The kids have been in school for a couple of weeks now. Being the squeaky wheel that I am, I had a meeting with the teachers this morning. They were very nice and let me know that the kids are adjusting well to school and making friends. The jury is still out on whether or not I think that the curriculum is where it should be, but for now they are picking up Portuguese rapidly and I love that!!! Isabella has become my little teacher and corrects me all the time ( I wonder where she gets that from??).
Last week was long. On Monday I had to take all the kids to the Dr., for a physical so that the Dr. could write a letter stating that they were in good health and could participate in P.E. class. I am still amazed at how the Dr. does everything. We tried a different pediatrician out. Her office is 5 minutes from our apartment, which I love. She informed us that Santiago was coming down with a cold. He had a cough and fever, that afternoon. Over the next few days everyone came down with it. By Friday, I took Joaquin back to the Dr. She was very nice and perscribed some medications that were naturally based in order to help him with his congestion. I loved it also that I did not have to pay because you get a "call back" visit 30 days after a visit or something like that. That was a relief. I haven't told the other kids that we have to go back again this week and get shots. Ugh!! I don't even want to mention that word. They all have to get meningitis vaccines because they have flare ups here every now and then (which is when you remember where you are living) as well as yellow fever. I will let you know later how all of that goes.
We found a great little place close to the apartment. It is called a "bosque" or forest. and it is. It is like a small zoo. They had all kinds of animals (monkeys, lions, tigers, tucans, etc). Plus, there are walking trails all around it. The only thing that I could think of to compare it to was central park because it is in the middle of the city. We went there last Sat and walked around and then ate a light snack. I had coconut milk straight out of the coconut, which I absolutely love.
The kids have been to 2 birthday parties so far. There are party places all over. What i find great is that the places have jumpies, video games, games, slides, indorr playgrounds, etc. They also have a lot of "monitores" teenagers monitoring all of the activities and providing entertainment for the kids. It has been interesting to see. The kids love it. Unlike the parties in the US, the parties last between 3-4 hours or longer. They also start later. Everything starts later. We have a party place right across the street from our apartment. I see that sometime kiddie parties start at 8 pm and are over at 11 or midnight. Interesting!!!
We finally got a dining room table today. Yeah!! I am sitting here right now. I am glad to be out of the tiny breakfast nook in the kitchen and so are the kids.
Joaquin also received his Carreno 4 month buzz. I think he looks adorable!
We are heading to Atlanta next week for a few of days in order to get our visas stamped. I am already making a list of things I need to pick up. Jaime thinks I am crazy for not wanting to live without Ziploc bags, dryer sheets, cheerios, etc., but I am just not ready to give them up at the moment. If I can still bring them back, why not?? Right???
