Love, love, love it!
Check out the link below if you're an iced coffee lover like me :)
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/06/perfect-iced-coffee/
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Eclipse
As most people know, there was a total lunar eclipse yesterday. Beautiful!
The last time I saw one was eight years ago and I was pregnant with Alina. This was the girls' first.
We observed it from the beginning when the moon began to darken, until it was shining bright. Alina said the moon looked like a boat when less than half of it was shining and she was excited to watch its "transformation".
And Laura, well, she didn't have a clue about what was happening, but she kept pointing at it and saying "moo".
Part of the eclipse as seen from Brazil:
The last time I saw one was eight years ago and I was pregnant with Alina. This was the girls' first.
We observed it from the beginning when the moon began to darken, until it was shining bright. Alina said the moon looked like a boat when less than half of it was shining and she was excited to watch its "transformation".
And Laura, well, she didn't have a clue about what was happening, but she kept pointing at it and saying "moo".
Part of the eclipse as seen from Brazil:
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Strange Happenings
It was Thursday evening, around 7 o'clock, I had just finished giving Laura a shower, in fact she was still in the shower stall, when all of a sudden this extremely strong wind began to blow. A few seconds later we heard a horrible crashing sound and then the electricity was out. By that time there was a full-scale storm going on, the tall trees in our yard were bending as if made of rubber, and the horrific wind continued.
Shortly afterwards, my brother spotted a large gap in our wall. The noise from the storm was so overpowering that we didn't hear the tree crashing onto the wall.
When the storm subsided we could see some of the damage caused by it: roof tiles shattered on the ground, another tree fell onto the dog kennel, large branches strewn here and there, one of which flew from a tree across the street and broke part of our rain gutter (the first big crash we heard). Thankfully, it missed the roof by centimeters, if not, the damage would have much worse. Also, the guys were able to block the gap in the wall to the best of their ability.
As freaky as the storm was, what was somewhat worse was the fact that we then went without electricity for almost 48 hours. Obviously it was a set-back work-wise since there's only so much that can be done without electicity, such as organize files, papers, and the like.
We were able to enjoy ourselves though, even without electricity. We made a fire, roasted marshmallows, had wine, bread, sausages, and other yummy things on Friday night. It was freezing anyways, so what better way to warm ourselves than by sitting next to a crackling fire on a moon-lit night.
On Saturday my dad, brother, and I went to a beer festival that was being held in a neighboring town. Now that was delightful beyond words! Spending a crisp, sunny, winter afternoon drinking different kinds of beer and eating typical dishes from this region was very nice, especially after what we'd just been through. My wonderful husband stayed home with the girls so that I could go out and enjoy myself. Thanks, Love!
Hole in the wall:
My brother helping block the hole:
Alina wanted to see what had happened during the storm before going to school:
Everyone feels the cold. Not him. The boys got a bit carried away with the event, hence the swords on the table for "protection".
The Foother and Moother:
Shortly afterwards, my brother spotted a large gap in our wall. The noise from the storm was so overpowering that we didn't hear the tree crashing onto the wall.
When the storm subsided we could see some of the damage caused by it: roof tiles shattered on the ground, another tree fell onto the dog kennel, large branches strewn here and there, one of which flew from a tree across the street and broke part of our rain gutter (the first big crash we heard). Thankfully, it missed the roof by centimeters, if not, the damage would have much worse. Also, the guys were able to block the gap in the wall to the best of their ability.
As freaky as the storm was, what was somewhat worse was the fact that we then went without electricity for almost 48 hours. Obviously it was a set-back work-wise since there's only so much that can be done without electicity, such as organize files, papers, and the like.
We were able to enjoy ourselves though, even without electricity. We made a fire, roasted marshmallows, had wine, bread, sausages, and other yummy things on Friday night. It was freezing anyways, so what better way to warm ourselves than by sitting next to a crackling fire on a moon-lit night.
