We Heart Organic

A few weekends ago, we went to the BioCultura Fair, an annual fair of 600 exhibitors of products and services that foster a more responsible consumption respecting the environment and our health. More and more, we are slowly adding a few new things to our daily routines that add to a greener lifestyle. You know it can get expensive!

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There is a section called Mamaterra, which is an ecological festival for babies and tots.

With the help of her daddy, Paloma got to race a tricycle, so in the end they choose where to recycle a certain product. They're winning!

There were some nice gardens where kids can learn about horticulture and its benefits.

Paloma participated in making a frog with a fly, made from recycled milk cartons.

Some clothing made from organic cotton, of course.

Paloma loved the look of these natural instruments.

I'd love to have a few of these unique hanging stringed instruments to decorate our home with.

Paloma and papi pose with the cow, a symbol of fertility and nurturing.

Green, green, and more green.

Rustic-looking soaps au naturelle. There were two sides of the fair, the food side, and the non-food side. It was madness trying the samples!

Lots of places offer organic fruits and veggies sent to your home. We got to meet our vendors, who had the best prices in the city, I think.

Lots of yummy foods to sample.

We picked up a few products that we buy on a normal basis. 

Paloma took a rest by these suspicious rocks.

Organic paella and the local favorite, fideua.

Paloma shows off  her freebie, a cute little planter with soil and petunia seeds. We're ready to plant some more!

See you soon!

The Bump - Six Months

While my belly is growing slowly, I'm starting to feel the weight of the babe when I'm running errands around the city or chasing Miss Paloma around. Tiny Mr. Ruiz Ancheta is active and kicking, seeming to be hanging out on my left side for some reason. Soon he'll take up the whole belly. I'm ready for it! 

I really am enjoying this pregnancy...and temporary silence!

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Paloma can't wait for the little one to arrive. She kisses my belly often as if he was really outside.

Me in normal clothes, however, my tops are starting to look like crop tops. P.S. Stunning yarn and paper necklace provided by Paloma R. for Mother's Day ;-)

And lastly as we await our second one's arrival, Paloma's maternal instincts are super-sharp. Here she's giving milk to her baby. The innocence!

Spring Fair in Barcelona - Day 2

Day 2! We headed back to the Feria de Abril the following day to be joined by a classmate of Paloma's and our Italian friends, her two lovely parents. Paloma lent Viola her dress that she wore two years ago...wow was Viola excited to be sporting the ruffles!

Paloma wore her dress that she wore last year, which was custom-made by Fernando's aunt -- lucky girl. All I had to do was pull out a seam and, voila!, longer dress. There seems to be more hidden seams all over the place. I think I can still work with this dress for another year, or maybe two!
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Some ladies prepare to dance and sing outside the casetas.

 

Meanwhile, the girls check out how cute they look.

They had fun running around the fair holding hands. They wouldn't let go!

Another girl spotted wee ones like her all dressed up...but maybe Paloma wasn't too excited about the new trio.

We went into a caseta to have some lunch and enjoy some dancing. These older girls performed a little ditty for the crowds.

Those moving ruffles again.

How lucky is this guy in the middle. Oh yeah!

Paloma enjoyed the ambience and her accessories.

Viola flashes a sweet smile for the camera.

We went out again only to see the girls link hands again. I sense mischief...

There they go...

...and they're off again! See you soon!

Spring Fair in Barcelona - Day 1

Now becoming an annual tradition, the Feria de Abril de Catalunya is our go-to event when we can't make it down to Southern Spain. During the fair, there are casetas, where people eat, drink, and dance sevillanas, a folk flamenco-style dance from Seville.

This time, we went twice during this week-long event. On the first day, we joined Katya, Rafa, and Pau, who were also with some friends and a few relatives. 

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The colors, the ruffles, the pretty ladies...

 I started getting carried away and took pictures of some random women who looked great in motion.

Sevillanas has specific moves full of turns that make those ruffles fly.

 My sister-in-law told me this woman is a sevillanas dance instructor. It shows, no?

 Lovely smile.

 This woman shows passion. Those hands and that glance!

 Lourdes is Katya's friend, who nicely donned a modern print of the traditional polka dots.

 Rafa and Katya show off their moves too.

 This young gal seemed nervous at first, but she danced so sweetly.

Pau and Paloma couldn't keep their tiny hips still either.

Paloma in motion! She got this dress last year as a hand-me-down, and this year it fit her nicely.

Pau watched Paloma in all her twirling girliness.

More passion!

It was fun watching all the lovely ladies.

Round of applause. That was fun!

The Ruiz brothers and their happy kiddos.

Day 2 coming up!

Happy happy 34 months!

Hey, party people! 

Our girl is girlier than ever as you can see in the following pictures how much she loooves her skirts. I'm not stopping her since I remember how I'd had to pry a dress on this tiny little body not too long ago!

As she creeps towards the wonderful age of 3, all tantrums will stop and reasoning overtakes this tiny brain. I wish! 

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Her 9 hour a week playgroup is a lifesaver. For her and for me! She's really nurtured and has so much fun. I really feel it's a very unique and special place for lil' ones.

We try to avoid sugar since we've already been struck with cavities. But an occasional treat like this is necessary, like this baby-sized ice cream cone.

Now that it's springtime, we've decided to plant a miniature garden on our window sill. Paloma was proud to see her tiny carnations and petunias finally making its way through the dirt. I found my green thumb!

 We've had a few jumping sessions on the bed. Paloma models her summer 2012 swimsuit. Oh yeah, we've been hitting the swimming pool a few times a week.

 We went to the Parc El Clot again, which is surrounded by these lovely rustic arches.

It's hard to find a baby swing around town. They can go hiiiigher and hiiigher!

Honestly, we rarely buy clothes for Paloma because she is fortunate to have hand-me-downs and gifts. This whole outfit was all from other people minus the new hat she's modeling. What can I say, I'm a sucker for accessories ;-)

For Easter, Paloma received a mona, an Easter egg cake or chocolate sculpture, which, in Catalonia, the godfather typically gives to their godchild. Since we're not from here, it's not a big deal to us. But Paloma got one from her Tío Rafa, Tía Katya, and cousin Pau. She loves it!!

 More mona love. Excuse me, but I couldn't choose a picture. ;-)

She could totally pass them up before, but every time we pass by a park, she has to go to it. This makes things a bit complicated for us because they're everywhere!

The good thing is that she plays really well with new children and is especially drawn to older girls who can "lead" and can play together. We do meet the occasional playground bully, but I think this is good practice for the real world, no?

  These giant bubbles are magical for kids. She went crazy for them!

 As did three other small kids. There were a few bumps and falls but all in the name of fun!

Thanks for looking. Adiós, gente!