No computer, no Internet,

My computer has a hardware problem and is going to the technician tomorrow. I won't have computer or internet connection for a few days. I hope I have my computer back soon...otherwise I will be very mad!!!!!

I wish everyone that visits my blog a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Advantages of living not far from the Beach!

A Winter December afternoon spent on the beach collecting shells and playing!

It started to be a sunny afternoon. When we left around 4.30pm the sky was very cloudy. We had a wonderful time together.

Christmas!! Christmas feelings.

Santa Claus was at my in-laws house at 11pm on Christmas!!

Sun, who was suspicious about Santa's existence was more interested in the presents. Flower was on her aunt A. lap and was really surprised, eyes wide open and a "yellow" smile in her face. She didn't know how to react, but in the end she even shook Santa's hand, who was my brother in law M. I thought she was going to cry (as she did with Noddy) but no. Brave girl!!

Here come the emotional presents. The joy of seeing the happiness in the children's face, my two kids and two nephews. The happiness and also the sadness of not receiving everything they wanted to. The hurry to open the presents, to mount and test them, not knowing which one they want to try first it's pure adrenaline.

Afterwards comes the difficult part for me that is the one that dh and I do not receive presents, even from each other, and my in laws (the couple) exchanges several presents between them. It is a quiet moment for me. We have a different life, different jobs, different salaries and different life styles. So this happens for a long time. They realize that we are not "as gifted" as they are and always say that one day we will win the lotto and we will be able to buy staff for us. The future will tell us...

No Presents for Grown-Ups

No, no, I didn't get a Laptop for Christmas, no Ipod or Cell phone. This year we had no physical Christmas presents. Oh...yes...we had...2 tires for our car....

This year, again, no money to buy presents for us, the couple. What we got was some more debt in our bank account. Better days will came...people tell me this for years, well, I hope some day I better days will come.

No physical presents...but some emotional ones...

Too Busy...computer going nuts

I had a hard week at work and no time to post.
I'm on holidays now. I return to work on January 2nd and my computer at home is having some problems. I hope I have my computer during holidays otherwise I won't have internet access. :(

Happy Sunny Sunday morning - Happiness in their faces

We have been having low temperatures but Sunday morning we had the sun shinning on our backyard and it was warm so we went outside to play a little. It was around 12 am, still in our pyjamas. For a few weeks they didn’t used the swings because of the rain and cold so they were pleased to play a little.
I believe no words are needed to express their happiness. They barely could open their eyes because of the sun. Flower was laughing at Sun's funny face. I was asking him to look at me but the sun was too strong and he couldn't open his eyes.

There was happiness in their faces. That makes me VERY HAPPY!!

We also played in our sand box and I took advantage of the sun and washed some dolls, teddy bears and put them to dry.

Noddy was in town.

In a local Hypermarket Noddy came to greet his fans and take photos with them.

Flower loves Noddy and we thought it will be fun for her to be near him and even take a photo. Well, we were wrong. As soon as she was near that big Noddy with a huge head and taller than an adult she freaked out and just held her dad neck not even wanting to look at him.
Sun took a picture with Noddy but Flower only wanted to see him from the distance.

She was not the only one afraid of Noddy, there were other children crying and scared to get closed to him. I guess they see Noddy as a small boy and when they saw that big, big Noddy they were afraid. Maybe they should choose someone a little shorter to dress the outfit.

At least Flower already saw a "real" Noddy!!

Sun's tour to Lisbon

Friday, Sun went in a school tour to the capital - Lisbon - to see the theatre "The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry.

It was the first time he went in a long tour without us. I was a little afraid, because (like me) he some times feel seasick, and I didn't know how he was going react to a long tour in a auto bus. Everything went well and he arrived safe and sound.

He already new the story so it was not a surprise. He enjoyed the theatre but I guess the main pleasure was hanging out with his school friends out of the school yard, in a different city, see different


They also went to see the biggest Christmas Tree in Europe.

"Set up in Praça do Comércio, one of the city’s most important squares, this giant Christmas tree will light up the entire city, creating an atmosphere of warmth and light. The 75 metre high Christmas tree will stand three metres taller than in 2005, with bells being this year’s theme.

This magnificent structure can be admired in all its beauty until January 7, the special celebration day for the orthodox Christmas.

Entertainment events are planned throughout the month of December at Praça do Comércio, where the tree is located."

