3rd times a Charm

Look out world, it's official!  Our little whirlwind has turned 3!!!  Landon is the rough n tough, bruiser, linebacker-in-the-making son we all adore.. maybe it's his smile, his shocking baby blues, or the fact that after he's finished destroying the house and tackling his unsuspecting siblings he snuggles better than anyone I know!  He's always good for a laugh, endless story books, or an impromptu game of "put all the food back in the pantry and fridge". ;)  Thank you Landon for keeping us laughing, and ensuring I don't have too much time to be idle!  I love you more than you love binks (aka. pacifiers.. and sorry again we had to take them away..)!  Happy Birthday buddy!!!

We had a nice intimate get together with some friends here in Sao Paulo in honor of the big day - complete with a sandwich bar, cake and ice cream, and some pool time!

Landon got sufficiently "car" spoiled and LOVED every second of it!

One of my personal favorites was an iguana from Val Hale and her sweet family to mock our (or "my" rather) naive experience with a live one: http://minutesformama.blogspot.com/2011/09/mother-of-year.html

We have been SO blessed to find such great friends out here!

After one failed cake attempt, we opted to keep this one in the pan.. topped with "match" candles, and we were ready to sing!

Hunter couldn't contain the excitement and was itching to help out his brother...

After this picture, Landon gave Hunter a piece of his mind - apparently he didn't need (or want!) the help! ;)

Down at the pool we had a perfect afternoon of sun and fun - I am LOVING springtime in Brazil!!!

McKay Thomas helped us wear out the kids.. everyone slept GREAT that night!  THANKS MCKAY!!!

Later that night we gave Landon the gifts from us which included plenty of sand toys for the beach,

The "David" books, which I never did find cute or funny until now ;)

..more DINOSAURS!

= one very HAPPY birthday boy!!!  We have been SO blessed to have this little guy in our lives!  No amount of unbroken household items could ever replace the joy I get when I see his sweet face light up!  We love you Landon!!!  HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY!!!

A Brazilian Halloween

This past Friday the Bailey and Hunter had their class Halloween parties at school.  Since they got to dress up, Brandon and I took the opportunity to surprise Bailey with a Ballerina set and the news that she'll start her much desired lessons in a week! :)  Needless to say, I think it worked.. she was SOOO excited!  And dare I say, I haven't seen a cuter girl in a leotard!!!

For Hunter's costume we took the cheap and creative route.. he was the VERY appropriate "Chick Magnet"!  He has smitten nearly every female teacher at the school - it is SO sweet! lol  I blogged about it too on our Brazil blog here: http://minutesformama.blogspot.com/2011/10/lover-boy.html  truly priceless! :)

I took some pictures in their classes.. First off - Bailey's class:  Here's Bailey with one of her "best" friends Vivian. :)

Even though Halloween is not celebrated here in Brazil, the Brazilian moms sure know how to prep for it!  They brought in all sorts of goodies into the classroom - it was ADORABLE!

Bailey's teacher's were perfectly dressed too - I LOVE these women! :)

A nice class-action shot.

And the whole gang!  They really do have SUCH a fun class! :)

Hunter's treat table didn't dissapoint either!  I had to restrain myself.. SOOO yummy! :)

The little lover boy himself..

Hunter's teachers were Smurf's!  SO stinkin' cute! :)  We have been incredibly blessed in the teacher department - I truly couldn't be happier!

Enjoy his pre-lunch goodies :)

I was able to help out with a craft in Bailey's class prior to the costume parade where all the kids marched around the school in their Halloween best!  It was a fantastic day that just kept getting better.. when I arrived home, our air shipment arrived with some of our stuff from the States!  It was like Christmas!!! :)  *That event is on http://minutesformama.blogspot.com/ as well! :)

Hop to it!

Bailey came home from school about a week ago in tears telling me that in P.E. she was the only one who didn't know how to jump rope.  "All my friends were so good mom.  I was so embarrassed!" :(  Needless to say, we called some good friends and borrowed one so she could practice at home so she could be ready for next time.  The girl has been trying and trying again non-stop ever since!  Apparently Peyton has been paying close attention and showed us her age appropriate adapted version today... sadly we only got the tail end of it before she was too tired to care anymore.  These girls are so fun together! :)

A new perspective

A picture is worth a thousand words.. or so I hear!  I am just getting into photography.  I have always loved it, but never had (or rather MADE) the time to learn it..  okay, and I always had a piece of junk camera too which doesn't help much!  Brandon went back to the States for business last week and brought home a bunch of goodies including my new Nikon D7000 which is technically for Christmas, but I married a softy! :)  So, don't judge, but these are the first shots right out of the box!  The thing was on automatic which is an insult I know, but I'll learn! :)

This is a shot of our view.  Not too shabby given it was taken out of my dirty window!

A stalker shot. I zoomed in on the main pool area.. VERY enlightening how easy it was to get so close!  I guess even when you're alone, you're not!  eeek!

We have a black swan in one of the ponds on our ground who has been sitting on a nest full of eggs for a couple of weeks now.  I can't wait to see little "ugly ducklings"! :)

A view of some of the buildings in our complex.  We are in the middle building you see with the tree blocking the right corner of it.

 Hunter with his sweet impish grin! :)

 Landon, Peyton and I took a nature walk.. they were watching the swans here.

 Crazy Peyton.  SOO much personality for such a little thing! lol

We went to the main pool (pictured up top) with a friend of mine's son.. Peyton and Landon were more content to eat than swim!

Until that is, Landon got distracted by this poor unsuspecting creature!

Peyton wasn't distracted in the slightest!  She just took the opportunity to inhale as much as humanly possible while her brother was away!

Don't bother me, I'm eating!

 I got some fun action shots of the kids and their endless amounts of energy jumping in the pool. :)

I don't know why ,but I LOVE this!  It looks fake to me with every splash of water being so crazy defined!

This isn't a great shot, just sentimental and fun.  This is for Gma De Groot.. another little floater :)  She layed in the water for about 5 minutes like this!

 Awww the many faces of Bailey.  I sure do love these crazy kids! :)

More pictures to come as I figure out how to use this amazing beast!