I love you all the time

Today Cookie and I had a much-deserved fun day at Crissy field. Things have been tough with mom's surgery and all, and Cookie has been so brave and helpful. With everything that happened, there wasn't a lot of time for fun activities in the past few months, and today we set out to change that.

After the playground and the House of Air, we went for a picnic with my aunts and grandma. While we were waiting for them to arrive, I asked Cookie "Do you know what time it is? It's time for you to love me!" I expected her to look ashamed and change the subject (as has been the norm lately since I'm uncool now), but I was surprised when she responded: "I always love you. There's no time for that, because I love you all the time."

[insert my melting heart here]

Born in my heart

This morning mom called me,said Cookie was asking questions yesterday. She asked why she loves mana (that's me) so much, how did she meet me, and how did we get to be so close to each other. Mom told me to think of an answer to give her.

How do I explain that she was born in my heart? And that before her, there was no life, just a shadow of uncertainty? How do I explain to her that my heart beats because of her, and that there is nobody else in this world I love more than her? Cookie doesn't like corny answers if they don't make sense (i.e. if she came from mom's tummy, how can she have been born in my heart?), but I have nothing but corniness to give her.

No matter how hard life is (and it's hard now, because mom has cancer), I thank God every day because, with Cookie in our lives, life is just always magical and a gift. I give her my heart every day, and she melts it with her love that's so true I don't even know where it comes from. Then she keeps my mushy heart, too.

She is my little companionship, my love, my truest friend and ally. She's my gift from God, for the good things I haven't even done yet. She was born in my heart. She was born in my heart.

"A menina dos meus olhos
Tão pequena que nem sei
Meu pedaço mais bonito
Ana lua é você
Minha rosa sem espinho
Sem culpa de viver
Que floresce meu caminho
O motivo é você"

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

Hello Kitty Toes to go to Florida

Off she goes

I dropped them off at the airport, and Cookie was so excited with her backpack and her sense of adventure. I hugged her and said I loved her, and watched her go so sure of herself, venturing into the world of unknown happiness. I miss her already. She looked so grown up, not looking back and not wanting to cry (unlike me).

Miami

Cookie and Mom are going to Miami today, and I'm driving them to the airport. She's so excited, and I'm so happy for her. I wish I could be there, but I have a final tomorrow.

I bought them a package for snorkeling, which I coerced my mom into doing (I hope she goes). Having Cookie anywhere new (and near the water) stresses me out, and it kills me that I can't go. Mom doesn't know how to swim, so... I'm getting ahead of myself. They'll be fine. And have tons of fun. Cookie will come back nearly black, and I got her the cutest outfits so she can charm the Florida Keys.

Mom told me that Cookie said she'll miss me while she's gone. =] I melt every time. I'll miss you too, love. See you soon.

Sushi Monster

Nelaine took Cookie to eat sushi the other day, and she ate $20 worth of it. It makes me happy when she eats a lot. =] Here's a picture:

A socialist!

Cookie is a socialist!

We were passing by this park and she asked if we could come. I said I'd have to check, because it looked private. She asked what private was, and I said "it's when only the owner gets to use it". And then she replied:
"Only one person gets to use it?? That's not fair!"

Oh my.

Weird Taste

Aunt Toco brought Cookie to the house where she works to show her their newest pet. Cookie loved it. I don't know what's wrong with kids these days.

Princess' 6th Birthday!

Cookie had a weekend-long birthday. The 18th was on a Friday, so I went to her school and brought cake for her and her friends. Then on Saturday we had a "anything you want" day at the park (I even made hotdogs). Sunday we celebrated hers and uncle Glenn's birthday at his house. So Cookie got two cakes (both princess cakes, of course), gifts, and lots of love. Oh, I also promised to take her to Chuck & Cheese, and we went a few days after the big day.

p.s. when we were singing happy birthday at her school, her teacher told everyone to say one nice thing about Evelyn. They all yelled "Happy Birthday, Evelyn!" Then when everyone was quiet, this one little guy said "you look nice, Evelyn." HA. I couldn't believe it. Apparently they've been flirting for a while, wth?? I didn't see who it was, but he better watch it.

p.s.s. on Sunday when we cut the cake, guess who got the first piece? ME. =]

Cookie and uncle Kenn. Ain't she the cutest?

At her school

Mana got the first piece of the cake. =]

She Graduated Kindergarten!

Keeping Track

Cookie says the most amazing things sometimes. But I either don’t have the computer with me, or I don’t have the time to blog about it until much later, so I make a note of it on my phone and post it when I have time. That’s why I have random statements throughout the blog; not because I can’t keep track of time, but because I’m a busy law student who tries her best to be a good sister and record Cookie’s moments. Sometimes the dates are all messed up, but it’s ok. The important thing is that they’re here. So here are some of the notes I’ve had for a while:

1. One day the three of us were in the car, and mom and I were discussing whether or not to go eat sushi. Mom said we should probably eat at home and stop spending crazy money with everything, and I (of course) complained. Then from the back seat came this little voice that said “you can use my money, Mana, I have a lot.” Need I mention that my heart melted?

2. However, I have this random note from January 19th that quotes her: “I never bring my money so no one wastes it.” Girl can’t make up her mind. =]

3. Cookie had a booboo the other day, and when I said I didn’t know what it was, she said “then we should call tia Catiussi. She’s a nerd, right?” Well, tia Catiussi’s a NURSE.

 4. I was writing a note to Cookie’s teacher complaining about the lack of instructions on her homework, and asked her what the name of the new teacher was, to which she responded: “His first name is Mr., and his last name is Mac.”

Another!

Here's a picture of Cookie's upper tooth that fell off 2 weeks ago. The 2 that fell before have already grown again.