basketball and pies

So far the kids are having a good time at grandma and grandpa's house. They're not quite on the time zone that I would like to be on but are so busy having fun they don't have time to be grumpy. Monday night we took in an Ohio basketball game which all the kids enjoyed. Heather and Charlie actually seemed to have some idea of what was going on in the game and enjoyed the O-H-I-O cheers while Cameron liked climbing around the area in front of us. On the way home mom commented on the fall and that the kids really hadn't had fall in a while to which charlie responded, "we learned about fall in school. they showed us pictures." I started cracking up!! Tuesday we checked out the park with grandpa and the kids did lots of climbing, sliding, and arguing (how can you argue at a park on a nice day?!). Cameron especially enjoyed sliding down the slides superman style while grandpa slowed him down at the bottom. He got the idea of how to run back around and climb up to the top of the slide ready to try again. It was quite a nice day to play outside and the kids made the most of it by hitting some tennis balls with grandma when we got home. Heather was most proud that she could hit it over the house and both kids seemed more excited about the ball finding than the ball hitting...Today we ran some errands this morning. The kids got to pick out apples at the farmers market and corn for the squirrels so they won't eat the birdseed! They spent most of the day asking when the "other grandma"--ie the one that doesn't live at the house they are in--was coming. Finally after making some pies (Heather pumpkin; Charlie apple) and hitting some tennis balls once Kelly and Bryan arrived, grandma came. The kids had wanted to have a cookout so we had hotdogs and s'mores cooked over the fire pit in the back yard. It's so nice to be able to share time with all the kids grandparents and we look forward to a healthy (or not) day of eating for Thanksgiving! All grandparents had to give hugs and tucks at bedtime to three tuckered out kids!

Travelling to the states

The kids and I had a fun adventure getting to the states. It started out nicely when I found out I was mis-categorized for Space-A and ended with a very nice man at the post office pulling out our package (without even a slip) and it had the backpacks that jeff had made for the kids in it. They were VERY excited and we set immediately to packing. during our trip they got TONS of comments on how cute they were (the backpacks) and were proud to say that they were from their dad. While all 3 kids were in the bathroom the fire alarm went off. I couldn't figure it out and the fireman on the phone said to change the batteries. Not able to get the cover off I took the kids to our neighbors (who's kids were also in teh bathtub at the time) and he went over and took care of the alarms (which needed a new battery). The next morning the kids went off to school and I cleaned and packed. I felt pretty good about how things were going so I went to the CE luncheon (holiday). I got to the airport and got seats on the plane. My friend kindly watched the kids and then brought them to the airport once we had seats--which were not together. I couldn't get the e-mail out that I needed to send so as we were getting on teh plane I called and my friends husband--I was that person getting on the plane with 3 kids talking on the cell phone...We got to our seats and there were 3 and one across the aisle. Once we got switched we couldn't have 8 in a row--very confusing! Then Charlie needed to go to the bathroom and during the ride I spilled a bit of Pepsi on Heather. Otherwise the kids were great and slept or were happy almost the whole way. We got off--with our bags and my parents and sister were there to greet us. The kids were estatic to see them and hugs were had by all. My mom drove us to my sisters and we arrived around 2 am her time--did I mention that was about 6 am our time?! The kids slept but were up by 5:00 am. We hung out at my sister's new house and had lunch at a friend of my parent's houses. Early bed for all--and Heather was up at 4 am this time. After everyone was up we toured the university that my brother in law works at and let the kids play at the park for a while. My sister also raked piles of leaves for teh kids to jump in. We got in my mom's car to head to Athens for a few days before thanksgiving. The kids were GREAT in the car--continuing their stellar record of travel. All in all the trip was pretty good but we all definitely need some rest and down time before any more chaos.

sleepover--or not

We had a busy weekend--really week since the last post! Heather and Charlie tried to have a sleepover on Thursday night since Heather didn't have school on Friday. Each had a friend come over and they did really well. The 4 year olds were asleep by 8:30 and the 6 year olds an hour later--even Cameron was sleeping! Unfortunately one of the kids woke up with night terrors and her dad had to come and get her--it was pretty scary, I couldn't seem to wake her up--and of course Cameron woke up as well...My friend came over to help out and ended up taking her sleeping daughter home as well just in case she woke up too. So after getting 5 kids to bed we woke up with 3...Since Heather had the day off we went to the beach and played with a friend for part of the morning and picked Charlie up for lunch-n-bowl with some other friends. That evening we had a campout to top off a busy day. Saturday we took it easy for the morning then headed to the Praia walking strip with bikes and friends. The kids rode, walked, and stopped for doughnuts (which we made earlier) as a snack. After a brief play on the beach we headed home for a quick clean up. Since it's getting dark early our friends had their "movie night" outside, hanging a sheet out a few windows and using their projector to show a movie on teh side of the house. The kids thought it was great and most sat for the movie. Sunday we played outside and had a picnic for lunch. We've been trying to enjoy the weather as each day gets a little rainier and windier. "winter" is coming...

Tonight a friend's husband kindly kept 6 kids and I went out to dinner with some friends. It was really nice to get out and enjoy adult conversation (ok so some of it did involve kids and school) at a nice restaraunt. Steak kabobs, fried potatoes, and caramel fondue (not as good as it sounds--the fondue only) was a great treat for all of us!

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...