Aine is 4!!!

Somehow this birthday felt like a "bigger" birthday around here.  It's not that we don't still have our ups and downs but Aine has really grown up and matured a lot in the last 6 months.  She is mostly just absolute, sheer, unfettered JOY, all of the time.  She is amazing!  I am also happy to report that we are now (generally) a household who sleeps through the entire night, every night!  That's been a long time coming ; )!

We did our usual party in the park with other families and then a small party at home.

 Birthday girl reporting for FUN!

 Both girls are swinging on their own these days -- they do still, of course, like the occasional push.

 Aoife painted Aine's face.  I think she did a pretty amazing job!  So did Aine.

 There's always a piñata!

 Train of cakes!  Do you think there'll be enough?

Happy 4!

Happy "4" to our sweet, spunky, super smart girl!  You meet life so openly and freely -- you are such a good teacher!

We love you, Gorgeous!  - Mommy, Daddy, & Aoife XOXOXO

Crazy.Fun.Wonderful.Summer.

Where to begin?  We have had a wonderful summer here in BCN!  James and I both taught on summer intensive courses, luckily Grandma and Grandpa were here to help with the girls.  I finished my master's -- whoop-whoop!   I got a new teaching position at the American School of Barcelona teaching 4th grade -- yahoo! And then the adventures started, so on to that ...

We have some AMAZING friends here!  There are a few families who have essentially adopted us and it's been kinda like striking gold.  They've provided us with endless support and love.  We went away for the weekend with a couple of these lovely families (Grandma and Grandpa were invited too) to one of their homes at the foot of the Pyrenees.  Fantasticness ensued.  We have been invited back to hunt for mushrooms in the fall -- needless to say we're all excited.

See just some of the highlights below.

The kids all search for goodies left my Señor Fofiafo (fo-fI-fo).  The kids drew pictures and left them out, he collected them and left a basket full of goodies in exchange.  He's been doing this at the house for well over 50 years ... hopefully he'll be able to practice for at least 50 more ; ).

 Almost there.

 Jackpot!

Part of the reason we all headed up together is that it was the weekend of Sant Joan which is one of the biggest celebrations of the year.  As we've mentioned before the people here are always up for a good party and this is certainly one of those.

 Sant Joan means fire and fireworks, we had our fun with the kiddie versions.

The macia (old county mansion) we stayed in was quite literally "out in the sticks" so this was the way the kids traveled to and from when we were on the totally un-populated, dirt roads.

 Our girls having their turn, happy as can be.

Friends for life!  And the mountain, Pedra Forca (Fork Rock) behind.

This is just a glimpse at the fun.  Every meal was a full family affair and delicous -- 3 times a day.  We hiked. Played.  The girls all slept in the same room (there are 7 bunks in the "kids room" just for that purpose) after staying up until 11 every night.  We played games, sang songs, ate some more.  Stayed tuned for the next episode later this fall, hopefully along with a post about some awesome mushroom risotto.

A I mentioned, Grandma and Grandpa were with us for the fun.  It was nice to have them hear to lend a hand and have a visit.

 I love this picture.  My mom looks so happy.

 The crew.

 Maybe the shot that Grandma prefers?

In other news we had a fantastic garden this year.  Mostly green beans, tomatoes, and herbs.  We've still got some Turkish peppers getting ready to bud that were gifted to us from some friends.  They just take a little longer to get started but then they should be super hearty.

Gardening and dancing should always go hand in hand.  They do around here, at least.

There's more to tell about our summer and I intend to do it.  Things are just a bit hectic right now.  James is in Portland doing the fair and I just started my new job.  He'll be back at the beginning of September and he'll bring his computer back with him.  He's got all the pictures from some of our other summer adventures with him at the moment.  So, updates from our family trip actually up into the Pyrenees and other bits will have to wait.  For now, know that we love you, we haven't disappeared, and we'll be back soon.

Happy thoughts for all of you!  Wherever you are!

XO

Art for Clare

We had a special birthday to celebrate a few weeks ago -- Clare´s.

Here's Clare (pretty-red-head) and Kirsty (pretty-blonde-grown-up) and our girls.  How we love them!

 We are so excited to give these to Clare!!!

 Gorgeous.

 Aoife.

 Aine.

Side by side.

The girls insisted we take pictures before they parted with their artwork but felt good about it in the end.

Clare came over and babysat one afternoon while Mommy and Daddy had to work and the girls got to have their own birthday party.  They had a great time.

So, what's my point -- we're far away but not without a home.  Some days are harder than others but "poc a poc" we're making it.  It can be a bumpy road but it's oh so much better when there's art (and carrot cake) to make for and share with people we love.

Una abraçada molt forta per tots!

Xx

Is Our Little Girl Really Getting So Big?

My labor and delivery nurse with Aine said something so simultaneously profound and cliche that it bears repeating for its truth more than the guffaws it might elicit (bring 'em on):  "The days are long but the years are short."  And that they are.  And here we are:  Aine is 3 1/2, whip-smart, beautiful, intense, full of life ...

She recently got her shot at a couple of school activities that, until now, she's had to sit back and {mostly} graciously watch Big-Sister embrace and master.

Here she is, doing the same ...

Aine and Piu-Piu -- the "Year 3" Mascot:

 What a bunch of sweethearts!

 Look at those camels, Piu-Piu.

 We liked the elephants too.

 And picnic lunch, yummers!

 Breakfast before heading off to school again the next day!

Bye-bye, Piu-Piu : (.  Mommy is both happy and forlorn.

Aine and the travelling story:

 Her final picture of the "main idea" of the story!  She summed it up well -- wow!

 Self written name on the back.

 Book cover:  Mimi, The Little Witch.

 Mimi has her first day at witch school...

 Learns and practices a sleeping spell (after being put to sleep the students put their teacher to sleep) ...

 Then, Mimi goes off and practices on a little baby.  Well done, Mimi!

 Well done, Aine!

This little girl wears her heart on her sleeve.  Don't you feel happy just looking at her?!?

We love you, Maevers.

And love to all of you from us ... from afar,

Los Stuhan

More: Aoife's 5

There's the really beautiful, wonderful thing families do here, not everywhere, but at our school and many other places.  They share birthday parties.

We celebrated a wonderful birthday party for six this past Sunday in the park.  The kids play and play and play and the adults socialize, snack, and drink beer.  What could be better?  Oh, plus there's cake. 

Needless to say, we are looking forward to Aine's 4 sometime around the end of the year -- possibly as a combined back to school bash (?).

Here are the pics:

 Let's get dirty (sand, water, and kids -- what else is there to do?)!

 Aine and her buddy, Marc. 

 Milkshake, anyone?

Aoife's buddy, Alex, Marc's big-bro -- and, according to Aoife and Alex, our likely, future son-in-law.

Time for cake.  There were six.  We ang to each child and they each had their turn to be the center of attention and blow out their candles.

 Success!

 More chocolate-chocloate cake.  Good as it was I think we'll be taking a break for a little while.

 See, evidence of chocolate cake overdose.

Piñata time!

 Just pull and it rains down toys!

 Time for presents!

This game is awesome!  I don't know why I haven't see a version Stateside.

What a lovely day and what a great way to mark our big-girl's 5th birthday with her friends.