Bits of happiness and sadness

With the dance studio shutting down and whispers of a lockdown coming, the girls' dance teacher, Mrs. Natalia, decided to go back to Greece early. She had already planned to go at the end of May because she wanted to be reunited with her family. Corona just fast-tracked her plans.

Kylie and her friend Khadijah made a quick plan for a going away gift.  

Khadijah ordered some sweatshirts, and Kylie came up with a logo for their adult dance class, and together, they wanted to present their teacher with her own sweatshirt before she left the country.

Khadijah, Kylie, and Karis

Everyone got their name initial on the front

And the name of their dance class on the back

They said their goodbyes for the last time because we had already attended a big going away party for her the night before.

March 3, 2020

It had included LOTS of food...like every good party does.

From several different countries

Mrs. Natalia had many friends from many walks of life.  She choreographed the pageant each year where a regional princess was chosen, she did pilates, yoga, aerial yoga, and ballet classes nearly every day of the week either in the studio or in her home.

There was dancing, eating, speeches given,

 hugs goodbye,

and pictures with crying red-eyes taken.

Most of the people at the party were adults, but these four special girls were also invited to come!

March 2, 2020

On March 8th, the girls got their braces off on the same day. After a sad month of seeing their teacher leave, this was cause for much celebration!

March 8, 2020

And on March 10th, Keira spent the day at the apartment of her friend that was in the picture with her above. We had dropped off Keira with her bike, and the girl's mother took them out to the grassy courtyard and helped Keira until she learned how to ride her bike!  Big day!!

It's also kind of interesting that Karis and Caleb also learned how to ride their bikes on our grass in Africa.  Kylie is the only one who learned on cement :)

March 10, 2020