Today Emma, Danni and I went to the Presidential Palace to watch the changing of guard. Every Monday they make it a big elaborate ceremony with all the guards and horses. The cabby dropped us off about a block away and it was just crazy! There were lots of people, security, police, army personnel carrying huge weapons and a procession coming through going towards the Presidential Palace (the pres doesn't live here just works here). People were chanting, cheering, holding up signs --- I was clueless of what they said but I was thinking it was some type of political rally going on. Needless to say I was a bit nervous!! What did I get my kids into!! I did figure out a few signs and they were pro the president and the crowd seemed in control so we manuvered our way through this crowd away from the palace. I believe the President - or someone important was in this procession. He spoke a few words, people cheered, and then he disappeared. Most of the crowd then left. It still wasn't 11 AM so I was thinking that the changing of the guard was still going to take place which it did. It was very cool even though we couldn't see everything that was going on. We did have a great view of the horses so Emma and Danni both enjoyed that. They were beautfiul horses. The President or who ever it was came back out and waved at the crowd and they cheered. It was still pretty busy and Danni got crabby so we found a cab and went home. Emma by the way is pretty good at hailing a cab! :) Today we also had our English/Spanish teacher come for Emma and Danni's lesson. She came last Friday for the first time and will come 3 times a week. She works 45 minutes with Emma and 45 minutes with Danni. She is an English teacher for 1st graders and is great!! We tried to get a tutor when we first got here but they never showed up when they were suppose to. She is our 3rd try but I am glad we kept trying as we really like her! Emma's Spanish is really coming along. She says she doesn't know anything but when she needs to speak in Spanish she can do it. Danni too - he is so smart but would rather point and grunt instead of using his words. He knows some words in English - just finds it easier not to use them or to use his Spanish babble - I say babble because he doesn't always use the entire Spanish word - just part of it. So we have started not to answer to the points and grunts - he gets a little ticked off at times but eventually he talks using the proper word in English or Spanish. That's it for today. Later! Mari
