Abraão Lucas

We're safely back in Curitiba after our jaunt to see Iguacu Falls (amazing!). Now it's time to write about one of the other wonders of the natural world

Bio:

Abraão Lucas will turn 8 just after the New Year. The name Abraão is Abraham in Portuguese, and we were a little surprised at first that he goes only by Lucas instead of Abraão Lucas since we both really like the name (though it is indeed difficult for most English speakers to pronounce correctly). He is active, playful, strong, clever, and a definite people person. He knows the power of his dashing good looks and his captivating smile, so be sure you don't let him play you! The manager of Betania was commenting on the very distinct personalities of each of our children and said that Lucas reminded her of a talk-show host, always engaging people and entertaining them. He thinks he might like to be a veterinarian when he grows up.

Likes:

• Swimming--he must be part fish!
• Eating--he must be part horse!
• Playing cards, especially Guerra (war) and UNO
• Desserts of all kinds
• Normal 7-year old boy stuff. You know, sneezing, burping, farting...the usual. Anything disgusting or stinky.
• Being tucked into bed at night
• Futebol (soccer)
• Joking and saying funny things, sometimes to a fault
• Pretty girls of all ages...and flirting.
• Being around people
• Making funny faces and cartoony voices
• Pouting. Sulking. Just look for the lip.

Dislikes:

• Waiting for anyone or anything for any reason. Once he's ready to go, you know it. In a slightly whiny tone, "vamos...vamos logo." *tongue click* huff.
• The time-out chair, although he's much better at it now than he was before
• Getting out of the swimming pool. Ever.
• Restrooms with doors that shut automatically. He generally wants Papai to come in with him or keep the door open.

Greatest Hits:

• Everyone calls him Lucas, but if he's meeting someone for the first time, he introduces himself as Abraão.
• He asked how to play Solitaire on the ipod and mastered the game after only one brief explanation. He can deal it out and play it with cards, too.
• He generally remembers a person's name after one introduction. He knows many of the guests and staff here at Betania by name and will greet them when they pass.
• He was the only one of our children who actually asked Papai Noel for a toy for Christmas. Apparently, everyone else asked for personal electronic devices.
• After coming back out of pay restrooms, to Papai, "Where's my change." Papai: "You don't have any change." Lucas: "I was the one who went to the bathroom, shouldn't I get the change!" Nice try, my son, nice try!
• Playing in the hot Brazilian sun without his shirt. He begs to take his shirt off when it's hot, even if we're in a place where it's inappropriate to be shirtless. In the video below, he demonstrates both his clever ingenuity and a favorite phrase, "Deixa tirar a camiseta, pai?" (Let me take my shirt off, dad?)