Let's Go Fly A Kite!

I finally made it back to the Queen Elizabeth Home today after many weeks of missing our Monday visits due to family in town and trips to the US.  Boy had I missed these kids! 

Tomorrow is Labor Day here in Grenada and since the kids do not have school, we didn't have to do our normal routine of helping with homework.  Instead, we got to head over to the "pasture" to fly kites.  What a treat!  It was so fun to watch them run around with their homemade kites.

A big ol' mess of knots.

Out in the pasture.

And then of course there was some cuddle time too.

Giggle Monster

Only one more day left with these kids. I'm so not looking forward to saying goodbye.

Spring Fun Run

Two weeks ago, the SO's in conjunction with OSO (Orphanage Student Organization) hosted a Spring 5K Fun Run to raise money for the local orphanges on the island.  It was at 7:30am on a Saturday morning and I think there was some question as to how many SO's and students we would really attract that early in the morning, but it was hugely successful.  We raised almost $2,000.00EC that we then used to buy supplies for both Bel Air Home and Queen Elizabeth Home. 

I hadn't run in a 5K race/run in a long time and even if you run on a regular basis like I do, races always make you push yourself a little harder than normal.  I hope that the SOO/OSO continue to do runs like this every term.  It raised a lot of money and was fairly simple to put on.  And on top of that, it was a lot of fun! We even had a banana run in the race!

And we're off!

Coming in for the win...haha jk.

Some red faced SO's!

Part of the Spring 2012 SO Board

Group shot, including BANANA!

Sleepover...

...Limes style.
The weekend before I left to go home for Alexa's wedding, Julie and I decided to have a sleepover with some of our Limes kids.  And when I say we decided, I mean some of the kids asked and I caved, instantly.  And then I asked Josh if it was okay.  And when I say asked, I mean told. 

So on a Friday evening, Julie and I picked up four little girls, two 8 year olds and two 3 year olds (these aren't your average 3 year olds) and headed to my apartment for an evening of girly fun.  The girls were SO excited.  They spent the first 10 minutes in my apartment squealing with glee, jumping on the bed, and running around.  It was adorable.  I don't know that these girls have ever experienced a real "sleepover," and I am so glad that Julie and I got to watch as they ate pizza, painted nails, made beaded necklaces, watched a movie, enjoyed icecream sundaes, and stayed up entirely too late.

Jumping Jada

Shanika painting her toes.

Jivy painting....we had to repaint.

Watching "Tangled"

Icecream sundaes

Impossible to get them all to look.

My baby 3 year olds that didn't once cry for Mom or wake up in the middle of the night.

Julie's ipad was EXTREMELY popular.

Sleeping babes.

We wore these two out!

It was so fun having all these girls over.  Even if Julie and I barely got any sleep.  I love these kids so much and am so glad I got to do something special for them before I leave the island, even if Julie and I have been asked every day since to do it again!

Alexa & Micah's Wedding

I was so excited and honored to be asked to be part of Alex's wedding (she prefers to be called Alexa these days but she will always be Alex to me).  Josh and I knew it would be tough to spend the money to come home for a week in April, but I'm so glad I did.  I can't imagine not being a part of their big day. 

It was everything you think of when the word "wedding" comes to mind.  The bride was beautiful, the groom handsome, the reception was decorated so elegantly, and the love in the room was so strong it could be felt by everyone.

The bridesmaids before!

All ready to see the bride.

There she is and doesn't she look stunning!

Cupcake.

My high school buddies plus Charlie

Me and Scooty

So good to see Tristen.

Thank you Mrs. Alexa Golden-Grant for asking me to be a part of your big day.  I am so very glad I could be there for you as you became a Mrs. just like you were there for me when I did.  I love you and Micah very much and hope you are enjoying your Hawaiian Honeymoon!