Downer week

No pictures this week, I haven't had a chance to take many. This was not what Vic or I would call a fun week; however, I am certain that it was a great week for Ansley. While I was sick offshore (a fairly unforgiving place for the sick), Ansley went to the first of two birthday parties she was invited to this week. A birthday party in Brazil is comparable to a wedding reception in the US in both size and cost. These parties typically have more food (especially candy) than you can imagine, a fully stocked bar, play grounds, carnival rides, and an army of babas (Brazilian Nanny's). The children were bussed to the party Wednesday directly from School. Apparently it was a lot of fun. The second birthday party occurred on Sunday while I was getting my chest x-rayed at the local hospital (I'm pretty sure the doctor's here know that expats are all 100% covered on costs and order anything you can imagine to take advantage of this). The party was held at a party house over the mountains east of us. It too was great as the goody bags had a month's supply of crafting tools. It also had some live entertainment in the form of horses that Ansley and her friends were able to feed. Birthday parties are great, but the highlight of the week for Ansley occurred on Saturday. In Ansley's words, all the princesses (and Mickey, Goofy and the gang) boarded a plane and flew to Rio from Orlando. Ansley is pretty sure they had to fly down on Thursday so they could rest for the show on Saturday. What were the princesses doing? Ice Skating...the greatest secret of Rio is the ice skating. They choose not to compete in the olympics because they would clobber everyone else. I was very impressed by the volume of loot Ansley returned with. This included a bucket of left over popcorn, a crown with Mouse ears, the program (we have read this before bed every night since - impressive as its in Portuguese), a T-Shirt, and some leftover cotton candy which Sawyer has declared to be food fit for the Gods. Needless to say, Disney's Princesses on Ice was a hit. I will mention one item from my time offshore. We have divers performing inspections on the FPSO (a converted oil tanker that now produces the oil and then stores it until a tanker comes and collects the cargo to take it to the customer). One of the things these divers have found is that there are clam (or possibly Oyster) shells. They are many different colors and have growths that resemble stalagmites. I was able to bring one home with me and it is outside drying off and decomposing by the smell of it. I think everyone offshore (about 80 people in all) had at least 5 shells a piece. I am also taking this opportunity to introduce our newest pet. They are lean and green and have an appetite beyond belief. At the plant store last week, we found a Venus Fly Trap. It's growing quite fast, and I am certain it has quite a collection of bugs to choose for dinner (its sitting next to the decomposing shell mentioned above). We have yet to think of a name, so, if any of you have suggestions, we are listening. The topper of this glorious week occurred on Thursday when I got back onshore. Vic's car broke down. Vic's car is the equivalent of a Ford Escort Mini-Van. It's also our "large, family car". With her car broke down, we had to use my car for everything. My car is approximately the same size as a mini-cooper and has power nothing - not windows, locks, seats or steering. It doesn't even have a radio, yet we were able to triumphantly load all of us into the car with a stroller and run some errands on Saturday morning. It was quite the feat. Life from Rio rolls on, hope everyone is well.