This School Tour was in the last day of school of 2006. Now school restarts on January 3rd.

100th Post

This is my 100th post in my English blog. Ouch!

Why did I start blogging?
Beginning of 2006 I started beeing a little lost with Sun's behaviour and I started looking for information on the net. I know the sites Baby Center and Parent Center for a long time and I used to search for information there. Talking to a blogger real friend about my kids issues, she started sending me links of posts about the subject from her blogosphere group. She thought they could be useful to get some ideas. That's when I really had a close contact to the blogs world.
Reading about others made me feel like sharing, not my entire life, but my thoughts, my worries, my doubts, especially related to parenting. And here I am.

Being Portuguese why write in English?
Portugal it's a very "behind" country meaning that if I want to search certain type of information I'm more likely to find it in English than in Portuguese. For a long time I got used to search in English.
Being English my foreign language, and although I studied in English Institutes in Portugal and got some Cambridge Certificates, I know I'm not perfect, and that sometimes words don't come out the way I want, some grammar structure might not be correct, but this is a challenge for me and I guess the more I write the more I get better. (I hope!!)
For some time I maintained Portuguese and English blogs at the same time translating every word, but working full time I was spending too much time in translation when I could use the time for other English posts or reading other blogs. I had to make a decision.
Also, I read more English blogs than Portuguese ones. I barely comment Portuguese blogs now. I also feel that if I comment in a English blog, that blogger should have the opportunity to check my blog and if it is in Portuguese it's complicated.

Big question, am I going to maintain this blog public?
That's a question I've been making myself lately. Sharing my life with the world, is that safe? No, I know it isn't, but I get to meet wonderful people out there that also share their life, thoughts, worries. I feel it is an enrichment to participate in this world of parenting and sharing, and learn also from others experience.

What I miss in my blog?
Showing photos of my family, specially my kids. I would like to share them but I'm afraid. I know bloggers that do it and I'm pleased because I can see their world in photos. I can see the faces, the emotions they talk about in their posts. The photos of my kids I usually put in my blog don't show their full face, but I would like you to see them. That's the major thing I miss in my blog.

Favorite Ingredients Friday (Portuguese Steak)

Today let's make a Portuguese Steak. It's tasty and easy to make. The flavor of the sauce is delicious.

1- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2- 1 garlic clove, minced
3- 2 (8 ounce) beef tenderloin steaks (1 inch thick)
4- 1 tablespoon butter
5- 1 tablespoon olive oil
6- 1/2 cup red wine
7- 1 1/2 teaspoons tomato paste
8- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces, room temperature
9- 2 slices prosciutto, chopped
10- 2 tablespoons parsley
salt, pepper

1. In a small bowl combine vinegar and garlic. Let stand 10 minutes.
2. Pat steaks dry and then sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. Rub vinegar mixture into steaks. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes (or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one hour).
4. In a skillet over medium heat melt butter with oil.
5. Add steaks and cook to desired doneness (5-10 minutes per side). Transfer steaks to plates and cover with foil to keep warm.
6. Pour off fat from skillet.
7. Put skillet on high heat and stir in wine, scraping up browned bits. Boil for 3 minutes or until it is syrupy.
8. Whisk in tomato paste. Remove from heat.
9. Whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons butter (1 piece at a time), incorporating in sauce.
10. Stir in prosciutto and parsley.
11. Spoon sauce over steaks.

Enjoy!!

To check other Favorite Ingredients Friday visit Overwhelmed With Joy .

What I'm feeling today...not in Christmas spirit!

Iit’s difficult to put into words what I’m feeling right now. Christmas brings me sadness. It shouldn’t, I know. It is supposed to be time of joy and happiness. For me it isn’t.

Although I know I am blessed to have what I have, husband, my kids, a house (paying it to the bank), I miss other stuff I want to have. I see people shopping clothes, shoes, housewares, furniture, small house items and I can’t buy them. I see my bosses buying new cars, new boats and I can’t even buy new clothes for me because money isn’t enough. I’m fed up of counting every Euro, every cent I have in my wallet. I’m fed up of not having money to have dinner in a restaurant, even if it is once in six months. I need new clothes, I need shoes, I need a lamp and a rug for my daughter’s room, etc..

When Christmas comes this sad, desperate feeling gets worse.

