A few weeks ago for Family night we took our family to an Ice Park

It was a temporary ice park set up during the "winter" months

It ran from Julyish to September

Every time we drove by we laughed at the "Winter" Ice Park

Brazilians don't know winter

The kids had a great time skating around the rink

I had a great time watching the Brazilians skate around the rink

Gwen had an awesome time being pushed in a little car around the rink as the driver took her on loops, spins and "going really fast" as she said

Safety was a priority; helmets with a hair net, elbow pads, knee pads and skate monitors that would skate around the rink helping you up when you fell

Which is funny

We've had experiences where safety is low, low, low like the time Rob and I went to test drive a car with Gwen and the salesman asked why we were loading the car seat into the car

They weren't taking any chances on this night

Vox Mundi

I was privileged this past year to sing with a choir, Vox Mundi

A unique choir, we are all members of an embassy but embassies from all over the world

We sang songs it at least 5 different languages and celebrated the finish of the season with a performance at the German embassy 

I would not consider myself a singer but after joining my church choir when we lived in Maryland I realized that I enjoy singing with groups

This was a wonderful way to make friends, learn new things and develop a talent

Can't wait for the next season to start

School Days

It's back to school as of a few weeks ago

All of my children are in school for at least part of the day

It's strange and quiet and nice

Of course I miss them but school offers a great routine and chance to see friends again and motivate and work hard

My little one preparing for her big day, preschool at an Portuguese school

She'll be the best little speaker out of all of us

These two entering as sophomores 

Working hard, early morning seminary, after school sports

They are busy

Little One

After a little celebration in the Amazon we returned home and properly celebrated G's birthday

Our little three year old is full of spunk, personality and joy

I guess we shouldn't expect any less being the baby with 4 older sister's

We celebrated the evening with her dinner request: homemade mac and cheese, pickled beans she pulled from the cupboard and chocolate strawberry cupcakes

We love you little Gwennie 

Santarem the city

We spent our last days of vacation on land

well kind of, the kids spent a lot of time in the water

Iguana sightings on the sidewalk

The grey river dolphin vs. the pink river dolphin

Like much of Brasil they could use a fresh coat of paint

Sunset view from the Island of Love

During low water season the island is accessible via a sandbar and looks like a heart

We were here right at the peak high season so we took a taxi boat to the island and enjoyed the sunset

Our last day we spent some time at ZooFit

It's a small zoo/rehabilitation center for animals native to the area

including this deer that my girls thought was adorable

Do they not remember his cousin getting into all my plants and flowers in Maryland?

Wild cats, monkeys and river manatees

Macaws munching on their lunch