Riley and his classmates at Escuela Grecia are lined up to turn in some work to their teacher.  School is in session from one to five in the afternoon and quite a lot of homework is required.

The school has a leaking roof and inadequate heat- many kids wear their coats and scarves over their uniforms in the winter.  But the level of education is high.  Uruguay has the highest literacy rate in South America.

The school is about a kilometer from our apartment.  Erin and Riley usually walk home.  Sometimes they take the city bus which is free for them when they wear their uniforms.

Daniel DiBello is Laura DiBello's brother and a very talented artist.  He has a wonderful studio in the garden behind his home. 

Daniel Vilaro is a very good friend.  He works as a waiter at an Italian restaurant in Pocitos called Spagheteria 23. 

Andrea helps us make arrangements when our limited Spanish is not enough.  She talked to the plumber, the parents of Erin and Riley friends,  the teachers and headmistress at the school, etc.. 

Riley and Erin looked after Fernando while we went out to dinner with his parents, Daniel and Natalie. Everyone had a great time.

Our apartment is on the 7th floor of the center building.  (Way to go Karla- very artistic shot of a boring subject!!)

Lunch (parilla) with the Iroz's.  We always have a wonderful time when we are invited to their home.  This was on June 1- a beautiful late fall day that was warm enough for us to sit outside.

Luis and Laura DiBello.  Unfortunately, Luis (along with 50% of Uruguay) is a Penarol Football Club supporter.  The Coghlan family has thrown their support to Penarol's archrival, Nacional.  Luis is wearing the yellow and black jersey of his favorite team.

We spent a very fun evening with the DiBello's and Laura's extended family.  Her son, Martin, is an excellent dinghy sailor and has been able to travel to China, Spain and Brazil to compete.

Our apartment is in the Pocitos neighborhood of Montevideo.  The Rio de la Plata is in the background.  Pocitos Beach is at the foot of our street, Bulevar Espana.

This is the view from the back balcony facing east.

Laundry day.

Riley studying in his bedroom.  What's in his ear???

Could it be Bob Marley?

Erin and Karla working on Northstar Jr. High math during the summer.  Erin didn't think this was something she should be doing during the summer.

The kids with their friends, Harriet and Jessica on the first day of school.  This is the uniform for all public school kids. 

Our friend Daniel invited us over for a parrilla aka BBQ.

Jerry's sister and her family were visiting from Seattle and were able to join us at Daniel's.  A huge pile of meat was served. 

Jerry's aunt and mom at Pocitos Beach drinking the Uruguayan national beverage - mate.  It is a tea like drink.  Look closely and you can see Erin in the background.  Head only because her friends buried her.

Riley, Grammy and Erin at the movies.

Our local laundry.  50 pesos ($1.60) per load.  And complete with a small Spanish lesson each time we go.  The owner loves to talk. 

Harriet helping Riley with his Spanish.  Harriet's family moved to Uruguay from England a year and a half ago.  Her dad is Uruguayan,  her mother is English and her Spanish is fluent.

A short play performed in our living room by Jessica, Harriet and Riley. 

With our friend, Annie, at her house drinking mate. The Iroz family has been wonderful to us.  They live in our neighborhood and we see them often.

Dyeing Easter eggs without the kit and using straight food coloring is kind of messy!

The Sorias came over for Easter dinner - rack of lamb and Joanne whipped up Baked Alaska for dessert.

Erin and Riley in Erin's room with her friend, Florencia.

Andrea comes in the mornings to help the kids with their Spanish and homework.  They have lunch together while practicing their conversational Spanish.

Erin with all of her school supplies ready for the first day.