Tennis

For the past few years, Zane has been asking to play tennis. And each time we tried to enroll him in the class, it was canceled because there were not enough children enrolled. Imagine his delight when I told him there was an instructor in our neighborhood and he could take lessons!

One of our neighbors was kind enough to help me set up the lessons and Zane was eager to begin. Now we knew this would be difficult due to the language barrier, but he wanted to give it a try. 

On Tuesday, we headed down to the court for the first lesson. The instructor, Rafael, was kind and patient and Zane had a blast! I was mentally exhausted at the end of the lesson due to the amount of translating and modeling I was doing. I am sure it was very entertaining for all those who were watching. The instructor knows a little English and combined with my little Portuguese and our actions, we were able to convey to Zane what he should be doing. 

Zane learned the basic steps for forehand, backhand, coming to the net and smashing the ball down. He came off the court smiling and is super excited for the next lesson!

  

Alden was exploring while Zane was working. He was excited about this large piece of bark he found, then showed off his muscles by ripping it to pieces!

 

Stocking up and enjoying food

Obviously, it is difficult to find the brands of items that we are used to. It is also difficult to find things that are not in super tiny size. It is fine, we have adjusted to these changes. However, realizing that there is a Sam's Club not to far from us was too good to resist!

It also is much CHEAPER to obtain membership. This was surprising as it seems to be the opposite for most things - much more expensive. But Greg recalls when a Sam's Club consultant came to TVH in Olathe. He informed the Sam's agent that he was moving to Brazil and the agent told him to wait to sign up as it is much cheaper!! Interesting.

Alden was excited because this was the first time we found a cart with a seat in it. However, it was really different than what he was used to. It didn't extend all the way to the sides of the cart. He was afraid he would fall!

They do not check for a card upon entry, so we walked in and explored for a while before making the commitment. We had two tired boys, so we did not get a lot of photos of the inside, but it was very much the same as what you are familiar with. Click here to see more photos provided by Google reviews. The pictures do show some of the different products available. One thing that amazed us what the selection of Beer and Wine in the store. Definitely something we want to explore more. 

I had Greg snap this photo because one thing I have not become accustomed to is the Halls. People carry them around and eat them like candy. As you can see from this photo, they keep them in the candy aisle! They still have menthol in them and would be considered 'medicated' right??? SO different!

One shopping cart later, we were ready to go home. We found some items that we have been unable to find in traditional grocery stores. We found peanut butter! Very expensive, but we picked up some. We also found some better fabric softener, dish soap, gum, cereal, and cleaning supplies. 

I did pick up some Pantene shampoo and conditioner as the really good shampoo and conditioner that I brought with me reacts completely different in this climate. It was not something I was prepared for. While this is not the best brand for my hair, it at least allows me to have hair that can be styled and combed! 

AWWWW...the Traeger! It arrived in one piece and we were so excited to use it. Fired it up and prepared a yummy dinner. 

 Greg, who slices up the meat for all of us, even gave me a heart! 

Fondue is a big thing down here in the 'winter'. I had picked up some fondue chocolate and fruit so the boys and I busted out the fondue pot that Greg and I were given for a wedding present and used it for the first time! It was a surprise for daddy and Alden was so very proud that he kept the surprise quiet and did not tell!!

 The boys really enjoyed it and thought they were hot stuff using those tiny sticks. 

Birds and fish

First up, meet our alarm clock. 

Unfortunately, this super cute and adorable bird that I have yet to identify (any bird experts out there??) are VERY, VERY loud! Between 5AM and 7AM they fly around the neighborhood, flitting from tree to tree, highly encouraging everyone to wake up for the day. They also do the same thing around dusk. For such a small bird, they have a powerful voice. 

And next up, the evil and vicious swans of the lake. Beautiful to look at from afar, but try running or walking by them on the path and they will attack!

Even though they try to scare us away, it doesn't deter the boys from wanting to fish. Kids with fishing poles are just so cute! I love that they enjoy fishing!

