Curitiba's Zoo

It was so much fun! The kids were pretty excited - they absolutelly love the Zoo! It's a very hilly place and they walked most of the time (not Noah). After we drove all around this huge lake where there are boat races and saw a few more pretty things in Curitiba - places that I never being to even though I lived in CWB since I was like 9. (Moved to US when I was 21)

It was also so funny to see different animals then our Zoo in Cincy. I took a bunch of pictures and Noah was SO happy to see his friends from "Madagascar"

* Bulls



* Ostrages



* Noah, when he wasn't running away from us - was always trying to get a ride with someone





* Albine peacocks



* Giraffes!!!!!! =) Melmaaan! (Noah shouted)



* I don't think my kids ever saw the giraffe at the Cincy Zoo (Before it left - or after it was back - is it back?) They were very into them!

* The lion was very old

* An anta - I'm not even sure what's called in English!

Dears - many dears! LOL Can you believe it? I guess it's not that big of a deal - if you really think about it. We see a ton of animals in the USA that are "normal" here lik parrots and things like that... soooo we don't have dears crossing the roads in Brasil so I guess the Zoo it's the place to see them, right?

Benji with cousis Augusto & Victor

* My dad, cousins Will, Augusto, Victor and all the way in the back Tio Paulo + Tia Ro

* The Zoo's entrance (and exit) My dad, Will, Benji & Tia Ro

Festival of Lights

I went there with the boys and we met the “Fair - Ponds” there and I forgot my cameraaaaa =(
(Amy, if you have any pics, can you send them to me??? Txs!!!)

Anyways, We got this one to register the day:

It was sooo cold but we manage ok, the boys loved and they were great! We didn’t get to see a lot of animals but we saw an ice sculpture and rided the train - as usual! lo

A very wet Zoo

We made to the zoo today with Kristen and Mike, it’s sounded like a perfect day until we leave the membership office and KABOON – it’s pouring rain!


Very wet, we have a membership and could go back at anytime but Benji was so frustrated with the idea of not visiting the elephants, that was all he talked about for 2 days…. we still managed to show Benji the elephants, the discovery center and a couple train rides.

We headed to Mike’s house to dry and I actually took a nice hot shower and Kirsten cooked us dinner. I tried for the first time “Spaghetti squash” I absolutely enjoyed it.

Dan got a ride there, and we all headed back home together…

Past couple of weeks

It’s being a while since I had time to write – I probably won’t remember half of the things that happened this past couple of week, but at least the most important ones will be recorded!


* We had a visit to the zoo with the bible study group and kids to do a egg hunt but after walking all around Benji and Jessica felt asleep and never got to do the egg hunt!

* Lilly, Derek and the kids came for Easter, we already had plans for Sunday so Samantha stayed with the kids on Saturday so Dan & I + Lilly & Derek could hang out Saturday night and we had a very nice time. * Easter Sunday was fun. There was an awesome service at Lifeland. Dan cooked this awesome meal; he stuffed pork two different ways; one with Fresh Mozzarella, Basil and Roma Tomatoes (OMG!!!) and the other with a Spinach Paste he made up, Cheese and some other seasonings… We also had some Italian Sausage, and some sort of beef on the grill (That tasted very much like a Brazilian cut), all that with Vinagrette and rice “the perfect combination”. For he grand finale we had some Maracuja Mousse spread on this delicious white cake with coconut! (Dear, I gained 5 #s just thinking about it!) * Not sure if I already said that but Noah is cruising around very well and fast too. Standing up by himself, clapping, dances on sound of music

* Benji is finally done with pacifiers – he now can se them and still be ok. Now that is over it doesn’t feel like it was that hard. Very much into sports, outside (and frustrated with the weather), books and trains. Just got another couple molars (ouch!) and talking like a parrot! I’m introducing more and more words in Portuguese daily. Sleeping good 10 hours *alone* in his bed! Using the potty occasionally.

