Holiday Trip, Part 1: The Girls

Originally, we weren't going to travel, but a few days before the holiday it worked out for me and the girls to participate in the retreat that my parents and some other folks were organizing. And so, we spent the Corpus Christi holiday (Thursday-Sunday) in Poços de Caldas (in the south of Minas Gerais). 

Thursday morning I was up at 6:30 getting the girls and the last-minute things ready. We ended up leaving the house kind of late and we still had to go to the other side of town to switch cars because we were going to travel with a friend. 

When we arrived at his apartment, he insisted on showing us around before getting his last-minute things. 

Thanks to that, we left Belo by 10:00 a.m. and arrived in Poços de Caldas around 4:00 p.m.
By that time it was too late to do anything except for our check-in, showers, etc. and get ready for dinner. 

Most everyone who went participated in the retreat, but when I asked Alina if she'd like to participate in the inspirations, she told me: "Bob, I didn't come for the retreat or for the people; I came to go to the park and the pool!". "The park" is a big amusement park across the road which belongs to the hotel that we were staying at. 

The weather was icy the first 3 days, and it rained one of the days, so she ended up not swimming (even though there was an indoor heated swimming pool). True to her word though, she went to the park every day, and on the last day it was sunny and beautiful. All in all she had a grand time! 

A couple of her friends had also gone to the retreat so she was able to play with them and spend lots of time with them. 

Every evening the hotel's entertainers would come into the dining hall dressed up as wannabe Disney characters and dance around and interact with the children (Laura was horrified with them, haha). 

One of the evenings there was a "birthday party" for the June birthday people ... thankfully I snuck out before they sang "Happy Birthday". Alina stayed long enough to pig out on the little chocolates they distributed and other junk. 

Oh, yeah, and one night the hotel hosted a Festa Junina after dinner,  just that the battery of my camera was recharging so I couldn't take any pictures. 

Alina really enjoyed walking around looking at all the different stalls and games and tasting a variety of foods. They had some great quentão ... don't know what that's called in English. 

Anyway, this first batch of photos is of the girls. I'm really happy it worked out for us to go ... we had a special and fun time together.

Waiting to leave:

In our room on the first evening:

At one of the inspirations (well, waiting for it to start):

On our way to the park:

At the park:

A different kind of drinking fountain:

Miss Independent:

She was "driving" with both steering wheels ... it was sooooo cute, but she stopped when I took the photo.

Waiting at the "train station":

All aboard!

Checking out the army museum:

Checking out the "pretty lights" from our balcony:

Playing with the lights before the "party" started:

Feeding the ducks:

One of the huge flights of stairs at the park (carrying Laura up and down these things was the death of me):

Popcorn!

Big girl -- Alina goes by herself ...

And Laura goes with me (had to stop her from opening the safety latch):

I'm so interesting!

This was the night of the birthday celebration thingie, that's why she has the party hat on:

On the last day Alina was able to go on the rides for bigger kids because Alicia (in white) was kind enough to accompany her since I couldn't because of Laura. Oh yeah, Alicia is one of my ex-students ... all grown-up now.

A small part of the park:

That's the hotel on the far left:

Another inspiration:

"Look at the camera! Grandma wants to take a picture of you!"

On our way back home:

This is the day after we arrived home, Alina came down with a cold, but at least she was able to enjoy the little jams, cheese, and butter that she brought from the hotel :)