We, close family – aunts and grandparents, agreed that we only give presents to the little ones. That means 4 kids for me. I have to buy presents for my nephews; my son and daughter receive only one or two presents from us because they are going to receive a lot of presents from their Aunts and Grandparents, plus three close neighbours and again no money left for me or my husband and a red mark in the bank account. Ouch!!

We have been married for 12 years and every year we say, it’s going to be better next year, but again not this year. I guess I’ll have to wait for 2007.

I know that you might be asking why I am feeling this way if I have a job, a husband, two wonderful kids, a house to live in, food, some clothes, etc.. Well, I ask myself that question many times. Why I am not satisfied with what I have? I guess I want more, not a lot more, but a little more. I don’t want to live in the edge, always counting the cents, always making sums in my head, day and night, so that the money reaches the end of the money, I don’t want to reach the middle of the month with no money in my account. I just want to live with less worry, I have other things to do, but I’m stuck in the money issue.

I tried to earn money on the internet, tried to get an internet home job I could do at night, I want to earn some extra money but till now I wasn’t able to find anything.

This is how am feeling today. Tomorrow maybe I have a better day.

How's my Karma?

You Have Good Karma

In general, you like to do the right thing when it comes to others. Your caring personality really shines through. Sure, you have your moments of weakness - and occasionally act out. But, all in all, you're karma is good... even with those few dark spots.

How's Your Karma?

Long Weekend - Saturday and Sunday

Saturday morning we have done some collages. We cut photos from magazines and glue them in sheets of paper. Flower loves doing it.

We went to have lunch at my parent’s house as usual. It is always a great trouble because Sun always behaves badly there and we are always asking him to sit, to shut up, not yell, not scream. I call it the “Saturday lunch in hell”.

I had a few calls from my newly married BIL, who was in a big city trying to get all the Christmas presents, and he wanted to be sure that he was not buying something that someone else had already bought. We always talk about what each one is buying so that we, more or less, cover (almost) all requested presents.

We went home and light up the fireplace and put some real Christmas chocolates in the Christmas tree. We were at home the rest of the day.

Sunday, it was the Christmas party of the institution that Sun and Flower attend. Flower in kindergarten and Sun after regular school.

Flower had a curious outfit “the sky with stars”. It was made with a "plastic dust bag" and some stars glued in it.

Her class was supposed to sing and dance, but some of them just cried in the stage. Teachers say it’s normal for some kids in their “twos” to behave like this specially with so many people watching and clapping. I tried to get some pictures but they are too dark.

Sun danced Hip Hop, he was very well.

At the end of the party all the kids went to stage and sung Merry Christmas. This time, Flower, side by side with Sun, was very happy and they all sang and danced all the way.

It was a great party and we spent a good time.

Long Weekend - Friday

It was holiday in Portugal.

My SIL and BIL wanted to make some Christmas shopping so, has their son was in a birthday party, their daughter N. come to stay the afternoon with us. I enjoy having her around. She and Sun have only 6 months difference in age so it is like having twins at home. What I realize is that is kind of difficult to have 3 kids around the house. It is a little exhausting. The big ones are always teasing each other and also teasing Flower, who gets mad and starts screaming and crying when the big ones take her stuff away just to provoke her. Well, they are kids and what I’ve seen elsewhere is that this is a normal behaviour.

This picture was taken when Sun and cousin N. were watching Santa dancing.

But we had a nice afternoon. She also stayed for dinner and afterwards we took her to my SIL house.

We drank coffee there and chat a little. Of course the main subject at this time of the year is Christmas presents. There is a kind of “gap” between our life and my S/BIL’s. They live well, they can buy a lot of expensive stuff, and we can’t. Our salaries barely are enough for the monthly expenses, so it is also difficult to explain a couple that can buy a computer when they want, that we can’t. They have no idea how difficult it is to live with the salaries we have and always think we can also buy the things they buy.

But it is always a pleasure to chat with them, I love them and I love being with them.

Blog Template...give it a new look

I'm trying to give my blog a new look.

It seems that all existing templates over the internet don't work in the new Beta Blogger. As I don't have too much knowledge of html and CSS I don't know if it is something about the html code or something else. For now, I'll try some new looks till I find one that I like. So don't be surprised if in the next days the blog changes its look several times.

I've seen so many beautiful blog templates. I would like to have one of a SunFlower theme, to match with my Sun and my Flower. I come across several sunflower's photos, I might arrange a new header or a totally new template. I don't want to get back to the old version of Blogger so I have to find something that fits in the Beta Blogger.

