The hat is not important.

This year for Halloween Cookie wanted to be a cowgirl. Not the fanciest costume, but she chose it, and it was up to us to pay the $20 for shipping alone. We had the school carnival where she played games, ate unhealthy food and showed off her costume. Then she said something like "Of course you came last year. You always come" and my heart melted, which is why I don't really remember what happened afterwards. Then on the 31st we went trick or treating (or, as she says it "in Portuguese", trrrrick or trrreating). We got a lot of candy because, as usual, after Tia Toco went home we went out again and got some more sugar. She now agrees with me that asking for candy, even if you're not going to eat it, is like a treasure hunt. I am all pride. Here we are after the hunt. We forgot the cowgirl hat (there is always something to be forgotten), and people would look at her trying to figure out what her costume was (as if the awesome cowboy boots didn't give it away!!). All in all, it was a good day. Cookie was only scared out of her mind twice, which is an improvement on last year. And I had a better outfit on this time around.

Duck Riders

Last weekend we went riding the duck @ Pier 39. For the first time ever (I kid you not), I asked Cookie if she was having fun and she smiled and said yes. She actually looked happy, no dollar-a-day face this time. I was impressed with my happiness-inducing skills. We had tons of fun, even went on an adventure to find a place to pee. Then we bought a super expensive picture and a half-as-expensive mug, which she already gave away. Anyway, here's a picture of her right after the awesome ride.

Random Awesomeness

"Mana, voce nao pode falar mal de mim porque eu to toda doida."

When touching my static hair: "Your hair follows my hand. It's cuz it's electronic."

The other day at the playground we were walking in when she said to me: "Honey, go play!"

Here's how her Easter song goes: "Coelhino da pasta, que trazes pra mim..."

Chinese Star

Cookie just called me and said "Mana, I have very exciting news! I got an A in Chinese class!"

She was so excited, and so was I. This is a first. She's usually not interested enough, but I knew she could do it. =] Yay!

So much to tell, so little time. Mom went to Mexico this week, and I moved back to the house to stay with Cookie. We've had fun so far, she stayed with Tia Nene Saturday night. Here's how our morning begun:

Cookie (crying): "Why do you have to wake me up to go to school every day??"
Me: "I know, going to school makes me sad too."

More to come.

Saturdays

I have every other Saturday with my Cookie (her dad has the other ones), and sometimes I try to do fun things with her. This past Saturday I took her to Green Apple to buy books (she loves books) because she recently learned how to read (I know!!!) and new readers always need new books. We got a little bit of everything, even a book apparently made for future veterinarians, which shows the insides of dogs in plastic. Very disturbing, but she loved it. So we took it. Then we got home and she read a couple of them for me, and I read a couple for her. I am so in love with her new reading ability, I sometimes can't believe my ears. She sounds like such a grown-up.

In the afternoon we went to the movies to watch Finding Nemo 3D. She was surprisingly patient, not at all like the time I took her years ago and she wouldn't stop running around. I guess now she's older and wiser. =] She enjoyed the movie (for the 100th time), and loved the 3D experience. When the sharks tried to bite Nemo's dad she clung to my arm like there was no tomorrow (instead of just closing her eyes, like I do). We had lots of popcorn and lemonade (no soda is an improvement). I dressed her in a fluffy shirt that made her look so beautiful, like the precious little girl that she is.

I also caught a glimpse of  how alike we are. Cookie was grumpy in the morning, with no patience with the nosy neighbor, just like me. haha. She also refused to lend her new books to the little girl who lives next door because last time she borrowed it, she ripped all of the pages. I should encourage sharing, but I'm with her. No lending stuff to people who can't take care of it. She also asked me if I would wash her grapes so she could eat them, and when I said "of course, how could I not?" she said "mom doesn't. She says it's not necessary." Crazy mom, I told her. It's nice to know we agree on the basics.

Our next date will be at Fairyland (or whatever it's called).

Melting my Heart