Saying Goodbye....

My least favorite day of each chapter of my travels is the day I say good bye.  This one is a bit different then all the others though since I will be staying and the amazing family I have grown to know and love over the past month will be leaving.  Anyone confused yet?  I will explain....Diana, Michael and the kids are headed off to Germany for a visit with Diana's family and they graciously offered me an extended stay in their gorgeous house so I could have a bit of a holiday myself here in Mallorca.   I of course accepted and so that is how the good bye is a bit backwards but a good bye all the same.
In preperation for the trip to Germany the kids have had their  "Trunkies" out all week packing and repacking all the essential items, in the mind of a child,  for the airplane.  Side note...check out what trunkies are!  Best suitcase ever for kids.  I have only  seen them a few times in the states but they are huge here.  The kids can actually sit on them and parents can pull them through the airport!  Pretty awesome.  Ok back to the packing,  the kids packed everything from a box of legos to arts and craft supplies including scissors which they were devastated to find out were not allowed onto the plane.  Along with the packing there were also many discussions as to what was going to happen to me when they left, why I wasn't coming with and was I going to be here when they came back.  Another one of my least favorite discussion...explaining to a child that we might not be seeing each other for a long time and have them actually understand that it's not that I don't want to stay it's just that it isn't possible at this time.  This crew seemed to understand since they have had nannies before that have left.  ...but they still weren't to happy to find out that there would be no more "Sara days"(that's what my work days were called by the kids) when they returned from Germany.  To be honest I too am quite bummed  that there will be no more "Sara days" here with the kids.  They have been so much fun...of course 3 kids are always a bit of work but this was the best kind of work!  Fun loving, happy kids in a gorgeous setting.  I really have enjoyed them immensely and feel lucky to have spent time with them.

My goofy lunch buddy

As a good bye and thank you Diana and Michael took me out to lunch at this fantastic restaurant right on the beach called Beach Alm.  This place might be the most perfect beach restaurant.  It is right near a harbor and directly above a beach.  You can watch boats being launched and people playing in the ocean as you sit either at regular tables or these great wood bench tables we were at and enjoy some of the best food I have ever eaten.  This place is tied with the Hawksmoor in London for best meal of the trip.  I had a beach burger which was grilled salmon with just the right seasonings, topped with arugula, thinly sliced cucumbers, steamed shallots, and wasabi sauce on a fresh bread bun.  I had to force myself to not

View from our table at lunch

      devour it and actually take it slow and enjoy each bite.  So good!  I also am starting to enjoy rose wine...ever since france I have started to like it.  It's so nice and refreshing on a warm afternoon sitting by the beach or pool.   The one that was ordered during this lunch was particularly good.  I  can't remember the name but I know what the label looks like so I may have to have it again while I am enjoying a nice poolside day here.   Anyway, lunch was amazing and as always fun with he kids.  Maxime and her dad had actually rode their bike from home to the beach...1 hour and 45min ride.  Super impressive for a 6 year old! Diana, Luis and I gave them a ride back in the car though so they didn't have to do the ride again.  Once we got home from lunch the kids, Lara and I did a bit more swimming so Diana and Michael could get some stuff ready for the trip.  Then it was off to bed for the rugrats, some sushi for the adults and off to bed for us too since we all had an early morning.
I was driving the crew to the airport at 7 in the morning so I headed upstairs at about 6:45 and was welcomed with lots of hugs by Luis and Maxime.  We went inside and there was a whirlwind of last minute items being added to cases, teeth being brushed and checklists of items being reviewed one last time.  With only one small meltdown by one child we made it out the door and into the car by 7 am.  Quite impressive I think...getting 2 parents, 3 children and 2 nanny's out the door on time!  I think there should be some sort of award given for that.  We pulled into the airport drop off area 3 kids,  2 parents, one nanny and luggage were quickly unloaded.  I hugged everyone good by and hopped back in the car to drive back to their house to start my holiday.  As I drove out I got a bit emotional and kinda teared up.   This month here with this great family has been life changing for me.  Coming off such a rough month in Nice I feel like I have been able to really build myself back up here.  During the building back up process I have been able to evaluate things in my life and really think about who and what I want to become in this next chapter of my life.  Through many of my conversation and activities here with Diana and Michael I have become aware of the things in my life that are most important to me and what really makes me a fulfilled person.  Sometimes we forget the things in life that we really excel at or should pursue as more then just a hobby until someone points out another way of looking at it. This month has been a huge month of growth and rebuilding for me.  I don't think I would have appreciated as much the safety, comfit and love this place provide me with had I not been through the rough times the month before.
As I sit here on the patio where I have eaten so many family diners, right outside the big living room where Luis and I had our dance parties that also contains the sofa I would be met on by 2 happy children every morning for breakfast, and just above the playroom that I have spent countless hours I can't help but miss everyone.  I keep expecting to here Luis calling my name, or see Maxime splashing with her flippers in the pool.  I even at one point today out of habit while I was in the pool thought I heard Olivia waking up from a nap then realized I was hearing things and she isn't here.  It is very quiet here with out the family...and I miss them.  I kinda feel like I went from full speed ahead to a dead stop.  I am looking forward to my quiet time though because a gift of complete relaxation can be so rare and I am planning to make the most of it.
As I begin my solo week here I will leave you with a few photos of the good times I have had with this fun family!

          






Maxime and Michael practicing their jumping skills.

One of Maxime's favorite things was to build elaborate "park garages"  This was just one of the many that were built over the course of my time here.

One morning when getting ready to go out for the day Luis decided he was going to wear his wellies...mind you it was about 90 degrees outside.  Apparently he had a mind lapse and thought he was back in England.

We had sushi for lunch one day and Luis insisted when setting the table he needed 2 sets of trainer chopsticks to eat.....

....and as you can see from these photos he was right.  He did need 2 sets.

I will most certainly miss these big blue eyes looking up at me.  Sweet Olivia!












Next post will be living solo in Palma de Mallorca!