Integrating

The kids have begun making friends with the Brazilian kids at their school. Last weekend, the girls went to a birthday pool party of a classmate. They were the only Americans there, and they were surprised and delighted by the tuxedoed waiters bringing them popsicles and hot dogs on a silver platter. Grace remarked that every time she dropped a hot dog in the pool, there was a waiter at her elbow, offering her a new one.  Brazilian parties tend to be a little more lavish than American birthday parties. It also lasted about six hours, and was still going strong when we left. They had a great time and the host family was incredibly welcoming and gracious. For example, my kids have gotten several shades darker since we moved here, but there's no getting around their Irish ancestry and they still glow in the dark a bit, so when we arrived, although the avó (grandmother) didn't speak a word of English, she took one look at my girls and came rushing out with some sunblock. I'm not saying I wanted them to adopt me or anything, but after they kissed both my cheeks I was ready to be their foster kid.

Jack has been playing futebol and I have to say, I am amazed at how brave he has been. Brazilian kids basically start playing upon exit from the womb, and their skill level is insane. But Jack, who quit playing in middle school, has been working his butt off every practice and the Brazilians have helped and encouraged him, translating what the coach says and yes, laughing with him when he messes up, but clapping him on the back when he does well.

Even the kids from the opposing team are good sports when the ball isn't in play.

Here are the girls, clearly riveted by the game. Henry split with his hooligan 10 year-old posse as soon as we got there.

I too, am trying to adopt a more Brazilian attitude by letting go of some of my control freak nature and allowing the kids more freedom in the kitchen. This may or may not be directly related to the fact that I have someone else cleaning my house now. I even let the girls put the cheese grating attachment on the mixer and grate all the cheese for the pizzas themselves.

Whole wheat flour, courtesy of Amazon. Shut up! Whole wheat pizza is delish. As long as it has lots of cheese and pepperoni and sauce and stuff on it.