Holiday sprit continues in Spain…...

My last week in Spain was filled with fun and the holiday spirit.  The kiddos had the christmas songs almost memorized and we had our favorites that we liked to sing together each morning on the way to school.  Everyone was really starting to get excited about the up coming holidays and what they would bring.  My days were really full and I think I was the busiest that I have been while there. Between my regular time with the kids, playing padel, and preparing for my trip home I had a full calendar.  Michael was traveling for most of the week so Diana and I were working out a schedule that would make everything that we wanted to happen.  This sometimes involved switching cars and kids or random drop offs and pick ups but we were making it all happen smoothly.  I was even able to get in a couple of yoga classes.  Getting back into Bikram Yoga has been really great for me too.  There is something so purifying about it….it really helps me reset a little.  So even though the week was busy it was great too.  To be honest it flew by really quickly.  I am going to do a week in photos for you guys to highlight it all…..

Cold and Sunny Day

When our tennis lessons got cancelled do to the rain we made the most of the sunshine and walked along the Sea.

Maxime enjoying the view

Maxime was just taking in all the beautiful views and checking out all the boats…..Love this beautiful girl.

Never a dull moment

Life is just silly and fun with these 3 monkeys hanging on me.

Street lights glisten... 

All the city streets had different versions of these hanging above.  These are the ones I drove under each night to go home.  They had been up for weeks and we had been waiting patiently (or not so patiently) for them to turn on.

Christmas in Placea Mayor

Christmas Market in the center of town.

Don't worry…he is a professional 

Maxime and Diana did some shopping and Luis protected us as we walked through the market.

Yep…this happened.

I took one for the team and rode the kiddy carousel.  Spinning in circles is not something I do well but I survived.  The kids loved it.

Papa Noel….In the house.

I think this was the best christmas moment I have had so far.  In Germany Papa Noel comes and leaves stockings for the kids on December 6th.  Since the family is German they still celebrate this tradition even though they are living in Spain.  This year Papa Noel didn't leave stockings in the morning and Maxime was beside herself.  She said "Sara…we forgot to leave out the stockings so he didn't come"  Little did they know they had a huge surprise coming.  Around lunch time jingle bells could be heard coming up the stairs and then Papa Noel appeared.  The looks on the kids faces were priceless.  Maxime shyly talked with him (in Spanish), Luis sat really close to Dad but was interested in what was going on.  He just needed to work up the courage to walk over.  Olivia basically climbed up me and was holding on for dear life….she did finally go over to get her stocking but very cautiously.  It was such a special moment to be a part of.  Truth…I was kinda jealous that Santa never made an actual appearance at my house when I was little.



As the hours slipped away and the time for me to leave was getting closer and closer I was not sure exactly how I was feeling.  Even though I was leaving it wasn't the end but really just a new beginning.  Coming home this time is different then last year because it is only a visit.  My new home will be in Mallorca come January 7th.  I am really looking forward to my month at home but also excited about this great new chapter that will be starting with the new year.

Happy Holidays…from London with Love

Welcome Christmas….The weather has officially turned now into crisp mornings where you want to just stay snuggled under the duvet.  It is a welcome change though from all the sunshine.  It really makes it feel like the holidays are beginning.  As if Spain wasn't cold enough for me I decided I needed to venture out to colder climates and hop on over to London for a quick trip.  As always my trips fly by too quickly but every minute of it was packed with fun, friends and holiday cheer.  I took an early flight on a sunday with the hope of having the whole day there….that did not end up being the case.  Once again crossing into the UK was a trial and took forever.  I happened to arrive at the same time as a flight filled with groups of teachers coming over.  You would think that would make it quick…the whole group with one person and stamp away.  Nope…each one went

Harrods designer windows

separate and had piles of paper work that had to be gone through.  I think I waited about 2 hours just to get through the line.  The good thing was by the time I got up there they were so happy just to see a normal tourist with a passport they just stamped me through with only the basic questions.  Silver lining I guess.  So, after cab, airplane, bus, tube and bus again I unlocked the door to Lauren's place and felt like I was home again.  Since I arrived a bit late I changed quickly and headed out to meet Helly at the ballet.  Now this wasn't just any old ballet show this was a performance by the Ballet Boyz.  They are the ballet company that Michael Nunn (dad of the family I have worked with in London) co-founded.  I have heard all about them and seen a rehearsal but this was my first time seeing them perform.  I was so excited to see them and also so glad Helly was with me.  When the lights went down and the boys came out I was not disappointed at all.  They were beautiful, powerful, and amazing.  I couldn't take my eyes off it the whole time and wanted more when it ended.  It was like nothing I had ever seen before.  Please check out the website balletboyz.com and if you get the chance go see them.  They are beyond

