School Morning Scramble

 I was certain that adding a baby to our family would mean we wouldn't manage to get everyone going and out the door on time. Instead of slowing us down, Seb has had the opposite effect. Where there was grumpiness, there is now a line for extra cuddles, and where there were crossed arms over this and that, there's now a quick kitchen waltz. It's always a scramble no matter what, but now we have this sweet gorgeous huggable lovey to give us all a little cheer before we start our day.

Sleepy Seb sees off his big brother before school. 

 Zita decides to fill a few minutes of free time with ball room dancing before she's ushered into the car.

Afternoon Tea and Weekend Happenings

After endless rainy days, we welcomed the weekend sun with open arms. Freddy and Zita reacquainted themselves with outdoor play, and set up a lemonade stand turned fresh orange juice and cookie stand. 

 Note the rationing of our last remaining Toll House chocolate chips:)

 Pai, Moojie and I rotated as customers, incorporating math lessons on making change for Freddy's benefit. 10 cents for one cookie was quite a bargain.

We got in a few walks, and even decided to be brave and have afternoon tea in a cafe on Sunday. That turned into Pai having afternoon tea in a cafe with Mooj and Zita, while I walked the hills of Monte-Estoril. It feels so good to walk again, but it would be nice if my need for a walk coincided a little better with Sebby's.

Pai took Zita to her second session with a local youth orchestra while I stayed with Sebby and got Freddy to tennis.  We've tried so hard not to split up and have multiple simultaneous activities on weekends, but it's become unavoidable. I can only imagine what it will be like when Sebby starts activities of his own.

We don't watch sports, but we do love a good Grand Slam.  Here's Mooji watching the Australian Open with Seb. 

Pumpkin Pancakes

These are the best way to get a pumpkin pie fix for breakfast. Sugar is not pictured below because I originally didn't add any. After tasting the batter, I decided it needed a few spoonfuls of brown sugar. I also used 2 cups of white flour, not just one.

 Gotta love the color.

 Freddy is partial to snowmen and Mickey Mouse pancakes.

 No pancake of mine is complete without fruit.

Seb supervised the whole process from his Bjorn until he got a little bit fed up with our amateur cooking style. 

 Zita rescued him, but he still was so very worried! His worried face can break even the hardest of hearts.

12 Weeks

Just for a little trip down memory lane...

Saturday Stroll

He's much happier facing out in the Bjorn so I actually
got some good exercise in. Now if the weather would only cooperate.

Friday Photo Dump

Tenth Birthday Festivities

A full update on Zita's birthday is long overdue. 

Zita's birthday fell on a Sunday, which suits our presents-in-bed birthday formula so very well.

It's getting a bit hard to fit everyone in, but we manage due to Moojie passing on cuddling up under the covers with us. 

Even though I'm holding Sebby as I type this, I still want to reach into the computer and smother those cheeks with kisses.

Sebby had eyes for that bright purple wrap-around watch! 

Zita is usually the one who gets the foot of the bed looking dazzling and celebratory. This birthday, I struggled to get anything more than the least Christmasy looking bags possible.

Relatives gave her quite a few more pieces for her china pattern, so she now has enough to host a smallish dinner party on her own pattern. 

Until then, she enjoys the occasional cup of tea using the tea service

Zita and I snuck out in the morning for a few baking supplies and then set about making her cake. 

More on the cake back here. 

Despite appearances, Zita is not a dwarf. Rather, Moojie is a GIANT these days. I simply can't keep up. 

Birthday cake number two suffered setbacks during transport from our house to the Godparents´ lunch. It was a 12 inch vanilla round with mint flavored butter cream and a moist chocolate 6 inch round on top. It looked like lop-sided a top-hot, but it was delicious all the same. 

 Lunch ended with an impromptu concert featuring Zita on clarinet and her great uncle playing some phenomenal piano. A large family meal punctuated by everyone gathered around the piano is the best kind!

New Haircut, New Smile

Moral Support for Freddy

Cancelled tennis meant an impromptu haircut for Freddy. This little old man down the road is just one of dozens of local shopkeepers who know us, and make this place feel like a small village.

11 Weeks

I chose this photo with the blurry arm and leg so I can remember that Sebby is a wiggle worm! He is always kicking his legs and waving his arms around when placed on his back. It almost as if he is trying to get out of that position because, what fun is lying on one's back anyway?

Other things to note this week:

Sebby continues to hate the car, but will tolerate it in the morning with a companion "whisperer" sitting next to him.

The baby Bjorn bouncy seat is tolerated for just long enough to get dinner going, or unload the dishwasher, but have mercy if he's placed away from the action.

Strangers no longer approach and say "ahhh, what a little baby!" It has shifted to "how old is your baby?" as if to say that his face looks too young for how big he is. I'm ok with that- it's what I'm used to.

I have a huge tupperware filled with all the newborn clothes our Seb has grown out of. I'm still undecided on what to do with it all.

He was the star guest at the kids' school tea and show last week. However, after 20 minutes of a bright, crowded, and loud room, he kindly let me know that it was time to go someplace quiet.

I think we're very close to giggles, and there's nothing he loves more that a good chat!

Saturday Smiles

big brother, little brother

Sebby is so very soothed by Moojie's deep voice.

New Year in the Alentejo

There was a very healthy competitive spirit during afternoon croquet matches. 

 This is how well the blink detection feature works on my camera

As much as I strongly dislike motorcycles, I  will admit that few things in life have brought Moojie more joy. 

We kept the kids entertained with burning old papers.

Pai had to check each one to make sure it wasn't important before it hit the flames.

The big kids always come straight to see Sebby when they wake up. He thrives on the attention and just chatters and smiles the morning away.

Misty mornings and sunny afternoons are the winter weather formula in the Alentejo- perfect for Bay Area transplants such as myself.

Walks with Pai are bliss. He never tells me that his socks are getting wrinkled, or that his legs are getting tired and can I please carry him. Adults are so low maintenance that way. Uninterrupted conversation, sunshine, and a good walk is the perfect date for us.

The beauty of no visible neighbors.

Freddy is one keen passenger. That tooth has since come out, by the way.

No time at the farm is complete without Pooh Sticks.

This wandering donkey belongs to the neighbor.Pai and I came upon him during our walk.

Sebby all snuggled up in the Bjorn.