Still no innernets.

Alas, we still don't have internet or air baggage yet, but we're told we may have it next week. We were also told we'd have it this week. I believe this is the Brazilian way. I'm spending the morning using the slow computer at the embassy so I can order some stuff and catch up on my email. Yesterday was a low point for me, as I have now read all the crappy free Kindle books AND the kids' Kindle books. Basically I sat inside staring at the plain white walls for seven hours after I went for a walk and cleaned the house, which, when there isn't any "stuff", is surprisingly quick and easy. Not being able to call my family and friends has been physically painful. Today is a new day, however. We finally got a humidifier and I was able to get a good nights' sleep.  The air here is so dry that I wake up several times a night with my eyeballs burning and my throat scratchy. I know my Seattle peeps will kill me for saying this, but I wouldn't mind an overcast, drizzly day. Anyhoodle, I'm feeling much better today. It's Friday, which means we have a car for the weekend. I'm also thinking of rewarding myself with a nice little visit to Zappos. I was going to reward myself with a walk up to the shopping center to get a pedicure, but as I was getting ready to leave, I ripped half my big toenail off. You win another round, Universe.  Jerk.

School is going great for the kids. The little bus (yes, you may call it a 'short bus') picks the kids up from the house and they get to ride in their reclining leather seats while watching Brazilian cartoons or American movies. The cantina serves fabulous buffet-style lunches that the kids actually like. They're making friends and have discovered that they are the only kids in ALL OF BRAZIL that don't have a swimming pool. I don't know what they're complaining about, there's a dirty old rabbit hutch in the corner of the yard that is just fine for playing in. Actually, our yard is beautiful, and I'll have pics to share soon. The girls are in separate classes again, and were terrified when they played soccer futebol in PE and got their butts kicked this week. Grace wants to sign up for futebol lessons so she can keep up. Olivia wants nothing to do with it because if she can't excel at something on the first try, she won't do it at all. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE SHE GETS THIS.  Virginia schools got them all in good shape for their new school, and Henry was even placed in a small group of fast track mathletes/math olympiads or some such thing.  I'm pretty sure he gets his mathematical ability from his father, although I have gotten pretty good at figuring out the exchange rate in my head. For example, one spiral notebook (Jack needs four, Henry one) costs R$24.  That, in American dollars, is like a whole pair of open-toed wedge sandals. 

I want to keep this short, because, like I said, I need to go find a reward for myself, in the price range of about five spiral notebooks.