Christmas Market Hyde Park….German cookies.

talented!!!  Helly and I had a nice catch up too that night during the intermission.  So lovely to see her and hear all about her new teaching job and becoming a home owner in London.  The next day was pretty much friend day.  I bussed and tubed it around town seeing everyone.  Bella and Rudi were my first stop.  As always Rudi was lovely and chatty.  After our initial hello there was a few moments of silence where he was having a little think then he just turned and said " I love you Sara".  I tell you, kids can just melt your heart sometimes.  After a quick cup of tea and whirlwind chat with Bella I was off to South Kensington to have lunch with Polly.  It is always a treat to see this girl.  She is one of the most genuine, honest caring people I know.  She is the type of person you would trust with anything and can always have an amazing time with.  I am so lucky to have her in my life.  Our lunch was comfort food and conversation which on this cold day was perfect.  As our fish pie and chili were finished Polly headed to work and I went back to East Sheen for my next stop to visit Anja, Lilly and Lara (friends of Michel and Diana who I have adopted as my friends too).  We spent a lovely evening sharing a

Hyde Park Ice Rink

glass of wine while being entertained by the girls.  Lara had some really sweet new Disco dance moves which had us all cracking up.  I was sent home that night with some beautiful drawings from the girls and a heart filled with love.  As I headed back to meet up with Lauren I was overflowing with joy.  I was in my favorite town, getting to spend time with so many beautiful friends…it doesn't get much better.  I really, truly feel so blessed.  The next day I was on my own all day but had a plan.  That plan was to pack in as much Christmas as I could into one day.  I hit the ground running in the morning with my first stop at

Santa stops here….for a drink

Harrods.  In all my times there I have never stopped in.  I was told the designer windows were lovely and they truly were.  I did a quick walk through, looking at all the items I could not even afford to look at, and watching the Harrods doormen dressed in green carrying out bags and boxes for other customers.  It was a bit like in the movies where the very rich lady walks in front of the man carrying more then he should humanly be able to.  After my commercial Christmas moment I headed into what I hoped would be a bit more traditional christmas stuff in Hyde Park.  Arriving there and walking under a carnival style sign to enter I knew it was not going to be exactly what I wanted but figured I'd give it a go.  The first bit was pretty good.  There were lines of cabin style booths with all sorts of crafts and goodies.  Then there were German beer gardens with mulled wine also and of course there was an ice skating rink.  It is always fun to watch people trying to be cute and romantic on these while getting bumped and knocked into by the kids who are attempting to stay upright.  My most important find in this carnival style christmas was Santa's Pub.  In case you ever wanted to saddle up to a tree shaped bar table and share a pint

Christmas…South Bank Style

with jolly old St. Nick you now know where to go.  After all my walking I popped into my favorite Westminster pub (St Stephens) and gave my feet a rest.  While I relaxed and read my book I all of a sudden was struck by the fact that all the people sitting around me in this pub were speaking Spanish.  I had to laugh (on the inside of course) because one thing I was excited about being in London was to be surrounded by English (with that lovely accent) again and here I was in a English pub hearing nothing but Spanish.  Just another moment of comedy for me in my crazy adventure.  Back to the christmas day…with rested feet I

walked across the bridge to the South Bank Christmas Market.  Here I found my christmas moment.  It was gorgeous.  Lines of shops along the water selling everything.  Tasty mulled wine (which is now my favorite holiday drink), bright lights and holiday music playing.  Everyone was in scarves, hats and gloves but the weather was just right for this glorious night….plus a couple glasses of mulled wine and you are toasty anyway.  I wandered around taking pictures and just stopping and taking it all in.  It was beautiful and I didn't want to leave however I had to because my night had another stop…dinner in Richmond with 3 great

Many good times have been here….and more to come!

ladies.  We met up at the Pig's Ears which has been the location of many amazing nights from tin foil giraffes in a pub quiz to making friends from across the room.  This spot is dear to my heart and always a great place to begin an evening.  Dinner was also lovely at a new restaurant in town but the best part about the night was the company.  Helly, Lauren, Claire and I chatted, drank and ate having a great time.  It is so interesting how people come together.  We all met by chance because we worked helping the same family but yet have become great friends through the process.  I sometimes think back to that moment of accepting the job in

Two of the best ladies (Helly and Lauren)….Lucky to know them!

