December Stuff and Fluff

The school's year-end celebration was held in the first week of December and as usual each grade performed a dance. This year's theme was movies so Laurie's class did a song from Rio and Alina's from High School Musical. My camera's battery died right as I finished filming Laurie's performance. Thankfully, my sister Marina was there and lent her phone thus enabling me to film Alina's dance. :)

My little dancer:

Laura took this picture before we left:

The end!

Naturally, we baked Christmas cookies ...

... and helped Grandma bake cakes and sweet breads and other good things!

Seeing the Christmas lights at Praça da Liberdade:

Vacations = coloring ...

Playing with the cat ...

Swimming ...

And watching lots and lots of movies and TV shows, heh. 

Pajama Party

Alina's class had a pajama party at school in November as a pre-farewell activity (it was their last year in the school since it only goes up to 5th Grade). Apparently, they had loads of fun. They stayed up late playing, eating, talking, and finally crashed out in their makeshift camp. We picked up our monkeys the next morning after a hearty, late breakfast and more games. 

Then at the end of the month her class and their families had a going-away barbecue. The weather wasn't the greatest, but it sure didn't deter the kids from swimming and playing until they dropped dead, heh. And yes, the food was quite delicious. :D 

Tweens:

My Princess' Graduation

My princess Laurie graduated to 1st Grade this year. Hurrah for her! Needless to say, I'm so very proud of her!! There was a party for the graduates in November and Grandma accompanied us since Grandpa and my siblings were busy at the book fair which was taking place at the time. A week later there was the official celebration held by the school. What an emotion-filled event! I've never been prouder of my little monkey!

A picture with my big monkey before heading to the party:

And a selfie with the moother:

Laurie digging into the sweets:

So many smart cookies!

Silly, funny girl!

Our Tree

There was almost an extra special excitement about putting up the Christmas tree this year, being that last year we didn't set it up due to my parents spending Christmas abroad with the other half of our family and us spending it elsewhere. We actually managed to have it up before December rolled around. Progress, I know. The girls have been sleeping under it regularly. Such joy!

And here's our nativity scene which Laurie helped set up:

A Perfect Sunday Morning?

Yes siree!

I finally had a Sunday in which I could do as I pleased, being that I'd turned in my graduation paper (or whatever it's called) and had taken my last test of the semester, nay, of the course. 

I'm officially done with college! Hurray! The graduation ceremony only takes place in the end of March, but at long last it's over. And I'm happy. :D 

There's almost nothing better than an excellent book, a decadent brigadeiro cake, and a cup of coffee. In that order. Together. And obviously, the time to enjoy it all.