Week 2 in Latvia

Last Saturday (July 3rd) we had a great time in Lapmezjciems with my best friend from Highschool Agnese and her daughters Madara(8) and Eliza(3). They have summer house very close to the Baltic Sea, water was so warm but the cold winds were sneaky and that is where I think I got sick. After day full of fun we drove back home, Amanda fell asleep on our way back and did not wake up till next morning 5AM, first night in her life she slept through the night.

Sunday (July 4th) I woke up very sick. We were planing to do some celebration due to Independence day but all I could think of was bed and sleep. So my parents took care of girls most of the day and I stayed in bed, my only duty was to nurse Amanda. It was nice to be able to be sick for real ;) Even if just for one day.

Monday (July 5th) I took girls to close by playground that we discovered last time I was here with Izzy, they loved to play there. I also started the process of getting Amanda's paperwork ready to apply her for Latvian citizenship. All the documents that I got in America, that needed to have Apostille now had to be translated and notarized here. In the evening friend of mine Laura who is expecting her firstborn in November came to visit us and was admiring how well Izzy speaks both languages. And I do have to agree with her, Izzy is doing very good job.

Tuesday (July 6th) I met up with my friend Inese whom I met in Colorado but now she has moved to live back to Denmark. She was visiting Latvia for few days and had never seen my girls. I was fun to catch up and girls got to play at a different playground, right next to the school I used to go to for 12 years. When I showed it to Izzy, she asked me if it was school where I went when I was a Big Girl? ;) Later that day I submitted all the paperwork requesting for Amanda's citizenship, hopefully we get her personal code soon so we can order her passport. That evening girls and I walked to visit my Grandma and got caught in big summer rain storm. We were all wet - Izzy in Stroller, Amanda in Ergo on my back and I pushing stroller, carrying Amanda and all wet without an umbrella. But the nice part was neither one of us minded getting wet, it was such a fun experience we shared.

Wednesday (July 7th) we met up with my friends from Collage Zina and Baiba and her daughter Karlina (3.5) at LIDO. We had a very nice lunch together followed by fun for kids. Zina bought Cukurgailishus for girls, it is like lolipop in a shape of Rooster that I used to love as a little girl. Izzy made up a song - Cockle-doodle doo I bit off your head! She thought it was super funny and kept singing it! ;) Izzy had fun taking Amanda for a ride in little rental cars. Later that day I took Izzy to renew her Latvian passport. She was so proud to get her picture taken there at the passport office. She kept talking about her Big Girl picture in the passport instead of Baby Izzy picture ;)

Thursday (July 8th) We went wild blueberry picking with girls and my Dad. Mosquitos were crazy, we lasted very short while, ate some blueberries, took some pictures and we had to leave so we don't get eaten alive ;) On our way back we stopped by one of my very dear friend Gunars and admired the house him and his wife built in the last year, very green thinking and natural house. I loved seeing what they have created in one year, last time I was in Latvia 2 years ago they just had started talking about possibly building one since their old one burned down in tragic accident few years ago. I was so happy to see their accomplishment and how far they have come.

Friday (July 9th) Another beautiful day! Gunars and his daughter Eliza (10) picked me and girls up since we were without car today and we all had a wonderful day in Jurmala by the beach. I am amazed how well Izzy gets along with different age kids that she meets for the first time. She has met everyone before she just doesn't remember. Sometimes she will ask, how they know that she has grown and then I have to say, they met you when you were baby. And then Izzy loves to make up stories about what they did together when they were babies ;)

Saturday (July 10th) After rough night with Amanda who is not feeling so well, caughing a lot and runny nose etc... and who got up at 6AM I went back to sleep at 8AM with Amanda and did not get up again till 11AM. So we missed the plans to go to watch Dziesmu sveetku paraadi - Parade of Song and Dance Festival.

to be continueed another day... I am starting to fall asleep ;) I hope it's because I am just too tired and not because it is boring ;)