Feelin' Hot Hot Hot

With hot weather here for awhile, we've been hitting the sands any chance we can get. We spent both Saturday and Sunday at the beaches of Poblenou. We usually take the bus as closest as we can get to the sea, then walk over. But this time we took a left turn somewhere and found ourselves sitting in front of a hot pan of paella. How did that happen?

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Paloma gets squeezed like Charmin before engorging ourselves.

Dude! Spanish skateboarders cruising the boardwalk. A precursor to our California trip. Awesome!

The waiter created a makeshift highchair by stacking two chairs on top of each other and adding some pillows. Voila! Eatin' like a big person.

What better way to add to the ambiance than getting serenaded to?

Entranced by the Spanish guitar.
Oh yeah....see that bit of paella just dripping off that spoon? Gimme the carbs!Paloma celebrates her heritage with a first bite of this ricey goodness. First paella!

I regret leaving those 26 grains left to be thrown in the trash.

Oh, these guys again...

Glued.

Superglued.Dessert to finish it off local style. Crema Catalana.

Fernando parked his tired self in our half-tent while Paloma got down and dirty in the sand.

"Cerveza, Coca-Cola, beer...Cerveza, Coca-Cola, beer...". These guys hide cold beverages in the rocks and walk around yelling out their goods, trying to make a euro or two.

Fer took Paloma for a dip in the sea.
The father-daughter dunk.

We found a mini-library at the beach. It's a little room in the sands where you can check out magazines, comics, newspapers, and novels from a wide selection. Genius!

Our little one is getting some practice walking in the sand.

I love this tiny thang.

It's common here for little girls to just wear bikini bottoms only. Paloma has a ton as gifts. We love them all! Oh, and look -- no hands!
Sweet P was pooped. We made it just in time for the futbol match. Viva España!

Summer with the Abuelos

Fernando's parents were in Barcelona visiting for a few days, so we were able to catch up with them. They've come in just as the weather has really gotten warm. Here are a few family shots to remember as the kids have just turned one.

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Someone must have told Paloma some outrageous news.

We don't have the luxury of having grandparents living nearby to take care of Sweet P, but these last few days, we took advantage of the few hours that we could get away. Thanks, Juana and Rafa!
Juana joined us backstage to congratulate Paloma on her gold medal.

Abuela also played with her granddaughter in her room.

Move over, Brangelina. Here comes Pauloma!

Paloma signs her age. Brilliant!

Fam shot.
The other fam shot.

The other fam with our one-third.

Abuelo with his grandkids.

Paloma with her abuelos.

Last combo: the one-year-olds with their abuelos.

Thanks for looking!

One for Pau

We helped celebrate Pau's birthday this weekend. Pau is Paloma's first cousin, who was born just nine days after her on June 29. The celebration was held in Colonia Güell in Santa Coloma de Cervelló.

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He's arrived! Blanca greets the guest of honor and his mama.

Giving high fives for turning one.

Pau and his grandma.

Us with the boy wonder.

Juana gives Paloma a lift to play with the decor.

Possible topic of conversation? Spain's World Cup match that evening against Paraguay.

Cousin Jorge is great at entertaining the babies (and also color-coordinating his clothes with theirs).

It's a matter of a few weeks, if not days, before this kid walks!

Fernando couldn't resist giving Pau a Spiderman cap.

Everybody say, "Cheese!" or here in Spain, "Patata"!

Gather 'round, y'all!

Pau sits patiently before he attacks his chocolate birthday cake.

One last shot of the lil cousins.

Here's to another year of greatness!

Gold Medal in Swimming

We got up early on Saturday to go to Paloma's swimming exhibition that ends the swimming course, which runs from October to June. All the kids from the different classes joined together to show their guests what they have achieved during the school year. Luckily, Paloma's grandparents, Rafa and Juana, were in town to see the swimming show.

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In the pool ready to go.

Showing her best Olympic smile.

Fernando hogged all the balloons for Paloma. What a dad.

Our gold medalist - Paloma Ruiz Ancheta. The first time a medal has been awarded to two countries, Spain and the USA. Speech, speech!

Her swim teacher, Rosana, who we're hoping will be her teacher come October when swim class starts again. Sweet P was exhausted from all the laps and diving. Phew!

Fortunately, Rafa brought his video camera to tape all the real action not shown in these photos. Maybe I'll be able to make a "part two" of this post to capture the titillating still shots. Proud mama, I am!

Summer vacation! Woohoo!