Author Archives: familystoke

As soon as the quarantine started to lift, all of the local parents were desperate for our kids to get more social engagement and activity enrichment. In swooped our favorite teacher. She normally teaches the preschoolers and does Spanish lessons for the older kids. However, she had the brilliant idea to start a drama classContinue reading “Bippity Boppity Boo”

We have been living in our little protected bubble since March. Usually by this time, we would have traveled several times with at least two trips to the U.S. In a way, the time has really helped us feel more rooted to our home. However, last week we realized that both AJC had the nextContinue reading “Family Adventures in Morrillo”

2020 has continued to be bananas, but a mixed bunch. Some have been perfect, and others have been super rotten. Globally, the world has been a dumpster fire. The U.S. has been hit especially hard by Covid, has experienced months of protests to address the continued injustice of Black people in America, and most recentlyContinue reading “Back to School….Finally”

As mentioned in my previous post, we entered into 2020 with a lot of plans.  In fact, I had a three phase spreadsheet lining out the deadlines we would have to meet to move back to the U.S. in summer 2021. The action items included deadlines for construction on our outdoor kitchen, steps for aContinue reading “2020 is BANANAS (Part 2)”

I haven’t written since New Years.  We all started 2020 like we do the beginning of any year- full of plans and aspirations.  Little did we realize that 2020 had plans of its own. January started innocently enough.  We rushed back from Colombia to welcome some of my dearest friends to Panama.  Over a decadeContinue reading “2020 is BANANAS (Part 1)”

We travelled to Buffalo again for Christmas this year. I know everyone thinks we are crazy to go to Buffalo in the winter, but there is just something magical about a white Christmas. Granted, Buffalo didn’t quite deliver this year and Christmas was more of a cold, muddy, sloppy Christmas, but it was still magicalContinue reading “Buffalove Christmas 2019”

From the wintery blister of Buffalo, we headed to tropical Cartagena, Colombia for New Year’s. Cartagena is located on the Caribbean coast and features an old colonial city surrounded by a protective wall. I didn’t expect to like Cartagena because I expected it to be just like Panama City. It totally exceeded my expectations. WhileContinue reading “New Year’s in Colombia”

I always scoffed at the idea of taking my kids to Disney World. I didn’t want to take them somewhere so commercial and manufactured. Travel is supposed to be about experiencing new cultures, learning about history and our environment. Not to mention- the crowds, the lines, and all the Disney fanatics. However, living where weContinue reading “Disney Adventures”

The boys wrapped up their school year on December 5th with an end of year celebration. Asher finished 1st grade and Parker completed pre-k 2. The year was not without its challenges. It was the first year for the new international school in Pedasi. We feel thankful to finally have a quality educational option inContinue reading “End of the Year Celebrations”

In November, PJC turned the big four. I always forget that he is actually so young because he keeps up with his older brother. To celebrate he wanted a T-Rex party. This is his third dinosaur party in a row. I’m not sure he realizes he can choose anything different. We had about forty peopleContinue reading “PJC Turns 4!”