Christmas Day Lunch

Decorating the Christmas Tree

We've had waffles and hot chocolate/coffee for breakfast and the tree is decorated . So far so good on Christmas Eve! 

🌲🎅

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December So Far

Just when we think we have exhausted every single park possibility in the area, we find a new one. Seb is a climber so this is just the right level of dangerous to keep him interested. 

It has been so warm and sunny that we haven't had to deal with putting the trampoline away or getting a cover for it. Both Freddy and Sebby go straight to it in the mornings before or after breakfast. 

 I brought a pretty depressing Christmas tree home and I couldn't bring bring myself to put it in the living room and make it our official tree.

 Chillier nights mean a lot of card games at the table in front of the fire. Tomás and Freddy are my best card players (Zita is not a fan :( )  with Blackie and Prosciutto taking a lap when it´s available.

 Prosciutto will not give up on his lap-dog phase.

The boys and I had a great day at the Expo last week on a gray, but balmy day.

 Sebby was beyond excited about riding in this car.

  We never get pumpkin patch pictures so I thought I would at least attempt a "tree lot" picture. Doesn't Sebby look happy to stand there and smile?

 We thought it was too risky to take an already wrapped tree so the lady kindly dragged this one to the back and wrapped it for us.

We were all too happy to bring this tree in and get the lights on straight away.

 My phone is full of Prosciutto-Sebby cuddles. I look tired in all of them, but this is cropped nicely. It also gives a good view of Sebby's self haircut. We had to shave his whole head.

Rugby has been tough going. Mooji's team lost two games in a row  by one and two points, respectively. For both games they had more tries than the opposing team, but lost in the last minute or two because of a penalty kick. Still, it is a huge improvement from last year when they wouldn't have had a chance against these top teams. 

Next weekend they play their rival Cascais, who they already beat last month. Mooji has a concert the night before the game and I'm  sure it will be last time he goes to a concert before a rugby game. Let's hope his allergies don't act up :)  

Blackie's best poker face

Sunday evening cards by the fire is the best. 

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Christmas Train

The Christmas train was up and running for a few days until it just stopped working. My well of patience has run dry for train troubleshooting, and Moojie's has too. Such a bummer. 

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Happy Weekend

This guy has gotten up to so much mischief around the house lately. I don't even want to add up the cost. 

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Happy Thanksgiving!

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November Happenings

Freddy participated in a multi-school track and field day in Cascais. Sebby and I came to cheer him on and wound up cheering for every age group and every class until Freddy's turn came in the last group. 

My little backpack of toys was not holding Sebby's interest and we were both blinded by the sun and roasting hot. November this year has been Summer , part 2.  

With every nice day I think it could be our last chance to have beach time so I pack up and stop at the beach after the school drop-off. Then the next day is just as nice and we do the same. These two trucks have been working over time.

Building sand castles is tough work.

Driving home from a rugby game, Freddy grabbd my camera to catch the sun setting on Cascais bay.

We revived the marble run until all the marbles went missing. We packed it back away and now I'm finding marbles every where.

More beach.

" It's a ´p´ for Pai and a ´v´ for Vasco." The p is backwards, and the V upside down, but they are letters nonetheless.

Last week was centered around playing with the salt dough that got on every surface of every room, including high up on the kitchen wall. It was fun while it lasted (2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, food coloring)

 We've been twice to the indoor play place. I'm trying to keep it exciting and not go more often than once a week.

 Freddy had pajama day at school and has never been happier to get dressed for school.

 I'll close with the cutest dog in the world, who we continue to love despite increasingly clever food stealing tactics.

 This is his "I'm sorry I keep eating all the butter" face.

Recent Rugby Pictures

Mooji had heartbreaking loss last weekend. He played the team that broke his arm, almost exactly a year ago, and was especially determined to beat them this year.

His team was up 15-13 with two tries to one, (plus a few kicks on each side), and with 30 seconds to go, the other team scored a penalty kick and sealed the lead 16-15. There was a last effort to score, and they came so so close, as in right on the try line close, but the other team got the ball and kicked it out. With that kick, the whistle blew and that was it.

We were left stunned.  It was particularly frustrating to lose having scored more tries, but I think they will get one more shot at playing them before the year is over.

Proscuitto at 6 Months

According to the wise internet, he is at 75% of his full size. His paws still looks huge and way too big for his body so I think that estimate is accurate. 

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Sunny November Days

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Scenes From a Nap

Note Sebby holding Prosciutto's paw. 

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Sebby is Three!

We ( by "we" I mean Sebby's siblings) didn't manage to get up early enough for our traditional early morning birthday celebrations.
 Mooj had half day so he came along with Seb and me to a play place in Sintra called Hubi Park.

 We will definitely be back. He loved it! 

His cousin came over to play and the two of them spent the rest of the afternoon with Prosciutto, enjoying the sunshiney weather.  

 I let him open one small Paw Patrol toy that he held and cherished all day long. If it had been his only present, he would have been happy.

 Moojie hugs are the best.

Freddy aka "Marshall," the Paw Patrol extraordinaire.

He had his favorite dinner of chicken korma and got his requested chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

A post dinner Paw-Patrol sesh brought another fantastic birthday to a close.