Gabriela Says "Hi America"

It was a busy, busy day today -- we met Rossi in the lobby at 8 for breakfast. The hotel has a sit down meal that you are invited to partake in -- the tables are pre-set with full plates and you just sit down where they tell you to. Our breakfast consisted of a hard boiled egg, 3 cheeses, pate', 1/2 of a cold hotdog, cold ham, cucumber, tomato, yogurt and toast. The plates were were like pieces of art -- each item was cut fancy and placed just so. Very impressive!

After breakfast we walked about 20 minutes to meet Gabriela and her foster mom at the park. We were surprised to see that Gabriela's sister was there, Ganka (foster mom said that she could not find anyone to watch her) -- she is an adorable 3 year old who sang and danced for us!

Gabriela was waving "hi" to everyone in America -- sorry, I was more interested in her face and didn't get her wave in -- just pretend you can see it. :-)


Jack & Gabriela played frisbee for a long time -- here's Jack explaining to Gabriela which disney princess is which -- he did a pretty good job except for 1 blond (not Cinderella) whom he didn't know. (who knew that Jack knows almost all the princess's names -- and why does Jack know all the princess names -- well, after all these years he can still amaze me!)


There was a large wooden playset where Gabriela and her sister played for a long time. We noticed that Gabriela would not cross the swaying bridge, the floating bridge or go up any of the ramps. She seemed unsure of her footing -- Jack went to one side, me to the other and we steadied her as she crossed. After a while she was off and running on her own. She didn't have the upper body strength to cross the rings, but she was willing to try as long as Jack held her.


A few hours into our visit the Social Services Chief came to observe Gabriela with us. We took the whole group to lunch -- pizza at a nearby cafe. It went well, we passed this interview and on our way out of the cafe we were asked what our intentions were for Gabriela. Any guesses as to our response?

Because we earned such high marks from the Social Services Chief we were allowed to take Gabriela on our own with Rossi. Of course we had to do a little shopping. Gabriela found a pair of shoes that she loved and a headband .... she is definitely a young lady -- she spent 10 minutes picking out the perfect one and then had to model it for everyone to see.


At 5 we got a taxi to take us back to Gabriela's home -- we were to drop her off and head back to the hotel, but Danka asked us if we would please come in to see where Gabriela lived. What an honor to be asked .... the home is quite large Rossi said and we felt that it was very nice. You can see that Danka cares for the children very much -- Gabriela had impeccable manners while we were there. She offered us drinks and cookies -- okay she had a little prompting, but still .....

We arrived back to the hotel at 6 -- it's been a long day, but another good one! Tomorrow we think that we will be doing some sightseeing in Razgrad -- the Social Service Chief will accompany us along with Petco and Rossi.


A picture of the three of us today .......


Lastly -- I wanted to answer a few of the questions we've read:
Yes, she has a nickname -- it's Gabi.

Yes, she knows you will be her sister Hailee -- she was looking at pictures of you on the camera and in the book that we brought. Rossi told her that the picture was of Hailee -- Gabriela told her "I already know that is Hailee!" So, I think you don't have to worry about that.

Gabriela likes music and dance. She likes to play with dolls. She likes her reading classes but does not like math as much. She likes art, but says that she can't draw very well. I don't think she has had the opportunity to play many games and sports -- it might be hard for her right now but I'm sure she'll learn from everyone quickly. She does not know how to ride a bike, but she wants to learn.

Well, Gabriela says that she is afraid of dogs -- but Hailee, remember when you first came home and you kept telling Kasee -- "no gushet Hailee" (no eat Hailee) -- you were afraid too, BUT, it only took you one day to get over that. The next day Kasee was laying on the living room floor, you covered her up with your blanket and layed down next to her. You were the best of friends after that. I think it will be the same for Gabriela -- who wouldn't love Codee????

In school Gabriela is learning math, reading, speech, art and gym. She goes to school for 6 hours a day.

Jack & I are going to take a few minutes and relax -- we're meeting for dinner at 8. We're tired, but it's a calm, relaxed and feeling good tired!