We left home 7:20am, first to drop Sofia at school then to airport. We met the coach and other team members at the gate. Group pic taken, all little kids that pretend to be athletes, so cute. Half of the flight were swimmer to go to the same championship and their parents. When we landed, the pilot wishes everyone good luck at the race, so nice. That’s something I love about Brasilian people, very warm and genuinely caring.
We arrive hotel 10:30am too early to check in. Kids played at the lobby while parents worked. Then we all went to lunch at a nearby place. 5 girls and 1 boy one table, parents and the coach another table.
After lunch and getting some drinks we went back to hotel. Room was ready. I continued to work while Lizzy played and did Kumon. 3:30pm we left to some pre race warm up and getting to know the place. Campo Grande is more developed than we all thought. Many hotels, shops, restaurant nearby.
We got back to the hotel 5pm. I continued to work, crunching time until 11/25, while Lizzy went to play with her friends at the pool. Now I just ordered a salad for dinner as kids will have pizza at the hotel. I am pretty tired as I tried to be present while I am with Lizzy, while my mind is full of work things. Better to be here than not to be right?!
We will be here for 2 days of competition, and fly out home Sunday 5am. I am already looking forward to stay put at home for a while, after back to back travel for two weeks.
Lizzy is very happy with her swim friends. They don’t speak english well but they try to include her in everything, hold her hands when walking to swimming pool, super super cute and welcoming. Lizzy smiles and feels belonging to this swim team.
Seeing our kids smile, from their heart, is the best feeling ever.
Our New Journey 
Best of luck to Lizzie for the swim meet. That is so wonderful that the girls in her group are kind, it can make a real difference.
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This sounds really fun! Yes, it’s great that you’re there. And it sounds like Lizzy doesn’t need your constant attention. She’s getting time to play with her friends while you work. Good luck to her in the competition! I hope it all goes well.
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Awww, that’s wonderful. I’m so glad Lizzy has found her group!
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This reminds me of when my kids were involved in Irish dancing. They loved hanging out with friends at the hotel pool and going to restaurants and cheering each other on. Cute photos. I’m glad she’s enjoying them. I imagine you want to get home after so much travel.
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Lizzy looks so grown up in that plane photo! She’s looking less and less like a little girl! Enjoy your time away together!!
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It’s so challenging to feel divided between work and family. It would be nice to have a cleaner separation, but you are there and that’s what’s important!
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