This is the lake in our neighborhood and it is catch and release only. Up to this point, we had only seen tiny fish in the lake. But Zane had observed another young boy fishing and he had brought in a few fish. He is bound and determined to catch something. 

After about an hour and no bites, with only catching plants, bags, and random things, we finally saw some fish!

However, they were not interested in eating! They were just chilling near the bank, teasing the boys. At this point, Greg may have stolen  borrowed a pole from the boys bound and determined to catch something.

 This was not a fish that I was familiar with. It almost looked as it had teeth. Anyone identify??

We did see someone pull out some bass, so we know they are in there! I am sure the boys will continue until something is caught! Plus, it is nice as they will take their poles down while Greg and I go for a run!

CHEGOU!!!

The process of moving was as complex as I thought it would be, but I sure did learn a lot. 

The first stage was having estimates done on the house. Three to be exact. Each one requested different information. However, the last one (and the company we chose), showed up late, could not comprehend the fact that not everything that he saw would be going on the container. We went over and over and over what would be going on the container. As soon as he left, I called Greg and said, "That estimate is going to be way off." Sure enough, it came back almost DOUBLE. 

Packing up the house in Kansas was not an easy feat. I knew that we needed to downsize a lot for this move. With this in mind, I began sorting. I had piles for:

*Donation

*Storage

*Living with Mom and Dad for a few weeks (3 suitcases)

*Traveling to Costa Rica for Vacation (3 suitcases)

*Suitcases for what we needed in Brazil right away (7 for a total of 16 checked pieces)

*Sending to Brazil on the container

I had everything out of the house before May 31st when the moving company showed up to start packing. We were told no liquids, no food (even dog food), no illegal items etc., could go on the boat. I was also informed that I could not pack anything as they had to record everything. Remember this fact for later.

We were told the company (Dainel's Moving and Storage - contracted through the international moving company Atlas) would arrive at 8:00AM on May 31st. Mom and I woke up, drove to my house, and waited and waited and waited. Around 9:15 the doorbell rings. I open it to two men who are dressed very unprofessionally. They asked for a tour of the house, informed me that this would not take the allotted 3 days as most of the house was already gone, and started to pack. 

Now, with the money being payed for this shipment my expectations for a company truck were not unrealistic. When I looked in my driveway, this is what I saw. 

Not a moving company truck or van full of supplies. Not a professional vehicle. Nope. This small, beat up, vehicle with a handful of materials. 

OK. 

The two gentleman worked hard from about 9:30 to noon when they ran out of supplies and said the were done for the day. 

And when it started to rain, they had to ask for a plastic garbage bag to cover the window.

I was frustrated. Mom was frustrated. WE could have had more packed and ready by this point. 

Day 2: June 1st. We arrive at 8 AM. The same vehicle pulls up at 8:30 AM with ONE worker. ONE. No way was this going to get done. This man worked until after 5 PM not taking a lunch break at all. His boss stopped by a few times to inspect, but not to help. When he left, I knew that the next day was going to be awful. I had been vocal about my disappointment in this whole process. During this day, I tried to portray to others the quantity of packing paper and tape that was being used. It was unreal!

Day 3: June 2nd. We arrive at 8 AM. Why? We don't know, when knew they wouldn't be there! About 8:05 my doorbell rings and I am greeted by a new gentleman driving a very professional looking vehicle. He asks if we are ready to load and I said, "absolutely not." At this point, he can see that I am upset and asks for a tour. As we walked around he asked, "Where are all the boxes and paper?" and "What did they do the past few days?" Lastly, he said, "Give me a minute to make some calls." 

While he was making some calls, the container arrived.

Um, why is that container so big??? No way were we going to fill that up!

