Happy Halloween Weekend!

Bee and Georgia have Parties!

Georgia is in the monster phase. She has started waking from nightmares and worrying about what is under her bed. Her imagination is running wild. And Halloween isn't helping...

This week she and Bee will have costume parties at their schools. I've tried to do some sweets that won't scare these preschoolers too much...but keep in the spirit.

Happy Halloween Brazil...I am so happy that the holiday is gaining popularity. I am hoping that trick-or-treat will be on the agenda soon.

Fresh Paint

My husband's crib painted white = Georgia
Georgia's crib painted grass green = Baby Boy

And even though (in Georgia's exact words to a stranger yesterday), "we have to sit down and pick a name for baby boy because he doesn't have one..."

Our son has a place to sleep.

Getting there....

Last Shots

Just a few more shots from the weekend whirlwind...a baby shower, a jewelry collection launch, and a "just because I'm craving" order....
And the mixer mixed....

And Estela turned two...

It really was a great weekend for the toddlers. Estela celebrated her two years under the big tent...a circus celebration!
Happy Birthday Estela!

Sui is one...

Sui turned one on Sunday. Her mom wanted a simple party with flowers and nature. She couldn't have picked a prettier place for the event: Manioca. They provided the always delicious sweets and snacks and I came in with the decoration and cookie table.

The sun was shining outside and in...happy birthday Sui!

Old McDonald and the Weekend

I think if baby boy made it through this back breaking weekend of seeing the sunrise with a frosting tip in hand, we might just make it until our due date. I was rather worried on Friday night (when I realized I didn't have anymore vanilla), that I might go into labor. But my kind neighbor stuck a jar in the elevator and sent it up to me (thank you Ro!) and miraculously the contractions subsided!

Thousands of sweets, cookies, cupcakes, quiches, brigadeiros, appetizers, muffins, salgados, and decorations later...six parties in all...I am going to bed at a decent hour tonight. I promise to sleep dreaming up a great name lest my husband be worried that I'll want to name our son after a cake recipe.

Tomorrow my oven shall remain off. I am packing my maternity bag and washing the bedding for baby's crib. And I am just posting one set of party photos this evening....I'll share the rest later.

This one was Georgia's pick of the weekend.

Happy Birthday Manuela and Tomas. We are happy to have provided you with a little bit of sweets on your farm themed birthday!

Thanks to Sucatinho de Luxo, my understanding family, and all my helpers!

Cozy Baby

Baby boy's wardrobe was about complete...lots of store bought basics from the States. And I had already sewed him a little layette. Perhaps the only thing missing was a few little sweaters...to keep baby warm.

And I can't knit. Thank goodness for Brazilian Grandma Vera and her swift knitting needles. My mother-in-law just delivered these gorgeous little jackets--lovingly handmade and soft to the touch. The most sentimental aspect...she based one of the designs on my husband's initialed "FM" cream baby sweater.

She left a space before the initial of our last name "M"...it was either that or a question mark.

Baby boy...baby boy. Time is running short. We need a name!

A little birdie told me Thereza is 2!

Tati, a dear friend and extremely talented graphic designer has made the big decision to go back to work full time after several years of working from home and taking care of her 3 children. I know it has been difficult for her. She called me several times frazzled about her daughter's 2nd birthday party. She wanted to get involved in all the little details but her work schedule has been brutal and the adjustment complicated.

I felt her relief when I offered to take care of putting together a little party kit for her simple luncheon with close family today. Georgia helped me in all the details...except she was a bit hesitant to let the cake leave our kitchen! I hope "Tete" enjoyed the cake as much as we enjoyed the little birdie theme.

Happy Birthday Thereza! Boa Sorte Tati! Beijos

New Acquisition

I bought an orange Hermes Vintage Typewriter on Brazil's version of Ebay last month. It has inspired me to travel back in homemade time.
No more store bought cereal.
And I want to package everything with labels.
click, clack, click, clack.
D-I-N-G!

Apronstrings...

The other week I got an order from a kind blog follower, requesting a tee-pee for her sons. And soon thereafter she sent this adorable photo of Gabriel making a cake. She thought he deserved a special apron. Me, too!

Can I tell you how much fun it was to make chef's attire for a boy? Actually, I made more than one...Baby Boy yours is waiting. It is hanging on the peg--next to your sister's...

Boy is this going to be fun...

I heart....

My sister-in-law has been working on her photography skills...
She sent me this re-worked image today.
I "love" it.
Our family muse...
Nice work, Nana!

Extra Long Holiday Weekend

I suppose my visit to the OBGYN last week (Baby boy is in birth position and belly is low--predicted due date 2 weeks earlier.), has prompted lots of extra Georgia/Mommy/Daddy time...all out dedication to our "soon to be no longer" only child.

So aside from waddling and collapsing in exhaustion at night...

1. A visit to a "so bad it is good" kiddie amusement park and petting zoo within the city limits
2. Theater tickets to a modern interpretation of Three Little Pigs (The wolf owns a butcher shop.)
3. Her own popcorn tub at the movies (Nanny McPhee)
4. Lunch at a French Bistro (okay that was for Mom and Dad)
5. Lunch at a fancy burger joint (I picked the rosemary off her fries...)
6. A kid's workshop for brigadeiros....Can I tell you how disappointed she was when she found out she had to be four to make the sweets. (She could have taught the class on sprinkle placement.) She did resign herself to coloring with the other kids.

Tomorrow is officially Children's Day. Is there anything left to do? Lucky kid...

Helena is 7!

Helena turned 7 with a jungle party! Animals from the Brazilian region Pantanal...very original!

I never thought I would be frosting Tuiuiú birds on cookies or making french fry and popcorn containers with paw prints!