It’s hard to believe that we are in week three of school. What’s even harder to believe is how nicely Lana has settled in. Yes, she still loves America & misses her family and friends, and yes, she would still love to be teleported back to her old school to be with her ‘girls.’ But she is doing well. Very well, actually.

We decided to come over to NZ at the last possible moment so that the kids (&I) could maximize on our time with our friends before we left Sydney. This decision is something I will never regret. We had just the most fantastic month EVAH! It did however make our arrival in NZ pretty manic. In a week I had to find us a home, buy two children their uniforms, get everything labeled, purchase all the right shoes and even get some things embroidered!

In the middle of that week I received an email from Lana’s teacher introducing herself and informing me that she had shared my email with a mother from our class whose daughter she had chosen to be Lana’s buddy. This little girl was new to the school last year so she felt she’d understand what Lana was going through. I was contacted immediately after by this mother, a Canadian, who invited Lana for a play date that weekend  before school started. My daughter was taken for tea, a movie and then over to their house for a play! It was perfect. Three days later when Lana went in for her first day in her new school her ‘buddy’ was awaiting her. This little girl made sure Lana was cared for until Lana got her bearings. Here we were worried about Lana’s transition and she was the one who hit the ground running.

So far we are quite pleased with the school. Because I did not come over to look at schools I did my research by speaking to principals here from Sydney last year. I absolutely LOVE the principal of this school. It was after speaking to her that I was left in tears. I am not a huge supporter of private schools, but I knew that Lana deserved to be in this school, if even for a year.

Besides a strong curriculum and a very good learning environment there is also a focus on sport. If you know my daughter, you know she will do just about anything to avoid physical activity. Well, I have to smile when I write that as this new and improved Lana Banana has taken to surfing and has now joined her school Flippa Ball team!!!

Flippa Ball is a children’s water polo. The kids can actually stand in the pool, but if they get the ball they must either throw it or they have to swim with it. I tell you, that is an impressive skill. Even though we did not want to give up our weekends for the kids’ sports as we did in Sydney, we just could not deny our daughter since this is her first time expressing an interest in a team sport.

Most of the girls in her class are on the team, so it’s a lovely way for her to further connect with her friends. But more than anything I am proud of her for trying something new. This risk taking is something she has always shied away from. I am not sure if it was Australia, or this new school or maybe she just would have gotten here on her own. But regardless, I couldn’t be happier for her.

Today both of my children started at a new school. For Nuno, it was his first ever day of “Big Boy School.” He is not, however going into Kindergarten because in New Zealand children starting school go to Year 1. With the timing of our move to Australia and now to New Zealand that’s two kids who skipped Kindergarten in this family!

My husband & I have always considered him a very resilient and easy going kid. That is why we were caught off guard last night when he got nervous about his first day. Lana has already had two plays with her friends (more on that later) and got to spend a few days with her ‘girl’ cousin. Because Nuno is all about his ‘mates’ this move has hit him harder than we expected.

Last night, as I went to check on him in bed, he told me that he didn’t have any friends in his class. I assured him he’d have heaps by the end of the day to which he replied, “I don’t remember how to make friends.” His sister overheard and came into his room saying the sweetest things to him. She told him how great he is and how easily he makes friends. She and I both then told him about The Kissing Hand.  As I kissed his right hand I saw what I thought was Lana laughing at us. When I asked her what was so funny she looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “I am thinking of when I was sad or nervous at school and I would want you and you were not there so I would hold MY hand to my cheek.” We all had a good cry and cuddle before going off to bed to rest up for their big day.

This morning I woke up early to pack their lunches and make sure we were all ready for our day. The reason we have selected the schools we have is because my husband is an “Old Boy.” For Americans that is pretty meaningless, but for Aussies, Kiwis & Poms it’s a big deal. So with that, I present my Old Boy & New Boy.

I am right midst of packing.  We are about to embark on another leg of our adventure. This one taking us a little closer to my darling husband’s family, but a bit further from my own.

Each move we have made has been different than the last. Our first move from our enormous home in CT had us giving things we obviously did not need. This wasn’t easy, but not at all emotional. Then, when we decided to move to OZ I had to really consider what was important to me. For my darling husband, a couple bags of clothes, his golf clubs and digital copies of every picture from his life would be all he needed. For myself and Lana, leaving things behind was a bit more difficult.

Having to really narrow down what we could fit into 14 suitcases was a challenge. For Lana it meant leaving boxes of her most precious things behind. For me it meant taking up my entire old bedroom and more with furniture, framed pictures, wedding gifts, winter clothes, etc.

Since arriving in OZ we have come to live very comfortably with less. Yet, there are some things we chose to carry with us here, and we will bring with us to NZ. The first is the picture above. I will not send it with the packers, but rather will carry it in my suitcase so as soon as we arrive in our new house I can place in special spot. I miss the people pictured so much and having that picture makes them feel not so far away.

This picture of my dad is one of my favorites of him. It was taken in Portugal when he joined me and my friends at the World Expo. It was a great day & he just looks so great.

I have another frame that I already packed that includes the picture of my mother holding Alison, the last granbaby she met, in her arms. I think it’s the last picture taken of my mother.

The kids also have precious things that they would never consider getting rid of. Two of them are a frog Andrea made for Nuno, and a flower pot Auntie Diane made for Lana.

