Of Firsts...and Lasts

Delivering our Christmas Plate to Professora Andreia...and saying goodbye to Pre-School and Chloe's current school.
We appreciate Chloe's teachers more than words can express.  Her three and one half years of pre-school have been marked by many laughs, tears, prayers, meetings, conversations, breakthroughs and 4 excellent teachers.  Thank you, Pro Marlie, Pro Claudia, Pro Roberta and Pro Andreia for loving on our girl and preparing her for first grade!  Your patience and love and GRACE are so so appreciated and will never be forgotten!

There are just not enough words to describe our love and appreciation for Tia Vania (left), our school van driver and Tia Lu (right) her assistent.  They are simply A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.  Their love, concern and care for Chloe is way beyond duty.  We are so so so so gratefull she will be able to continue with them next year.  Amazing answer to this mommy's prayer!

I shared this picture because it shows a bit of Chloe's school behind them.  

Little Noah boy with his Pro Vania!  He has successfully completed one semester of pre-school and fell so completely in love with his professora and school from day one.  My children are not particularly fond of vacation: they like their routine and playing with their buds at school but vacation they will have.  They will be home with mommy now until February 2016!

Yup, it had been awhile since she cut herself open so I guess it was about time.  sigh.  This is the fifth time, so mommy is getting professional at knowing if the cut needs stitches or not.  I did not even bother with the ER this time.  I made my own tape stitches and that was that.

Chloe's FIRST HAIR CUT EVER!  She is going on six years old and had never even trimmed her hair!  Tia Vanda blessed her and mommy yesterday with hair cuts, hair dye and hair treatments.  The last two just for me, of course!

Imagine trying to cut this child's hair.  She was blowing up gloves and putting on make up and twisting to see how much Tia was cutting the whole.entire.time.  This auntie sure is patient!

The child can put on mascara with no mirror better than I can with a mirror.  Oh, dear!

We cut about 6 inches off.  She says it feels SO good.  So LIGHT!  She still has a head full of curls but I am sure it does feel good!

This week has been busy.

Six huge Christmas Plates, completing my first round of baking!  This round was Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, Brownies, Shortbread and Lemon Squares.  We have thanked our teachers, drivers and counselor the best way we know: with lots of love, gratitude and American goodies!

Saying goodbye to a significant season in Chloe's life: pre-school.  February 2016 our little girl is on to bigger and we hope even better things: FIRST GRADE.  Wow.  This growing up thing is a little hard on my mommy heart but it is good.  It will be good!

One whole entire day of beautifying for Chloe and I at Tia Vanda's hair salon (ie home!).  We had breakfast, lunch and afternoon coffee at her house, soaking up her love and "carinho" she so freely pours over our lives.  Thank you Tia Vanda and Tata Amanda for your love and friendship!  We love you both so much.

And lots of getting stuff in order for mommy, who will be doing something she has never done in her life on Sunday.  I am going on a five day, all expenses paid, business trip!  One part of me is thinking how delicious five whole days of NO night wakings, NO laundry, NO cooking, NO ironing, NO picking up all day long sounds.  wow.  Sounds like a piece of heaven.  And traveling by airplane with just me to take care of and pack for?  wow.  Sounds super EASY!  The other (and stronger!) part of me is missing them already.

But since I really need this training for my new job in February, I will make the most of it and enjoy it while I can.  For sure, my return will find double of all mentioned above!

Have a blessed weekend and if you think of my in-laws this next week, you can offer up a quick prayer for them.  They will be caring for my two busy children so I can make this trip.  THANK YOU, Rosa and Jorge.  This is only possible because of you and I am so so grateful.

                                                                               Incredibly blessed,
                                                                                                Jama

PS Next week I will post pictures of a place I have never been before but get to visit now: Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil.