Rugby Photos

Last weekend was a milestone game for Moojie. He scored his first try! A try in rugby is the equivalent of a touchdown in American football. What makes it a double miracle is that I was not only at the game, but I saw the play happen.

Watching rugby with Seb around is essentialy making sure Sebby doesn't injure himself as he constantly runs onto the field and gets into mischief. As Moojie's team neared their endzone* (no idea what the endzone is called in rugby), I asked Zita to watch Seb.

The mouth gaurds are not exactly flattering, but whatever, it's better that than a no teeth.

 I never tire of these jumping shots.

 Here he is in the black helmet thingy just before crossing the line. It wasnt until cheers errupted that I realized he pushed through and did it.

Their team has not had the best record this season, but still it's been a great experience with a steep learning curve. 

I have Freddy home sick today with a bad sore throat. Keeping Seb out of "Yeddy's" face is not easy, but we´re making the most of our day with Hardy Boys, Kahn Academy vídeos, tea, and back rubs.

Instant Pick-Me-Up

It felt like everything in Sebby's closet, and by closet I mean Tupperware under our bed, was too small. I can't bear disorganized clothes  so I got to work this morning and did a quick sort through.

The poor guy has been wearing mismatched socks for days. Is it any wonder why? No, no it's not. 

I put everything into stacks of:

Long sleeved shirts

T-shirts

Polos 

Onesies 

Bibs (he never wears bibs so this is just for my visual pleasure)

Burp cloths/cloth diapers

It's hardly any clothes at all, but that's all he needs. Too many clothes are such a burden! 

There is another adjacent Tupperware with bottoms and socks still to do, but Seb has just fallen asleep and I have to race upstairs to get a second coat of paint on Moojie's bedroom wall before he wakes. 

Blondies

We kicked off the weekend with blondies before watching both the women's and the men's final of the Australian Open. 

I only had generic M&MS on hand, which Zita was very opposed to, hence the section reserved for Zita with no chocolate. 

The recipe is from Smitten Kitchen is easy beyond belief. Everyone loved them except for Pai who thought they were too sweet.

 I'm going to cut the sugar a bit and add nuts to see how they come out the second  time around. 

Seb kept saying "More cake. More cake. Mmmmm. Cake. More." 

They look a bit overcooked in this picture, but rest assured they were gooey as could be. 

January Snapshot

I'm savoring every moment with my sweet toddler Sebby. We fill our mornings with singing, puzzles, books, Little People, animals, and lots and lots of cuddles.

I've kept to my resolution to stay off the phone for almost two months now, but I haven't gotten anywhere close to some of the exercise goals I set for myself (read: I've done zero exercise).

I don't ever want the kids to look back at their childhood and associate me with a phone glued to my hand. I also feel like by devoting my mornings and early afternoon 100% to Sebby, I can focus on the big kids in the afternoon/evening and help with homework, music, projects, cooking etc. and not make them feel like they are always second in line, or constantly waiting for me.

Sebby's Portuguese has exploded in the last few weeks and seems about even with his English. He has the five of us laughing all day long with the phrases he parrots. Things come flying out of his mouth like he's been running a family for years and we all find ourselves looking at each other in amazement.

Freddy moved to an older group for tennis during the week. It finishes at 8pm, which is so so late for a 7 year old, but he gets his homework and cello done beforehand. At least that's the idea. Monday didn't quite turn out like that, but by Wednesday things were seamless. 

Zita is learning Blue Moon on clarinet as one of two pieces for the Spring concert. I can't help but sing along and poor Zita has exhausted every polite way to ask me to please not sing. 

Her biggest triumph has been keeping her room clean for three weeks. I did the initial clean up with her by breaking it down into steps, and she has kept it clean! 

I think same old same old with teenagers is a good thing, right? So everything with Mooj is same old same old. He has school, rugby, tennis, homework, sleep, repeat. Oh, and a lot of snacking and meals in between. Actually, something has changed with Mooj this month. Seb now idolizes him, and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual. Seb is always going around the house calling for "mano," and climbing into his lap. Even 15 year old boys melt when their baby brother says " love you Mano." 

Top Gifts of 2013- A Gargantuan Post

It's about time I publish our top gifts of 2013. You can see our top gifts from 2012 here.

 

This sherpa sweatshirt from Lands End has only been taken off to be washed. Freddy coveted a sherpa sweatshirt for so long that I think he all but forgot about it.  These are perfect for jacket averse boys and children who fuss about scratchy clothes.

The jambox speaker was one of Moojie's favorite presents. The sound quality is fantastic and clear, with enough range to walk freely around the house. It's small enough to take in a backpack and strudy enough to withstand being jostled about.

Both Zita and Freddy got these headphones from Fab.com - the best part about them is the feature that allows one child to plug into another child's headphones; no splicer is needed. No fights. Happy mom.

