Today it was the day to go, drive some miles and watch Noddy and The Treasure Map.

Today we had high temperatures, we are used to have a fresh brise where we live so going to the interior made us have hotter temperatures and a dry air. The complex where the musical took place had no air conditioned so we were all sweeting during the show.

The show started half an hour after the established hour, this is something I really don’t like because the children become impatient and it’s a little complicated to control them.

When Noddy and his friends arrived it was a blast. My daughter was speechless and impressed with all those animated characters she’s used to watch everyday on TV. My son was also excited and participated in the activities that were requested from the stage.

The clues to find what the treasure was were English words (the show was in Portuguese of course). The words were: “to work”, “as a team”, “much better” and “together”. Putting them in the correct order:

“Much better to work together as a team” - the message was: when we get together and try to solve something as a team is much better than alone. Friends have to speak with each other no matter what is going on, even in bad days when we are not in the mood.

I personally found the musical very interesting, I really liked it and I’m happy that my kids were able to watch them live.

It was not allowed to film the show but I was able to film 15 seconds movies (my camera doesn’t allow more time) without a problem. It was not possible to get close to them, only at the end of the show we were able to go near the stage so no photos with my kids and Noddy.

Here are some photos I took during the show:

I tried to insert here one of the movies I made but it didn’t work out. This was the first time I tried so I have to check what am I doing wrong.

Surprise, Surprise.

Noddy And The Treasure Map Musical is going to be in a city not too far away from us so today, without saying a word, I bought tickets online for me and the kids for June 28th.

Tonight I’m going to tell them about this and I’m sure they will be thrilled, especially my daughter who loves Noddy.  Catherine is not very fond of masquerades and outfits so I hope she’s not afraid of Noddy and Friends.

It’s a special gift from me to them and I know they will love it.

Soccer tournament is over after two full Saturdays in the local park for soccer matches. My son is a fed up of soccer right now and he doesn’t wanna go to another soccer tournament that will take place Sunday. I don’t blame him…I’m also fed up of soccer matches right now.

He’s not a real soccer fan, he just plays his game and doesn’t pay attention to other games. I guess he was there only for the medal. The season is ending and he already told me in September he doesn’t want to enroll again. I must confess, for me it’s a relief. Getting up early every Saturday to drive long distances with my daughter for a soccer match is not something I’m longing to.

Although I don’t want to interfere on his decision, I know he won’t keep up with a complete soccer season, attending two training classes a week and one game per weekend is too tiring for him. He says he likes soccer but to play when he wants not when he has to. I will support his decision no matter what he decides.

Talking about soccer, EURO 2008 started last Saturday with Portugal winning 2-0 to Turkey.

During the day I worked as usually, I had lunch with my husband and I was told that dinner was a surprise.

When I arrived home the birthday cake was already there and dinner was what we call “leitão” (small pork meat) which is one of my favorite foods.

The big surprise come after dinner when I received my birthday present: a Sony Ericsson W200i. For someone that had an old Trium, black and white this was the perfect gift. Now I can take pictures and make movies to put on my blogs.

There was no big party, just the four of us, a quiet evening as I like.

Today the day started with a lot of kisses from my DH and my dear son and dear daughter. Yes, it’s my birthday today - 39 years old.

39 is not a special number, it only means I’m closer to the 40’s and than, instead of a 3 I will have a 4 starting my age.

At the age of 39 I realize I’m more aware of what is going on around me, I’m wiser and my head is overloaded with information. The youngest people I know already request me advice regarding life, raising kids, and I feel that age brings us a huge know-how.

I’m aware that age is arriving too fast, many things are being left undone, many resolutions were not accomplished yet and I feel I’m kind of running out of time to do certain things.

I never thought I would reach 39 with life as it is, and I mean, not only my personal life but life in general, the country. I thought the country would grow faster and living conditions would improve but I was wrong, life is getting tough.

I know life should be lived one day at a time but sometimes it’s difficult not to look back to the things we wanted and that were not accomplished. I still believe that, one day, I might me able to accomplish them.

Yesterday it was a public holiday in our country, today I took the day off.

I took the kids to school and I already did some important shopping: nail polish. Believe it or not I’m a chronic nail biter BUT I stopped biting my nails a few weeks ago and now I have “some” nails that need some polish. I’m not used to polish my nails but today I bought a brown and a dark red bottle. I’ll be trying them later.

Being a full time worker I’m not used to be alone at home so I can’t stand being all day at home without my kids on a day off. Today it’s going to be surprise day!!

For quite some time my daughter has been asking me to pick her up at school, as I’m always working, I can’t. So today after lunch I’m going to show up at preschool to pick her up and even stay a little with her in class. She’s going to be thrilled when she sees me.

The original plan was to pick her up at school and later pick up my son, but…I can’t wait and I will also pick up my son at lunch time from school. Today most of the kids are not attending school because a lot of parents don’t work so the teacher doesn’t mind of him leaving earlier.