London.  I had no idea how much my life would be changed by it.  Of course I knew I would have a great time but never expected to find friends who have become family.  I have heard people (including myself) many times say that their inner circle of close friends is full and they just don't have room for more.  I now don't believe that can ever be true.  You just have to open your heart a little wider.  I look at these people who are now in my life because of these experiences and I can't imagine my life with out them.  I am so grateful to have started out my holidays here and am looking forward to this coming Christmas season.

Happy Holidays from London with Love!

Broken Spanish, a toad and winter…..

So I have to admit I have struggled trying to get this blog started.  I feel like my life has become quite routine and not the crazy, exciting jet setting one it has been.  Every time I have sat down to write I think…Man this entry is going to be boring.  Today I finally realized that it isn't boring it is just real life now.  Not that the other stuff wasn't but it wasn't normal everyday stuff like this bit is.  I was also reminded by a good friend that these entries are just as good…they show that sometimes in the middle of a amazing adventure you need a bit of normal life too.  This lovely house I am staying in feels like my home and I am completely comfortable in it.  This amazing family makes me feel loved and a part of their daily life even when I am not working and I am finding my way more and more each day.  I am having to push myself

Home is where your heart is…mines here now.

out of my comfort zone with the language but I am feeling more and more confident.  This morning I think for the first time I felt like I had an actual, kind of, conversation with a group of ladies and felt like I was able to communicate beyond Hola, Que Tal (translation: Hello, How are you?)  and it felt amazing.  We got rained out of our padel match so we all walked over to a cafe to have a coffee and see if we could find another court.  I thought all the ladies spoke no english at all but as our conversation progressed I found out that 2 of them spoke english the way I speak Spanish (if not better) but they were nervous to use it.  It was in that moment that

The sun has set on summer…winter is here! 

I decided I needed to just use whatever Spanish I had regardless of how broken or grammatically incorrect it was so they felt comfortable to try out their english.  It worked out quite well.  I understand quite a bit, especially when I asked them to speak a bit more slowly and once I set my pride to the side and spoke my broken spanish an actual conversation was happening.  Before I knew it I was finding out about these ladies and they were asking me about myself.  There was even a moment where they were talking about a funny moment in spanish and I laughed at the same time as they did because I fully understood.  I know this may not seem like a big deal but it really was for me.  Just imagine weeks of not being able to be a part of normal daily conversations then have this moment where it feels like you are a part.  I think also this moment was so unique because these were 3 ladies who I don't really even know.  One I have played with 2 times but never said more then a couple words to.  To sit around the table with them at cafe and leave after an hour and a half knowing more about them then when we sat down and having found it all out by mostly using Spanish was a pivotal moment for me.  It made me realize

My flat mate…well he's trying to move in.

that even though my daily life has become routine it is definitely still a crazy adventure….just a bit different then it has been.   My pride is now definitely to the side and the broken Spanish is coming out more now. Flashcards are my new best friend.   Speaking of best friends I also have one who has been trying to move into my little flat.  He is quite small and wouldn't take up too much room but I still don't want to live with him.  I have this large toad who is on my doorstep almost every night (mornings too sometimes) trying to get in.  I am always so scared I am going to step on him.  So far I haven't and fingers crossed I never will.  I am pretty sure that as my mom, and maybe some of my friends, are reading this they have come up with the theory that he is my handsome prince in toad form however sorry guys I am not to the point of walking around and kissing actual toads yet to find my prince….just still kissing the human version of toads in my search.
One major change here that seemed to happen over

Wall of Love

night was the seasons.  It is now officially winter and I don't feel prepared.   It's is cold and I don't have enough cozy clothing.  Oh shoot…might have to do some shopping.  The cold and rain has meant we have spent more time inside which has led to lots of artwork which in turn has created my beautiful wall of love.  I can't tell you how loved these kids make me feel.  Luis is always drawing pictures of me, and Maxime is writing me beautiful cards.  I even have received my first christmas card of the season from her telling me how wonderful I am, that she loves me and that she hopes I have a lovely christmas.  Now I know

Love these little monkeys!

some of you might say well it is before thanksgiving, how can you be doing christmas stuff yet.  Well guess what guys…no Thanksgiving over here so that rule doesn't apply.  Made my first christmas playlist last week  and the kids and I have been singing Christmas carols at the top of our lungs in the car.  It has been amazing!!!  I can't believe my time here will be ending is just 2 weeks.  Seems like I just arrived….as they say time flies when you are having fun and I most certainly am!

