Our Beach Trip

Two weeks ago, Rick's brother Mark spent the weekend with us and took us to his favorite beach in Brazil. We awoke early and took a very bumpy boat ride to Ihla Grande (Big Island) where we jumped off and hiked 2o minutes to a secluded beach called Lopes Mendes. Incredible!The water was completely transparent and you could even see your toes when wading in the water chest deep. The sand was so fine that it looked like powdered sugar and squeaked with every step that we took. I have never been to a more beautiful beach! This photo was taken high up the mountain during the hike down to it. James enjoyed waving at this plane that kept flying low along the coast. To our surprise, the pilot eventually landed further down on the beach. James thoroughly enjoyed the boat ride and still talks about going on a boat again. On the way back to our hotel he fell asleep in his daddy's arms exhausted from the sun, water and fun.
A photo of James and I on the way back.The day before we went to another beach called Itamabuca. We stayed at a Eco Resort where they also had camping. Once again, there was the beautiful blue-green water surrounded by vast jungle and plenty of rocks to climb on and dive off. Below an ice cream vender takes a breather.

Of course, we took advantage of the fact that the ice cream man drug that heavy cart through the sand to make a sale. James was covered in green popsicle!
James was delighted to find some "treasure" in the water. With this nice beach comes a fresh water river (the Brazilians call it sweet water.) that runs into it making an ideal place for James to stay and play. My brother-in-law Mark jokingly said that the next time we bring foreigners to this beach, we will have to warn them about the piranas!


Here James finds and plays with some little friends. Overall, it was a wonderful weekend getaway and a fun time spent with family!

James Starts Preschool

James started at a Christian Preschool last week and is enjoying the interaction with the other children. Rick and I thought it would be a great opportunity for him to hear and learn Portuguese for a couple hours a few days a week. I don't want him learning incorrectly from his gringa mommy! So we are doing a testing period to see if this will be a good thing for him. Here is a photo of him in his school uniform.

James making Breakfast

Tacos!

Last week, we had our sweet neighbors over for their very first experience with tacos. Saying they enjoyed them would be an understatement! I found a place that sells taco shells but they are a luxury as a small box costs around $10. Notice the ketchup on the table. The girls poured it on and ate 3 each. Brazilians love their ketchup!


James and his new buddies stopped playing ball long enough for mommy to take a photo. James makes friends everywhere he goes and this day it happened to be at the park right next to our house. Yesterday, while James and I were walking to the grocery store to pick up some items for lunch we passed a little boy in the street that knew his name. I think he has more friends than Rick and I combined!

Here is a photo of a distressed James getting "hooked" with his toy fishing pole. He has never been fishing but he loves to pretend. A string of yarn or a shoelace becomes a fun toy to throw over the back of a chair. His uncle Rob and uncle Garry will have to take him the next time we're in the states.This is how I found James watching cartoons one morning- inside two pool floats! Kids are the best!

Books in English

Now that I am certain James is past the stage of tearing out pages of his books, I have moved all his books down to the lower shelves. It is so nice to walk in his room and find him quietly looking at his books. Childrens books in English are hard to find and when I do find them I can't afford them. Yes, they charge an arm and a leg for these specialty items!

Mommy and James posing for daddy.