baby Adam

My sister had a baby two weeks ago and he's a cute little red-head with doting mom and dad and grandparents. We can't wait to see him in a few weeks until then we've gotten to see him on skype and the kids (especially cameron) like to say "hi" and point to him. Cameron is pretty good at identifying "be be a um" on the computer and now most babies in books are "be be a um". I can't wait to see what he does when he sees the real thing! Congrats to kelly and Bryan and we can't wait to see you guys ;-)

easy mondays

The kids have settled into playing all over the place on nice sunny days. I usually keep up with everywhere they are but with cameron napping and trying to get a few things done today I lost track. So nice to live in a place where I can let them just go from house to house and run around the neighborhood without worrying that something will happen. The kids are really enjoying their last few weeks on the island. I got to go out with the girls for dinner last night to a restaurant right on the water looking over split rock. We got chicken in a tile and they use roof tiles (not used ones) to cook the food and it was really good! Cool presentation and a nice time with friends who I will really miss (and know that because of the friends that have already left that I miss ;-(). We had a bit of trouble finding the place and stopped along the way to ask a lady with a pot of beans if she could give us directions. She spoke enthusiastically in Portuguese and then got a guy driving a truck to give us directions...you just go this way and then left and it's right there down. Clear as mud--we found it with no problem and a lot of laughs!

sleepover, friendship parties and the island from top to bottom

Heather and Charlie are trying to have as much friend time as possible so Heather had 3 friends spend the night on Friday. They played outside a lot and enjoyed High school musical as they sang and danced out of tune and off beat--the best way that 7 year olds can. It was very cute and Heather will really miss her friends from the island. Charlie spent a lot of the evening with a neighbor friend as well but decided not to spend the night--although he was enticed to stay with the offer of the wii. Saturday we took it easy and the kids got ready for their "friendship" party. They decided that the "going away" party they wanted to have should be changed to a friendship party. So the usual gang got together and we called it a special party so that Heather and Charlie could feel celebrated. The kids played outside and made friendship bracelets with pipe cleaners and beads. Did I mention that Cameron has pink eye--oh yeah! His assumed allergies seem to actually be pink eye according to our new neighbor the optomitrist. The kids had a great time and lots of fun was shared by the adults as well. I told one of them it was just a cookout and Heather responded, "it might just be a cookout for the adults but it's a PARTY for the kids".

Sunday we got off to a late start but accomplished some new island things (hard to believe that's possible on this little tiny place). We tried to go on a beach that we hadn't been on since last summer but it was closed (due to flood damage in the winter we think) so since it was clear we headed up to the top of Santa Barbara--the tallest point on the island--a volcano. It was pretty cool to be able to see all around the island almost in any direction to the water from a few different vantage points. The kids took pictures of each other and us and we headed to check out the inside of a different volcano. The Algar do Carvo is one of the few volcano's that you can actually go inside and see out the top. We went there with Heather's class and decided to take the rest of the family. It was very cool as anticipated. We headed back home for a short time and the kids played in the neighbor's sprinkler which was lots of fun for a few minutes. Jeff picked up a new couple to the base and we took them into Praia to walk on the beach, dip toes in the ocean and have some ice cream on the walking street. Dinner from the chicken house completes a great day!

On a Cameron note he is becoming very stubborn and exhibiting his free will more and more by running the other direction when told to stop. Throwing things when told "no". and doing just whatever he wants most of the time...with a smile on his face. He's cute but trouble--hopefully his will will become a bit more tamed and will mesh a bit more with mine...

happy fourth of july!!

We had a great day--started off by everyone sleeping in until about 7:45 after going to bed at 8 last night (we were a tired group!!). We enjoyed some pancakes and the kids played outside a little before lunch. Jeff took Heather and Charlie to the pool for a couple of hours while Cameron took a nap. After showers we headed to our neighbors for a cookout of delicious food and friends. We really kicked off the day around 6 when we headed for the fourth of July festivities on base which included bouncy castles, face painting, bands, dancing, and lots of food choices (i chose funnel cakes!). The kids had a blast running around with their friends and enjoying the safety that we feel here to allow them to have fun without seeing them every second. Eventually the fireworks show started and like last year here it was great. It's so fun to share the "freedom celebration" with so many friends and people in the military with music and enthusiasm that our little base offers. We had a blast and thanks to all our friends we shared it with--especially those that have spouses deployed right now. Heather made it through with flying colors, Charlie would have fallen asleep if I had let him and Cameron was out but enjoyed the start of the fireworks.

