These are a Few of My Favorite Things...

As hard as it is to be away from home during this difficult time, spending time with the kids has reminded me of some of the special moments that occur on a daily basis here. It really is true--it's the small things that matter most!

-Soccer and volleyball games in Lincoln Park with the girls. These do tend to get intense and competitive, but I love playing with them, even if it means getting my foot kicked and face hit with a ball.
- Manolo and Lucas' amazing laughs, especially when being tickled!!
-Lunch time conversations with the Corazon girls and the Pedacito little ones. Sometimes we sing, sometimes we talk about school and friends, and other times we discuss serious issues, such as our favorite colors, foods, and animals.
-Ana painting my nails and showing me here amazing art work.
-Playing kitchen with Victoria! She really does have such a vivid imagination.
-Trufi (a public transportation van) and bus rides around town-best way to get to know the city.
-Coffee and breakfast at Cafe Paris.
-Lunch dates at Brasil Beruit. Some of the most amazing food ever with some of the most amazing people!
-Reading stories with Marcos.
-Crazy shenanigans with Sofia--karate, dance classes, listening to music, marker fights, art projects, and the list continues.
-The twins' (Jhoselin and Johana) amazing hugs, and their willingness to always help!
-Making cards with the girls for birthday parties. The youngest, Zamora, always wants to put the alphabet and the numbers on the cards!
-Playing ball with Guillermo-he is just learning to catch, but has an amazing arm!
-Walking to and from school with Raeka and Miguel-this is always quite the adventure, especially when dogs are running around.
-Raeka's craziness and special greetings and goodbyes.
-Lily's newly found smile and laughter (she used to be intensely serious).
-Hanging out with Alarico and Mateo! They are two of the youngest at Pedacito, but have the most amazing sense of humors and they are learning English. Mateo can say ball, up, book, and food!
-The Cancha and the Artesian Alley by the Post Office...I can find the most amazing things there!
-The view from our apartment of the Cristo and downtown.
-Silpancho, chuno, and other traditional Bolivian foods.
-Amazing times spent at Casablanca and Na Cunna, Pinche Taco and Sole Mio
-Moda Loca 2011: The girls wanted to have a huge modeling/fashion show, but the tias and the staff decided to have a crazzzzyyyyy fashion show to show the girls that you can still have fun and dress up crazy!
-Outings with the older girls. It is wonderful to be able to spend time and get to know the girls on a more personal level.

I could spend a whole day recounting my memories and describing moments that will stay in my heart forever, but I just don't have that time.

I have always envied those people with photographic memories. They can so easily recount small details about an event, a person, a place. I wish, even if only for my time in South America, that I could remember every moment, every day, every special memory.