Happy happy 28 months!

It seems we've made our official transition here into fall, and we're trying to sync ourselves with the cooler, wetter weather that's recently come in.

Paloma's making lots of full sentences in English, Spanish, and, um, Spanglish! In case you didn't know, school starts at age three here, and Paloma would have to pick up the regional Catalan language. Yes, a third language! Amazingly, I've seen lots of multilingual children do this successfully here, so it will be interesting to see all that language development happening in the future.

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Peas and pasta for lunch. Yes for the veggies!

While it was still warm, we took advantage and hit the beach. Paloma took a wave like a champ.

We took a few trips outside Barcelona her and there. The wonders you see traveling via train.

I sometimes have leftover rice that we take to our local park to feed the pigeons. She loves chucking it at these city flockers.

We also went to Montserrat with Pau and company (separate post, maybe). She just laughs at all the silly things he does.

Ah, have I told you how she likes to dress herself now? Is it a girl thing? I call this look "urban rose".

 At her playgroup, I'm told she really enjoys sitting down and creating art pieces.

Okay, I'll admit it...I'm thrilled about that. You cookie cut that playdough, girl!

Paloma enjoys an occasional treat. Churros - yum!

 She looks so munchkin-like here. Jumping is still so fun!

 And now, for a rare video appearance, a short clip for your listening and viewing pleasure. Paloma sings "Teddy Bear" and "Tomorrow" while eating ice cream. Hope you can tolerate a messy face!

Museu Blau

I first heard about Museu Blau from Paloma’s Kindermusik teacher, who told me it was a free place for kids to explore. Free? We’re there!

Museu Blau (or Blue Museum), is a cultural space dedicated to the natural sciences. Its goal is to reflect on the Earth, its, past, present and future inhabitants. The museum occupies 9,000 square meters inside El Forum, a triangular and very blue building.

Warning: long post!
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A giant whale skeleton hangs over the entrance to welcome visitors.

We immediately headed towards the "Nido de Ciencia" (Science Nest), an enclosed space where children can have a hands-on experience with nature. There’s no “don’t touch” here!

Paloma points to a crustacean fossil that her ancestors used to put in their caveman paella.

The neutral colors found in natural rocks are so soothing.

You can touch the fascinating animal skins, guess what animal it belongs to, and feel inspired add their print to your fall wardrobe.

Having spent decades of summers at the beach, Fernando gets all science teacher on Paloma while they explore the shells and conches. 

Horns and antlers. Gangster weapons during the caveman age.

Fernando imitates a baby Bullwinkle.

Pinecones! I feel like going on a nature hunt at our park now.

Paloma observes the hardness of the various specimens as she shakes the container, taking into account the pitch of the sound.

Kids can gather a sample of the seedlings and pods...

...and look at them magnified 100 times. (Her eyes aren't even on the lens, haha!)

Man eat bone. Man like meat.

Man get attacked by puppy.

Man work out to beat up puppy. Man strong.

Some boys made a small tower with the various tree stumps of different sizes.

Paloma shows off her own tower.

Don't leave yet. There's more! We headed toward the section called "Planet Life". There's California, my land. Hi, friends and family!

Here they had a zoological exhibition.

Grrr! It was impressive to see a taxidermied lion so close behind glass.

I think this was a crab found in Japan. It looks more like a staged prop from a bad horror film.

Not the cuddly creature I remember from Sea World.

There were hundreds and hundreds of animals.

This poor bat.

We learned a lot here. Thanks for looking!

Festes Gracia 2011

Where's the party at? Well, this is was in August, and it was clearly at the annual Festes de Gracia! As each neighborhood in Barcelona has week-long festivals throughout the year, I think this is the most popular one in the city.

Essentially, it's a party where 19 streets and plazas are highly decorated with a theme, and compete for "best decorated street" prize. Party-goers can partake in concerts, bouncy castles, kids' activities, traditional Catalan dances, and lots of eating and drinking of course! I think tourists (especially with kids) are very lucky if catch this exciting tradition of Catalan culture.

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It's common to see movie themes, like "The Jungle Book".

I'm not sure if there's a requirement for the decorations to be eco-friendly, but everything seems to be made with paper, plastic, or wood. These hanging flowers are plastic water bottles.

A banana tree.

From afar, we noticed some smoke and loud beating noises and realized we were running into a correfoc, or fire-run. Here they come...

This is common in Catalan festivals where revelers dress in devil costumes, light fireworks, and dance in a circle. This would be sooo illegal in the States!

Even kids participate in throwing sparks on spectators. It's impressionable and so much fun to watch as you try to avoid getting set on fire.

Ah, a huge stovetop espresso maker. I'm craving my caffeine buzz now.

Found my cup!

A Nespresso coffee pod curtain.

Beads are going out of fashion anyway. I see people make earrings and necklaces out of these things.

Why stop there with the coffee...an upside down coffee cup to light the streets.

I think this theme was colorful nature. Painted plastic bottles cut into spirals and flowers.

Color and geometrics.

I think my happiness level would increase if I ran into this everyday.

A nautical theme.

I suppose this is like being underwater.

A fishy!

Hey, mermaids! Exposed boobies too. Nice.

Licensed characters are always a theme. Bob Esponja Pantalones Cuadrados! This is when you realize English is a more economical language.

I never posted the pictures of the Gracia festival from last year, which I might do one of these rainy days. Thanks for dropping by!