Ice Festival

We finally went and saw the Disney movie, "Frozen", as a whole family. Carli actually did pretty good. She loved the red slushy and popcorn too! The movie was darling and the big girls really enjoyed it. Then we went downtown to check out the Ice Festival. It was SUPER cold, so we only made it a block outside, but we still had a good time. 

More Cute Carli

Tuesday night we went sledding at Five Pines. It was an EP Clarke PTO activity. Due the short supply of double tubes Carli hung out in the lodge with me. Doesn't she look cute. It was really cold outside and I was to much of a wimp to go and take pictures of the girls and Eric sledding. They had a great time and were super excited because their teachers came too!

The sad news is that I lost Carli's coat that night. One the way home it was so cold the Minivan door wouldn't shut all the way. Eric tried to to it manually, but it still wouldn't shut. After we had driven for a while at a stop sign I decided to try and open and shut the door again to see if it would close. Well I forgot Carli had her coat on top of her and she must of thrown it out of the door when it was open. We didn't realize that until we got home and it was late and dark and snowy. I didn't think it was worth Eric going back to look for it. Luckily I found a coat on sale at the Children's Place for $6.99 so she has something to wear:) I think it's going to be a long winter.....

Carli hanging out with me at the OBs office. We WAITED 1 hour!!! Let's just say that coming back and having an OB and a Maternal Fetal Medicine appointment here reminded me I would have been just fine if not better off in Brazil!!!!

Carli playing. She put the paper towels down like they were sheets and then laid down on top of them to take a nap with her baby. She is a good little player and she loves dolls!!!

This is her say, "Cheese" expression. She found the toys at the Mall when we went to get the ipad fixed. 

Week One

It's been almost exactly one week since we left Sao Paulo and it feels like the longest week of my life!!! Also it's totally crazy because now it almost feels like a dream that we ever lived there! It's crazy how distance makes things feel so different. 

We have been lucky that even with a little bit of snow this week it hasn't been as cold as  January. The girls have been able to go outside during recess most of the time at school and we have had 2 really sunny days. The positives are: The swelling of my feet is down, but has been changed it itching. I an not sure which one is worse!!! Have a little bit more energy because I am not over heating:.  Internet shopping! My desk top computer.  My minivan. Not having to ride the elevator up and down multiple times a day and being able to pull right into my garage. Garbage disposal and bigger dishwasher. Central heat. Larger and faster washer and dryer. Trash cans- no more hauling trash down the service elevator 15 floors. Not being worried about getting car jacked every time I get in the car and go somewhere. No traffic. Short commute for Eric which always takes the same amount of time. Ease of going places. Getting mail 6 days a week.  Being able to understand everything everyone is saying around me. Seeing our friends again.

We are missing... the warm sunny weather, swimming in the pool, great places for Eric to eat lunch with is co-workers, fresh fruits and vegetables that are cheap and easy to buy, Teresa to cook, clean and help with Carli:), high flow shower head, having 4 bathrooms, Being able to run next door and play with the girls next door without having to put on a coat or even shoes! Our friends.

I have done a few funny things too like sit forever at a red light waiting to turn right because in Brazil it's illegal to turn right on red. Throw toilet paper in the trash can next to the toilet instead of the toilet, because in Brazil they don't flush toilet paper. Being totally overwhelmed by the size and selection at the grocery store. 

As for the girls the transition back into school has been good for the girls from a friend perspective, but for Gretta the reality of how far she is behind has been a bit rough. Plus it's rough to go straight from "summer vacation" back into school mode. I also have to say my kids were really spoiled in Brazil and learned some bad habits. It's going to be rough for a few weeks until they are back into a good schedule and routine here. I hope we all live through it!

Eric is back at work and he is liking his new role and grateful for his promotion. 

Carli and I are enjoying spending more time together and I love having a few hours of peace and quite while she naps and the girls are at school. I know that's not going to last for long. 

It's good to be home, but we will always treasure our experience and time in Brazil. 

Windows

I couldn't write this post until we were all home safe in Michigan. When Eric looked at the apartment back in July a few things didn't come to his attention. One the apartment didn't have A/C and two the windows and porch didn't have mesh netting. The porch was glassed in, but Eric didn't realize it didn't have netting on it. When he saw the apartment in July it was 60s and cold, so it didn't really dawn on him to check those two thing. 

Do you notice anything unusual about this window? What if I tell you we lived on the 14th floor?!?!! Yes, that is right it opens completely and there is nothing from blocking you from throwing something out or to stopping  a person/kid from falling out. I was totally paranoid that I was going to lose a child out the window. Gretta and Eliza understood how scared I was and were really good about not going close to the windows, but I had to keep an eye on Carli. It truly was my biggest fear while we were in Brazil. I kept having dreams someone fell out the window. If we had A/C I could have shut the windows and not worried about it, but with it being in the 90s the last little while we were there it really was a necessity to open the windows at night when it cooled down to 70 degree. We almost never opened the glass on the balcony. 

All of the other condos with kids in them put this mesh like safety net on the windows and across the balcony and if we were staying any longer we would have had to ask the land lady for it too. It was just to scary. 

I am so grateful we all made it home safe!

Thanks Nana!

The girls were so excited to get a package in the mail from Nana with some cozy warm winter clothes in it.The girls love their new outfits.  Thanks mom for keeping them warm. Carli wasn't as excited to model her new clothes, but she was excited to show off her Valentines candy:) 

I am amazed how much they both grew since last winter. Since coming home I have had to buy Eliza new tennis shoes. I thought she was a 12 and it turns out she is wearing a 1, and get both of them new snow boots and Gretta new snow pants. Luckily before we left I bought Eliza a new snow suit at Costoc and all of the girls new gloves. It's also nice to be buying everything on winter clearance instead of full price and internet shopping is amazing! Amazon prime is my friend again:) 

Our Own Sledding Hill

When the front loader came to remove the snow from in front of our garage he made a big pile of snow in the front yard. Gretta & Eliza were ecstatic! Especially since they have a new rule at school that they can't play on the snow pile at school. It's pretty steep, but they have enjoyed climbing and sledding on it. They are so excited to be back in the snow. I wish I could share their enthusiasm! 

Welcome Winter!

It's this a fun welcome home! It was 92 degrees in Sao Paulo today and Eric is snow blowing! We got 8 inches of snow today. Welcome back to the most epic winter since 1978.