St. Pete's Beach Day 4...just hanging out

We scheduled a free day after Kazapalooza to just hang out and have some fun family time before heading home to the hustle and bustle of our weekly routine. First stop of the day was the beach to try out the sand pail and shovel that came with our Kazapalooza goodie bag.





Time to wash off in the water and swim with daddy...

Just having fun in the water...





After some lunch we headed to the swimming pool. I was pleased to find the day before that Lukas was feeling more confident with swimming in deeper water. We spent a lot of time with him swimming between me and the steps on Saturday. The Family pool doesn't really have a shallow end. Once you get off the steps it was about 4 to 4 1/2 feet deep. For Lukas it was sink or swim. He spent some time today swimming to daddy so I got some video of him swimming.







While there we met up with some other families. Lukas had a great time playing with Ryland.



Spraying Ryland's parents with the water shooter from the goodie bag.

Ryland was kind enough to share his water toys with Lukas. Lukas was especially greatful that he had an extra pair of goggles because mommie forgot to pack his. Trading goggles and swimming to Wayne.


We finished the day off by dining at the upscale restaurant in our building. On Sundays children eat free, yeah! Of course we had to wear our pirate gear from the night before. He entertained himself by coloring until dinner arrived.

St. Pete's Day 3...KP Luncheon

Today was the big Luncheon extravaganza. We took a little stroll around the resort before heading over to lunch.

Lukas and mommie in front of the fountain
Our little Kazakh Prince

Hello...what's in here

Wow! Look at that bird...it talks

Lukas and Redbeard's parrot


Family photo, thanks Jim!

I understand that there were around 400 attendees in all. 125 families from all over the US and Canada. They had lots of great raffle items, including some great Kazakh items. Unfortunately we didn't win anything.


The planning committee put together a slide presentation showing the different regions and current pictures of the children from each region that were there at Kazapalooza. We got a copy of it to take home.

The Kaz theme continued even into the dessert. The little flags in the cupcakes had either the US and Kaz flag or the Canadian and Kaz flag on them.

St. Pete's Day 2

We were headed to the beach but then Lukas decided he wanted to try the pool instead. I pointed out the other Kaz Kids and told him they were from Kazakhstan too. His reply, " My Kazakhstan?"

PLAYING BALL IN THE POOL WITH MOM


We didn't bring his floaties because we wanted to see if he would start swimming. As a result he stayed in the parts where he could stand up with his head out of the water.


PLAYING WITH DAD IN THE POOL



The meet and greet and dinner where on the Beach by the pool. The organizer's stuffed the goody bag full of beach and pool items for the kiddos. Lukas insisted on playing with his bucket and shovel. At least it kept him out of trouble for a while. Don't be fooled, he did run around with the other kids.


THE TRUE MEANING OF BUCKET HEAD...


Everyone was encouraged to wear Kaz colors to the event. The food was great! The seagulls thought so too; we were warned to cover our plates while walking to the table and to not leave them unattended. I couldn't believe how brazen the gulls were about stealing food! One even tried to steal one of the little girls head bands at the table next to us! We enjoyed getting to know some of the other families and meeting some of the other Taraz families.

Kazapalooza 2011...Here we come!

At BWI airport waiting for our flight to Tampa for our first Kazapalooza gathering. It was a late night and an early morning but Lukas is ready to fly on a plane!


Can you tell our little "Rock Star" is excited?...


Of course when a camera comes out Lukas has to take some photos too...