Sao Miguel--by heather

Heather kept a journal of or trip so we're sharing her version of our adventure--word for word with spelling corrections...

On the way to Sao Miguel
We were waiting for a boat to go to Sao Miguel. We waited and waited. Then the boat came. My dad drove the car in the boat. Then we got on the boat. The boat was so big and long. It took a long time to move. Then it started to move. It was a pretty view from the water. We san on some seats. Me and my mom watched for dolphins. then we saw a lot of dolphins. It was so cool. Then Charlie had daddy play the bean game. Then we saw more dolphins--like a group. Then we had lunchables. Then mom saw one dolphin. She told me and Charlie. I saw two, then three. And the most important thing of all...we saw a whale. It was really cool. I saw a dolphin by the whale. It was so cool. Then we saw a shadowy spot. It was the island. We went around the island and they stopped so we could get out. Then my dad drove the car where we were. Then we got to a house lomebody loaned us. I had some things to eat and I remembered I wanted to write in my journal. That's why I wrote this story.

The second day on Sao Miguel
First we were at the house. Then we got in the car. I was reading a book. We were in the car for a long time mom got out of the car. She took pictures of the flowers. Then mom got back in the car. It took a long time until we got there. I got out of the car and saw a beach because my dad said hat we couldn't go to that beach. so I got back in the car with my dad. We drove longer. Then we got out again and walked down some steps. Then we got to a beach. There was a cave. We climbed up rocks tto the cave. It was raining so we stayed in the cave for 15 minutes. Then we got out of the cave. We climbed down the rocks. When we got out of the cave we saw a waterfall. Then we went up some stairs and in to the car. Then we drove more. We got out of the car and went into a house. It wasn't any kind of house, it was a cave. We went down some stairs into a cave. We got to put on helments so our heads wouldn't get bumbed on a side of the cave. It was really cool. Then we went to the greenhouse. We saw pineapples.

The third day on Sao Miguel
First we went to the furnaces. We drove for a log time then we got there. We looked really close to them. It was really cool and stinky. Next we climbed a tree. We found three holes in the tree. There was a small one, a medium one, and a big one. Me cameron and charlie put our heads in the holes. Then we went to look at the humongous lake. Then we got some food. We got five plums and bread. Then we went over to the ducks. We saw ducks and one cat. Then we went back to teh car and drove to the pool. We got to the pool, mom and dad and cameron had to change into their baithing suits. Then me and mommy and cameron got into the pool. The pool was orange and hot. Me and mom and cameron swam to the middle of the pool. Then we got out of th epool. Then we walked around the lake and saw a waterfall. Then we changed into clothes. Then we went to see a lot of flowers. After that me and daddy and charlie stepped on rocks that were in the water. Then we ate dinner and went back to our house to take showers. Then we watched bakubon. last we went to bed.

The fourth day
First we got in the car. Then my mom told us a story about the princess in the shepherd. They cried for a long time becuase the princesses mother said she could not marry the shepherd. The shepherds cry was green. The princess's cry was blue. The we went where the princess and the shepherd cried. It looked like a lake. Then we went to a whale watch but it was cloudy. Then we ate lunch. Daddy asked if we watned to to to a natural swimming hole . Me and charlie said no. Then we went to the north side of the island but it was raining. Over in the north side of the island we looked for geocaches. Then we went to a rocky beach. Me and charlie and mommy and daddy and cameron found some shells. Net we drove some more. Then we got out of the car and looked at the pretty church. Then we looked for the geocache. Then we took pictures by the ocean. Next we say puddles. We played in the puddles. It was fun. Then we changed into our clothes. Then we went somewhere else to finda geocache but we didn't find a geocache. Then we ate dinner and went to bed.

