Snow sucks

Enough said.


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Bragging just a bit

On Friday, one of Abby's teachers sent us the email below. I was having a rough day... this made it much, much better!

Hi Mr. and Mrs. Gawrych,

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy having Abby in class.  She is such a great girl.  She is an extremely hard worker and so kind to everyone in class.  I always know when she raises her hand that she will add great insight into our discussions!  Thanks for everything you do at home because she is just such an awesome person!

Have a great weekend.

Katie Pendowski

Badger Middle School

6th Grade Integrated Language Arts

262.306.2617

Is this heaven? No, it's Dominican!

We arrived, checked in, immediately put our swimsuits on and did this... 

 It felt SO nice!!

 Ava really loved the beach. Even when she got water washed over her she was such a trooper.

 And then we went to find our pool. Yup, I think it's ours. This place, Harmony Beach, is our favorite place in the entire whole world. It has a pool that we usually have to ourselves, sand if the kids want to dig, a huge beach cabana with beds, a bar, a grill and an ice cream place. Does it get any better than that?

 And of course hair was braided. Ava did... ok. It does take a long time, and she did really well.

 It's old hat for Abby by now.

 I got my bangs braided for the first time too. Someone doing my hair, in the warmth, with this as my view, and listening to the sound of the ocean. I couldn't have been any more relaxed, truly.

 Ava loved all the little dogs on the beach. There were probably 4 of them we saw often,.

 The view again. It doesn't get old.

 The kiddie pool. And an awful picture taker! Abby was so good with Ava all week, hanging out with her, helping her get food, swimming in the kiddie pool. What would I do without her?

 And our golf cart. Hello golf cart! We do love you!

One story at a time...

Writing about Dominican is so... daunting! So, I'm going to try to break it down a little bit into shorter stories. Suffice it to say, we LOVED the trip. It was truly fantastic, with 90 degree days and perfectly sunny every day. Does it get any better than that? I really don't think so. Add to that TIME. Time to listen to the stories the kids are telling. Time to sleep. Time to eat. Time to connect. Time to not yell get your stuff together we gotta go right now. Time. I loved it.

Ava was ready to go at 2:30 in the morning!

 All the kids were in such great spirits. The flights were truly flawless, with no major issues. Well, on the way back the flight into Newark was windy, which made for an interesting landing. And Nolan using the puke bag a few times. But otherwise? I couldn't have asked for anything better!

 Mas was meditating on his way to the airport.

 We've arrived! The airport is just so... cool... from what it used to be. We used to have to go outside to get through customs, and couldn't go to the bathroom until after baggage claim. So much better!

 These two were exhausted after the flights. They were the only two who didn't sleep from 2:30 on.

Selfie

Waiting for a helicopter ride. Well, they're waiting. I'm waiting to watch them!


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