A Visit to an Elementary School

We visited Wakeland Elementary School of International Studies, an International Baccalaureate elementary school in Bradenton. We mentored first graders, who were working on creating art projects with international significance. We were very impressed by the creative plans they had written for their projects. Mari wrote the students' names for them in Japanese, and they were so fascinated that they didn't want to let Mari leave. Thank you, Wakeland, for this opportunity for intercultural exchange.

A visitor who touched our hearts

Heike's friend Barbara came to visit from Munich. She joined us on field trips, and we are so happy to have met her. She is pictured here with us in the butterfly garden at Mixon's Fruit Farm, at the De Soto National Memorial, on the patio at the Ca D'Zan, and at Captain Brian's. Thanks, Barbara, for sharing these times with us.

A Visit to the Art Department at State College

Mari organized a field trip for us to visit her pottery teacher, Daniel Wolfe, who graciously welcomed us to his studio and gave us a tour of the Art Department at State College of Florida in Bradenton. We learned a lot about art in 3D. Thanks, Dan!

DEDICATION: NELS MATSON

We dedicate our blog to Nels Matson, who had the patience to teach us, all first-time bloggers, how to make a blog. Nels is a very special person with a very big heart, who dedicates his time to helping raise consciousness and money for children with congenital heart defects. He is bicycling across the United States this summer for the Children's Heart Foundation. Thank you Nels for all that you do for the children.

For more information, please go to the following sites:
www.athletes4heart.com
www.athletes4heart.blogspot.com
www.childrensheartfoundation.org
www.firstgiving.com/athletes4heart

A Trip to the Ringling Museum in Sarasota

In the courtyard


Mari and Lucie admire David...while Ivete photographs



Under the banyan tree

A local hero: Justin Matthews of Matthews Wildlife Rescue

We visited Matthews Wildlife Rescue in Bradenton. We were touched by Justin Matthews' close relationship with and deep understanding of the animals. Justin rescues and rehabilitates thousands of wild animals each year. Thank you, Justin, for all that you do for the animals.



Justin with Bandit.

Presentation about my country - Czech Republic, Lucie