New BiMonthly Playgroup @ Playhouse Cafe

The Playhouse Cafe and Costa Rica Parents have teamed up to offer a
regular bimonthly Playgroup day the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month
from 1 - 4 pm!! The toys and setup of the cafe cater to the ages of
0-6 years, and we invite moms and dads to bring out their little ones
for some fun!

Where: Playhouse Cafe in Santa Ana, (Centro Comercial Via Lindora,
Locales #13 - #14) Tel: 2282-0244

Cost: 2,500 colones = $5 which is for the Children's Admission to play
all day (it always costs this much)

Next play days are October 21st, November 4th and November 18th all
from 1 - 4 pm. More information about the Playgroup is available on
our website.

You can RSVP and ask any questions by emailing info @
CostaRicaParents.com or posting on the CR Parents Forum. We ask that
parents who ARE planning to attend the playgroup coordinate through
forum or email.

We're always looking for parents to host play days and begin
playgroups within their communities. This can be easily done by
picking a location, posting messages online and sending out
invitations. If you know of a playgroup that is open to having some
new playmates, then please post information on it in the forum as
there are many parents looking to join a group rather than start one.

** The CR Parent forum has been very active and people are chatting
about schools, holidays, traveling, relocating, birthday parties,
Halloween, babies, food, family fun and much more!!

We hope to see you sometime soon! www.CostaRicaParents.com

My intro - an American in Costa Rica

Hello Everyone. I was supposed to start blogging on here a couple of weeks ago, however sometimes as a parent you can have child induced delays for tasks and projects that you would have fully intended to start early! This is what happened to me. And being in Costa Rica is nice because being late and being slow is somewhat accepted here.

I’m happy to be a part of this blog! I thought it would be fun to share about my experiences in Costa Rica with my family and friends, so that others can be warned and also have a good laugh (at me?)!

With an active family, I find myself out and about all the time. So I can share some suggestions and ideas with you for the best businesses and services! I love the area on the CRParents Forum about business and service reviews – ya’ll should use it!
www.costaricaparents.com/forum

Since we moved down here 2 years ago for my husband’s work, we have all settled in nicely. The kids go to a bilingual school and are having no trouble picking up Spanish. They are 6 and 8.

My husband has met many friends at work, so he’s happy with that. I have fortunately met other Moms in our (gated) community and I’ve also had the pleasure of making friends with many of the wives and women at my husband’s work.
I find everyone has a totally different experience in relocating with their families, and I plan to write a lot more about mine! Hope you enjoy!

Pura Vida,
Hannah

1st Ladies Lunch a Success!

We had a good turnout at the CR Parents Ladies Lunch this past week and we are looking to host another one at the end of October. This lunch event was open to women of the community, instead of limiting it to just moms.

For a little activity at the lunch we asked that ladies bring along some books they would like to exchange so that we can share some reading material. This turned out to be a good idea and the women enjoyed it.

The Moms Group is growing and we are always happy to hear your ideas for activities both online and offline! Our next meeting will be at Chez Christoph in Escazu for coffee in 2 weeks :)

Costa Rica Parents Ladies Luncheon

This coming Tuesday Costa Rica Parents invites its members and also women of the community to get together for a meet and greet style lunch. Please come and join us for a meal or just drop in for a coffee!

When: Tuesday September 23rd from 12 - 2pm

Where: Bistango, Centro Commercial Paco, Esaczu

You don't have to be a Mom to attend…just a fun and friendly female who wants to make a new friend or 2 and enjoy some time out. This will be a terrific opportunity to do some networking!

There is more information available at the www.CostaRicaParents.com website.

We are asking that ladies who plan to attend RSVP through posting on the CRParents message board, OR by email to info @ costaricaparents.com

We do look forward to seeing some of you there!

The Escazu Market

by: Laura

Every Saturday in the center of Escazu Central two blocks of the public road is set up as an open air market. The sights, smells and AMAZING variety of produce and small items are an experience for each of your senses. If you are visiting the area or live here and have not been to this weekly event, then we all recommend you venture out and see what it’s about.

Attending the market is fun for the whole family. It’s best to first go along with a local so they can answer your question of “what is that?” and even “how much does that one cost?” if you can’t figure it out for yourself.

Today I went at 8 am with a friend and my daughter. We bought the freshest fruits and vegetables that have graced my crisper in a while…the grocery store has some good options but nothing can top the selection (freshness and price) at the market.

The hours of the market are from 7am till noonish. It really is best to get there early in the morning for the best assortment. It’s located behind the big, beautiful white Catholic Church and park in Central Escazu. If you stop to ask anyone for help with directions (in Spanish - "el mercado") they will tell you where you need to get to. There are lots of little shops in the surrounding area that are good to check out if you wanted to further your shopping experience

Please comment or email and let us know of other weekly Markets in your area of Costa Rica.

Happy Kids Day!

We hope that you got to enjoy an extra special dia del Ninos - day
with your children in Costa Rica, or where ever you may be!! There
were lots of activities happening throughout San Jose (some posted on
the CRP forum). It's always nice to have yet another reason to
celebrate your children...and your inner child.

"While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about." ~Angela Schwindt

Playday in Santa Ana Sept 10

Come one, come all for some fun at a great little café & play center = the Playhouse Café!!

Where: Playhouse Café in Santa Ana, (Centro Comercial Via Lindora, Locales #13 - #14) Tel: 2282-0244

When: Wednesday September 10th from 1pm - 4pm

Cost: 2,500 colones = $5 which is for the Children's Admission to play all day (it always costs this much)

About the Playhouse Café:
-The toys and setup cater to the ages of 0-6. We suggest you bring along books, homework or games to occupy kids of older ages.
-Currently inside there is a large bouncy gym, trampoline, small puppet theater, projection screen for movies, baby play area, slide and plenty of small toys to keep the kids and babies amused.
-They offer a variety of food, drinks and desserts.

**Please RSVP and ask any questions by emailing playgroup@CostaRicaParents.com or posting on the Forum.

Look forward to seeing you there!