On Saturday my dad, brother, and I went to a beer festival that was being held in a neighboring town. Now that was delightful beyond words! Spending a crisp, sunny, winter afternoon drinking different kinds of beer and eating typical dishes from this region was very nice, especially after what we'd just been through. My wonderful husband stayed home with the girls so that I could go out and enjoy myself. Thanks, Love!
Hole in the wall:
My brother helping block the hole:
Alina wanted to see what had happened during the storm before going to school:
Everyone feels the cold. Not him. The boys got a bit carried away with the event, hence the swords on the table for "protection".
The Foother and Moother:
Last Weekend
We went out for a [delish] pizza and the usual fries with the girls earlier in the evening. Alina didn't care to play this time, unlike Laura who played to her heart's content in the restaurant's small playground.
Later that evening several of my siblings' friends came over and we hung out ... pleasant company and good drinks. I think the last time I stayed up so late was on New Year's Eve. :)
Laurie choosing her juice (not really):
The next morning we went down to the lake to ride a bike with the girls. Someone recently opened a place where you can rent all sorts of bikes to ride around the lake, so we got this rickshaw type with a seat in the front for the girls and two sets of pedals in the back.
We ended up waiting quite a while because all the bikes were rented. At least the girls enjoyed seeing the many cute dogs walking or running by with their owners and looking at all the interesting birds and creatures by the lake while we waited.
Our little nut ready to go out:
Two bumps on a stump:
Having a popsicle while waiting for our turn:
Chasing a cute dog:
Our turn at last:
Good exercise for Daddy and Mommy and a fun ride for the girls:
A joão-de-barro's nest in one of the trees we rode by:
Later that evening several of my siblings' friends came over and we hung out ... pleasant company and good drinks. I think the last time I stayed up so late was on New Year's Eve. :)
Laurie choosing her juice (not really):
The next morning we went down to the lake to ride a bike with the girls. Someone recently opened a place where you can rent all sorts of bikes to ride around the lake, so we got this rickshaw type with a seat in the front for the girls and two sets of pedals in the back.
We ended up waiting quite a while because all the bikes were rented. At least the girls enjoyed seeing the many cute dogs walking or running by with their owners and looking at all the interesting birds and creatures by the lake while we waited.
Our little nut ready to go out:
Two bumps on a stump:
Having a popsicle while waiting for our turn:
Chasing a cute dog:
Our turn at last:
Good exercise for Daddy and Mommy and a fun ride for the girls:
A joão-de-barro's nest in one of the trees we rode by:
Thursday, June 2, 2011
School Life
I attended a parents/teacher meeting at Alina's school this week. She has a new teacher. Again. The first one took off in the end of March on maternity leave, the substitute resigned two months into the job, and now we'll see how long this one lasts. Sigh.
Naturally, all the parents are worried about all these changes because obviously it interrupts and causes glitches in the children's learning/school year. Alina's still bedazzled by the newness of everything, and since she's a couple of grades ahead of the rest of the kids she doesn't suffer the scholastic lacks that the others do.
I've been trying to get ahold of the [elementary] coordinator to explain to her Alina's unique situation. Haven't had luck so far. She's unchallenged scholastically, yet I don't want her to change grades because she's not on the same level emotionally as the 3rd and 4th graders. She's as tall as the older kids, but she's still just a big kid.
I know that running a school the size of the one she goes to is quite complicated, but it's pretty frustrating that they can't get someone who will do the job needed to the best of their ability. Sigh again.
Naturally, all the parents are worried about all these changes because obviously it interrupts and causes glitches in the children's learning/school year. Alina's still bedazzled by the newness of everything, and since she's a couple of grades ahead of the rest of the kids she doesn't suffer the scholastic lacks that the others do.
I've been trying to get ahold of the [elementary] coordinator to explain to her Alina's unique situation. Haven't had luck so far. She's unchallenged scholastically, yet I don't want her to change grades because she's not on the same level emotionally as the 3rd and 4th graders. She's as tall as the older kids, but she's still just a big kid.
I know that running a school the size of the one she goes to is quite complicated, but it's pretty frustrating that they can't get someone who will do the job needed to the best of their ability. Sigh again.
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