Organized chaos....Loving life!

Where to even begin with this one....Life is all over the map.  Well not completely but kind of.  Routine but not, structured chaos maybe?  I don't know the best way to describe it but what I do know is I love it.  There is never a dull moment and almost all the moments are great.  Each day is different which keeps me on my toes and makes life interesting.  I do love structure and routine but am finding that there can be so much flexibility within these routines while still staying consistent which is a wonderful new thing for me.  We have had a lot going on here at our Mallorca home and it has been loads of fun.  For starters it was fall break in England so of course Michael and Diana's friends from London came over for some good weather

All the kids and 2 dads....in a boat.

and good times.  It is always so much fun to have visitors.  This house is perfectly suited for it and we all love the company.  In total for the week there were (including those of us who live here) 7 adults and 6 kids.  Side note...all 6 kids were under the age of 8.  All the kids have known each other since they were tiny though so they acted like they were family which was beautiful to watch.  Liliy and Maxime (the 2 oldest) were attached at the hip.  Chatting late into the night from the top and bottom bunk and coloring in their matching coloring books.  The middle 3 who were all around age 4 played games, rode bikes, splashed in the pool and crashed out at night all snuggled up together on a mattress.  I think the sight of them sleeping like little angels tucked up together was one of the sweetest things I have seen in quite some time.  Little Olivia being the youngest acted like she was grown up and followed all the big kids and tried to do whatever they were doing.  Most of the time she was able to fit right in.  We took trips to the beach where many a sand castle was built.  There also was a peddle boat adventure led by dads.  The slide was a hit with the older ones and the brave younger ones gave it a go but the drop from the slide to the

Just a couple of beach babes :)

water was a bit much so there were some tears.  The adults took a couple nights out together and I took on the 6 kids (with a little help from the local teenage babysitter who came over for a few hours).  All children were fed, bathed and put to bed....much to the credit of some amazing children who love to help each other and me out.  Couldn't ask for a better crew.  Comedy moment of the night was for sure the bathing part....all the kiddos wanted to shower together and it was hysterical.  Someone would be washing another ones hair while somebody else rinsed off.  Like I said...organized chaos...or  possibly insanity...fine line between the 2 which I have learned to stay on the correct side of quite well.  It was an absolutely wonderful week with everyone.  I really enjoyed meeting their friends.  They are all so kind and such good fun.  I feel like meeting them I have made a couple of new friends too.  On the morning that the last 3 people were leaving I was walking downstairs through the area where the kids rooms are headed to mine and I heard some chatting coming from Olivia and Luis's room.  Knowing I just dropped them off at school I figured it had to be Lilly and Lara.  I popped my head in to see what was going on and I saw them both dressed up in random costumes sitting in Olivia's old crib.  When they saw me they said "Sara....please come watch our show!"  Of course I couldn't say no so in the final 15

Original production by Lilly and Lara

minutes before these 2 kiddos headed back to London they entertained me with a fantastic little play.  I really am in awe of the creativity of little ones.  They come up with the most cool, random things.  The imagination is fantastic...especially in children who don't watch much television.  None of these kids really watch any TV and I truly see a difference in the imaginative play in them then other children who do.  One main difference is because they aren't exposed to it much they don't even ask for it.  I am not judging one way or another simply stating an observation.  The 15 minute production by these two cuties was great and then we had to say good bye.  The house felt very quite that day and the kids definitely missed their friends which was quite sweet.  Now I know it sounds like all I do is play with kids but that is not the case.  I have been taking time for myself and getting into life here on the island.  Nici invited me to come with her to one of her decoupage classes which I definitely said yes to.  I have had this idea of what I want to do which all my travel stuff but needed to learn how to do this so I could create it.  We went to class and I found out that it isn't super easy and also when you have a language

