Christmas Party at Playgroup

Yesterday in playgroup, all the kids and their parents were invited to a special party to celebrate the Christmas season - Catalan style! While I'd never witnessed the "caga tió" tradition, I'd heard a lot about this smiling log that poops presents. I can never wrap my head around this! He looks like this:

Although I mentioned this last year, here's a refresher. Starting on December 8, you give the caga tió a little bit to eat every day like fruit peel. On the day you celebrate Christmas, you beat him with a stick and sing songs about the tió. He doesn't drop big gifts (that's for the three kings to do), just little ones like candies, nuts or turrones. Or other things I guess! Let's get to the party!

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As soon as the snacks showed up, all the kids lined up along the tables without blinking. And that's with the school's no/low sugar policy!

We all sat around and sang some typical songs in English and Catalan, which the kids had been singing for weeks ("Jingle Bells", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", "El 25 de Desembre", and "Caga Tió")

Who's this? Well of course...it's the infamous pooper! He's covered in a blanket for some privacy.

One of Paloma's teachers leads Paloma to check out the secretive log, who's about to drop a bomb or twelve.

The kids sing songs to encourage the caga tió to do its dirty business -- two or three times actually! Poor thing needed a laxative.

Yay! With some concentration and encouragement, he did it! He pooped some presents for all the kids!

Paloma wonders what's underneat the log excrement / her present.

Plasticine! Or in American English terms, play dough!

On our way out, Paloma admired the Christmas tree that's been up for a few weeks, which is adorned by the kids' homemade ornaments.

We found one of Paloma's two! But we couldn't find the other one...

Here it is! It made the top of the tree! I'm so...I mean, we're so proud!

See you soon! ;-)

Happy happy 30 months!

Hey to the ho! Oh yes, the moment is here. Accept no imitations! Paloma version 2.5 has arrived! We've reached  the high point of toddlerhood, the pinnacle, the apex, if you will. Or maybe not? At this point, that means Paloma often says "Paloma can do it" or "I can do it myself". As she discovers her new independence and becomes her own little person, she's also better at communicating what she wants. The wheels are a-turnin'! The other day, I said, "We'll go the store tomorrow," and she said, "Tomorrow is always a day away, mommy?" As in, the lyrics to one of her favorite songs...she made a joke! Haha!

Her mind works in other interesting ways now as it's evident that she's a full-on bilingual, speaking mostly to me in English and to her father in Spanish. A few weeks ago, I asked her to translate some nouns from English to Spanish and vice versa, which she did. We're learning a lot about the developing brain. It's true - they are sponges!

This month, we've also spent a lot of time indoors, seeing that the cold has hit us. Or maybe it's my excuse for doing Christmas crafts at home since I had visions of crafting with my then-future daughter while I was pregnant. Either way, on to the show!
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Paloma loved decorating her little tree.

She also made some salt dough ornaments for the Christmas tree in her play school.

Trying to space them out before they go in the oven.

Putting glitter on them the next day. (Also just a gratuitous pigtails shot. Hehe.)

She has great concentration when it comes to small details, like making this snow wreath made of cotton balls.

Even though it's been cool, the sun has been out most days, which helps my mood SO much. We were also able to go to the beach and enjoy some paella with our friend Angel.

We even made it to the zoo, where Paloma reads about the natural habitat of the chital, an animal I'd never heard of.

We also took a weekend trip to Sevilla, Fernando's hometown to see Fernando's parents.

Back at home cooking and grinding a chocolate bar.

Perfecting the circle. Check it out!

Making more crafts at home with some pinecones.

Ah, this was a fun one for me. Our Christmas 2011 "gingerbread" homes. Paloma alternates candy colors for a perfect fence.

Adding the finishing touch - Santa!

We went to a nice get together at one of her school mate's homes. The kids had fun...and the parents did too!

If I don't get to blogging before the big holiday, we want to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Happy happy 29 months!

As we approach two and a half years old, Paloma is learning how to be more independent. She often says, "I can do it," which applies to lots of things. She has really gained a memory for learning songs, and can sing them in their entirety, her favorite being "Wheels on the Bus." I think everyone knows that! She can also count to the odd number of...eleven!

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What I enjoy about parenthood is teaching her new things. And she also likes to do the same by saying, "It goes like this, and then like this...." or even in Spanish (mistakenly), "Es pone así...."

Our free spirit.

She's recently helped me make lumpia (Paloma: "gumpia"), or Filipino egg rolls.

My little helper likes to pull up her step stool and cook pretty often. Here she grinds some pistachios.

Moooooo....our little baby cow for Halloween.

These short arms and legs.

I was so happy to have my cousin Haydee and her husband Daniel in town. Paloma enjoyed having them around too.

We've started to make an advent calendar for the upcoming Christmas season. I'll post when we we're finished!

In the kitchen now. I'm dabbling in vegan food lately. Paloma did a really great job kneading the wheat gluten, which is squishy and fun - tactile learning!

We celebrated Thanksgiving at home. She was so excited to set the kids' table with Pau, herself, and Baby.

Resting her head after a long day.

See you next time!

Montserrat

Hello, people! While we're wearing our light jackets and scarves right now and enjoying this fall weather, I'd still like to share our trip to Montserrat. We went here over a month ago with our favorite local family (Rafa, Katya and Pau!) when the weather was still quite warm. 

Montserrat is about an hour away by train from Barcelona. It's known for its peculiar mountainous formation and also the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia. The statue itself is known to have miraculous qualities. 

With its breathtaking views and serenity, Montserrat is a destination for tourists, hikers, and pilgrims. While this isn't my first trip to this destination, we enjoyed an abbreviated tour of this local wonder.

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The facade of the 16th century basilica, which hosts the Virgen de Montserrat. 

Further detail of the saints carved into the walls.

Fernando interrupts Paloma's view gazing and forces a photo op. The monastery lies behind them.

This was what was distracting the little one.

Montserrat means "serrated mountain". Its strange formation has attracted worshipers even from pagan times.

Couple shot. The Benedectine monastery is a nice backdrop.

Lots of curious views and open spaces.

This statue (not sure who it is) reminds me of the portraits in Disneyland's haunted house. You know, the ones whose eyes are always staring at you wherever you are? Creepy....

Doing some hiking with the family.

It was a rocky adventure with our strollers. We had to put them in third gear.

A look back at the monastery in all its tranquility.
Paloma and Pau take a quick lunch break.

And pose for us again and again of course.

Another view of this unique geology.

On the way down, we spotted a personalized heart-shaped padlock with a couple's name and wedding date on it. Ah, fresh love...

At the end of our mini hike, we checked out a delicious open-air market of goodies.

I'd love to stay here for a night or two just to be in a peaceful place and explore a bit more of this jewel. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for visiting!