Twas the week before Xmas and the girls all hopped on the bus for a bit of gift gathering in Horta. I taught Sabs and Sissy how to use their debit card for the first time and now they are all set for this next “adult” step in life. Toobs got a massive hot chocolate with whip cream and Sissy and I split a mediocre apple pie with a side of paper that was apparently attached to it.

Also the bottom photos are from a diff bakery on a diff girls day that week where Toobs and Sissy struggled to eat the toughest pastel de nata. It rated very low on Toobs pastel de nata chart but luckily a few days later she had the yummiest one in Pico to make up for it.

All these photos were from back when Toobs had two front teeth (one hanging on for dear life)

Wohooo Tic tac to the paddy wak! You were so determined to lose this tooth on your own terms and you did just that! At 5:30am I felt a little tap on my arm and opened my eyes to your big fat wide awake smile and sweet little toobie hand proudly holding your shiny front tooth! You were too excited to back to sleep so we got up together and watched Tall Girl on netflix while you excitedly plotted how you were going to tell the rest of the family when they woke up. One by one they came up the stairs and you gave your newly toothless smile with such pride. You already told Ghost Rusty, Flower, Pico Mountain, Meeps and basically any voice I make that you can speak to. You have been waiting for this day. You told me it is your favorite smile that you’ve had, and you think you look beautiful. Of course you do. Later that day the family had Ultimate Frisbee and you and I went to the Chinese store then walked all the way down to Porto Pim stopping to get your first toothless ice cream treat. It was freezing, you weren’t phased. We arrived at the beach both wearing brand new Chinese store Xmas stocks b/c I was 100% phased.

By the end of the day you were too tired to write the tooth fairy card so you wanted to wait until today to write it. I have a feeling she’s been waiting for this day too and you will wake up to some happy surprises tomorrow!! I love you muffin pie. So thankful to be the one sleeping right next to you, getting tapped at 5:30am and waking up to the sound of your precious excitement. You are amazing. xoxoxoxo

The theme this year was Under the Sea so the girls made their own jellyfish costumes and were proud to take home the prize for best costume! They had a blast as always and stayed late playing ring toss with Justin. Toobs chose to stay on her own with the girls while Will and I left to go get dinner ready before UF and she said she had the best time after! She said Justin picked her up and swung her around like a dad would. Sweet little love growing up. Last year she was still a bit shy at the party but this year she was walking up to random grannies and starting conversations. Ugh so proud and just adore her so much. Toobs just be Toobin.

The girls have all had their first full week back at school and Toobs completed her 1st spelling test. Guab and Sissy have started at FLVS combined with Outschool and thankfully are both really liking it!

After 3+ weeks everyone is finally healthy! I was able to play Ultimate Frisbee on Thursday and didn’t have any setbacks, plus lifted weights again this week so hallelujah! Today is Sunday so that means Frisbee again!

Dada is currently surfing at Praia do Norte so hopefully he returns w/o any broken bones. The girls went to Tricia’s this week with Lily and did paper mache with the grannies. Meeps has had almost a full week with no balls and is still meeps crazy so I bought a water bottle weapon. He cracked my papaya plant in half🤬 so now I’m experimenting growing 2 from 1. Lulu seems to be tolerating him more but still swats him and hisses. I think she finds him entertaining b/c I noticed her watching him yesterday and sitting in the yard in an unusual spot for her just staring at his weird meep antics.

As I am writing this I just caught him in my hibiscus plant so yes we’re still working on this.

Still no house updates. Still chasing responses from builders.

Sissy finished The Book Thief and said she nearly cried at the end. We’re not allowed to watch the movie until Guab reads it and she gave her a month deadline so we’ll see. Guab is still reading The Pharmacy girl and Toobs and I are reading Sweep. It was one of sissy’s favorite books when she was about 10yrs but so far we are about 1/2 way through and Im not sure Toob’s feels the same.

The girls were counting the weeks to Xmas yesterday. It’s September. Help.

Pic from Tricia of the girls and the grannies.

Well I am going on like week 3 of a virus that started with back pain, turned into fever and chills, then just when I thought I was free it decided to whip up a nasty congestion and swell a lymph node in my armpit- thxxxxxx.

Toobs was taken out and had 24hr fever then fine, and now congestion. Sissy and Guab both the whole fever, aches, congestion, and Will is just skipping around in healthy folly. Bit frustrating (not that I wish sickness on him but I mean 3 weeks and he has nothing?!).

The girls and Will played Ultimate frisbee last night and Toobs and I played Uzzle (I whipped her so there’s that).

Summer feels like it is fading too fast and the fall smells are already all around. This weekend we have a party at the neighbor’s house (Lesley) and the girls are dressing up as jellyfish. We’ll attempt to make this costume today. It involved Umbrella hats and lots of ribbons from the Chinese store.

Looking forward to having my normal energy back and not doing restorative yoga and going on walks. I need weights, and run/hikes back in my life. I have an appt with Nancy for a facial today so maybe she’ll massage some of this ick out of me.

Next week we’re officially back in school mode so I have to organize all the classes, activities, etc. It’s time to get my little Muffin pie reading. She’s almost there!