Big date

On Friday night Ariel took us all out on a date. We went to Puerto Plata first for dinner and then out to Cofresi to Ocean World for their show, Bravissimo. We had fun and laughed a lot and then enjoyed walking around a bit in the hotel and casino.

Helpful mom

My mom's still here and she's been helping us at school all week. It's time again to weigh and meaure the kids, which is always a task when there are 200 kids to be seen!

We also gave each on an de-worming pill but didn't tell them until after they had taken it. I know, it feels wrong, but it 's just that last year they found out before what they were meant to take and then it was too hard to make them take it...especially the teenage girls who were afraid that they'd then have to get rid of the worms somehow. Anyhow, they took their pills like mostly good kids and then we also have been trying to help Candace get the next sponsorship project together. I wish my mom was here ALL of the days, it's been great!

Educational

I saw this store whilst in Santo Domingo and it made me laugh a bit. It's a little ironic I thought that a store called "Kid' Stuf" is offering educational material. I think I'll keep looking...

Santo Domingo

I'm a little behind, but last weekend we went to Santo Domingo to take my dad to the airport. He left on Sunday, but we got in on Friday so we could play the full day on Saturday. We walked and walked and saw lots of old building and all things related to Columbus.

Trips around the island

Yesterday we took a drive to Rio San Juan, Laguna Gri-Gri, and Pozo Dudu. We took a boat ride through the lagoon and past a cave and beaches, then drove to a little pool of crystal clear water and ended the day at Playa Grande...one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Ariel topped off the day by making us dinner. Don't worry, I go back to work on Monday. I tried talking my parents into staying forever, but they said something about work and bills and a house and my cat that they have to tend to...whatever that's all about!!!

Family dinner

On Tuesday we had a big family dinner with all of Ariel's family. We had Sancocho which she made over a little coal fire out back and had a good time talking with everyone having both families get to know one another.

More parent time

The good times continue with my parents here. My dad took me diving which was great...I held a jellyfish and didn't even get stung. It has been so nice showing them around and being with them in all my "normal" places. It's been better than I imagined!

Jarabacoa

We took a road trip to Jarabacoa yesterday and my parents met all the Kids Alive-ers up there and saw the other Kids Alive sites. It was a nice day to drive and hike the waterfall...we went on the lower waterfall since the previous rains had made the water muddy and rivers rise. We had a picnic at the waterfall of pastelitos and chips! It is so fun having my parents here, my two worlds are getting to know one another and, although weird at first, it has been special to share my Dominican world and my parents with each other!

Ocean World

We went to Ocean world yesterday!!! It was a treat from Ariel and his cousin and we had such a fun day!!

I touched a dolphin! To be honest, I was actually IN the dolphin show and got to play ball with them, get kissed by them both, then ride one...with everyone watching! It was an amazing experience, I still can't believe I got to do it!

It was such a fun day...

Mom and Dad

My parents are here!!! These couple days have already been so special, better than I even thought. The worst part is that it's going too fast. I seriously have the BEST family in the whole world!

Ike

Still doing fine after Ike passed...or continues passing. We got a good amount of wind and rain last night and off and on today, but it looks like the worst of it is over. I have to say it was nice sleeping with a blanket!

Hurricanes

Just to let you all know, before I get anymore hate mail for not updating, we have all been fine through these hurricanes. So far the South has been hit harder than us, we have just had a few lovely rainy days that have cooled us down and reminded us that we do like living here (sometimes you question it with so much heat!). Hurricane Hannah is apparently passing right now with Ike on the tail, so we'll keep hoping that it stays in the ocean and just graces us with nice rain.

Landlord love

We have the best landlord. He has fuzzy hair that is manicured well and wears his pants high on his waist with a belt and shirt tucked in. He always says ?Que tal? (How's it going) and waves and smiles like we haven't seen each other in years. Most times when we pay our rent he gives us gifts. But as he owns an auto-repair shop, the gifts make us laugh. We have gotten smelly car trees, key chains, and lately mangos. But yesterday we came home to find these coconuts delivered to our door and waiting for us. The only problem is that after two years, I still don't know how to open one up. What a sweet landlord we have.

Happy not to be a hen

Remember these ladies?? We got them about a year and a half ago...

They're now turning into this! Their egg production has never been that amazing and it now turns out that we're paying more for per egg than we would in the store because feed prices have increased so much. So what do we do? Eat them. Ew. They killed 10 of them yesterday and then went through the whole de-feathering-gutting process which is, not great. Some of the hens had eggs forming inside them (bottom left photo) when they were opened up. Whatever happened to just swinging past Safeway on the way home for your boneless-skinless chicken breast??!!