More from Mexico

The kidlets are thoroughly enjoying their time in Mexico. What's not to like? Lots of water, lots of sun, and four adults to cater to their every need. Monday the kids tried out the big water slide with their parents. Tuesday they played in the wave pool. So far they have not played on the beach. Kara says it's too hot (no shade) and the children have all stated they are not going into the ocean. (I think they'd love playing in the surf, if they just gave it a try--especially Viva.)

The only downside to their vacation is bedtime. The little ones tell their parents that they find the pull-out beds scary, so Bentley has been sleeping with Matt while Jake sleeps with Kara and Viva (brave girl that she is), sleeps on the couch in her grandparents' room. Bentley volunteered to take the couch last night when Viva asked to be someone's bed partner. That was a nice big brother.

Jake has been very clingy, keeping his mom close by at all times. Vacation is fun and all, but when in a strange environment it's always a good idea to keep one's mum in close range. Jake has taken this attitude to an extreme (he tends to be an extreme kind of guy) and he won't even share mom with Viva.

Here's Kara's report on this subject: "Viva would LIKE to be a little clingy, but Jake is pre-empting her with more flare than she can manage. She wanted to sit next to me on the plane - she never got to at all because Jake was going to throw a bigger fit. She had tears! She wants to sleep in bed with me, but Jake insists on sharing with me so that probably won't happen either. She'll cry when she wakes up, but she'll get over it. She's practical! Poor Viva!"

Jake has been a clinger since birth and Viva has more or less gracefully acceded to his superior dramatics. Jake does a beautiful job of crying. It wrenches your heart. The tears roll off his fat little cheeks or, when in deep distress, they actually leap off his cheeks. It's truly impressive what he can do with a tear or two or ten. Sometimes the tears pool in his eyes before cascading down. I give the boy an A++ for his crying technique, performance, and style. He's that good.

We've labeled Jake the sensitive one, but maybe it's Viva who's the sensitive one--letting Jake hog mom? Viva deserves more. She's the same age as Jake!