Sunday, November 29, 2009

Random Recent Photos

Yesterday morning, when Alina found out that my parents were going to my grandma's place for lunch, promptly asked if she could go because, "my bisavó always likes it when I go". Since Gabriel and I were going to be out busking, it was good that it worked out for her to go. She returned home with the great news that she'd had ice cream for dessert.

Oh, and she was quite happy to be wearing these "high shoes", as she calls them, to go to her greatgrandma's house, hence the pose:


Our dearest little nut sitting still for 1 minute while she watches part of a video. After 1 minute, she commences banging on the keyboard and trying to press as many buttons and keys as possible and then whines when the computer freezes making it impossible for her to continue with her shenanigans.

Oh, look! It's the same little nut. This time she thinks she's part of the dollhouse:

Tired froggie:


Storytime:

One weekend we went out for pizza ... and fries, of course:





And on our way home we stopped by this famous church which was designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Believe it or not, in the 18 years that I've lived in this city, I never took a single photo at this ultra touristy spot which also happens to be one of the symbols of this city. And that's 'cause in these 18 years I've lived about 10 minutes away from it.

Well, now not only I, but the girls also, will have photos of this important "work of art".

That tall thing is the belfry:


The front, which overlooks the lake:


Going home with a lily she picked from the church garden:

It's tiring to study!

This video is kinda long ... it's of Alina working on her spelling list:


"Yes, I know, I'm so smart."

The little one wreaking havoc in my room:

Christmas is a Time to Give

Ange, we sent you a little Christmas gift via November's report. It's not much and we wish we could send you more, but alas, we have not the funds.

Alina liked the idea of sending it to you because then, and I quote, "She can get something special for her Christmas" (we hope :). Every time we read stories of people giving things or sending donations to missionaries and the like, she asks if we can send you something.


I guess the fact that you're in a far-flung field makes the idea of giving more exciting, which is something I'm trying to cultivate in her, the giving part, that is, heh. Or maybe it's the fact that you're her favorite silly aunt. Remind me to ask her.

Oh, and she has a few rubber glow-in-the-dark frogs that she wanted to send, as well as one that dilates when you put it in the water, but I don't know if they're worth the postage, ha! At least in this case it's the thought that counts.

So anyway, here's wishing you an early Merry Christmas! We hope the gift reaches you in time to be of some use. Love you!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Angie!

Happy birthday to you, my dearest, wonderfulest friend!

There are no words to describe how much you mean to me and how happy/thankful/blessed I am to have you as a friend.

You've always "been there" for me, ready to hear me out, ready to share my joys and sorrows, and ready to share yours as well. And even when our lives went separate ways you stayed as true as ever.

I love your quiet, unassuming way, your sense of humor (and laugh) ... you are caring, thoughtful, and just a really, really, really nice person (naturally, that's why you're my friend :P).

I do so wish I could give you a hug, but a cyber one will have to do. So, consider yourself hugged. You know I love you ... so much!!

I'm praying that you'll reach your goals in this new year of your life and that you'll be happy.

Loads of beijos!!! xoxoxoxoxox!!

P.S. I'm going busking tonight, but I'll call you when I get back. If you're out (or asleep) I'll call tomorrow night, ok?

Friday, November 27, 2009

Busking

Just got back from Christmas busking and I'm wiped! I had a pretty awful night last night with a horrible stomach ache and resulting back ache. Not to mention that Laura slept with us most of the night.

Yesterday we did our first Christmas presentation and the only downside was that, due to standing up for a while, my poor, destroyed legs were ruined some more. And from there I rushed to Alina's ballet school where she was having a mega-practice (she will be performing on the 9th) and Laura was an unwilling tag-along.


I got there in time to have some cake, since it was the owner's birthday. That was the highlight of Alina's evening: the cake, heh.

Well, the good news is that in spite of all the aches and pains, cool things have been happening and it's inspiring. Hurray for the Christmas season!

Monday, November 23, 2009

A Special Dinner

Saturday night we had a dinner for some of our long-time friends, though not all of them were able to come. The food was GREAT, but what was even better was when Laura finally went to sleep. I was exhausted, to say the least.

We had had Bible school at our social project which was extra tiring because there were only two of us instead of 3 (after having been bent over separating food to distribute to the kids), and then I spent most of the evening standing up or bent over chasing Laura and trying to keep her from causing much damage to our surroundings, boo-hoo.

Yes, well, our guests were happy, we were happy to see them happy, and everyone had a happy time. Especially Laura.


Luciano and our faithful barman (Gabriel):

The little terror happy with her piece of toast:

Resting for a few precious moments. My poor aching legs and back.

Food! Escondidinho de bacalhau e filé mignon com cogumelos:

Gabriel and Concessio:


A toast (that giant over there is my little brother):

Singing to the guests. Actually, it was more like croaking, at least on my part. You know when you're so tired you don't really tune into what you're doing and things usually come out wrong? Well, that's how I was. I don't even know how I managed to sing, I mean, croak. Although I did do it with my whole heart and someone even commented on how I seemed the happiest of the bunch. Must've been the tiredness :P.


Geez, it looks like I'm gonna take a huge bite of air.

Birthday cake

Some photos from the second half of Alina's birthday celebration this Sunday (the yummy part :).

Alina is such an easy child to please ... thank God! We didn't have much time to do things (trying to put the cake together and decorate it whilst having singing practice), but she was super happy with everything, loved the cake, the sweets, the jello, and of course, the pink balloons (the manger scene in the back had nothing to do with her birthday, lol).

She chose her b-day theme as well as which of her favorite ponies would have the privilege of being on the cake. And naturally, she left the joyous task of washing and combing all of them for me ... thrilling!



One of her guests being a monkey:

The birthday kids:

She felt all grown-up because Marina had put a bit of make-up on her:

MLP for Alina and dinosaurs for Kalen:

The fatso enjoying some poison:

Trying to get the orange to not fall ... they ended up completely forgetting about the dancing part of the game, har har!

Singing "Happy birthday" ... again:



Making sure the "magic" candle turns back on:

Part of our family:

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Fun, fun, and more fun!

Alina with some of her presents ... Angie, she liked the book and I told her that she can read it when she's a little older. She didn't seem to mind and was just happy that it was hers ... thanks again!

I made her favorite snack of chocolate oatmealballs and strawberry milkshake and put a Tinkerbell candle on the balls (her symbolic cake) for us to sing "Happy birthday". Everyone was pretty anxious to leave so we didn't take any pictures, sniff.


We had been praying that it wouldn't rain on Friday, as it'd been raining every single day of the week and rain would naturally ruin the outing. Jesus totally answered our prayers, it didn't rain and the weather was perfect!

So off we went to the park ... and spent 4 delightful hours in long lines and noisy rides. Very excite!

Four monkeys (the girls and a couple of Alina's friends):


Already tired of waiting in a line:



Lovely shot of the three of us:

Such an independent little girl:


Gabriel with a couple of the kids on the ferris wheel:


Alina went on this thing 4 or 5 times ... haja estômago!



What love!



Gabriel going on the craziest ride with Marina and Vitoria (a friend):

More cars ... Laura loved them




Gabriel and Laura "zooming" by: