Costa Rica: If you find yourself waking up there (part 1)

If you follow me on Twitter, or if you check out my tweets on my sidebar, then you know that Mr. Marvelous and I just arrived back from sultry Costa Rica. What a relaxing and rejuvinating time we had. And, what's even better is that we were ready and rearing to come home at the end. That's when you know your trip was successful.

Now tell me this. Who of you out there, have ever been on a vacation, only to arrive home and feel the need to vacation a few more days inside your home in preparation for the upcoming, busy, on the go schedule you prefer most for you and your 4under3?

Because I have.

[Phew] I'll be honest, I've found that since we've arrived home, the first thoughts that have entered my head each morning as I begin to wake, consist of lounging around the house with my little people, keeping my phone powered to off, and finishing off the scrumptious Peanut Butter cookies that a friend came over to make with the children while we were away. And, believe me, we're soaking it all in while we can. Once Monday comes, the children and I are movin' on out for a few weeks while our kitchen remodel kicks off. More on that later.

And speaking of waking each morning, if you happen to find yourself waking in Costa Rica:

1. It's probably around 5:30, since the sun rises around that time year round (and sets at 5:30 in the afternoon). But if you can't figure out the time change, or you're thrown off by what your husband's cell phone tells you, what your rental truck says, and what your bedroom alarm clock reads, then don't even worry about what time it is at all during your stay. In fact, when you arrive here:

for breakfast an entire hour early--because 5 days into your vacation you've still not figured out the true time, having moved clocks back then forward many times--just pull out your travel Scrabble from the back of your truck and proceed to beat your husband for the first time since your honeymoon, while you wait for 7 o'clock to roll around.

2. Do remember that the translation section in your Costa Rican hand guide might help when trying to communicate with Ticos who don't know a lick of English are usually left staring after everything you try to say in Spanish are soley Spanish speakers. Don't try to rely on the little amount of Espanol that you and your husband remember from high school Spanish class. That's when you'll be here:

trying to ask a young Tica how much a pineapple is, but mistakenly asking, "What time is it?" She'll probably look at her wristwatch and give you a dazed and confused look until you realize exactly what you just said.

3. And speaking of failing to understand, while you're out and about in Costa Rica and hearing fast flowing Spanish conversations, you might liken it to your twin 20 month olds' babbling language that carries on between the two. You just might miss them terribly at that point. Then, you'll think of Julia and Luke, too. And while playing in the warmest pool you've ever felt, your husband might make up a "L" and "J" hand sign for them, like this:

4. You'll want to go hunt down some Surf instructors who could teach you a thing or two about riding a wave.

You might chuckle at the fact that the surf dudes are really from Oregon and Houston (Hola Larry and Brett!) but prefer to reside in the tiny village of Esterillos Oeste, a community known for attracting diehard wave catchers from around the world. And you might want to brag about the skillz you picked up from your 2 hour lesson during high tide. I bet you'll consider yourself a surfer from then on.

5. You'll enjoy everything so much--down to the little crabs that were found scurrying across the beach each morning:that you'll want to blog about it over and over and over, leaving your blog community wanting to vomit tidbits of Costa Rica filled to overflowing with knowledge of this Central American country.

Stand by for part 2.