Art in progress...don't judge by this photo

barrier it is difficult to tell the teacher you aren't super keen on her style.  In the end there was some green paint that ended up where I didn't really like it and some wrinkled and torn bits.  I took my project home to rethink it.  Instead of giving up on it Nici and I hit the art store and I took on the challenge of recreating it.  Each day after I took the kids to school I would pull out all my supplies, spread out on my outdoor table and set to work.  There was a lot of sanding off bad bits, painting on new bits and covering up mistakes with more paper.  I can now say that I have brought it back to a good place and am ready to put the final touches on it.  It wont be a masterpiece but it has been a great learning experience and has helped prepare me to create the real stuff that I want to.  The other thing that has been filling up my time is playing Padel.  I must say I am slightly obsessed.  It is really fun and you don't even have to set up matches which is even better for me since I don't really know anyone here.  The place that Michael and Diana play you can just put your name on a list and they set up the matches for you.  You can sign up for as many days a week as you want.  I have been playing about 3-4 days a week and it has been

Stairs or a waterfall...both!

 such fun.  Now don't forget that everyone here speaks Spanish.  I definitely walk into these matches and immediately apologize and say I only speak a tiny bit of spanish.  To my surprise everyone has been great about it.  Very few people speak any English but it hasn't been problem.  I understand enough and am picking up more and more each time I play.  I can call the score in spanish now and know all the basic terms of the game.  Each match feels like a mini spanish lesson.  I also really do appreciate how open everyone is here and not bothered by the fact that I don't speak it but that I am trying.  The language barrier is going to be a tricky thing for sure here but something that I am looking forward to working through and hopefully overcoming.  It can make me feel a bit lonely at times though.  It is even worse too that I can understand a lot but then just can't respond or add to the conversation because I don't have the vocabulary.  I feel like I am hit with this barrier double too because I am surrounded by the German language a lot and am understanding it more and more since I hear it often but can't respond either.  I know I will get there though....it just takes time and practice.  The kids

Little Halloween Princess

like to make me practice German when we play restaurant.  Luis cracked up at me the other day because instead of asking for a fork I said "I am a fork."  One step at a time....today I am a fork, tomorrow maybe I will ask for the fork.  Even though I am struggling a bit with my languages I am still beyond happy living in this paradise that has tanning weather into the month of October.  Mixed in with this beautiful weather was a completely crazy day.  The morning had started out normal...bit cloudy but nothing too bad.  The afternoon was a bit grey and then all of a sudden the heavens opened up and it was a torrential down pour.  This was like nothing I had ever seen here.  I had to shut all my windows quickly since it was raining sideways.  I looked out my window and the stairs had turned into a waterfall and I had a moat in front of my door.  I couldn't leave even if I wanted to because I would have flooded my room.  It was crazy...thunder and lightning sounded and looked like it was at my front door while the lights flickered above me.  It lasted a few hours and then cleared leaving behind broken palm trees and rock landslides in the road.  As quicky as it came it left and we were back to lovely weather again.  Good

Me and my shadow...and yes I am all legs!

thing because it was halloween and the kids were ready for trick-or-treating.  My little princess Olivia and I picked up 2 Witches (Maxime and Luis) from school, met Diana at home and went over to Nici and Christians for some Halloween fun.  The kids had a good time and candy was collected.  It was a quick night but fun all the same.  Apparently Halloween is just getting popular over here in the last few years.  There isn't the hype about it like in the states which I was ok with.  It really isn't a holiday I like.  Sorry for those of you who do but I could do with out it.  With Halloween over I feel like we are now back to normal routine.  By normal I mean school, activities and all that good stuff.  I some how have been blessed with a fall cold which is not so fun.  It's the annoying ones that don't knock you completely out but are just enough to make you feel not quite like yourself.  I am fighting it though so hopefully it won't take me down.  I am feeling like life is becoming mine here.  By that I mean my life feels right here.  I have a wonderful family here that I live with that has made me feel like I am a part of theirs.  I am getting to know my way around using the GPS less and less. I have a local sport club that knows my name when

So happy I got to share in this moment.

I walk in and people who I recognize say Hola as I walk past them.  It is a great feeling knowing that I am making my way here and feeling content but that doesn't change how much I love and miss all of you back home.  I don't know what I would do it I didn't get to connect with you guys via skype.  I love that even though I am so far away I can still be a part of important moments like Greyson wearing his underwear on his head while potty training...or just any everyday moment.  There is nothing better then hearing a 2 year old say love you and know that even though you haven't seen him in 6 months he still recognizes you.  Sharing a afternoon chat about nothing and everything with your best friend while getting to see her face is priceless.  You can't even begin to understand what these moments mean to me.  It might not be as good as sitting together but it is a close second.    

Just kicking it with the kiddos....

