A few weeks ago our family celebrated Carnival

The big three were at a church camp so Rob and I had the littles home with us for the week

There's not a ton of things to choose from in Brasilia

and unfortunately to get out of town anywhere is sooo super expensive

We ended up staying around town; swimming at home, chilling and taking the girls to a 

"Kids" carnival party at a nearby museum

When we walked in the doors the employees handed out giant rolls of colored paper ribbon

The littles would hold one end and Rob would throw the roll as high as he could

About 90% of the time it would hook onto a wire at the ceiling height and the girls would run and run and run with their papers 

     

Jo was brave enough to enter the "dunk" tank

My little all dressed up and ready for dancing

It's a Carnival

Thanks to Wikipedia I was able to get a true definition of Carnival:

Carnival is a Western Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March.  Carnival typically involves a public celebration and/or parade combining some elements of a circus, masks, and a public street party. People wear masks and costumes during many such celebrations, allowing them to lose their everyday individuality and experience a heightened sense of social unity. Excessive consumption of alcohol, meat, and other foods proscribed during Lent is extremely common.

The embassy put on a Carnival celebration the weekend before true Carnival began.  The kids enjoyed face painting, mask creating, dancing to samba music and a good excuse to run on the playground with their friends and stay up late.   

The embassy hired a full band and dancers to come and get the crowd on their feet.  It was fun music to listen to even when the dancers pulled me onto the stage to join them.  My hips just don't have the south America vibe.