So, they know there will be a surprise today but they don’t know who will be doing it or what it will be. I know I won’t rest with them at home, but I’m happy to have them around, specially when I’m supposed to be working.

Aunt #4 died this morning.

She’s my father’s sister and mother of my dear cousin E. My cousin called me this morning to give me the news. Although very disturbed, she understands that her mother was suffering a lot and that this was better than suffering a few more days. The funeral will be tomorrow.

Rest in Peace Aunt Q.

I just received a phone call from my mother and Aunt #4 died this morning. Her health condition was critical and she did not resist.

I received the bad news quite well what puzzled my co-workers. I believe they expected me to receive the news in a more sadly way. This doesn’t mean I don’t care but she is an aunt I don’t see in many, many years, I was never closed to her, she’s my father’s aunt I mean not a direct aunt and she’s 90 something.

Do I mean she deserves to die? Of course not, but I’m glad it wasn’t someone younger.

My father has 4 brothers and sisters, my mother has 9 brothers and sisters, from all these aunts and uncles one is in danger right now. The one that died today is aunt of my father and his brothers and sisters, meaning it’s right that she goes first.

I have this point of view because 7 years ago someone I considered my younger sister died at the age of 18 and THAT…it’s not fair. So when someone old from the family dies I always have the thought that: I’m glad it’s an older member of the family and not a younger one.

Rest in Peace.

Tuesday it was our 19th dating anniversary and yesterday it was our 14th Wedding anniversary.

Usual there are no celebrations and yesterday it was not different. Due to the tooth removal I didn’t even have dinner and went to bed early.

19 years is a long time and although things aren’t working out the way I thought they would, we’re still going on well.

Some changes must me made to smooth things out but being full time workers, two kids, a house to take care of, blogging and a million other things, it’s really hard to be always ok. The future will tell.

Every year, on the first Sunday of May, it’s Mother’s Day in Portugal. So last Sunday I received wonderful presents from my daughter and son as well as many kisses.

It all starter on Friday when my son, who had three presents to give me (one he bought, one he did at school and one he did in daycare), insisted in giving me one right on that day. He read a poem and I couldn’t hold the tears from rolling down my face. It was so beautiful.

On Sunday I received two presents from my son and two from my daughter. Now I have poems, a wallet, a purse, a Potpourri bag and two recipe books where I have to write my favorite recipes.

But like my daughter learned in pre-school: Mother’s Day it’s everyday and love should be shown daily.

Yesterday I thought I was going to have a relax day although I know with all the housework and kids to take care is a little difficult to accomplish that.

Today it was an important holiday here “Carnation Revolution“, and although I already knew my son was having a birthday party in the afternoon, I thought I was going to have a calm day. I was wrong.

The news came when I picked up my son yesterday at soccer class: Your son has a soccer tournament tomorrow and he has to be at 9.30am in the local park field. The tournament will last until 12.00. What?? This meant I was not getting a calm and relaxed get up the next morning.

Today, my husband went to work early in the morning, I got up to prepare a few snacks, woke up the kids and got into the field. Fortunately the tournament took place in a park where besides, tennis/soccer/basketball fields there is a play park so my daughter could be busy. The problem was that I couldn’t rest a minute. Catherine wanted to swing and swing and swing and I had to push her in the swing all the time. Of course watching a soccer game bothers her so she refused to get near the field. Fortunately I was able to watch my son’s goal.

I went home already tired but I had to cook lunch. At 12.30 Catherine was asleep in the couch, I was cooking in the kitchen. Lunch ready, time to eat, Catherine continue to sleep, at 15.45, Dani and I left home to the birthday party, Catherine was still asleep. I left Dani in the birthday party and I met my best friend who was in the park where we had been in the morning and we spend a few time talking there, this was the only relax moment of the day (beside now).

18.30 time to pick up Dani, I took Catherine with me and I didn’t expect what was about to happen. I ate something at the party, Catherine too but Dani and her didn’t want to leave because all the other kids where still there. I’m not going to enter into details but at 21.05 I was able to grab them back home.

Baths and movie watch ended the day. We had started to watch the “Enchanted” movie the day before and we watched the rest. Excellent movie.

Now, the big moment of the day, everyone is asleep and I’m in the computer all by myself. I needed this!!!!

I know I’ve been away from this blog but fortunately I’ve been having a lot of paid work on the others, and I barely have spare time to write on this one.

Last Friday the daycare party went really well. The kids where fabulous, all of them.

First there was the Ballet class with the “Spring” dance:

Then, after new clothes and make-up, my daughter danced an “Ali Baba” dance and she was dress like the Ali Baba fairy tale.

My son danced HipHop and he was dressed (more or less) like a HipHop dancer. The trousers are really old but…he likes the way they look.

Before the end of the show a known Reality Show “star” from

around here sang a song and the kids where

all back on stage to dance with her.

After the show there was a lot of food for everyone (each person took something to eat) and I can say we had a nice evening.

With this theme I can’t locate the photos in the right places, sorry!