The 2nd Best Blog Ever

Today we (Abby and Drew) went to farm in the morning. We were expecting a ton of dirty jobs - feeding pigs, cleaning the tilapia pond, etc - but instead found very little to do. The kids said they were going to start work at about one in the afternoon and didn't need much help. We did, however, clean out the old toolshed. There were a ton of huge cockroaches living in there so it was pretty intense/disgusting. That took about 20 minutes so then we just talked to some of the kids. They taught us some games and we struggled along to play them. I (Drew) was excited to be there because I got to hang out a little more with Geovanni because I hadn't seen much of him this week. So then we left and returned to the Hogar. We took a little Facebook break in the sala because Abby needed to feed her addiction - three whole days is a dang long time. Drew was impressed by his parents immediate response to his nice email (oh wait, it took them over a day to respond - and they don't answer my phone calls). Next, we headed into the preschool room to help out. We got there just in time to help the kids put their handprints on the wall. It was so cute to see their exited faces as they got to play in the paint and help decorate their room. Drew was the best at getting perfect looking handprints on the walls. Then we ate lunch.

After lunch, I (Drew) helped John make the shelves for the preschool. It was really fun and cool to see because Geovanni basically made them himself. He was all over the measuring, drilling, hammering and everything else. It was fun to just chill out and make the shelves rather than run around with kids.

I, (Abby) wrote letters in the school with Rosa and a few other girls. They wrote letters to kids from Oak Point. After that I just talked with Sofia and Sarahi. They showed me pictures and Sofia told me about her family.

After that we went as a group for a tour of the Villa. We saw a huge valley and some of the volunteer's houses for the Hogar. We bought some weird frozen coconut vanilla things and ate them. They were so good! Abby even liked them. Now, we're writing this blog and getting ready for the celebration tonight!

Rose Leapaldt

December 31 New Years Eve. Today we began our day at 7:15 and visited a tortilla factory in Via San Antonio. They made 16,000 tortillas today rather than the average 8,000 due to the holiday. Next, we visited an outdoor market where various goods and foods were sold. We arruved at the Hogar about 9:30 and began our jobs. I helped complete the Pre-K room by applying a second coat of chalk board paint to the lower part of two walls. We all did hand prints along the boarders along with all the nursery school children. The room looks fantastic, bright and cheery. John B. began building 6 large shelving units and the girls plus some volunteer kids painted each a different color. This room will provide the kids with a wonderful learning enviornment inwhich to attend school.

In the afternoon, I taught a class in stamping. I had two helpers but the kids were very busy and it was a crazy class to say the least! At one point, I saw a little boy paint a girl's hair, another
4 year old grab the roller and take off, two little girls arguing and throwing things, and on and I think I would rethink this painting activity before ever attempting it with such young kids.

Tonight, we will have a wonderful meal and celebrate New Year's Eve. at the Hogar with all the children. They have a program planned for us and have been setting up a stage with flowers and
other fun things.