Aoife is 5 -- for real ...

There's little I have to say that most of you don't already know because most of you (our readers) are parents.  It really is a special club.

You know how used to get annoyed with "that guy" who said things like: "Do you have kids?"  Err, maybe that was just my foolish youth?!?  Either way, having kids changes you.  I was talking to a friend at work today who has a wonderful, sweet, darling two-week-old (she is absolutely precious).  He was glowing while he talked about her and our conversation continued something like this:

...


Kyle (Showing I-Pad pics, beaming as he flips through):  {{{smiles}}}

Me (totally falling all over myself):  She's gorgeous ... I love that little face ... What a little doll-baby.

He just kept beaming, he's such a proud daddy and so apparently in love.

Me (smiling):  Do you find you miss her when you're away from her.

Kyle (making his favorite pic a "screen saver" of sorts and displaying it at his work station):  When I see her like this, in these pictures, I sure do.

 (Pause.)

Me:  I do love that little face.

Kyle:  Me too, but I suppose I'm biased, all parents are like that.

Me:  I dunno.  Having your own just kinda makes you love everyone's.

Kyle:  It really does, doesn't it.  I find myself peeking into random prams .. and, you know ...

Me:  Aw, sure they know you're a parent ..

Kyle (smiles).

And that is the wonder and beauty of what happened to us 5 years ago - we fell completely and totally, head over feet, in love.  In some ways we started learning how to really love and be selfless.  We did it again 3 and 1/2 ago.  And it's just amazing how it actually happens everyday, to all of us (albeit to varying degrees).

My heart is happy.

We were up way too late assembling gifts ... meh.

 This cake was crazy, yes, I mean crazy delicious -- and I do say so myself.

 Kitchen assembled (thanks Grandma).

 Somebody's happy.

 Another somebody's happy.

 There's more work to be done later.

 Including candles to be blown out.

 You got it Baby, happy 5!

  And plenty of cuteness to go 'round!

XXXOOO

Onto April ... and Spring!

It's time for my "once-a-monthish" blog post and it's been busy one.

We've moved!  We have a comparable amount of space, are a lot closer to the kids school (3 minute walk), have a fantastic patio and see ourselves staying put for a while!  Woo-hoo.

We feel like this patio is quite an "accomplishment" -- oh, the simple things.  At any rate, when you figure that we live in a place with a higher population density that NYC we feel like we've managed to carve out a pretty nice little place for ourselves and we're feeling good about it!

We've started to take advantage:

A friend from work shared some peppers from Turkey that he and his wife have already had quite a successful harvest with.  We're hoping for the same.

Let's get those pepper covered!  We want to make sure they sprout ... and soon!

 The missing sign is the peppers ... we'll get on that.

The kids did all the illustration apart from the basil -- that was the model, er the one that no one else wanted to do.  The kids also picked all the items for the garden, such good taste.

Easter was simple, again.  So glad they're easy to please!

Butterfly wings ... that Easter bunny knows what she's up to, we'd just been to a butterfly garden.  Oh, she's the thinking bunny, she is.

Apparently, according to Aine, the Easter bunny also thinks that she is a carrot.  This caused a lot of problems like hiding under the covers and waking up too many times at night.  However, these were easily resolved when I showed her that the bunny had already left its presents and moved on to the next house and was, therefore, not going to nibble on her -- I kid you not.

At any rate, we had a lovely Easter (and Monday off).

 Some simple egg decorating, supplies provided by the vegetarian bunny.

 

A little patio kung-fu...

...and other antics.

Most of our Spring Break was spent moving, organizing the old flat, and making the new one a little more like home.  However, we did manage to get away for a couple of days.  The rain foiled some of our plans but we still had a nice time.

 Playing on the beach.

 Windy, but a break from the rain.

 Steering the ship.

 We also visited a butterfly park/bird sanctuary.

 As you can see, the birds loved James.

 There's a big butterfly behind us, just above my head.

I'm smiling but the girls are nearly scared out of their wits.  This is the world's largest pigeon.  I think it was mostly curious, not aggressive, but it followed us around the entire park until the next visitors arrived, then it followed them. 

 The chrysalis cubby (what's the plural of chrysalis).

 A sweet specimen.

 Another pretty one, this time in front of us.

