Carnival 2007!

Banda de Ipenema para Infantil was definitely the highlight of our Carnival experience. We went to a park in Ipenema yesterday afternoon that was having a Carnival party just for children. The bataria (drum band) parade just around in a circle within the park and the children were all dressed in costumes, enjoying the party.


Here is little Sophia in her pirate(ess) costume made by her grandmother for the occasion.
We spent about 2 hours in the park. Sierra bought 3 cans of that spray foam/soap stuff that is totally gross and she and Mateo, another child from EA, proceeded to "war" against eachother and any innocent bystander who got in the way. Both of them at more than one point were soaked in white foam...as were many of the adults in the group.





Here is Sierra, moderately covered, trying to get away from dad before he retalliates. After the party in the park, we took the beach road home with Julie and Gustavo and Camilla and another visiting friend Marcus and his son Lucas.
I particularly enjoyed watching Sierra have the opportunity to run around through grass and open space for awhile, smiling the whole time.




On the way home, Sierra decided she was hungry, and she and Joe stopped by a street vender grilling sausage and meat (filet meow we like to call the street meat).





Along with the costumes that the kids were in, there were many carnaval-like accessories to buy.
Sierra looks good as a "green" head! :-)

Today we are going for lunch to a churrascowith about 15 other people to celebrate Feb. birthdays. There are 4 people who have celebrated their birthday in the last week, including Joe. http://www.porcao.com.br/br/unidades/ipanema/default.asp
Should be a nice afternoon. The rest of the week will most likely be spent laying low and relaxing. We are considering a day trip to a local island for one day and another day trip to a beach a small drive out of Rio. I'll take pictures at lunch today to post later so that the feel of the churrasco can be displayed....peace and love to all.