Dia das crianças/ Children's Day

On October 12th in Brazil, instead of celebrating Columbus Day, we celebrated o Dia das Crianças, Children's Day. Kids receive gifts and have the day off from school. I really like this shift from celebrating the dubious hero of the Euro-American encounter to celebrating the beauty and innocence of childhood.


Our celebrated baby boy got a fun dump truck from Mom and Dad and a baby Sylvester the Puddy-Tat stuffed animal from Titia Flávia. He caught Papa's cold (now Mommy has, too) and was suffering with a mild fever the other day, but within a day was back to saying "down, down, down" and insisting on running all over the house and playing with the most dangerous objects possible. Of special interest is Daddy's toolbox, full of drill bits, screwdrivers, and multiple choke hazards.


Before Children's Day, Nicky and Mommy accompanied Papai to Belo Horizonte, where he attended a conference. Nicky got to visit the zoo (the elephant was quite exciting for him, along with the lions), and the Science Museum at PUC Minas. Both were lots of fun! Nicky also learned how to take photos, which he loves to do, although his technique will need some work!

Nicky is also now the proud owner of a red Betta fish named "Bubbles". Tia Vânia brought it to him in a tiny tank the other day and the little guy seems to enjoy his new home!

He also has begun saying "Goooooooolll" (goal) when he kicks the soccer ball, which I find really funny!

We are still (alas) in limbo here in Juiz de Fora. To be honest, things are much more difficult here than any of us expected. We do hope that with some patience and perserverance, we will be able to make a great life for our family here. We have to give it a little time. But if things don't work out, it'll be USA or bust! Fortunately we have that option. In the meantime, we pray some rays of sun will shine into our life and our luck will change. But until then we just have to focus on appreciating the positives and not get too down.

Nicky keeps us all happy anyway-- he is just thrilled with his life! As long as he can run around and go for walks to see "tractors", all is a-ok! We are so grateful to have such a bright and sweet boy for our son.

Enjoy these photos of Nicholas and join us in wishing him a (now past) Happy Children's Day!