You can just roll them into little balls and flatten them between two large ziplock bags with a rolling pin or a smack of a cast iron pan. I am sure the children will be thrilled with whatever you turn out. :)

There's also something to be said for comfort foods, especially for young people. I think preparing familiar foods is a very thoughtful and welcoming gesture on OP's part. In addition, tortillas and beans are really a staple part of the diet for many if not most people in Central America, something that is eaten every single day, often multiple times. I don't really think there is an American equivalent.

Oops. Here you are: http://www.los-dos.com/recipes/verarticulo.php?IdArticulo=244452 Basically they are just strained beans, and much more liquid than one might expect.

Make them some atole and I bet they'll love you forever. :)

No cilantro and lime in the masa. You don't need to deep fry the sopes, you can just pan fry them. Where we go in Central America the beans are made like this.

Oh, yes, the Basher books are a lot of fun. As are Jay Hosler's books. And then there is The Stuff of Life: A Graphic Guide to Genetics and DNA. Forgot about those.

The Horrible (science, history, geography...) books are a lot of fun. We get ours from Ray at Horrible Books.

Yes, I sit and take notes.

Well, if she gave you her phone to read the texts you clearly have an open, trusting relationship, so why not just ask her?

One of mine ate four hundred dollar bills, part of a wooden staircase, a lovely little pink velvet chair that was stuffed with feathers (that was a fun cleanup), two pillow top mattresses (just enough to make a cozy niche to sleep in, not the whole mattress), and a $3000 tennis ball. The other ate my eyeglasses and one shoe out of three pairs of Clergerie shoes - he only ever ate French shoes, and only one of each pair.

There's also Urban Cheesecraft and the book One Hour Cheese. :)

What a relief! DS and I have been really worried that Rachel got fired - we've been getting calls from Carmen at Cardholder Services instead. I am so happy to hear that Rachel still has a job. Sounds like she might even have been promoted! :)

Childen under six can't take the pill form, they have to have the shot.

The attachments are more trouble than they're worth. I would go with something like this ravioli form. A large pastry bag would be a nice complement if he doesn't already have one - it makes filling the ravioli much faster and easier. I assume he already has a good rolling pin...? ETA For the attachments, I meant the ravioli attachment (which I had and gave away). I could not do without the pasta attachment. :)

I don't think it is "cruel" or that you would be "saddling" your daughter with this beautiful name even if it might be unusual for most people. It's a perfectly lovely name, and one I am sure your daughter would be proud to have. If you scroll down on this link, someone with the name talks about the perceived difficulties and how little they matter compared to how much she loves her name. In any case, it is popular enough in Ireland and the UK now so it will probably become more common here. Look at names like Siobhan, Sinead, Aisling, Moira, Gianna, Juan, Liam, Schuyler - people were probably unsure of the pronunciation the first time they saw them but now I think most people don't have problems with them. When people mispronounce my name, I correct them and that's that. No trauma and there never was, even when I was a very shy child. I'd much rather have a child with an unusual name than have her be one of thirteen other Isabellas or Avas, Sophias or Emmas in her playgroup.

Don't worry so much about cold showers - most places are outfitted with SuperDuchas aka Suicide Showers. lol. I've never been shocked by one, but it happens. Pick your poison. ;) Have you considered language school in Antigua rather than near Lake Atitlan (although it is gorgeous there!)? Because your best bet even from there would be to head back to Guatemala to fly to Tikal and Antigua is much closer (and also very beautiful). Antigua also has many more amenities.

Are you flying into Guatemala City? Where are you planning to go for language school? I would fly to Tikal from Guatemala (if that is where you are starting) rather than go overland. You'll be fine going overland to Belize. You can play your odds for malaria or take malaria prophylaxis. I'd discuss the benefits and risks with your pediatrician, but if you are only going to be in the lowlands for a couple days I wouldn't bother with it. You will need typhoid and hep shots. As for food and water, use common sense but don't be terrified. DS has spent most of his summers in Guatemala and has only gotten violently ill once, and we are inordinately fond of street food. ;) It is an absolutely beautiful country. PS "third-world" is often considered an offensive term. I very much dislike it.

I like it, knew how it was pronounced, and prefer it spelled that way. But then, I also like the name (and spellings) of Aoife and Saoirse. And I dislike the name Siobhan spelled "Chevonne." Go with the name you like and the spelling you like. I have a name that people mispronounce and spell wrong all the time and really, it has never bothered me and I rather like having a relatively unusual name.

We just saw Belle et Sebastien and it is lovely. You can see the trailer here. In fact, you can watch all sorts of trailers on that site - maybe you will find some films that look good that way. :)

Second the Bialetti. No, it is not technically espresso, but I doubt you would get a good cup of espresso from an espresso machine that is less than $100 anyway. The Mokas make a very good cup of coffee and indeed, I have never been to a home in Italy that didn't use one.

Go to Berthillon on the Ile St Louis for a hot chocolate and/or some delicious ice cream. Visit Sainte-Chapelle while you are in the neighborhood of Notre Dame (and Berthillon). Here are other addresses for great hot chocolate in Paris (what can I say? I am a fan of hot chocolate). Eat cous cous! (Chez Omar is always a lively experience, but there are many more intimate places.) Go shopping at Galeries Lafayette. Walk, walk, walk. Paris is a great city for walking. Go to the Place de Vosges, it is so pretty. Walk around the lovely Palais Royal garden. Not far from there is the Passage Choiseul which is a lovely little covered passage with shopping. Here are some other passages. Oh, and absolutely visit an outdoor market. Enjoy yourself! eta the one thing I wouldn't do is spend any amount of time on the Champs Elysees. Here are two "36 hour" guides, one from The Telegraph and the other from the NYTimes: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destination/france/paris/131528/36-Hours-in...-Paris.html http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/travel/19hours-paris.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

I sew canvas on my old 830 Bernina without a problem. I heartily recommend investing in an old Bernina, or heck, a new one if you can afford it. Another fabulous machine is the Juki, hmm, I guess they're on the 2010 now (I had a Juki TL98, but that was some years ago). The Juki will sew anything and not complain. It's also great for quilting. Only thing is it is only straight stitch. But still - great machine.

This is a wonderful series of videos that gives a glimpse into life in various indigenous communities in Mexico. http://www.cdi.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=66:ventana-a-mi-comunidad&Itemid=200010

In that case... http://www.timeout.fr/paris/films/100-meilleurs-films-francais-home :)

Here are some: http://www.cinetrafic.fr/liste-film/3094/1/autour-des-ados-dans-le-cinema-francais