Cousin Time in Rio!

Earlier this month, we had very special visitors: our family from Del Rio!  I can't even tell you how excited Isla and I were to see our cousins, Isabela and Sofia - here in Rio de Janeiro!

We packed a lot of fun into two weeks, but also had a great time just hanging out at home.

Isla sure does love her Uncle Monroe (who she sometimes just calls, "Daddy." Guess it's easier!

Here, in Rio, we walked along the beach, and saw some of the popular sites, like the Corcovado.

  The Big People did a lot of this...

Then, we took a flight down to the southern-most point of Brazil, to see the famous Iguaçu Falls.  We took a little tour train through the jungle to get to the trails over the Falls.

At that point, Isla wasn't too sure she was going to cooperate!

But, she got "on board."

Daddy giving me a boost for a better view

It's hard to describe the majesty of the Falls!

To be fair, we also went to the Argentinian side of the Falls.  There were tons of bridges and walkways over the river and Falls, but I was probably most excited about all the butterflies!

 

 

 By the end of that day, we had lost half our crew...

 

The next day, we headed to my favorite kind of place: a bird park!

 Imagine any kind of exotic, feathered friend - it was there!

Careful, those macaws have sharp talons!

 We wrapped up our tour with a visit to the beautiful city of Curitiba, also known as the "Green Capital" of Brazil, because of all the lovely parks. 

 We headed back to Rio, and before we knew it, our time together was over. We had a wonderful time with our cousins, and can't wait to see them again - probably in Texas!

Isla's 1st Haircut

We've been putting it off for some time.  Mommy and Daddy hated to take the scissors to my hair, something about not wanting to cut my "curls."  But as my wiley locks could attest - it was time...

Mommy caught me in a distracted moment - I didn't even know she had those pointy things near my neck!  Overall, about two fingers worth trimmed...

...and now, much fewer tangles, and just prettier all around...

There's even still a hint at....well, we'll just call it a wave.

Don't worry, the clippings made it to the baby book under 1st Haircut!

1st Day of Kindergarten (i.e. "real school)

Another cool thing about turning five years old is....School!  Kindergarten, that is.  Real school.  The Big Show.  Where bells ring, and classes proceed, and lunch happens with a line, and a tray.  This week, I started Kindergarten at Escola Americana.  It's a great, big place where kids K-High School attend.  The neatest thing, too, is that the school campus sits amid the Tijuca Forest, so our campus feels like it's in the middle of the jungle!

My first day started off bright and early.  In fact, I don't think I was completely awake when Mommy snapped this pic of me about to head out the door!

 One more before reporting to the meeting area.

 Here's my new teacher, Miss Roberta.  She's really nice, and I know I'll have a great year being in her class.

 My class sat as a group as we waited for all the kids to arrive.  I even met a new friend!

 Mommy went a little overboard with the picture-taking.

 Finally, Miss Roberta said it was time to go to class!

 Heading in.

 Before I knew it, it was time to head home on the school bus. I must admit, one of the things I was most excited about with the start of school was being able to ride the school bus.  I wasn't disappointed!

In Isla news: My Little Sister started up at a new school, too.  Mommy and Daddy walk her to school, where she plays, sings, and learns her colors and ABCs.  Doesn't she look cute in her little sailor's uniform?

Five

Friday, July 6 was my Fifth birthday.  I fully expected major changes, like waking up having lost a tooth or something.  Instead, I woke up to find that my newest character obsessions: the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, had visited my room, and decorated my door. 

 

They even left a card wishing me Happy Birthday!

 I thought my Birthday Pancake looked like an Aborigine.

We actually stretched my day out over the weekend, and didn't get around to making a cake until Sunday.  I got to lick the beaters, so it was all good.

 

Then, we had a family (floor) Cake Picnic. 

 

The best kind, in my opinion.

 End Result:  It feels good to be FIVE!