Isla Angel de la Guardia to Bahia LA to check email one more time and get more food (we eat a lot, huh?).  Then I think we’re off to the mainland.  Anyone heading to Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, etc over the winter?  Drop us a line, maybe we’ll meet you there.