Day 4, Monday

Monday was school day and I was up with Karen and Dorian at 6:30. The children get up at 6:45 and get dressed, make beds (some strip their wet beds), and eat. Joyce and I were in charge of breakfast. Karen said to make toast. We made toast, warmed up some scrambled eggs and gave them some pear slices. Sounds easy? well the toast is made in a toaster oven with no handle to open door. And multiply this times 15 children and 4 adults and even simple stuff takes time. I went with Karen as she drove the older four to school approx. 1 mile away. Then we returned to walk the kindergarden students to their school. After that there were four ninos left that were not in school. There is a local lady that comes in a couple days a week to help with children. She was there with the four little ones and there were three cleaning and doing laundry and cooking. So I convinced Joyce that she needed to visit Ojojona. It is just down the road from Casa and it is an old, colonial city with old churchs dating back 3-4 centuries ago. This is where they make a lot of pottery and you can buy it from the people who actually make it. Where several bags later we got called that some of the children were being released from school. It seems there is no such thing as a normal school day. So we began our trip back. I forgot to mention that I got the priviledge of riding in the back of pick up truck to Ojojona. I am fitting in! Soon after arriving home all the children were home and we had lunch. Then naps and then the children wanted to play outside in the frio very frio......winds that are gale force and very cold. Around five I started showers with the boys, and someone with the girls. We made Karen and Dorian go on a date as there was Joyce and me and most importantly; Dilcia and her sister. Dilcia spends the night two nights a week to help with kids. She is such a sweet heart. I feel better knowing Karen in here with Dilcia helping. Her sister wasn't supposed to stay but there a a strike rumored so she spent the night so she could be sure to be here for work. Supper was rice and squash. The children then had chores and then play and around 7 they have quiet time and sit to watch a movie. At eight they begin going to brush teeth and go to bed. I made it back to apt. around 8:30 and jumped in the shower trying not to freeze.
Oh and those showers with the boys,,,,,boy do they have the energy. Mario is like spiderman, climbing the walls, the shelves and every bed while naked (not spider man like) They fight over pjs and some try to wear some that are too small or too big. and they all have to have crema or lotion after shower to put all over body. They smell so good when freshly showered and so pleasant to cuddle with. After having a couple interactions with Cindi she has done well and for the most part behaved. Pamela and me did have an interaction where I took exception with how she talked with Karen. It is interesting. Will try to post some pics later.