What we miss from the U.S.

As the months go by, we are starting to miss a few things we used to take for granted in San Diego or the U.S. Here's what we've compiled so far:

• Crest toothpaste (turns out only foreign brands or Colgate is sold here!)
• Mexican food (even the spices sold as Mexican spices miss the mark a bit)
• Maple syrup (about twice the price as the U.S. unless you go to Costco!)
• Minivans (to fit more than six people and some luggage, the only option is a 9-passenger cargo-style van)
• Parking places (few businesses have dedicated parking and even those that do have tiny spaces or cramped parking lots fitting our large van referenced above is a challenge)
• Black beans (just cannot find these canned anywhere...we've started having red beans and pinto beans with our homemade Mexican dinners)
• Butter served with bread at restaurants (it's served by itself, they think it strange to ask for butter)
• Horchata (non-existent here)
• Cookie sheets (most of the houses with ovens haven't come with these)
• Fluent English Speakers (of course, the boys miss this)
• Life Cereal! Our boys like it!