* I finished watching the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and surprisingly I enjoyed it! Now I started reading “Finding God in the Lord of the Rings” by Kurt Bruner & Jim Ware Other books to finish are:
Free at last by Larry Huch
Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn
Bringing up boys by James Dobson
My brother’s keepers by McCormick
Hold onto your kids by Gordon & Mate M.D

* My dad, Claudia and Tia Sandra meet with my 2 uncles and grandfather for the first time and it sounds like they got along very well – It made very happy; this was something I always wanted to happen and even thou I was sad for not being there I was really please to hear how well it went. * We worked on *some* of our landscaping – there’s still lots to be done around the house and the deck but the front it’s looking pretty sharp! I’m very pleased. Tim and Dan worked on past Tuesday and Tim worked alone for another 4 days…

* We went to the Y at the pool with some Brazilians, Katie meet us there w/ Sage and the twins. Benji is just in love with the pool and it’s pretty neat to watch! Katie looks so good – she is due anytime and her belly it’s just awesome! We are excited to see that baby’s face!

* Talking about babies – Isabella is here!! She came on 04/04 - Congratis guys!

* Melissa B. is pregnant!!!

* I drove both boys and me to Perdue and back last Saturday, it took me about 7 hours total (Man – I was tired) for a Brazilian service – that by His grace was pouring His good promises! (Dan 3)
And soon pictures from the past couple of weeks!

Zoo for a bunch of animals…

Today I believe it was the warmest day we’ll have for a while – so we had an opportunity to go to the Cincinnati Zoo. It was a very cool time, talking about the animals we have at the Zoo in Sao Paulo, and just about where animals are from - Very educational.

We took my family for a very American dinner at Bob Evans – LOL

Benji is very much into trains! It fascinates him… it’s fun to watch him play!

Just because I said something about Dan’s family on my last post Frances showed up here last night to visit with my family… anyways, I feel like I had to say something!!! =oP

It’s funny how things can turn around very fast and all the sudden I feel like an outsider… *CRAP*

Besides that thing going on with my friends I also hate being at home – I never thought I would feel this way (and it may change after the baby is born)

I feel like Benji enjoy me being here for him but also I feel how “sick” of me he gets. I feel like crap in a way, like I’m not getting anything accomplished, housework is the crap because no one notices. I miss hearing “Well done” or “Great Job” when I’m done with a project! I miss working in projects – I miss thinking!

I feel like I have to “run” after things to do with Benjamin everyday so he (and I ) won’t get bored! And this is summer… it seems like it’ll get worst during the cold weather and I’m already freaking out over it!
As Linda said, in a few days I may be bagging to have the “Time” I have on my hands now – she is probably right, but for the time being I’m not really enjoying as I thought I would!

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The past couple of day:

Saturday was Nathan’s birthday – Benji had a blast! Played – played and played! He was exhausted! We got home and showered (he had sand all over, inside of his ears, shoes and all over his hair) and he felt a sleep right the way! That gave Dan and I a chance to talk, watch a movie and just relax for a little bit longer than usual!

We went to the zoo yesterday – Dan never gets to go so since he was home we thought it would be a good opportunity for him to go with us. He was impressed with how Happy Benji was there! They had a lot of fun together, I think Benji loved it that dad carried him and shoed him every animal (because since we got the pass I being pregnant and I don’t have the guts to walk there and old him up in every animal so he can see it) and talking about walking, we did walk about 5 hours non stopping up and down those hills… by the end of the day Benji started getting cranky (of course) and so did I. But we had a nice lunch/dinner around 5pm and just hanged out all together until bad time. It was a nice family day with lots of fun to Benji before baby brother is here!

Some random thoughts:
* I was hoping the 5 hours of walking would do me something but nothing yet! =] (That’s a not very happy smiley face)
* Today is Claudia’s birthday – Clau FELIZ ANIVERSARIO! (She made home safe)
* Blue had a baby brother, I think his name is Sprinkles but I’m not sure!
* Jessica spent last Monday with us and Benji just loved it!
* I have a check up today
* Andrea is pregnant (I’m not sure I’m supposed to know, but I also know she doesn’t read this blog) I hope she is happy, kids are a blessing and I think she is in a good age and it’ll be cool for her! It’ll change the direction of her life, I’m sure.
* I did pack my bad today – baby has no name yet!
* Luciana is coming over for lunch & that should be fun – especially for the boys…