Shortly after, a huge moving truck pulls up with boxes, paper, and people. Amazing. After hours and hours and hours of watching them pack and load and complain that it was taking so long, we finally were down to the last few items. One of these being the treadmill. We were told the guys were taking it apart. They were told they cannot take anything like that apart. So back and forth I went with their boss, the international moving company, and the movers. They were livid, I was irritated.  At one point I had our international moving coordinator on the phone and they had their boss on the phone and we seriously traded phones to talk to the other person. It was ridiculous! They were told they could not leave until a third party arrived to take it apart so that they could pack and load. Around 7 PM the third party arrived, took it apart, it was wrapped, loaded, and the bulkhead was installed (because we only filled up HALF the container) and the guys were off by 8:00. Before they left, I asked them when it would be locked. They told me I was to wait until the driver arrived to watch him secure it. WHAT! Back on the phone with the international moving company who told me the same thing and insured she would not leave work until the container was gone. The driver showed up shortly after, thank goodness, and said that he does not lock it as it has to be inspected. Then, off they went. 

 

Frustrated and all around angry, I went home to Mom and Dad's and vented to Greg over the phone. I wanted to sit down right then and right a review, to call people, to complain, but we both knew that our items were at stake. So, we waited for information on when it would arrive and I let it stew. 

Weeks went by without information. Then, we got word that it would be porting in Brazil on July 7th! Well that is exciting. July 4th we were called and said it arrived early! Well, things are looking up, but we don't want to get too excited because we know that customs will take forever, even 4-6 more weeks. Friday, July 14th the call came that we were in the final stages of customs and we could possibly see it Monday. They called back a few hours later and said that it would not be Monday. It would be TUESDAY! Estimated arrival time 9AM on July 18th, one month from the day we left, 46 days since I last saw the container. 8:45 AM on July 18th the container arrives!

About 45 minutes later, the crew from Global Packing showed up. Now, here, I was not frustrated, as this is the culture and we were prepared for this arrival time. 

They handed me all the papers that the original company in Kansas had filled out. My job was to cross off the boxes as they came into the house. You think, ok easy. Well, the numbers on the boxes did NOT match the numbers on the papers. In fact there were two whole pages of unknown numbers. Obviously the original packers did not record and inspect as we were told. It was ridiculous, but after all we had experienced, I wasn't surprised!

By around 2 PM they had everything unloaded and in the rooms that they 'belonged'. I say it that way, because there were some language barriers to overcome!  All large items they automatically began putting together. They asked where I wanted things, and if it looked ok. They were professional, kind, helpful, and worked hard the entire time. Such a different experience. 

These are just a few photos I was able to snap. Nothing spectacular.

 

From 2-4 they spend unpacking the little stuff. This, I wasn't ready to put away as I didn't know where I wanted anything. So, I instructed them to place it on the floor, table, beds, etc. Wherever it would go. Why didn't I just leave them in the boxes? Good question! If you could have seen the massive amount of wrapping paper they used, you would understand. I wanted all of the boxes and paper out of the house, and they had a truck to remove it! At this point, my back was hurting from standing the entire day and my brain was exhausted. I only managed a couple SnapChats of this part. 

The boys, I can't even begin to express how happy they are!

 These are their "OH MY GOODNESS...OUR TOYS" faces

And dinner, all together at a real table! Great way to end the night!

The past few days, I have slowly put things away while the boys have reacquainted themselves with all their toys. It is fun to see them playing with things they haven't played with in a while as well as playing together! 

It is nice to feel that we have a 'home' again!

As for Atlas and Daniel's Moving and Storage, we would not recommend them to our most hated enemy. Their salesman, was by far, the most kind, responsive, helpful and encouraging during the initial part of the process, but that ended when the deal was sealed. The international relocation coordinator (located in Washington) was helpful but very uninformed. What she thought should be happening was not what really happened. While she wanted to help us, the information she provided only intensified the frustrations of the workers. The workers cussed, smoked, were unprofessionally dressed, talked badly about their own company, and consistently made me feel bad for protecting my items. We will not be using their services for our relocation back the the United States.