**heather didn't journal the last two days but we tried to go to another lake and it was really foggy. We headed for a waterfall where we could swim. The water was supposed to be warm but it was cold. We drove up to the north coast and crashed a parade that consisted of lots of horses running through the streets with colorful decorations. Then we headed over to Nordeste where there were beautiful waterfalls, almost got the car stuck, and ate at a restaraunt all on our own. The last morning we went to swim in a pool by the ocean but had to wait for the guy to clean it and fill it with water which only was up to the kids knees when we had to leave. The boat trip back was rocky and no dolphins or whales joined the boat...

fathers day, "graduation", and packing

We celebrated father's day with a typical island adventure! The kids helped with crepes and happily carried up their cards and his breakfast with hugs and kisses. We headed out with some friends to a bullfight in Angra however it was really hot and the kids were not as interested in the bulls running on the beach and in the water as they usually are so we scrapped that plan and headed for the beach. Cameron slept in the car for a while then joined his brother and sister who were happily playing in the sand and surf. We headed home after that for a dinner of steak kabobs to top off the day. The kids love spending time with their dad and enjoy all the adventures that he leads us on.

Charlie finished preschool on Wednesday with no real celebration. I told him we'd have one but it's been so crazy with packing (wednesday) that we didn't have time to celebrate. I taught him the song that heather sang (going off to kindergarten) but never got him to sing it for me as a "graduate". He had a very different pre-school experience than typically kids have, however I think he really enjoyed the Portuguese school that he went to with several friends. He spent his first day "off" playing with his friend and enjoying the beautiful sunny weather that we've been having. Heather spent her first week "off" at vacation bible school that the chapel on base held and she's had a great time. Despite not being in the same group as her friends she's come home every day to tell me all about what she's been doing and how great it was.

Our first shipment is packed and waiting for a boat to take it stateside. We shipped 3 crates but I'm not really sure what all was in them. The house is still cluttered and we seem to have what we need. This will be a less is more lesson to me--maybe we'll just keep it all crated until we move again ;-). Off to Sao Miguel (another island) tomorrow for more adventures!

lots of catching up to do

We have been really busy and I've been terrible at blogging!! It's going to get crazier but to catch up on some fun things...

CHARLIE'S A TWO WHEELER
A few weekends ago Charlie wanted to go out and try his bike on two wheels. On a blustery drizzly day we headed out to the parking lot where Heather started on two wheels last year and he gave it a go. His bike is so low that he can touch the ground easily if he starts to lose his balance so once he figured out how to get started he was off. Jeff gave him a few pushes but before the video camera could even get rolling he was on his own with the biggest smile on his face! He still rides with lots of pride that he's mastered this two wheeling task but he's a little crazy with his riding and how fast he goes around our little circle so he's wiped out a few times.

HEATHER CHOICE DAY
Heather had a day off that Charlie still had school so she got to choose what to do. Although the day was again rainy we headed out for some geocacheing with another family. We found several caches and the kids and dads were quite persistent with trying to find them despite the chilly wind and rain. We had lunch with friends for her day of fun.


BASEBALL
Baseball came to an end last weekend. The kids both had a great time this season despite disliking practices. Heather was hitting the ball pretty well and was confident in the field. She got two hits in her last game and got to score twice so she was very happy. She played near the pitchers mound and wasn't quite quick enough for most of the balls that came her way but did seem to enjoy going after them and trying to make a play once she got one. Charlie's game was good as well. He seemed a bit distracted in the field when the other team was batting but he loved running the bases and made sure that I was watching with a "hi mom" and a wave when he headed up to bat. Jeff helped coach each team even though he wasn't "official" and the kids LOVED having dad in the action.

SWIMMING
The swimming pool has opened and Jeff's taken the kids a few times while Cameron's been sleeping. They have had a good time and both kids are going down the slide and off the diving board with no life jackets and even with Jeff standing on the side of the pool (practice so if I take them with Cameron on my own they know they can do it). While Heather played with friends last time Charlie put his face in and started stroking a bit. Mostly he doggie paddles to the side looking tiny in the big pool. This is great practice for when we move and have a pool (fenced) in the yard. Now if putting on sunscreen was so easy!!

FRIENDS
We've tried to spend time with friends as much as possible as they PCS out. It's very sad to say goodbye but we've learned that keeping in touch is possible and although the daily interaction is VERY missed we can still keep up with them and what their families are doing. Heather had her friend over to spend the night as she leaves this week and is planning her own going away party for later in July.

The weather is finally looking sunny around here so we're getting out and enjoying it as much as possible.