Dates Are Set

The dates are set! We will be leaving June 15th and returning September 18th.
Wow!
I still can't believe it. It's such an amazing opportunity.
We haven't found anyone to sublet our place or my art studio yet but hopefully we will. We have a few lists going on; what to bring, things to do before we leave...... but it's all coming together bit by bit.
I'm reading up on the history of Ecuador, I've got a travel book, a wildlife book and now binoculars (thanks to the parents) to check out all 134 species of hummingbirds.

I'm getting my art supplies together. I will bring water color and gouache with me since it's the easiest to bring. I like the water color blocks and tried to make one myself. I even got the peelable glue that goes around the edge, which is hot pink in color :)
But after buying the paper, cutting it down and gluing, I think it's about the same to just go buy it in a store.
Which means everyone will be getting hand made recycled paper pads with hot pink glue for the holidays.

oh- and something even more exciting then 134 species of hummingbirds, if you can believe it.... is that in the city of Guayaquil and the Quito Zoo they have the squash penny machines.
I know, I can't freaking believe it.
For those of you who don't know I collect the pennies that you put in the machine for 50 cents and get a squashed penny with the location on it. The criteria is that I actually go to the place, so please don't start sending me squashed pennies even though now you might think of me every time you see one.