This fluffy soft robe was one of my favorite gifts. I was 8 year-old-girl-excited about my new fluffy robe and pajamas. It dawned on me later in the day that I couldn't remember the last time I bought new pajamas for myself. It was probably when we were first married.

 (This isn't my exact robe, but it's close enough) 

 This robe is all the more special to me because it was Zita who tipped off my mom that every time we passed a robe like this in any store, I would pass my hand along the sleeve and say "feel how soft this is Zita! Wouldn't this be so cozy?" Surprise gifts that one wants, but never explicitly ask for are the absolute best. 

Zita's white coat from Old Navy was a top gift this year, not only because she needed it, but because it was a steal. It's cute and goes with everything, and Zita beams with warm happiness when she wears it.

 

I loved the expression on Moojie's face when he opened his Hoodie Buddy. The earphones are built into the hood strings and most importantly, it's machine washable. He wasn't expecting it but wanted one, so of course he was super duper grateful and happy to get it. Again, that element of surprise is the best.

 

Moojie got a new mobile phone from his grandparents after having the same old phone held together by masking tape for years. Zita got a new phone from us, and so both of them got this portable USB charger that works with any USB compatible devise. I think these will be the most useful at school when their phones are low on battery.


2014 Book of World Records was given to Freddy, but everyone reads it, and I keep finding it all over the house. It's the perfect thing for Freddy who is also known as "Mr.Facts." Any age, boy or girl, this is a great gift.

I'm sure I am forgetting something, but if I keep this in draft mode for any longer, Valentine's Day will be upon us.

This was supposed to be a Christmas where we scaled back on presents, and we certainly did as parents. However, with extremely generous aunts, uncles, grandparents, Godparents, and relatives galore, they once again seemed to have an extensive flow of gifts from Christmas Eve night until Christmas afternoon. 

Pictures From Most Recent Rugby Game

 

 

Just photos today...

A Few More Birthday Pictures

Zita walking back to school with her friends after a lunch out. They are such sweet and chatty girls! I loved getting a chance to know them a little better. 

 the first round of singing...

And then a second round so we could sing in English

A New Year in the Alentejo

We drove to the Alentejo on New Year's Eve and spent a few days in relaxing solitude.

 

 Having bottle fed calves around is always the best draw for the kids. These calves are so tame and sweet; just look at this soft pinky nose! Sebby was terrified, but he'll come around.

 

 

 This is Moojie's hat from our years in Scotland. I couldn't cope with the cuteness factor.

 Here is Zita giving an afternoon bottle.

 

 Seb was thrilled with the horses and all things horse-related. Their muching on hay made him crack up into baby gigges, which in turn made us all laugh right along with him.

 Every one of our children goes through a ride-in-the-wheelbarrow phase.

 Both of the big chimneys have huge stork nests resting on top. Strong winds weren't enough to knock so much as a stick to the roof below.

 Pec the dog is a member of the family after 4 months on the farm. He adores having the kids around.

 It rained all day every day, and when it wasnt raining, the mist was so thick that it might as well have been raining.

 Either I'm getting old or Sebby is particularly heavy, because my shoulders were in serious pain after one walk with him in this backpack.

That's okay because Pai's shoulders are a pretty comfy spot!

 

We stopped in Vila Viçosa on our way home. The last time we were there, it was a hot August day and little Moojie had just turned one. These are all drive by pictures because of the rain.

 

The best part about going away after Christmas is coming home to discover presents all over again.

Birthday Frosting

I get asked about frosting more than any other thing that I make. I have narrowed it down to two go-to recipes that work with pretty much any cake. The chocolate recipe can be found in Joy of 

Cooking under Chocolate Satin Frosting. 

This vanilla recipe is the disputed original and true frosting that is supposed to be paired with red velvet cake. That point is irrelevant however, because it is just so gosh darn tasty. 

Using an electric mixer, it fluffs up like marshmallow fluff, but retains the buttery goodness of traditional butter cream. Yes, there is heating involved, and it dirties one bowl plus your mixer attachments, and a saucepan, but it really is easy peasy, and worth the extra cleaning.

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/thate28099s-the-best-frosting-ie28099ve-ever-had/

I hesitate to show my grainy iPad  photos, but anyone can look at the link for the real deal. 

Below is one cup milk wisked and heated with 5 tablespoons flour and vanilla. Yes, flour. Just go with it. 

In the other bowl, cream granulated sugar with butter until completely smooth and uniform. 

Mix them both together, and you have vanilla frosting good for spreading, piping, eating straight out of the bowl, topping cookies or cupcakes, and good for filling too. Do read to proper recipe because this post just gives a basic idea and omits a few key intructions. 

Sebby approves!

I gave him a quarter of a cupcake so I could clean the kitchen and prep for dinner. 

By the end, his hair was covered in red velvet crumbs and frosting. 

The rest of the pictures are on my camera and not yet uploaded to the computer, so these will have to do for now.