In a couple of days this will be the largest butterfly in the world.  We saw a preserved one but not a living one because they hatch in bunches and then die within four days.  They lack a digestive system and therefore perish quickly ... just enough time to reproduce.

Another, smaller guy, hatching.

I got my chance with the birds too.  Again, the girls weren't so sure ...

 ...but it was like a fond, flashback to childhood for me.

 We toured another sweet little town.  There are so many along the Catalan countryside.

 The rarely seen Daddy and Mommy alone pic!

 A nice family shot.

 In front of 2500 year old Greek ruins.

 Inside a medieval church.

Daddy and his girls (poor Beanie clunked her head).

As you can see, we've been busy.  I'd like to guarantee a post at the end of the month but I start two classes tomorrow (but I'll be done in June -- the end is in sight) and I've been getting a lot more teacher training work, so I'll try but no promises.

So -- hasta la proxima -- we love you!  XO

Less is More

Words to live by.

This morning I spent several minutes perusing the internet in hopes of encountering some wonderful project to do with he girls this morning.  After about two of those minutes I was beyond bored, not to mention I don't have (nor do I desire to) most of the supplies that were required for said projects.  So, we just got back to basics -- paint, pasta, beans, glue and canvas:

 Aine

Aoife

Here's a sample of another simple creation from earlier this month -- just canvas, tissue, glue and water.  There's only one of these because the sister-canvas hangs proudly on Auntie Kirsty's wall.  It was her birthday a couple of weeks ago and the girls wanted to make her something special.

But what's my point?  Well, I just feel like I've spent a lot of time, energy and money doing more, moRE, MORE too much of the time.  And for what?  Because, frankly, now I'm really starting to like the results of less.  It feels like more.

Love.

February Round-up

I suppose I'll just have to come to terms with the fact that I am a once-a-month blogger.  I suppose that something might happen that would make me blog more (or less) but once a month is workable, for now.  So, here's getting to it (again, told backward):

Tea with the sweet, little neighbors.  Everyone who you don't recognize in the photo is over 80 years old.  Margarita, who is sitting, is 90!  Wow!

 It snowed!

Hmmmm....maybe we're not sure about this snow.

We did play in it, a little bit on our way to the kids "Open Doors" day at school.  "Open Doors" is kind of like a big party to celebrate everything that's cool about your school.  The kids each chose one of their bits of work to photograph and share ... there are too many projects to show them all.

 Aoife's taxi, you'll see more of this later.

Aine's shoes, she loves these new shoes and the extended project they did with them.  Those little tiles you see under the shoes were designed by the most famous architect of the city, Gaudi, and are part of the pavement in many places in and around the town.  As you can see, they've been talking about "transport."

 Main entrance at school -- quick, sweet snapshot.

Aine dancing with Aina as part of the culminating ceremonies (our girls love their older buddy Aina).

A bunch of the sweet, little girlies dancing together before we put the camera away and joined in!

After the festivities at school we headed over to a classmate of Aoife's for lunch and play.  They are yet another family we are getting really close with.  One of the favorite past-times over there is playing dress-up.

 Fairy princess 1...

 ...and 2!

Somewhere in there I published my first professional article.  I think I'll do it again.  I was asked to write it as a result of a highly successful presentation I gave at a national, professional conference.  Not too shabby.  Oh, I think I had a birthday too ; ).

In the lead-up to Carnaval the girls got to do all kinds of fun things at school like:

 Wear funny hats.

 Wear Mommy´s clother (poor Beanie was feverish that day).

 Wear pajamas.

 And just be as cute as a button.

The end of the week culminated with a parade, full on Carnaval style, well the G-rated version anyway.  Those pictures can be found below but because of the order in which the pictures loaded you'll get to see some of what we did at the weekend first.

 More time at the windy beach (on a Sunday)... because, why not!?!

 The girls at the big, full city, kids parade for Carnaval (on the Saturday).

And here are the pictures from the school´s parade this year:

 Cab stand!  I know who I want to pick up my fare.

Those are some cute cars, I think I'll take the silver.

The King Carnestoltes (the one responsible for all the silly-goings-on all week).

We do have more to share in the coming days ... so come back for more.  We've just put in an offer on new flat -- with a garden!  Woo-hoo!  We also have some fun Spring Break plans, so maybe March will offer more than one post.

Un abrazo muy fuerte a todos!

XO