Thanks Kristin!

We being talking about Benjamin doing a sport as an extra activity after school but we just never take the time to go sign him up (awful parents - I know!). We lost AGAIN the sign up for SAY Soccer so when I got the local Community Center paper right the way I started reading and marking the ones I was thinking were a good idea: Soccer - Karate - Gymnastics - Tennis - Golf, Swimming...

Well, after talking to daddy and Ben about it, B was no way to be flexible - he had his heart and mind set into TENNIS! =)
Great!!!  I'm loving it I think it's awesome and at no means I want to be negative I just know how my son works.
He will take the racket and believe he can hit all the balls easily like he does on the WII game. I talked to him about it and explained and explained! It requires lots of work and concentration!

Anyways the classes don't start until April and Ben is a bag full of anxiety waiting for this class to start! I don't want to go out and get him the gears just yet because I want to make sure he is really gonna be into it! I posted a little note on Facebook to see if anyone had an extra one laying around to let us use or for sale. K found a pair at a GW store and got it for him and Noah!

And the rest you can see:


Facebook post looking for raquets:                        Free
Pair of raquets gifted from Kristin:                          $0,50
Ben loveing it so much he felt asleep with it:          Priceless!

Birthday Cake surprise from Sarah - Pretty & Yummiiiiee! =)

Thanks Thihty! It was sooo delicious and so beautiful! =)

Good reposts = a happy mama

I think one of a mother's most rewarding moments is when your child says "I love you" or just makes you feel special, loved and proud.

Well this weekend Noah had his first sleep over and Benji had plenty before but still did very well. So happy to hear the reports on them (2 nights in a row - 2 different friends) and to hear a positive comment about our parenting and our kids was just a "cherry on top"!

"whatever you are doing keep on - they are polite, have great manners, are caring & loving kids"

and yet - stll play and enjoy life as every child should! (robot kids drive me insane)
I'm happy!

And by the way:
Thanks girls for having the kids this weekend! =) Dan & I had a great time and we own you BIG!


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HAPPY BIRTHDAY RONDA!!!!

Girl!
Happy happy happy birthday! =) I wish all the goodness in the world to you!
You rock mama! Keep up with your awesome job caring for the 2 precious that you have! =)
God bless you not just today but *ALWAYS*!

Luv ya!

Happy Birthday Shannon!!!! =)))

I'm SOOOO so excited!

So it's my friend Shay's birthday today, I know what I want to get for her for her birthday but never made out this week - I was so busy with the kids and working - so anyways I still had a card for her and I also got her a lottery ticket that said "LOTS OF 50'S"

I wanted to get the birthday scratch lottery tickets but for some reason the "LOTS OF 50'S" called my attention - I open my purse and guess what? I only have 1 - yes 1 dollar and they do NOT take credit card. So I go ahead and get one and wrote into the card:

- I wish I could give you "LOTS OF 50'S" my dear, but I can't =(

Try the lottery ticket!

I sure did wishe from the botton of my heart! - and guess what???? She got 50 bucks!!!! The very first and only lotery I have ever got! With trully all the desire to give her $ for her birthday! =) Awesome! It's not "LOTS OF 50'S" but 50 bucks it's a good start! =)))

Nice!

Had a good day yesterday with friend S and awesome time at the W's house for cooking lesson (I was teaching them a brazilian recipe) and HOOOOOOOOT TUB! =))))

I'm feeling pretty awesome

Yesterday I was babysitting all day!
Started the day at 6:45am until 5:30 - at some point I had a total of 7 kids (including mine) the oldest was 6!

I still did 2 loads of laundry - a warm lunch for all of them and had dinner ready by 5pm - Aaaand the house is not that bad - still in order - it needs cleaning but all the boys were picked up and all!!!
Daniela came by - with Chipolte (yuummm) and we eat together after all the kids were fed and happy. I'm not sure about doind this day after day - but for a day here and there not so bad!

So that is pretty awesome isn't it?

Highlights of the day! =)

We had a tornado watch today - we did go to the basement for about 30 minutes. Damage was reported as close as Loveland. But everyone/everything seems to be ok.

