morning walks

One thing that's helped me keep my sanity while Jeff's gone is to walk/run (much more walk than run) after charlie goes off to school. The days that I drop him off I go to Praia where the pictures are from and walk along a new path along the beach. On days like today it's well worth it with the waves crashing and the ocean spray in the air and the sun shining. Sanking along the coast in the first picture is the path i walk on and the second is Cameron at our harbor starting point. People were actually swimming but they must have been crazy! There's a little "gym" on the walking path where there's always a few older people excercising. I do a few of the "machines" if Cameron is cooperative but I'm not even sure how to do many of them. Listening to Kokomo and Brown Eyed Girl I ran a bit and enjoyed being here. It's no picnic without Jeff and I sure wish our family were closer but it is an enjoyable adventure. Now I just have to remember to find this blog for the days that "winter" sets in...

trick or treating

Fun videos

Cameron really enjoyed trying to carve the pumpkins with Heather

halloween ends

We had a great day today although a not so great end ;-( The kids started off with a soccer party and got trophies and pictures. The banquet went about as the season did--our coach tried but wasn't quite on top of things and the other coach was excellent which just made things that much more difficult. Fortunately the kids didn't seem to notice too much so it was just a differential for this mom who really thinks both the kids could have learned a lot and Heather maybe more interested if she had been "coached" otherwise I think its the end of that girls soccer road...Then we scooped and carved pumpkins in pretty simple designs. Charlie doesn't like scooping but Heather says its her favorite part of Halloween so she happily scooped out seeds and "guts". Charlie helped me carve a pretty simple design and did well. Heather drew lots of dolphins and a squid which were kind of cute. We did really miss Jeff and his great pumpkin carving skills and I'm not sure that the pumpkins were even picture worthy (note--no pictures!). Heather was in her costume by 1 with nowhere to go and we watched the AFN halloween marathon of Charlie Brown, Scooby Doo and other halloween cartoons. Trick or treating was fun. Heathers friends Alyah and Zoey and their parents came over for a quick "dinner" and trick or treating. Jeff called and got to see the kids in their costumes but just briefly as we were heading out the door. The kids did great through the neighborhood even with some scary masks handing out candy and creepy music. We saw lots of their cute friends and Cameron enjoyed a cat nap (ha--he was a tiger!!). After we got back Charlie put in a movie and Heather, Cameron and I passed out candy to the Portugese kids that came our way. It was said that there were 1000 people at the middle gate but we were not swarmed at our house. Once we got rid of all our candy we headed inside to talk to grandma for a bit and pushed our luck with a campout. The first cancelled campout in the history of such events as Heather and Charlie could not get their blankets and such set out. It was devestating but hopefully a good lesson on getting along...

Halloween starts

The kids started halloween a few weeks ago when we got their costumes. Heather wanted to be a witch and Charlie a Power Ranger (i didn't think he even knew what they were but I guess he does!). We thought we would make Cameron a black cat and I set out sewing ears and a tail on a black sweatsuit but saw a cute tiger in the store and for $9 went for it. The kids have been matching (dora/diego; peter pan and hook; fire truck, man and dalmation) every other year but I just knew I coudln't do costumes this year with our limited resources on the island. I feel a little sad that they are all their own thing--but I guess it was bound to happen! Yesterday our friends had a Halloween party so the kids got to pin the nose on the pumpkin, do crafts, and the best--wear their costumes; which for most kids were off by 20 minutes into the party ;-). We then went to the fall festival at the youth center and the kids played a few games. It was really crowded and the kids were pretty tired by that point. Trick or treating tonight should be fun!

chasing butterflies

We've been trying to take advantage of the nicer weather as we're not sure when it will end and have spent a lot of time the last few days playing outside. The kids are very interested in chasing butterflies and surprisingly do not smash too many of the ones they actually catch. The other day Charlie and his friend Isabelle were trying to catch them with little success. Cameron was intently watching the kids and then noticed some of the butterflies. He focused on one that was nearby and started bouncing (he was sitting) and pointing and grunting, "ooh, ooh, ooh". He watched it fly to another spot and got ready to crawl away if it came any closer. When Charlie finally caught one he brought it over in teh container for Cameron to hold and look at. He was very interested in this thing that was flying around in the container.

Cameron has been trying to walk more and has learned how to get a wide stance and push himself up into a standing position. At times he just goes right over backwards but so far seems entertained by falling in general. He is very proud of himself when he takes a little stroll and is quite encouraged by the reactions of his sister and brother as well as the other people on the playground while he's working on his new skill. Very cute!

time change

GRRRR I remember when it used to be great to fall back...an extra hour of sleep, not so hard to get up for high school bus or morning classes that started at 9 in college...Last night the kids were begging for bed (which never happens) starting at 7. We read a few books and had snack but they were in bed by about 7:45. Not surprisingly they were crawling into my bed at 5:45 saying they were not tired anymore. By 6:00 they were all bouncing around the bed wide awake and we headed downstairs. Heather was so confused at how much time she had to get ready for school and at 7 was standing by the door all ready with her backpack on convinced that she was late. I had to fake call my friend and talk to her about the time to convince Heather that our clocks were not in fact wrong. "The sun is up mom! It's time for school". Now it's 8:30 and Cameron is fussing to take a nap and Charlie is bored already...teacher training this week so he's home...