Today is a mandated “no car day” in Bogota. I am not exactly sure when the mayor decided this but yesterday we got the notification. As diplomats we have the privilege of driving but everyone else minus taxis and buses are restricted. The streets are very quiet this morning. I glanced out the window while we were eating breakfast and there were a few risk takers driving the streets! I am guessing many people ended up staying home because it would be impossible for everyone to fit in taxis and buses. I could make a lot of money today driving our car as a taxi. Somehow that doesn’t seem safe to me!

What would you do in the US if today the government told you they were going to not allow you to drive tomorrow. You had to find a way to walk or ride in a bus with 50 other people to save gas and minimize pollution. I know the new movement about “going green”. But honestly as Americans, do we want to be inconvenienced?!  I imagine the minute “going green” stripped us of our choice to independence we would be less inclined to wear “going green” t-shirts and bumper stickers!

On a side note, we had a new bedroom set made that was delivered last night.  Because of the no car day today they were panicking to get deliveries done last night. Our bed, etc arrived after 10 PM! It was so crazy. I was so ready to be in bed and we were waiting for men to haul furniture in the pitch black!

Thank you all for your birthday wishes! I had a great birthday! Seth took me out to dinner on Sat night at a swanky restaurant here in Bogota. And then we went for dessert at a little bakery that we love. We had one of their amazing cookies and hot chocolate. The hot chocolate is literally that..melted chocolate! It was so rich that we asked for a little thing of steamed milk to be able to drink it! Yesterday Seth and Jackson had a little birthday cake and sang to me. They had made me a birthday card which was so sweet! The best part of the day was that Seth got up with Jackson and let me sleep in! It was such a treat!

Dinner at Criterion

If you ever come to Bogota we will take you to Rauch! They make the best cookies we have ever had!!

Making a wish!

Anyhow, thanks for the birthday wishes! I am feeling old but also feeling blessed by so many wonderful friends and family!

Saturday we had some new friends over for a “potluck brunch”. Whenever new people arrive in Seth’s section we try to have a get together so we can meet new friends. In particular friends with kiddos.

Here are a few pictures…

Doesn’t it make it look like Seth was watching all of the kids!!

Jackson and Ella enjoying the ball popper…they were taking turns having the air blow up in their faces

Katie and Ronan. We are so happy that Katie is here safe and sound. Her mom had to med-evac a few months ago with pre-eclampsia! Katie made her debut early but is doing beautifully!

more friends

again, Seth being super daddy, holding not one but two 18 month olds!

Other happenings,

Our side view mirror got stolen off the car yesterday in broad daylight while I was with Jackson in his jardin. How annoying! We got the name of a guy that sells rear view mirrors, we are going to buy ours back from him!

Jackson turns 18 months old on Friday! Time flies!! I can NOT believe that he is more of a toddler than he is a baby.

Seth is pumped about LOST starting tonight and I am excited that my wii fitness coach dvd arrived today! Jackson is excited because his Christmas gift box arrived. All of his Christmas gifts were in a box we mailed from the states. It appeared it had gotten lost. Much to our delight it was found yesterday!

Those are the happenings! Nothing too exciting!

Yesterday Jackson and I hosted our baby groups Halloween/Fall party. Adding costumes to the mix of that many kids made for a not so chill get together, but everyone had fun! Here are a few pictures to share!! More Halloween pics to come from the official day!

Mono

Jackson wanted to be with baby Ben, none of this sit with all of the kids stuff!

The littlest punkins!

yummy food for the moms

Seth even helped make the icing when I was in a rush the night before!

The very littlest punkin…less than 3 weeks! So cute!

We all had fun! Jackson is still finding cheerios here, there and everywhere! He is gearing up for being a monkey again at the Embassy tomorrow! He gets to walk around and Trick or Treat at all of the offices!