So guys...this is my 100th blog!  Crazy to think I have been on this adventure  long enough to have written so many.  Just want to say thanks to all of you who have been traveling along with me.  I can't even begin to express how great it is knowing that all of you back home are right here with me through these posts and your emails and comments.  Now on with the post...After saying good bye to my parents and arriving back in Mallorca it has been go, go go which all you parents know is just how it is with 3 kiddos.  I'm finding my way around here pretty well and shaping a routine with the kids that's working for all of us so far.  There was a slight change in routine this week though....Diana was taking a much deserved holiday with friends which I was more then excited for her take.  Moms forget a lot of times that they need to take time for themselves away from home and I was so happy to help out

Loving horse riding...Yes Thora is standing on her horse! 

so she could have this time.  I love just hanging with the kiddos too so it was a win win situation.  Michael was also traveling for work the first couple of days so it was just me and the kids....such fun!  Unfortunately the first day Olivia was under the weather but we nursed her back to health and started out on a grand adventure of a weekend.  I believe I have mentioned before that they have some close friends (Nici and Christian) who have kids around the same age as Maxime and Luis so we all get together quite often.  This weekend was no exception.  I told Nici I would love to do some activities with the kids and she was

Luis is a serious farmer and Olivia was checking his work.

full of fantastic ideas.  Our first adventure was horse riding on Saturday morning.  Her 2 girls take lessons and we came to watch.  We  drove back through a bunch of tiny roads which I could never have found on my own to this cute ranch  with tons or horses.  Nici gave the kids a brief intro on how to behave around horses, don't run, don't shout, etc.  Well as soon as we started walking I said to Nici "I know Olivia is going to squeal with delight as soon as she sees the horses so the don't shout thing might not happen"  On cue the most beautiful sound of pure joy and delight came out of this little child.  She couldn't contain herself.  We all just cracked up and then reminded her she needed to speak

Nici teaching Maxime how to feed a horse. 

 softly near the horses.  She did great but I loved the pure joy she had in that first moment.  We watched Thora and Perla take their riding lesson which was great.  The girls even stood up on the horse.  Luis played on some cool farm equipment and Olivia assisted him. After the girls lessons we went over to the stalls and Nici taught the kids how to feed the horses.  I was so proud of all of them because they were brave and did it.  Luis who tends to shy away from dogs even put his hand out and fed a miniature pony.  After the horses had been fed the adventure continued with a walk through the forest area just near our house.

Cheeky Monkeys on a bridge. 

This spot was such a cool find.  I am so glad Nici showed it to me.  The entrance was a lovely wooden bridge with a small stream running under it.  It led to multiple paths and trails that went back into the forest.  All 5 kids were armed with a plastic bag to collect any treasures they might stumble upon.  This even included snails.  At the end of the trail there was a playground...oh wait let me back up a minute and tell you a story about the walk...So, near the end of the trail before the playground we walked by this bench and on the bench was a man laying down who appeared to be asleep.  Maxime and Perla were ahead of all of us and walked by kinda checking out this sleeping guy.  I heard Maxime say "That looks like my papa."  As I walked by with Luis and Olivia I just kinda glanced over and he looked kinda familiar but all I could think was I have 2 small children here with me and I am not stopping to check out the creepy guy sleeping (and snoring) on a bench along a trail in the forest.  Red flags all over the place on that one right?!  So we all keep walking and the guy jumps up and say "Hey guys...you all walked right past me!"  Turns out it was Michael who saw our cars parked along the road and came

Circle swing at the park.

to surprise us.  He said he had looked for us in the forest too and I was so grateful that he didn't find us there.  I would have been scared and traumatized and never been able to set foot back in there.  We all skipped along to the playground and played till dinner time.  All in all it was an amazing Saturday and we still had one more day in the weekend to play!  The kiddos had tennis lessons in the morning then in the afternoon everyone came over to our place for some pizza making fun.  All the kids got to create their own section of a pizza

Just making some Pizza...yum!

which they loved doing.  It is such a special thing to have all these kids who are such great friends and love hanging out together.  After pizza was made cooked and eaten the kids set off to create a show for the adults to watch.  I kept trying to sneak a peak and check on the kids and they kicked me out every time.  Watching the way these kids play and create things together makes me remember all the different choreographed performances I made my parents suffer through.  I am sure most of you ladies out there had a dance routine with your girlfriends to a Whitney Huston song at some point.  Mine was "How will I know" with my best friend at the time Sarah George.  The dance routine also occurred the weekend we went and got our ears pierced together.  I will never forget the night before we were going to go pulling out nightgowns over our heads really quickly saying "we won't be able to do that tomorrow when we have earrings in our ears"  As I watched Maxime and Perla climb up into her bunk bed sitting and whispering secrets to each other I am struck by the innocence of childhood and reminded

The sun setting out my window on another amazing week.

of what fun it was to be that age and just discovering who you are, who you want to be and having sweet friendships that will be memories forever.  We have to treasure each moment because they disappear to fast.....and just become a memory.         
Enjoy all your moments....and treasure your memories!

