Occasionally the kids mention home, and what they'll do "when we get back...", but we haven't really had to deal with homesickness yet. I imagine the fact that we're all together, and we know we will return in August helps!
For "blog" fun this week, I asked:
What do you love about Portugal?
What do you miss about Canada?
 |
| Catacombs from 3200BC |
Catarina:
Love: She pauses, looks up in thought, then answers with a huge grin on her face: "Noodles, galinha e peixe." Translation: noodles, chicken and fish. She really loves her food at pre-school. Every other day at pick-up I am told how well she eats!
Miss: "Um...I don't know." Fair enough--I'm not sure how much she remembers of home. She occasionally, and without prompting or even context, will say to me "I'm from Canada". So much sweetness!
Gabi:
Love: Opens her eyes super wide and says "The food!". Me: "Anything in particular?". Her: "All of it. It's all so good. Like farturas, beijinhos, croquettes, palmeirs." (Note: these are all deep-fried, and most are covered in sugar. Same taste preferences as her mamma!). Me: "Anything else you love?". Her: "Swimming in the ocean. We don't have much ocean in Canada. And here, well, it's everywhere. I really love it. Oh, and it's warm here. I like that."
Miss: Makes a goofy face and giggles "Snoooooooow!" Pauses, thinks, says "And cousins. And friends."
Jonty:
Love: Without hesitation, and with his mouth full of one, he says: "Pasteis de Nata (custard tarts)". Me: "Anything else?" Him: "Um, yeah...fresh grilled fish." Me: "Is that all?". Him: "The weather. Sure, yeah, that."
Love: She pauses, looks up in thought, then answers with a huge grin on her face: "Noodles, galinha e peixe." Translation: noodles, chicken and fish. She really loves her food at pre-school. Every other day at pick-up I am told how well she eats!
Miss: "Um...I don't know." Fair enough--I'm not sure how much she remembers of home. She occasionally, and without prompting or even context, will say to me "I'm from Canada". So much sweetness!
Gabi:
Love: Opens her eyes super wide and says "The food!". Me: "Anything in particular?". Her: "All of it. It's all so good. Like farturas, beijinhos, croquettes, palmeirs." (Note: these are all deep-fried, and most are covered in sugar. Same taste preferences as her mamma!). Me: "Anything else you love?". Her: "Swimming in the ocean. We don't have much ocean in Canada. And here, well, it's everywhere. I really love it. Oh, and it's warm here. I like that."
Miss: Makes a goofy face and giggles "Snoooooooow!" Pauses, thinks, says "And cousins. And friends."
Jonty:
Love: Without hesitation, and with his mouth full of one, he says: "Pasteis de Nata (custard tarts)". Me: "Anything else?" Him: "Um, yeah...fresh grilled fish." Me: "Is that all?". Him: "The weather. Sure, yeah, that."
Miss: All in one breath, with custard all over his lips: "Snow and friends." Mic drop.
Mark:
Love: "Of course the weather, the ocean, the food. The family time--it's just less busy here. And time with you." Me: "Aw, that's sweet." I raise an eyebrow: "What do you want?!" LOL. But really, we are both surprised at how we are not tired of each other yet--we spend a LOT of time together. Go ahead, roll your eyes :)
Miss: "My bed." Our mattress here isn't great. :(
Luisa:
Love: The weather. Can I tell you: it's February, it's sunny and 20C. It makes me so happy! It's so easy to get outside. The other night we all went out for a walk under the light of the moon/stars/street lights, wearing light sweaters. OMG. I also love the food (bread, pastries, fish), cheap delicious wine, and extra time for me, Mark and the kids.
Miss: Massages from my RMT, an insulated bath tub (despite being filled with hot water, anything touching the bottom of an uninsulated tub gets cold, fast!), and an in-house clothes dryer (winter is humid: You have to plan laundry around the weather.)
And, Mark and I are not heartless: friends and family! But with my wonderful relatives here, time with eachother, new friends, lots of visitors, and modern communication connecting with all of you, we are not lonely :) Whew! It could have gone the other way!
Love: "Of course the weather, the ocean, the food. The family time--it's just less busy here. And time with you." Me: "Aw, that's sweet." I raise an eyebrow: "What do you want?!" LOL. But really, we are both surprised at how we are not tired of each other yet--we spend a LOT of time together. Go ahead, roll your eyes :)
Miss: "My bed." Our mattress here isn't great. :(
 |
| Enjoying a sunny day and tasty seafood, oceanside |
Luisa:
Love: The weather. Can I tell you: it's February, it's sunny and 20C. It makes me so happy! It's so easy to get outside. The other night we all went out for a walk under the light of the moon/stars/street lights, wearing light sweaters. OMG. I also love the food (bread, pastries, fish), cheap delicious wine, and extra time for me, Mark and the kids.
Miss: Massages from my RMT, an insulated bath tub (despite being filled with hot water, anything touching the bottom of an uninsulated tub gets cold, fast!), and an in-house clothes dryer (winter is humid: You have to plan laundry around the weather.)
 |
| It's February 3, and I'm barefoot on the beach |
And, Mark and I are not heartless: friends and family! But with my wonderful relatives here, time with eachother, new friends, lots of visitors, and modern communication connecting with all of you, we are not lonely :) Whew! It could have gone the other way!
 |
| Sightseeing on a date day: Sado Estuary Natural Reserve |
We can't wait to taste, see and touch everything that you have shown us - and, of course, give you all lots of hugs!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you’re really great at documenting this amazing family adventure! I love learning about all you’ve seen and done ...and tasted ;)
ReplyDeleteQueridos McCann, foi tão bom estar com vocês!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and inspiring family!
Looking forward to seeing you again mid-March.
Gozem bem e aproveitem a comida, o tempo e a localização fabulosa da vossa casa!
Muitos beijinhos