On Guatemalan TimeTonight

Matt and I started our day in two different directions. He went to the woodshop to build the skateboard ramp. The kids and I headed to the top of the main building to unload the 12 suitcases of donations thanks to many of you reading this. After we unloaded the suitcases we distributed most of the stuff to the appropriate houses. Ava, Mateo, and I arrived at the baby house in time for the toddler lesson and play time. For the next two hours we entertained and tried to help about 10 children around 18 mos-2 1/2 years old. We read books, sang songs, took a walk, played outside, and anything to keep all these tiny hands and feet busy.

By lunch time Matt was almost finished with the ramp and we were pretty tired. After lunch Matt finished the ramp. I brought the kids to the apartment for a nap. This gave me the opportunity to work on some things. While in the baby house I noticed that there were sippy cups everywhere without any way to identify each child's cup. With some help from Michelle Tiek back in the US we had inchbug elastic labels ordered with each child's name on them. So in a few weeks every child in the baby house will have their name on their cup.

Matt arrived just a few before the kids woke up from their naps. When they woke up we headed to the soccer field and playground. Mateo had the time of his life playing soccer with the kids. Ava brought a big tub of sidewalk chalk and soon had about 6-7 children covering the entire cement pad with their names, pictures, and designs. We headed up to dinner and then Ava and I worked our way to the baby house for bed time. Ava was such a good helper. She helped sing 5 baby boys to sleep. She has really enjoyed this responsibility of helping.

I realize that the post tonight seems without emotion and just a run-down of our day. It was productive for sure, but there have been several moments that touched our hearts. Tonight Ava gets to share her highlight of the day. She says that her favorite part of the day was putting the babies to bed.

Tomorrow we hope to have our other shipped items here so that the kids can start to skateboard with Matt. I have plans to go shop as well as work on a process for increasing the development of the smaller children. Lots to do and the days are clicking by.