Hopper flight to Barcelona....

The beauty of Europe is you can book a flight a few days in advance and jet off to another town or country for a quick adventure.  My parents were going to be flying back to the states out of Barcelona so I decided to take my two days off work and join them over there.  I had never been and was excited to check out this city I had heard so much about.  I took a night flight after work over and arrived to my parents hotel where I was greeted with a bottle of red wine and some shortbread cookies.  I know strange combo but they are my recent obsessions....well the cookies are the obsession not the wine.  Don't

First view in Barcelona.

go thinking I have turned into an alcoholic over here.  I was so happy to be hanging with my parents again.  We spent that next couple hours before we went to bed just catching up and planning out the next couple of days.  I only had two days so I had to be quite strategic about my time.  My parents had one more day then I did but it still wasn't a whole lot of time to explore this big city.  My dad was doing so much better with is walking which was great but we still decided that it was best to do the hop on and off bus to get around quickly and get the overview of everything then decided what would be our top spots to go.  Our hotel was a little bit out of town but it was right next to a metro station that dropped us right in the heart of town in about 10 minutes.  We stepped up onto the street in Placa d' Espanya and were in awe of this city.  When you looked to your right you saw a beautiful street lined with lamp post leading down to a gorgeous building.  To your left across the Placa you saw the old bullfighting area which we later found out has been convertied into a mall but still has a museum inside showing all the different stages the building had been through.  Smack dab in the middle of the Placa was a huge

Placa d' Espanya...Bullfighting area

monument giving it the overall feeling of a proper european Placa. We found our stop to catch the bus, waited in the queue, then boarded the top of the double decker bus to ride around town.  We had chosen 2 spots to get off which were a bit farther into the route so we just sat back and took it all in.  As we were riding around I was realizing how big this city truly was and how much there was to see and do.  It made me a bit bummed to think I would only get a brief overview of the depth it had to offer but I suppose a little is better then nothing.  Being in Mallorca it is such a quick flight over (30 minutes in the air) that I am sure I

The port....tons of ships!

can come again.  Our double decker bus tour took us down along the water past the port which was filled with boats.  There were so many just packed in together.  Just down from the port was the former olympic venues.  There were all quite nice and still being used which was great to know.  I always feel bad when a city invests so much in venues and housing for the games and then they just go to waste after.  The olympics helped make the area down by the sea become a more desirable location to live in Barcelona where in the past the city center was more prestiges.  It surprised me that that was the case...you would think

Harmony of modern and old 

seaside would always be more desirable but I guess it's not that way everywhere.  Another thing I noticed while driving around this city was the beauty of the modern along with old.  It was really beautiful to see a gorgeous old building set behind a great modern piece of art work.  The lines and feel of the modern pieces around the city always seemed to follow the feel of the old parts of town.  They have done such a great job of integrating it into the city.  you see so many places that destroy the feel of the city by sticking a huge ugly skyscraper next to a lovely historical building but Barcelona has done it right.  Finding a true harmony of design.  I feel like there might be more of a design scene here too that I would like to do some research into finding out more about it.  One of my favorite pieces of functional art work in the city was these really cool shades that

Great use of old train track!

lined the median.  They were created out of metal and old wooden train tracks.  They lined the whole street and created shade for people who were waiting in the area.  Just another creative bit of Barcelona.  Now I mentioned earlier that we had 2 spots that we wanted to get off at.  One was the Sagrada Familia and the other was Tibidabo.  Both had been recommended by people who had been to Barcelona and had been top places in my research.  When we got to the stop for Tibidabo we got off and looked around.  It appeared as though we had been dropped off in the middle of a residential area no where near the

Tibidabo...as close as we got but still impressive.

