Hard Rock Halloween

Being that Halloween isn't very popular in Spain, we had to search for a place to really celebrate this beloved American holiday. Who to go to? The American Society of Barcelona, of course. They had a "Lil Monster Mash" breakfast at the Hard Rock Cafe downtown. Scary folks and a pants-busting buffet breakfast? Count us in!

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A lovely hunchback greeted us at the door. Paloma had her suspicions.
Princess Leia wasted no time to chow down. Toast, scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, pancakes, croissants, and grease. Fernando picked up all of the above for us.

This wicked witch was everywhere scaring kiddies left and right.

Uh-oh. Paloma keeps her eye on the green terror coming our way. She was so scared she wanted out of her highchair to sit in my lap while the kid behind us cried. Here come the nightmares!

Fernando wanted to hit the books after breakfast. Sheesh - it's party time!

The hunchback, witch and a count put on an entertaining show.

In the audience, Paloma stayed close to her papa.

Another not-so-friendly-looking mask to appear in nightmares.

Leia and I observed a moment of silence at the skeleton's grave.

Nerd and Princess L also paid their compliments to the chef for a killer breakfast.

I don't really know what this employee was dressed up as. I just know she had on a great 'fro to overshadow my Frida hair flowers.One more family pic to put in the heirloom album.

May the force be with you!

Happy Sixteen Months

Life has somehow caught up with me as I'm trying to shuffle around my daily and weekly responsibilities. Now that I have a part-time job teaching, I've recently learned how to create routines around my household chores while still trying to chase around our little munchkin. I'm slowly beginning to feel more order in the house, and it's great. As I'm getting it all together, maybe one of these winter-y days, I'll feel like posting some pictures of the past few months that I've been somewhat absent. But in the meantime, enjoy these photos of Paloma this past month.

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Organization means decluttering, including putting away Paloma's old baby toys and gadgets. Fernando tried to see how Paloma fit in her old baby bouncer...she wouldn't have it.

This is more like it. Talking to a buddy while sitting in her toddler-sized chair.

Paloma often sees me drying up random wet spots off the floor. Ooh, I could have a little helper soon.

Our domestic goddess. I took a few attachments off the Swiffer to make a shorter handle. Voila, a kid-sized Swiffer. Oops, missed a spot!

As she is more explorative, she's become a sucker for miniature adult things, like this little lawnmower. Or..maybe I'm talking about myself. The end is nigh. Spain just passed a law to ban smoking in bars, restaurants, including children's playgrounds and outdoor areas of schools and hospitals. I thought this day would never come, seriously. January 2!

We gave up a long time ago on having Fernando put Paloma to sleep because it was nearly impossible. But since I've been working and out of the house, she sometimes wipes out on his chest. Fernando felt like his magic touch has come back. :-)

Stormtroopers came to downtown BCN.
We also took a short flight to Sevilla to visit Paloma's abuelos. We're here!

Paloma searched for abuelo around the airport. Hey kid, get back here!It was beautiful weather in Seville. With an unexpected heat as well.

Ah. Paloma doing her famed "stinky" face.

A neighbor happily lent Paloma a toy stroller and Baby Maria.

Eh, eh,...Luna, keep the paws off Maria!Fernando with cousin Felix and Miss Stinky Face.

See you soon!

Happy Fifteen Months

You can't stop her. Paloma is now fifteen months and walking at a very fast pace. It's great that she undoes everything that I do in the house. Not! All in all, it's getting more exciting and challenging in new ways. But we're up for it. Let the fun begin!

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Taking her first steps on our street.Eating is a pleasure.
The water, oh glorious water.
Imitation has really taken off. Here she puts some sunscreen on her papa's back.Realizing these frames don't fit her toddler face.We're going to start taking some music and movement classes next week. Disco is on her agenda.
Cousin Pau sneaks his hand in her snack holder. Sly!Hugs rule!

She's not difficult, just misunderstood.

Talk soon, people!

Garraf

It's been raining the past few days here in Barcelona, which means that summer may just be ending for good. Noooo! Before these pictures look really old, I want to share some photos from what it feels like "way back when". In reality, this was a month ago just as we got back from the States. We decided to try a new beach, which is just outside of Barcelona.

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Garraf is described as a peaceful beach compared to the noisy, tourist-filled beaches in Barcelona.

Hey, I thought no one knew about this beach. I was wrong...in the summer, beach-goers are everywhere in Spain!

Art deco houses line the boardwalk.

The mountains behind the beach make a great backdrop.

Fernando let Paloma have a dip in the warm sea.

Tasting the water. Salty!
A kid watches his big brother throw water in the air.Water play never does gets old.We shared a yummy ice cream to cool off.

Paloma checks to see if I'm staying on my side of the ice cream stick.It was fun!