One last post...

Dear Parents and Students (of 2014-15), 

I hope you've each had a relaxing, fun, and memorable summer! It always goes so quickly, doesn't it? All of a sudden, we are on the cusp of a new school year and we left wondering what it holds. (See, even teachers are curious and sometimes nervous!) Rest assured, however, that terrific things are in store. I just know it. 

I enjoyed a fantastic summer full of traveling (Denmark, Iceland, Orcas Island, Pittsburgh), relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, shopping, reading, sewing, and spending quality time with friends and family. One of the highlights was learning how to scuba dive with my sister, Julie. It was all so refreshing and I feel like my cup is full after so many wonderful experiences. I'm feeling extremely grateful, happy, and excited and hope that your summer memories invoke the same emotion. :) 

As we begin a new year, I want to say how much I will miss our delightful class and all of you parents. It was truly a special year together. I hope you make the effort to stay in touch with each other and arrange play dates, even if your children are in different classes in Grade 4. The friendships we've built in Grade 3 are certainly ones that can last for many years to come if you take the time and effort to nurture them, which I would encourage. Such international friendships are one of the joys that an expat life in Dubai affords each of us, so let's treasure them. (Here are pictures from our June fun, by the way. Thanks for your patience!) 

As Sami has moved to California, Kiek to the Netherlands, and Lehar to Switzerland, know that we are really going to miss seeing your sweet smiles around DAA and hope that you'll stay in touch. I have no doubt that you'll each thrive in your new homes and bloom where you're planted. We'd love to see pictures when you have time to share them. (You can share them in the Google chat for 3LN.) 

I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of you next week, so please swing by for a hug, if you have time! 

Warmly, 

Ms. Laura 

PS. If you're interested in some pictures from my summer, I hope you'll enjoy these fun memories: 

• Pacific Northwest (still have about 500 pictures to add, but this is a small album)
• Snorkeling the Jupiter Inlet, one of our favorite spots just 10 min. from home
• First solo dive with my sister
• Second solo dive 
• Seahorses!! 

I have more pictures to upload from Iceland, Denmark, and FL, but this is a good start. :) You might get tired of the fish pictures though! Consider yourself warned. Lol. 

It was fantastic to be able to spend such quality time with my friends at home! 

Very thankful for my wonderful parents, who have been married 47 years. They are coming to visit in late September for 2 weeks. Can't wait! 

Getting together with my cousins and extended family and church friends

Scuba Diving fun! 

Keebler was as fond of this fabric as I was. :) 

Exploring the beach in the Pacific Northwest was very different than Dubai or FL beaches

Waaaaay up near Hekla (an active volcano) and a glacial lake. Iceland is aptly nicknamed the land of fire and ice. Our driver was hoping the volcano would erupt. I wasn't!! 

Beautiful Copenhagen

A unique experience relaxing in a thermal pool in Iceland with some teacher friends...Amazing!

Thanks for taking the time to peruse these pictures. :)