There is a jewlery box, filled with baubles, special trucks, (one that weighs as much as the real thing Maria!) stuffed animals that have been with us for 8 years, and a few other special items already packed away.

I know my husband has a hard time understanding the connection Lana and I have to these things. But you see it is not the item, but the expression of love that they remind us of. Little reminders of BIG LOVE.

Never, I mean never, would I have thought that my daughter would want to learn to surf. But here we are during her school holidays with her a little brother Big Nuno (his nickname at the school is Big “—” since he and the instructor have the same name.)

They are taking lessons for the next 4 days so I am hoping that by Thursday I’ll have a picture of them standing on their boards. But even if I don’t, I can’t tell you how proud I am that they are giving this a go!

This Christmas was a little different than any other in that we were in ‘our home’ and without family.  I know that I have been away from CT a few times for the holidays, but in those instances we were at Maria’s or my in-laws. Being with family during the holidays is Rule #1 with me, but there were a few reasons why that just didn’t make sense to pop over to NZ year this year.

1.) We are moving there in a month.

2.) I wanted Lana to finish out the school year and participate in all the year-end activities with her friends since she will not be returning next year.

3.) The weather is nicer in Sydney (knock wood, as the God’s have been messing with me lately in regards to this.)

4.) I wanted to spend as much time playing with MY friends before moving.

5.) Last, but certainly not least, Lana wanted to have a Christmas where she woke up in her own bed, in her own house. Fair enough!

So with all this, we decided to stay put.

In order to get ourselves into the Christmas spirit we set up our tree. It’s the same one I bought last year at a tag sale for $5. It’s small, but it’s ours. After putting up some lights, red beads, and some special ornaments Nuno expressed the desire to add some more Christmas ornaments. So while I was in a very long line at BigW he went off with Stephen to pick some out. He came back with colors that did not at all match the decorations we already had up. Rather than insist on a more traditional selection I capitulated and bought the one’s he wanted.

When we got home he & Lana wanted to hang them themselves. Their plan was to hang like colors together. WHAT?!?!? I resisted the urge to intervene and surprisingly it looked really good.

The kids both received Aussie ornaments and Nuno made these two beauties:

The other thing we did to get ourselves in the mood was pull out all our Christmas books.

As I alluded to before, the weather in Sydney had not been so great before Christmas. Although this put a damper on our beach time, it did facilitate a more Christmasy feeling. It’s still difficult to bake when it’s 38C/100F degrees. I have always had the kids help me bake, but this year was different because Lana was truly helpful. She has developed a keen interest in cooking and baking.

The chocolate dipped shortbread cookies were YUMMY!

Nuno of course helped too.

The kids also both had Christmas concerts that were just adorable.

With all the madness at the end of the year, I still wanted desperately to get a Christmas card out. The first day was overcast (How dare that happen in Sunny Sydney!)

It didn’t seem right, so we tried again the next day. Nuno was in a silly mood and tried to moon the camera. Fortunatley his pants were too tight for him to execute this. Not sure where he gets these ideas?!?!

Although the weather was perfect on the second day, none of the pictures spoke to me. My favorite shot did not have the kids in the best position between the Opera House & the Harbour Bridge, but I think it captured their joyfullness, so it’s the one I picked.

So with that we hope everyone had a Merry Christmas & no matter where you are, know that you are in our hearts.

We love you!

One of the things I so love about Sydney is that there are always a number of activities to participate in on any given weekend. Last year I had missed out on Sculptures by the Sea because we were too “busy.” So this year I was determined to make it to Bondi where we would start our Ocean Walk. Our good friends joined us, which only made the day that much better.

Since we had waited until the last weekend of the exhibit, which just happened to be one of the most beautiful days in a while, the crowds were pretty big. Other than slowing us down a little, it didn’t make for much of a problem.

As you can see in the pictures. The Bondi to Bronte walk is spectacular enough without artwork dotting the landscape. But add some spectacular sculptures, and it makes for a pretty wonderful morning!

That line was meant to reflect my brother’s excitement for making home made chorico. We chops have always made chorico with pork, but Carlos’s excitement can’t be contained and he wants to try deer chorico.

Some families send pictures of nieces and nephews to entice you to return home…. but my family sends me these.

All jokes aside. Nice to see daddy looking so good. And I am not kidding, I will be ANGRY if there is no chorico saved for me when I get home in a few months! Serious!!!

Over the past couple of months we have had a number of birthdays. Maria, Gran, Zira and Nora. Unfortunately, we have been a bit slack in creating videos for each and every one of you, so this song is dedicated to you all. Now please keep in mind, this is a tricky piece because it involves moving one’s hand’s placement on the keys.

Not too bad for a 5 year old!

Enjoy!

Click here for video.

May you always know how much you are loved! Parabens amor…

My baby boy with Lana and his  ‘other’ sister too!

While driving to swim the other day we got to the topic of my husband’s impending birthday. The kids & I were discussing what we were going to get him as well as what we could do to ease the transition for him. Lana suggested we not refer to it as his 41st, but rather his 30+11. Very clever I thought!

Nuno, realizing that we were talking about his father not being happy about aging piped in. “He has to be happy. He has two kids.” You said it my dear!

Happy 30+11th Birthday!!! We love you!