I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas

 Our river here broke its banks between yesterday and the night before. Things are a little soggy. I'm thoroughly enjoying the cooler weather though. I even baked some cookies! Shortbread over-browned - blegh - but the spice biscuits came out beautifully. It was less than fun making them though, as my co-baker isn't here. Most are being bagged to gift, though I'm quite sure HRM will do damage to them all if I left him to it.


I had some Santa success yesterday!! Last week, I did a lesson around Santa with MF, but she was unimpressed. She knew her parents delivered her gifts to her grandparents' home where they always opened them. I got her to write her letter to Santa anyway, which she did with much sulking and very begrudgingly. The only way to keep her going was to Google her 'wishes'. Now that got her excited.

I found an awesome site online where you can print and 'send' a reply to the kid from Santa. The trouble is, the letter mentions Santa going on to a 'friend' and names the friend. Now I'm useless with names and couldn't remember her friends, so I asked Tat, who happily obliged (she taught MF before I got her - that girl has a prodigious memory!). We just had to hope that the kids were still friends. I took my chances.

When I arrived at MF's home, she had a picture she had drawn of 3 girls with names next to them. I looked and said, with bated breath, "Are these your friends?" No, was the answer. They were just characters from a TV series. Whew! "Who are your friends then?" Counting off on her fingers, she started, "Gabrielle, João.... and others," she said with a shrug. "Others?" I wanted to know. Yes... others. She obviously has too many to mention. A grin spread over her face though. "Look what I got!" and she stuck her letter from Santa under my nose (I had left it with the security guard with instructions to put it in among their mail). Then she told me all about her letter and what was inside. She's convinced Santa must be real and all-seeing, as he knew her friend! I hoaxed a kid, so sue me - to quote Marty. Apparently dad said it must be Corrianne who sent the letter, but the whole friend thing threw her, as she knew I didn't know her friend. I'm happy : )

I made myself a Christmas present... a notebook for the new year. Some of you may recognise the photos on the front and back cover. The paper was scrap I had lying around.


Jurgis' Christmas present will doubtless be the baking of another batch of biscuits. He doesn't use notebooks. What else does one make for a guy anyway?

Rainbow in the wind

It was a really early morning and I was very inclined to be grumpy. You know one of those 'hmph!' days? Luckily I got over it. The sun tried to come out this morning, but finally gave up at lunch time. There was a frisky wind playing around too. What do Brazilian kids do when it's windy? And often if it isn't? Fly kites. It's something I love and hate here. Those kites are flown among the electrical cables of busy roads, but they're quite a sight, especially one like this. This little guy had just been given his kite and was told to keep it still... I think the 'pull' of the kite, those colours and a playful wind was more than he could resist : ) He made me smile.


Tomorrow is International Day of Peace, so I prepared a lesson on peace and the tsuru birds... and... I actually managed to fold 3!! Then I actually managed to teach MF how to fold one. She was so thrilled with herself and not surprising. I also taught her how to fold a heart and she gave one to her sister. Her sister, Zara, is a sweet little thing that usually squirms and holds up a hand that she doesn't like touched, but she wants to show she can "High five". Zara has so many health and mental issues. Much of the time while MF is in class, little Zara is undergoing therapy. Today, she was actually 'chatting' like baby talk (instead of her usual grunts) and she giggled when I tickled her neck. She actually cranes her head to get tickled. Her smile is an absolute joy. One of her favourite places is under this plastic-covered chair while we're having class.


For those who want to know... we passed! *grins* I made a really good supper and one of my favourite TV shows is coming back. Make that two. Ah yes... life is clearly windy enough for rainbow kites and otherwise good : )