Give me time, I'll find the right blog template for me.

Have a nice weekend!

Favorite Ingredients Friday (Molotoff Pudding)

Molotoff Pudding is one of my favourite desserts. This recipe comes from a Traditional Portuguese Pudding book. It's easy to make and it's delicious.

For the pudding
7 egg whites
2 teaspoons cornstarch
7 tablespoons sugar
100 g slivered almonds, roasted

For the egg sweet
7 egg yolks
1 teaspoon cornstarch
8 tablespoons water
8 tablespoons sugar
lemon juice, to taste
2 tablespoons butter, for greasing

1. Whip the egg whites until they are very stiff and firm.
2. Add the cornstarch very slowly, always continuing to whip.
3. Put the sugar in a pan and heat until it becomes golden.
4. Add it, while hot, to the whipped whites, to give them colour.
5. Heat the oven at a low heat.
6. Meanwhile, prepare a pan with boiling water that is big enough to fit your cake tin in, to cook the pudding in a warm water bath.
7. With butter, grease a tube or bundt pan.
8. Put in the whipped whites, smooth the surface and place in the oven, in the bain-marie pan, to cook for 7 minutes.
9. Watch that it doesn't become too brown.
10. Turn off the oven and leave the pudding inside.
11. Allow to cool for 15 minutes with the oven door open or shut, depending on the colour of the pudding, which should never be darker than light brown.
12. Meanwhile, make the egg-sweet, boiling the sugar with the water until it forms a thick syrup.
13. Remove from the heat and when cool add the egg yolks, beaten with the cornstarch and a few drops of lemon juice.
14. Let it boil up again and if too thick add a little more water.
15. Very carefully, remove the pudding from the tin.
16. Place in a deep dish, cover with the egg sauce and decorate with the roasted almonds.

Enjoy!!

To check other Favorite Ingredients Friday visit Overwhelmed With Joy .

Love Thursday - Love for Thumb-sucking!

My Sun had a pacifier till he was 2 years old. Flower never wanted a pacifier. I tried all models, colours, rubber, silicone, round, anatomic, etc. etc.. She was a "crying baby" so I tried for some months to "convince" her to use the pacifier but I didn't succeed.

This summer, Flower, nearly 2 and half years old, started sucking her thumb, I don't know what was the reason, but she began to find some peace by sucking her thumb. I know there are some risks regarding teething, and even mouth formation, so I tried several "techniques" to make her quick. I didn't succeed and she still does it.

Besides her Love for Nappies she Loves Thumb-sucking. I hope she leaves that habit soon. I keep trying some techniques.


Happy Thursday Love to everyone!

As always, Love Thursday is brought to you by Chookooloonks and Momster. View more love at Love is All Around or the Love Thursday flickr pool.

My kid's bad behaviour...trying to get help

Lately I have been thinking a lot about Sun’s behaviour.

Last week he was kicked out of Hip Hop class and this week in the same class, he behaved perfectly, even gave ideas for a show they are preparing. I guess kicking him out of class was a good choice and had its benefits.

I really don’t think slapping him is a solution but in some situations it works. I don’t like to do it because I feel like I am abusing him. There must be other ways; maybe I still haven’t found the right one. I’ll keep looking for it. Something must work. I must discipline him. He has to listen and obey us. When we say no to something, even with a fair explanation, he keeps touching, insisting on the subject all day. It’s a torture to us. He follows us every where in the house or even when we are driving and keeps insisting, insisting, to get what he wants.

At school and in Occupation of Free Time they say he is a very clever boy. I also find that. All the insisting behaviour and ways he finds to try to break us and agree with what he wants, is a very clever attitude, I must admit it. He is also very manipulative. He always finds ways, paths that lead him to succeed in convincing us. So when he doesn’t get what he wants he feels frustration, failure and he keeps insisting, insisting, insisting and drives us crazy.

I know he’s not the only one. Most kids implore for what they want, they don’t accept “no’s” as an acceptable answer. I always try to justify my answer and explain why I am saying no. Well, but he doesn’t care and keeps insisting.

I know I can not break rules and I have to keep contradicting him when I have to.

I am going to take a close look at all the items in Parent Center regarding Age 5-8 to get some ideas.

The tooth again...