top of the hill with the statue and amusement park we were looking for.  We decided just to walk up the closest hill and see if it led us in the right direction.  It was quite nice walking around the area and seeing some beautiful homes.  As we rounded a corner we spotted the statue on the hill so we knew we were going in the right direction but it still looked pretty far away.  Remember Hop-Along-Pop is just off the crutches and doing better but we were not looking for a repeat injury so we walked just a bit farther before calling it good and heading back to the bus.  The directions to get up to it were a bit confusing and we passed a few other people trying to figure it out too.  Come to find out there is a tram at some point you can take but we were fine with the view we got.  The only thing that would have been nice to see from up there was the view of the city, but that just wasn't in the cards for us.  Stop number two was Sagrada Familia.  I didn't really know too much about what this place was I just had been told I needed to see it.  As we were getting off the bus at it a lady looked at me and said with so much emotion "We did this place yesterday and it was absolutely fantastic."  She wasn't exaggerating.  This cathedral

Exterior of Sagrada Familia...Started in 1892

struck me with its amazing beauty and intricacy.  I had seen many photos of it but nothing could have prepared me for the real thing.  It is so massive you have a really hard time getting any sort of photo to do it justice.  The other thing that makes it difficult to get a great photo is the fact that is is still under construction.  It was started in 1892 and is still being constructed with the plans left by the designer.  There are two main sides to it.  The photo I have here is from the older side which I like more then the more modern side.  This side was completed while the designer Antoni Gaudi was still alive.  On this stop we just walked around the outside an took in all the views.  My mom went in the gift shop and bought a book about the history of the place.  After we took a significant amount of photos of this extraordinary building we headed back to the hotel to relax and put our feet up for the night.  Mom pulled out the history book and started reading and after a few moments she said " I think we need to go inside this place!"  I had just been thinking the same thing since I couldn't get it out of my head.  It's one of those places that just draws you in because it is so unique.  Decision made...I booked the tickets on line so we didn't have to

The view from the back to the alter

queue and we were ready.  When we arrived and walked in I was literally speechless and overwhelmed with what I was surrounded by.  Huge columns that branched out at the top like trees, sun streaming in through multi colored stain glass windows, and the most interesting alter I have ever seen.  As we walked thru guided by our handy audio guide (normally I hate those things but here it was great) you could feel everything that Gaudi had intended this place to be.  It felt like a sanctuary.  Even though there were hundreds of people around me there was still a peace about the place and I felt like I could really just slow down for a moment and connect in with myself and God.  Gaudi was greatly inspired by nature so that was reflected in the design.  The columns were like trees and the ceiling panels spread out like the leaves on the tree.  The stain glass windows were designed and placed to provide optimum natural light as were all the glass openings in the ceiling.  You would have never thought that this place was designed in 1892....it seems so modern yet not harsh which I find a lot of modern art to be.  This place was so well thought out and designed.  All the geometry involved in it made my head spin.

Another Gaudi design

 I could have stayed in this place for hours and hours but when you only have two days to take on a big city you gotta keep moving.  We were able to hit a few more key spots around the city.  One being a couple more buildings designed by Gaudi.  I really feel like his thinking was so ahead of his time.  I look at his buildings and wonder if when we was designing them people then thought he was a little nuts.  After seeing all his stuff around Barcelona I really would like to learn more about him.  His life ended in a rather unfortunate way...hit by a tram.  Sounds horrible right?! He is buried in the crypt in Sagrada Familia which is the perfect spot for him.  We were able to take a stroll through the Barri Gothic which is the old town area.  It was just as an old town should be with it's tiny streets, a beautiful old Cathedral and an antique market in the Placa.  Oh Barcelona why do I have to leave you....My time was drawing to a close with a plane to catch in a few hours.  My parents and I sat down together for on last glass of wine before we would be parted for a while and talked about the last 3 weeks.  What an amazing time and so special to get to share it all together.  With big hugs I grabbed my back pack and hopped

This is how to deal with a flight delay

in a cab and headed to the airport.  Check in and security were a breeze.  Bought some duty free wine and settled in to wait for the plane.  Unfortunately there was a delay. I got a bit nervous because I did have to work the next morning and didn't want to get in too late....also worried about it getting canceled.  After I confirmed it was just a delay I did the only thing anyone would do in this situation...opened the wine and watched Duck Dynasty.  Yep...I don't know why but I love them.  Makes me laugh out loud every time I watch.  After about 4 episodes I boarded the plane and made it back to my Mallorca home.  This is that last of my trips for a while (except maybe a hop to London) but I have tons to do and see here.  Can't wait to explore the island more.