Benji went Rock climbind for Isaac's birthday (it was so great - Benji has being asking to do it for a long time now)

I got a pedicure! =)

mistaking

So – it’s funny the power of your words – this week I told my friend D that I wished I had a disease I saw on House that you tell people just whatever comes to your mind – and I so regret it now, as the best day I had last week I ruined by loosing a friend. l used the most mean words I could possibly use because I was really mad she didn’t do something I asked her to the way I expected before really finding out the reason why.
Not that the words I used shows what I really feel about her – I was just trying to hurt her – really – poor and straight out mean because I was angry. Of course I apologized but she still doesn’t want to be friends. I’m sure I would be feeling the same way. I’m trying so hard not to be judgmental 100% of the time with everyone and every situation (even knowing that it’s human’s nature) And I’m sure if I was on her shoes I probably would be VERY pissed off… however I can’t be mad at someone for too long – it would kill me inside. I’m ok with it. I asked for forgiveness and she choose not to be friends but God comforted my heart and made me in peace that I’m human and I make mistakes like the one that morning – a great morning when of no other reason I absolutely snapped. Now its look forward and work hard on patience and wisdom not do EVER do things without thinking. And waiting for another 2 new friends I’ll meet – I’m sure! Cause God never close a door without opening a window!

And he is 4...

Benji had a birthday a few weeks ago – we were still in Brasil – no one really were in the mood for a party, dad was in the hospital (b4 surgery) so we had a cake and just a couple friends over. He didn’t notice everyone had their minds somewhere else – which is good – and had a great time.


Benji was not allowed in Vovo Celso’s room at the hospital but since it was his birthday they got my dad on a wheel chair out to the hallway and they had a nice visit. Benji was sad to see vovo on his IV and being praying constantly that he feels better soon!



In Brasil is not easy to find donuts and when we do (Wal-Mart has them) they are awful! So I made homemade donuts for Benji – usually I just make little donut balls and they are yummie and cute – this time – since it was his birthday I tried making the traditional shaped donuts and it didn’t look very nice but it tasted very awesome! =)






In Cincinnati we had a cake before we left back in November – since Julio was moving to Panama, so these will be it for his 4th birthday celebration. The worst ever I ever done for him, the cheapest and still the one I think he enjoyed the most – go figure!
Cincinnati Birthday Party - Back in November (Not that you can really call it a party - we just had a cake a night during the week...)

The Gs at Caiobá beach

We went to the beach this weekend and overall it was great! The boys absolutely loved – Benji had a blast, Noah was not so sure at first but of course after all he wasn’t happy to leave. We were so lucky to get the greatest weather (maybe even a little too much sun for Dan & I). I can say everything was perfect and the boys will sure have the best memories of their first time at the beach.
The waves were a little too strong in my opinion – I felt down twice and busted out the biggest laugh ever!!! The ocean is awesome – the most amazing place ever! But to be honest I’m happier at the pool (at least when it comes to going with my kids) – The biggest sand box in the world it’s NOT a happy place for me (again – at least not with small kids) I can’t understand today how my parents ever did with me and my sister, little - for the whole summer or weeks at the time at the beach.
Salt – Sand – Sun isn’t a good combination to me at this time of my life.
I’m SUCH a pool person! LOL (Funny how things can change easily) And I sure was a bitch at the beach (not to my family – but to everyone else who helped to make my life harder)
Well-I must get it out of my chest – that people that doesn’t have kids should never make plans for people that does. Also – if someone wants to do something nice for you – first this person should make sure you want that! Don’t tell someone to “make yourself home” when you are imposing 600 rules and you want people to do things your way – at your time! Grrrr!
Phewwww! I sure feel much better….
But going back to talking about the good parts of it – I must say Benji made the coolest friend; Luigi, and his mom was very cool too. Also - as usual Kadu, Guga &Claudia were so helpful with the kids. Kadu I must say it’s a pretty cool friend. =)
I’m sure Caco got the coolest pics but these are the only ones I have on my camera to share right now:

* Dan & I


* Noah bird


* Noah bird again - always with his sunglasses


* Benji & my dad having all kinds of fun


* Caiobá

Update on Bella baby..

Her mama pushed for 2 hours and 20 mins.... I guess she really didn't care much to come out that girl!!! =)

7lbs and 9 oz
We hope to have pics soon!!! =)

and a welcome too....

Isabella - by this time should be here!!!

Welcome baby girl!!! =)
We already love you SO much!!!!
More info soon - I'm sure! =) We are way far in Brasil but we are "in to" this birth!!! =)
awesome!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

ANGELAAAAAAAA!!!! =)

God bless you today and always!!!!
And when I'm back I want to go out to celebrate your day!!!!

Kareoke???? LOL

The boys got a new friend....

