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!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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!