The night from Saturday to Sunday Sun had awful pain on his tooth. I had to give him some meds and Sunday morning I called the clinic to arrange an appointment. We went there in the afternoon and they had to clean the tooth again. There is not much that can be done because the root of the tooth is still growing and they have to leave some alive tissue inside the tooth so that it can continue to grow till it is completely formed.
So, let’s hope this situation doesn’t repeat again. Sun was in real pain, crying with tooth ache. I don't like, at all, to see him that way.

Christmas Tree is Up!!!!!

Christmas Tree is Up!

Today Dad, Sun and Flower arranged the Christmas Tree. I'm never on the pictures because I'm always the one filming and taking pictures.

Tomorrow we are going to buy some small chocolates to hang on the tree (I don't know if they are going to last for more than one day...) but it's tradition that besides the colourful balls, lights and other Christmas decoration we put some real chocolates on the tree.

Some people put the presents wrapped up under the tree but my and I won't do that, I prefer the joy of seeing them getting up on Christmas day and running to the Christmas Tree to see the presents that Santa's left them. Sun, who is nearly 8, is kind of suspicious about Santa, but I guess this year he is still believing in him.

Favorite Ingredients Friday (Pão de Ló - Portuguese Sponge Cake)

This week I chose a very simple traditional Portuguese recipe. It is a very tasty cake, kids love it and it's very easy to make. Each town in Portugal has its own recipe but I like this one:

Pão-de-Ló (Portuguese Sponge Cake) by Jean Anderson from The Food of Portugal ; (William Morrow, 1986)

Makes one 10-inch tube cake

Ingredients

1. 4 large eggs
2. 8 large egg yolks
3. 1 1/4 cups sugar
4. 1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut six 7-inch squares of baking parchment, then line a well-buttered 10-inch tube pan this way: Place a parchment square on the diagonal in the bottom of the pan so that one of its points touches the central tube; now flatten the square against the bottom of the pan and up the side, pleating it as needed for a smooth fit. Next lay a second square of parchment in the pan the same way, so that it slightly overlaps the first square, and smooth it against the pan bottom and side, pleating it as necessary for a snug fit. Continue lining the pan with the parchment squares, each one overlapping the previous one, until you've completely covered the bottom and sides of the pan; you'll need all six squares. The points of the squares will stand several inches above the rim of the pan all around; this lends a decorative touch and is characteristic of Pão-de-Ló.

2. Beat the eggs and egg yolks in an electric mixer at high speed for 1 minute; now add the sugar in a slow but steady stream, beating all the while, and when all the sugar is incorporated, beat at highest mixer speed for 15 minutes.

3. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour, 1 heaping tablespoon at a time, beating all the while. Stop the machine about midway through the addition of the flour and scrape down the sides of the mixer bowl thoroughly. Resume adding the flour at low mixer speed and, when all of it is incorporated, spoon the batter at once into the prepared pan. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes or until the cake is lightly browned and spongy to the touch. Remove the cake from the oven and from its pan, then cool it rightside up in its parchment liner on a cake rack. Let the cake come to room temperature before serving or using in recipes.

To check other Favorite Ingredients Friday visit Overwhelmed With Joy .

I'm very proud of my Sun...

I'm very proud of my Sun.

Yesterday he suffered a lot but once again he proved to be a brave boy.
We returned to the dentist to continue the tooth treatment. After several anaesthetises, the tooth kept hurting and the dentist had no option than give him an anaesthetic shot directly in the tooth nerve. The dentist decided not to tell him what he was about to do so that he didn't get scared.

He asked for a "green" shot, the nurse looked at him and asked: "The Green one?" and the dentist said "Yes". He had already asked for a blue one and a yellow one so I wasn't sure if that was "the one". I even said, "you're trying all the colours", he didn't reply, he was too concentrated in that shot. The nurse hold my Sun's hands, the dentists begin giving the shot and I heard a scream, the doctor said"I'm almost finished, only a few seconds and you won't feel a thing". And it was it.

The dentist told me afterwards it was a must. He could not take care of the tooth if he hadn't done the shot in the nerve. It was something he didn't like to do in kids, but in this case there was no option. He was able to take the nerve out he was puzzled with the size of the nerve.

My Sun's left side face was completely swallowed, I gave him some med for the pain, but he is not afraid to go there again. Next visit is middle January just for a X-Ray to check if everything is ok.

I know he was very brave because I had a similar shot when I was 16 years old and I still remember it every time I have to go to the dentist.

(I just wished he behaved so well in other situations)