Benji & Noah made friends with my friend's child. K & I went to school together - from like 7th grade all the way to high school and her son Nicholas is just a few months younger then Benji.
They came to Benji's 1st and 3rd birthday parties we had for Benji in Brasil but they never really played (of course - they were so young)

Now we have being getting together so they can play. The boys have so much fun together and K & I talk our elbows off - Just fun! =)

Funny or sad?

My sister and her bff (since pre-school) K are (seriously) playing a game “Guess what Noah is saying”

LOL

Brazillian style coffee cups

Nicky - Dani - Si... You guys wanna a set??? It's good good stuff (Schmidt). The factory is sooo close to my mom's house. They only have a few more left! Let me know, ok?

A huge load of pics

Finally - pictures from the wedding!!! =D
* Benji upset because he wanted to walk down the aisle


* Cousins rock! - Sissy Claudia, Cousin Pedro and Me


* Dan & I


*Sissy never knew I was taking this pic!

*My fav table - deserts!!!!

* Men of my life!!!!

* Benji wanted the Bridesmaid cake!

* Benji bored out of his mind!!!!

* Yummm - the food was too good!

* Benji & Tia Clau

* Familia Buscapeh

*Dad - tired but hanguing in there!

Noah waiving his empty glass to the waitress! -Hilarious!

* I got someone to give me Coke - Yuhhhuu!!!

* I wonder what was I thinking - or looking - or tasting....

*Sweet Noah

Before we left home...

I was downloading the pictures from the wedding and found a few pictures from before we left home. So, a little catch up:

Here is a couple pics of our x-mas card we made to Benji's classmates! I did the first one for the teachers, Noah's MRDD teachers and any other person we don't have a mailing address for. The one in the bottom Benji helped me - he did such a good job, I was impressed! He stamped over 10 of those x-mas trees (this was the nicest looking one) and helped me color them. We had a great time together while Noah was napping.

If you didn't get one of those - please don't feel like we ignored you. I actually got picture x-mas cards ordered before I left for Brasil but for some reason we won't get them until December 21st. Dan has the address and I hope he has time to send them out - if not, by the end of February you should be getting one! =D

Our "cooking group" get together a few times of year and try out brand new recipes, last year, our "teacher" Cindy gave us a cookie press, so this year of course we just had to have a cookie day! Cindy decided she wanted us to bring the kids too, so it worked out perfect to have our "secret santa" between the kids. Even thou Tati is not really into the cooking class she came that day, the kids had fun decorating cookie and I LOVED seing how the cookie press works! It's awesome how many shapes we can do, so perfect and so quickly! I'm totally doing it again when I get back home!

* Noah & Thomas exchanging gifts & hanging out together.

* Benji & Isaac (Benji can't get his eyes out of the cookies) - they had a blast decorating and eating the cookies!

Our October 31st.

We did not trick or treating out and about this year. Despite the fact I’m NOT a big fan of this day, for obvious reasons, I don’t feel comfortable with my kids eating candy from people I don’t know. AT our old neighborhood we knew everyone – literally. Here we barely know the people in our street!
There are some older couples in our street that don’t even try to hide how much they don’t like my kids running around and riding their bikes in the street… =oP

Anyways – last Sunday we did go to T’s church for trunk or treat! And that was so much fun! Benjamin doesn’t like to wear any costume – so we had a Home Depot apron, got some tools and he was a “Home Depot” sales man! He called himself a “Handyman”

Noah had a pirate costume but he also refused to wear the hat, and all the other stuff.

There was this one guy this the coolest stand, he was a “Tailgater” – he had this van full of balloons black and orange and the kids had to go thru it and get a number – he was giving special prizes – there was a pretty cool toy and all.
He was “grilling” these candies shaped as ice-cream, hot dog and hamburger…
But the best was his sign that said: “In case of a tornado – everyone head to Paul Brown Stadium, because we know that nothing touches-down there!” LOL

The kids had an awesome time – Benji didn’t want it to end! Running around with friends and eating candy – what could be better?

So on Friday – the 31st we went to Grandma F’s house for a bonfire with family and friends. Again – imagine – the kids loved it!
We got Jiffy pop popcorn for the fire - marshmallows and hot dogs. The kids played non stopping, we all had again a great time! =)

* Benji getting candy! - And with Grace - the coolest costume! =D
Noah the pirate! Benji & Isaac - best buddies! =)
And even I got tagged as "Wednesday 45 yrs later" The girl from the Adams Family
Little sad - because I'm only 27 - How I laugh or cry??? LOL