Paloma: Volume Forty-Two

Hola, gente! Life is good here at the Ruiz Ancheta household. The fact that we're at the end of January makes me happy thinking that spring is right around the corner. While I do love layering clothing and accessorizing, it can be a hassle to make sure everyone has enough layers on and their undershirts tucked into their pants. Like my mom used to do to me!

Paloma is at a great rhythm at school, and right now she is learning to write her name. Are kids starting young these days? Hey, we're making our way to Harvard, you know.

Also, this spring we'll be going to Malta to visit Fernando's younger brother. Where, you ask? It's an island in the Mediterranean just under Sicily and inhabits over 400,000 residents. It's part of the European Union and even have their own language, Maltese. We're excited. Another country to put under my belt! Now let's cross our fingers for beachy weather!

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Smelling eau de flowers while in Seville.

Paloma with her uncle Juan Pablo who we'll see soon.

Did I tell you Paloma loves chocolate? I noticed she performs a "chocolate dance" when we tell her she can have chocolate. It's a movement of the hips and manic bouncing.

Paloma is still a very proud big sister. Just this week, she's been telling a few strangers, "Esto es mi hermano, y se llama Mateo." ("This is my brother, and his name is Mateo.") It makes me gleam.

Her teacher told me our little perfectionist was frustrated that she couldn't write her name at first. Now she's thrilled of having accomplished her goal. Baby steps...

We helped celebrate Fernando's birthday this year by devouring some chocolate cake with his face dusted in cocoa. My proud creation ;-)

It's seems customary in local schools that there's a class mascot. In Paloma's class, it's Piu-Piu. And I have no idea what kind of creature it is. Each kid gets a turn to take it home for a weekend, then he or she (or more like the parents) have to write a short summary of activities that we did with said mascot. Here, Paloma has an American-style hamburger with Piu-Piu at Peggy Sue's.

Guess what the Reyes Magos brought! They decided to give her a balance bike first (no pedals), so she can learn balance first. The pedals can be attached later.

See ya soon!

Three Kings Parade

While in the States we don't celebrate Three Kings' Day, it is a very important holiday here in Spain. Remember the twelves days of Christmas? Well it officially ends on el Día de los Reyes, the Three Kings' Day, or the Feast of the Epiphany, on June 6. It's when the Three Wise Men followed the North Star to find Baby Jesus and presented him with gifts.

Here in Spain and Latin American countries, the Three Kings usually come to the city and separate neighborhoods for a parade and toss sweets to the kids around town (not just Paloma's school ;-)) They come the eve of the holiday on January 5 as a precursor to the big day when the kids open the presents from the Magi. What great guys. 

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We headed downstairs to our neighborhood parade where Paloma and Fernando have their bags ready to catch some tossed candy.

Here comes the cavalry.

King #1! Now this is either Balthasar or Melchior.

They roll in like rock stars.

King #2. Again, Balthasar or Melchior. There are no physical details that really distinguishes the two. I think people just guess?

And the most rock star King of them all....Gaspar! We all know this because he's the one from Africa.  In some cities where black kings aren't available, they paint their face black. I've seen it.

I don't know why these kids get to parade,but they got on the party bus and toss hard candy too. They must feel so cool.

After the whole parade passes, a clean up crew follows as the caboose and cleans up the confetti and candy as if nothing passed by. Then people go about their business again. Nice.

Look at all the cavity-forming hard candy she got! She didn't even care for them afterward.

Afterward, we stopped by the bakery to buy some bread and check out all the holiday baked goods on display.

Traditionally, families share a roscon de reyes, where there is a hidden treasure somewhere, like a little figurine of Baby Jesus. We decided that these are not the tastiest pastries, so....

...we made our own this year! I found a recipe that was a little less traditional, but I still put a prize inside. The chocoholics of the family (Fernando and Paloma, and maybe Mateo. We don't know yet.) also requested some chocolate cream, which I put on the side.

Thanks for visiting!

Warm Christmas in the South - Part II

Welcome to part two of our Christmas vacation at Ruiz Delgado Bed and Breakfast. Set on the edges of the city, that's what it feels like when we come down to Fernando's parents house. Space, tranquility, and the yummy Spanish food!

