T-Rex Park

Some of our errands have led us to pass by the T-Rex Park. So, for Zane's special birthday request, we went to find out what it is all about. The trip there was delayed due to illness, but we FINALL

The park itself is located in the middle of a Campinas shopping (mall) in an open air area.

When we first arrived at the shopping, we could not locate the park. We walked and walked and walked. Finally, we found the entrance.

Pricing was a bit shocking. R$50 per person with additional pricing on certain rides. If the park would have been bigger, if ALL of the rides would have been functioning, it may have been worth the money. But the boys were happy, so that is what matters most!

T-Rex park is based around Jurassic Park, but not really. Copyright infringement a little bit. 

 Watch out...T-Rex is going to get us!!!!!!

Riding some Triceratops! The shopping centers here have these motorized cars all over the malls. They come in all different shapes and sizes. The boys have never ridden on one because we find them expensive. They were very excited to have the chance to try one!

Roller Coaster time! Alden's faces are the best!

Zane decided to use some of his birthday money from family to attempt the climbing structure (an extra expense). I was surprised because he is not that fond of heights. He said that he wanted to go alone. He did well, but stayed on the lower level. Once he tried to cross a rope bridge and that did not go over well. He was done after that. I think he would have had more fun and felt safer if one of us had ventured up with him. Lesson learned. 

Entering the mouth of a dinosaur, the boys had fun shooting these air guns. I was surprised that the sound did not bother either of them!

This ride was like the Flying Dragon! Alden was not happy and a little scared. But once it stared, he really enjoyed it!

Inside of a volcano, you never know what will happen!

Train ride.

They both really wanted to ride this one. I got on with them. Once we were about halfway up, they were both crying and wanting to get off. It went up and slowly came back down. No fast drops or anything. But the height affected them both and the fact they were separated from me in their own 'chair'. Once at the top, we could see over the mall and all around. It was very pretty. 

Overall, a very fun family day. Zane was disappointed in some of the rides, but he was happy to have been given the chance to attend. As we exited, he decided to spend some more birthday money on a souvenir for himself and his brother! My heart was happy!

Someone Turned 9!

Zane was the first to celebrate a birthday in Brasil!! He was very exited about his day. We started out with some birthday picture poses!

At school, all students are give a 'crown' made by the assistant in the classroom. Everyone knows that it is your birthday and you are smothered with attention, hugs, kisses and love!

I stayed at school to eat lunch with the birthday boy!

In our family, the birthday person gets to pick whatever they want for dinner on the birthday and I will make it. Then, we typically go out another day and it is the birthday person's choice. This year, Zane chose tacos, but he requested hard taco shells. This is not something we have found here. So, we created our own. 

It was a success!

The birthday person also gets to request the dessert. His request: A cake in the shape of the mosquito trapped in amber from Jurassic Park. Um...OK!!?? Here is what we came up with.

I searched the places that I know for food coloring and came up with nothing. So we utilized gelatin to color the homemade frosting. I couldn't find anything to create black frosting, so we found these little chocolate pieces. I spent about 30 minutes placing them on with tweezers. The things we do for our children!!

The candle Greg picked up was a trick candle and to our delight kept relighting. We were all tickled!

We attempted a Hangout with family. Everyone was able to sing to him and see him open some of the presents. 

 Unfortunately, a nasty bug found its way into our house and his plans of going to the T-Rex park and out to dinner for sushi has still not happened. We hope to be able to do this soon!

Overall, a wonderful celebration!