It's not even December 1st and we already have our Christmas tree up and decorations throughout our house. Christmas is coming up fast and there are plenty of things to do!!! Once the Christmas shopping is complete and Christmas has gone by, we are traveling to New Jersey and New York for almost a week. . .
This will be Taina's first time she has been exposed to cold weather and hopefully SNOW!
LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW! Of course after our flight has landed and we are safe at our destination.
I hope you enjoy our first Christmas pictures!!!
Along with the smell of aviation gas and jet fuel you hear incredible noise and view awesome maneuvers that were all part of the Stuart Air Show. Men dropped from up above displaying colors that moved across the sky like a fireworks show.
The planes flew over us displaying perfect formation like a flock of birds. As they flew in front of their own smoke trails they performed maneuvers such as the bomb burst, vertical rejoin, avalanche and graceful loops and rolls.
As we were walking around taking pictures and climbing aboard a personal jet Taina, our exchange student volunteered her weekend to work at the air show along with Hap and Jane Mills, and their exchange student Florian. This was Taina’s and our first time at a VNA air show. It was a beautiful day, the sun kissed our faces and the breeze kept us cool. We viewed some of the most incredible planes. One of most capturing moments for me was the USAF Heritage Flight where they featured the F-15, F-16 and the Viet Nam era F-4 Phantom. The end of the evening came along quick and we all went to Pizza Hut for dinner. On Taina’s check list of things to try was Pizza Hut. I think Taina, Michael and the children all enjoyed dinner.
I hope you enjoy the pictures!!
As the cool air set in and the fog eased over our houses (OK, we didn’t have fog) ghosts, goblins, cheerleaders and pirates strolled the streets of Port St. Lucie. It was a fun night for everyone. We made rice crispy treats, drank hot chocolate and trick or treated. A lot of candy was given out to young and older children that approached the house in costumes saying "trick or treat" or the few that said Happy Halloween. Cassandra dressed as a Geisha and John dressed as the guy from the movie Scream. Taina wasn’t feeling well so we put cat ears on her so she could get into the Halloween spirit. I wanted to light the fire so the golden embers would light up our living room but the cold front that we have been experiencing lifted and the evening was comfortably warm which was nice. We are use to cold, wet Halloweens that we had in New Jersey.
Enjoy the pictures!!! The children are growing up so fast!!!
Over the weekend Tainá, Cassie and I did our best to bedazzle a peace sign on Cassie’s jean jacket. We had a lot of fun!! All of a sudden I feel like wearing tie-dyed shirts and braiding my hair!
That afternoon the girls had a wonderful time swimming in the pool. The thermometer read 80 degrees but it felt like 60 degrees so I did not go in.
On Sunday we went shopping in City Place. It was a beautiful sunny day with a light breeze. We strolled though the stores comparing all of the different designer clothes to each other. Cassie had a wonderful idea to go see a movie named Beverly Hills Chihuahua. It was a cute movie but not my first choice. We ended the evening at the Cheesecake factory!
Tomorrow the children have a half day of school and we are attempting to make soap. I wonder if I could tye-dye soap?
More to come. . .
TAINA AT HARD ROCK CAFE - Sept 20, 2008
Last weekend we went to Universal for John and Cassandra's 11th birthday. The day was full of simulated tornados, cows flying, Tinkerbell flickering before our eyes and Shrek larger than life. The day was fun packed and full of excitement. We strolled through the parks, went on roller coaster rides, shot aliens, sang happy birthday at Hard Rock Cafe as John and Cassandra stood on the bar with sundaes in their hands. We raced through lines of people, took pictures with Scooby doo and Simpsons just like an all American happy family. Taina and Cassandra smiled and giggled all day as though they were sisters from the beginning of life.
What an experience!! Having someone in your home for a short period of time and having them bond and become a part of the family. It's kind of like being in kindergarten and sitting next to someone and saying let’s be best friends and walking off to the playground giggling like a child without a worry in the world. That how easy it is for Taina to be accepted into our family. Taina stands out in our family not because she has dark hair and dark eyes but because she teaches us about a culture we know nothing about. Brazilian culture is much like ours but yet so different. Taina is proud to be a Brazilian but that doesn’t stop her from embracing the American culture. Not only is Taina a wonderful balance of intelligence and thoughtfulness but she is committed to volunteering in her spare time so she could learn more about the needs of our community. Taina is an intelligent girl with a bright future who is not afraid to question what she does not understand and is patient enough explain what she is speaking about until we have a clear understanding of her thoughts. We are very proud of her as we are proud of all our children (GO JORDI!!)
After the time we have spent with her, we immediately knew Taina would be a part of our lives today and every tomorrow.
It is 4:30 on Tuesday, September 16th and we are awaiting Taina's arrival. She will be staying with us until she departs next year. Tonight we are taking her out for German food to celebrate!!!
This weekend we are going to Orlando to Universal for John and Cassie's 11th birthday. It should be a lot of fun!!!
I will keep you posted!!
Today Taina (pronounced Tina with a long I) when to Fort Pierce Inlet. It was very hot and humid there compared to Bahia, Brazil where it is winter and in the high 70's. While strolling a long the inlet we saw a Manatee which weighed about 300 lbs! Taina never saw a Manatee before. I told her that I know someone that swims with Manatee's and feeds them lettuce. She was SURPRISED! We also spotted a baby shark, pelicans and a couple of cranes. The beaches I showed her are very different from beaches in Brazil. In Brazil the sand is white and there are restaurants on the beach with music and people dancing. We drove along the coast from Fort Pierce to Stuart the "Sailfish Capital of the World". Today was a lot of fun! Tomorrow we will have lunch at the Stuart Rotary Club with Hap and Jane Mills. Taina is very bright and respectful, it is a pleasure having her as a part of our family and having her in our home!
Your Dreams Can Come True, If You
Have The Courage To Pursue Them.
