Home!

So, it was in Houston where I experienced my first culture shock ~ I had made my way through customs and immigration only to find myself parched. No worries, though; there was a Wendy's right on the way to my gate, so I ordered and while the man was filling my coke, I realized that I had not a single dime on me! Yup, just pesos, and turns out they don't take those in Houston. Huh.

Luckily enough for me, he did take my debit card and didn't even ask me for my PIN, which was a good thing because I had long since forgotten that! Whew!

On the plane I amused myself by finding characters in the clouds (one of my favorite games!):



And then as I got closer to home I simply enjoyed the formations of the Northwest.








I became more and more anxious as the great peaks of Adams and St. Helen's came into view:




But at last ~ a peek at the beautiful Columbia River! Almost home!

Camas from the air!



Seeing the girls waiting for me at the gate was such an emotional moment for me ~ I knew they would be there, but I couldn't help feeling overwhelmed by my love for them. I am truly the luckiest woman on the planet!

And just as promised, we headed out to Fire on the Mountain for the best hot wings EVER!!!!!!!!!

Leaving Bogota for the Summer

I could not wait for summer to come so that I could go back to the states and see my girls. And yet, bringing the school year to an end is always difficult........

One more farewell party, for second grade this time, in Mariana's gorgeous apartment.


Complete with summer birthday acknowledgments.


And farewells in school as well:








Then of course there was the cleaning of the math room..... ick! and the wait in front of the school to wave goodbye to our students for the last time this year.






But finally I boarded a plane and waved good-bye to Bogota ~ for the summer.

First "End-of-the-Year Party " ~ Go First Grade!!!!

You know the end of the year is upon you when you the parties start! And here in Colombia, the ladies know how to party! Now if only I could Salsa the way they do..........



Juliana and Tey ~ fun ladies!


Mersa rockin' it to the 80's tunes.


Even Mrs. G got into the action!


Juli demonstrating to me that when you dance like a Costena, you don't move your head.... I think I need to have some surgery before I can dance like her!


Me! (Trying to salsa!)


Dahlia and Marcela enjoying the evening.


Fun time!


Eventually we even had to move the furniture for more fun and dancing!



Mersa and Tey gettin' down!


Pole dancing????


Our token male, Hugo, dancing with Mersa.


Woo hoo!!


Here are the Costena women showing us how it's done!


Mersa the "Macho Man" :-)


Karen showing us her moves.


And yes, that's Juli's butt!!


Jessica's up!!


Alexa too!


And no party in Colombia is complete without a rousing rendition of.......... YMCA!!!! (no, serioulsy.........!!!)