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Paloma loves having all the space to ride a tricycle in.

We also went to the Parque de Maria Luisa to feed the pigeons. Paloma casts a spell on the herd. "Begone, overpopulating city feeders!"

Away they went.

Fernando got to squeeze the kids at the park, and now he has a nice Facebook profile photo.

We made it downtown, where the narrow streets and white-lined buildings make for a nice shopping experience.

The fountain at the Puerta de Jerez.

Orange trees in the Plaza Nueva.

A historic site, the Plaza de Armas was an old train station built in the early 1900s. It's been renovated as a shopping center to preserve its beauty while taking advantage of commercialism.

The Moorish entryway of the building.

 It's been a few years since we've seen them, but Fernando's cousin Daniel and his family came down to pay us a visit.

The lovely Maria pushed Paloma around as she shrieked with laughter, "Eeeeeeeeee!!"

With Danielito, showing off how to wear a bow-tie. Dig it!

We were lucky to see some friends. Fernando has a tight knit group of buddies that live all over Spain but keep in touch daily.

Chicks of the UN. From left to right: Peru, Italy, Spain, Colombia, and two US. You know us Americans dominate ;-)

Break out the cava! It's 12:01am, January 1st, and a certain little someone decided stay up and toast with his abuelos.

Lately, Fernando and I have so few photos of us as a couple. Here's to the new year!

A few more holiday photos to share coming up. I know, I keep everyone hanging on the edge of your seat. ;-)

Warm Christmas in the South - Part I

Hello, friends and family! We are getting ready for a weekend forecasted with rain (Grrrr.....). It's been around the 40s and 50s here, while mornings are quite chilly during our walk to school. We wear about four layers every day. 

In the meantime, I'd like to share a few photos from our 10-day trip to Sevilla. All three Ruiz brothers made it this holiday season, being the first time in a few years. Luckily we were blessed with dry weather, so the kids were able to go outside almost every day. Phew!

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Pau, Katya, Fer, and Mateo family are just a few steps ahead on a clear winter day.

Pau and abuela enjoy the sunshine in the garden.

We got to see a lot of our friends, including our friends' one-year-old daughter, Violeta. Paloma loooves playing with this cutie pie, who she realizes is much more interactive than her brother.

Violeta's mom, Caitlin, has a small business going. She sells baked goods from an exotic country - the US of A! Gosh how I loved biting into some real New York cheesecake. I've never had it here!

The kids do an intense taste test on the brownies.

Los Ruiz bros about to chow down on Christmas Eve dinner. Fernando does his best red carpet pose.

 My mother-in-law with Juan Pablo moments before we dig in to our five-star dinner.

Good morning! It's Christmas Day, up bright and early for a family shot in front of the tree. 

Oh yeah, and opening presents of course. Guess Paloma made the "nice" list again this year ;-)

Rodrigo, a neighbor (and our infamous ring bearer for our wedding), came by for a visit.

Part deux coming up!

Mateo - The Fourth Month

I am soaking it up. Marinating in it, if you will. The little dude is now four months old and is delicious as can be. He is still pretty mild-mannered and gives us his best smile! I just love how he laughs at himself in the mirror. He's probably thinking, "Cute kid." I know I am!

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Paloma manages to slide into the pictures when I break out the camera.

Ooooh. Fascinating. The discovery of the hands. Lately he's been chewing on them as if they were a delicious appetizer. Teeth coming soon!

Paloma looks so big compared to little brother.

She checks to see if he's having as much fun as she is. Maybe not...

Still trying. He's just not quite big enough for the playground. Guess Paloma will have to wait.

We went to Fernando's parents' house for the holidays. They have a nice big bath where the two got to do some scrub-a-dub-dub together.

He got this cute little hat from our friends, Dani and Caitlin. Isn't it sweet?

With our friend Borja, he shared his first all out gut-busting laugh moments before.

Getting dressed. Do baby boys wear tights in the States? I'm thinking no. They are really help avoid the fumbling with socks. Work it, M!

Can you just smell the warm, sweet, milky breath?

Pictures of our trip down south coming up next. ;-)