Day 10 - Medialunas and Coasta de Oro

Brandon and Granny were gracious enough to take Bailey for the morning to give me some time to pack all of our things with a (relatively) empty house.  Once Boston was down for her morning nap, I had two hours to throw things in bags and make a list of all the "last minute" things that I couldn't pack up just yet.  I sent the camera with Brandon so he could capture some Kodak moments of the morning, and here's what we got: 

Once we had our afternoon naps and were mostly packed, we headed across the street to Brandon's go-to restaurant, Costa de Oro (the one he'll be visiting quite often once while his girls are gone).  After an "appetizer" of mozzarella pizza, we enjoyed our last meal together and then headed home for bath time.

Bailey was anti-"cheese"

Boston just chilled

Trying to get a shot of Bailey

Drinking milk out of a big girl cup
(moments later it spilt all over the table)

Last bath with Granny

Day 9 - O'Gaucho's Churrascaria

Brandon took Friday off so that he could spend some extra time with his mom (and with us) before we leave early-early on Sunday morning.  In the morning, we left Boston with Granny for some one-on-one time while we took Bailey to preview a preschool we're considering sending her to in August. 

She has no idea where we're headed!

When we returned, it was nap time for Boston and dance time for Bailey. She entertained us all morning - and afternoon - as we spent time at home.

No trip to Paraguay would be complete without at least one dinner at a churrascaria, at least in our book.  I've written about these restaurants before; buffet style salad bar, endless meat supply, and delicious desserts.

This was as good as it got that night.

Group shot!

Once Bailey was all done, the girls all headed to the play area while the boys finished their dinners.

Cassie might have had more fun
on the play castle than Bailey...

And Saturday . . . pack it up!!!

Day 8 - Library Day!

When we got up this morning, it was 39* (feels like 34*) with a projected high of 55*.  I know that doesn't sound too terrible, but when your house is only a few degrees warmer and you don't have a heater . . . definitely a coffee morning!

After a breakfast of warm baked oatmeal and yogurt, we bundled up against the cold and caught a bus to Brandon's school.

Boston fell asleep like a champ on the bus, but decided that a 20 minute cat-nap was all she needed this morning.  So while Granny and Bailey spent some quality time reading, Mommy rocked a grumpy Boston-girl.

After an hour with Boston screaming in my ear, it was time to go home!  Granny helped with gloves and we hailed a taxi.

Back at home, Bailey insisted on cuddling up while Mommy made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.

...And Boston woke up ALL SMILES once she had a GOOD nap in her own bed.

Day 7 - Bakery and Baking

Mommy had to take Boston for another immunization, so Granny stayed at home and played with Bailey all morning.  But when we got back - and Boston was fed - we headed around the corner to La Vienesa, our neighborhood bakery.  We lunched on pizza, a chicken sandwich, fajitas and french fries.  While we waited, Bailey and Granny had fun making faces at each other.

Mad face

Happy face

Silly face

After nap time, Granny helped make an apple pie for Daddy while Boston and Bailey played in the hallway.  

"Rowing" out the dough for the pie

Bailey was asking for me to turn out the lights;
they hurt her eyes after just waking up from her nap 

Throw in a bath and dinner with Tio Ruben and the Eubanks, and that was our Wednesday! 

Granny's first time bathing Boston

Bundling back up against the cold!

Nate's first time holding Boston!

Ensalada, milanesa de pollo y chipa guazu! YUM!

Day 6 - Agro Mart

We bundled up against the "cold" this morning and headed back to the mall for the weekly farmer's market that takes place in the top level of the parking lot.  

I pushed Boston along in the stroller so she could get in a good nap, while Bailey walked with Granny.

As per our weekly routine, Bailey snacked on an empanada and juice while Granny and Mommy scoped out the green apples for Daddy's apple pie.

One of the vendors was selling lomito arabe, another Paraguayan specialty.  Take some cabbage, tomato, beef and chicken, throw on a bit of garlic mayonnaise and wrap it all up in a pita-type bread, and voila!

Back at home, Bailey and Boston had some quality play time while Granny and Mommy watched and laughed!

Day 5 - The Five M's

Medical, Mall, Movie, and Mexican Monday

We started off the day Monday with a trip to the insurance office to pay our medical premium (and to change to a lower premium/higher deductible plan).  Granny pushed Bailey in the stroller while Mommy wore Boston in the Baby Bijorn.

No trip to El Buen Samaritano would be complete without a stop at the local chipa shop. Chipa is a traditional Paraguayan/South American bread that Bailey absolutely LOVES.  She refuses to call it chipa, insisting that it's just "bread", but you should see her eyes light up when we pull up to the store front!

After navigating the insurance office, we headed to the mall.  We had tried on Friday to see the mall but were rather unsuccessful (see the Black Friday post).  This time we only had to wait for the second elevator and were able to show Granny around all four stories.  We were on a search for a cat for Granny to take back to Aunt Beth, but struck out. We'll keep looking...

Now THIS is what the mall
usually looks like on a weekday!

All snuggly and warm!

We returned to the house empty handed (wow!) and settled in for some quality Lion King time.  Boston woke up during the movie and Bailey pulled their chairs along side each other so they could watch the movie side by side.

Lion? GRRRAAAAWWWW!!

And in keeping with Monday night tradition, we met three of Brandon's fellow teachers at a local Mexican restaurant - Ajua!  Tio Ruben joined in the fun and we enjoyed one final dinner as a complete group (the girls and I leave next Sunday and then two of the teachers leave for new jobs before we return).

Group pic at Ajua

Bailey put herself to bed in Boston's car seat

Boston woke up to get in on the fun