Christmastime at School

Happy new year, loved ones! We've been a bit busy wrapping up the holiday season, as everyone else is I'm sure. Our tiny tree is still up! The good thing about living in Spain is that the holidays end on Three Kings Day, January 6. So we have an excuse not to put things away just yet. In the meantime, here are some pictures from the last week of school for Paloma.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

As tradition, all the little ones at school are asked to come dressed as pastorets and pastoretas, or little shepherds. Here P poses outside with a cutie classmate on this cold morning.

On the last day of term, parents were invited to see the kids read a poem and sing traditional vilancicos, or Christmas carols.

Check out this coordination.

One more for good measure.

Our neighbor who often watches Mateo put out their caga tió to pose with. (Again, the caga tió is a pooping log who poops presents after days of feeding him. I know, I can't wrap my head around this still.)

Did you know Spanish kids get gifts from Santa and the Three Kings? The kings are the main gift givers though. They were invited to appear at the school and throw out candy.

Waiting patiently. Paloma poses with her Filipino sista, Chantal, the only other Filipino in her class. I admit I have a liking towards this little girl. I feel like she's my niece. ;-)

A blurry pair anticipating the kings.

And here they are ready to toss the goods!

The crowd scavenges for candy as they hit the floor.

See ya real soon!

Volume Forty-One: Paloma

Hello everyone, and how are we all enjoying the season? Paloma's having so much fun learning the Catalan holiday songs and enjoying its local traditions at school. I'm learning a lot too. She sings songs all day at home, on the way to school, on the metro really loudly. I wish I could do that with no inhibitions!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Double fisted with yogurt drinks. A girl needs to grow, right?

Ever since I bought her big girl scissors with real blades,  Miss Scissorhands has been cutting everything in sight. Hide your school degrees and precious photos!

Of course I'm thrilled now that she can cut decently, we can add more to our crafting repertoire - like making these snowflakes. She wanted to make square ones of course. How creative ;-)

Ta-da! I baked a small gingerbread house for Paloma to decorate.

I didn't realize baking gingerbreads from scratch would take sooo long. But I was itching to decorate my own too! Next year, would a village be too ambitious?

Still BFFs. I like Mateo's "Help me please" look.

Still at it. If Mateo's napping during lunch, I can join Paloma in coloring or cutting. Snip, snip, snip...

Paloma's really settled in to school. When I drop her off at the gate, she looks for friends who she can run in and hold hands with to invade the classroom. I melt at their girly cuteness.

Who's excited to see the fat man in the big red suit? I swear the emotion was all there before she saw him. Oops, maybe we'll get a smile next year. Stop laughing!

We're starting a new tradition in the Ruiz Ancheta family. We're celebrating half-birthdays with a half-cake. (Okay, we just want cake.) Happy half birthday to my three and a half year old!

Up next....pictures of Christmas events at school. Don't miss this groundbreaking event!

Girls' Winter Day Out

While a lovely sick bug has been going around in our family, we've been mainly been indoors if we're not in school or at work.  As a foursome, we've been avoiding the cold and getting ourselves better with some rest and warm cookies. (Okay, it's not that cold.) Even little M is recovering from a stuffy nose and cough. *Sigh* for baby!

But I did promise Paloma that I would take her to see Mr. Claus at the Spanish department store, El Corte Ingles, while the dudes took care of themselves at home. We also decided to roam around downtown at Plaza Catalunya to have some chick time too.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

It was a  sunny, winter day in the pigeon-filled central square.

Plaza Catalunya is probably the most central landmark in the city. The large fountain adds a nice touch.

Paloma enjoys the tickly, cool mist behind her.

The cult of Mac is everywhere. Apple opened a new flagship store recently, and as expected, it's swarming with customers and lookie-loos.

For the first time, there's a covered skating rink in the center of the plaza.

Paloma was engrossed by the kids skating on ice. She said when she's bigger she can practice skating with a little trainer penguin like these kids.

My little clown! There was a stand with a small promotion of a local theater. I guess I'm gonna have to photoshop Mateo into the other cutout.

We're here at the jolly man's house! Our girly girl waits outside the gate.

 

We stepped outside for some more fresh air. Some decorative statues also sprinkle the square.

Birds, birds, and more birds. Also, a sculpture of a horse and a woman bearing an explorer ship reminds us of the lands that Spain conquered.

We're picking up our Santa photo today. See you real soon, lovelies!

Mateo - The Third Month

Before I start slipping on tiny toy cars or stepping on railroad tracks lying around the house, I am taking full advantage of loving this tiny baby who has very little interest in anything besides milk and funny faces. He is awesome! At three months, he shows us his gummy smiles and strong neck muscles. Total stud. 

Now, if I can figure out how to fit in blogging in a timely manner...

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Call him the cooing king. I often have talks with him while he responds in goo-goo's and ga-ga's. Our last conversation got a little heated. ;-)

Paloma still likes her brother. 

Actually, she loves him. Mama's overprotective hands make sure he doesn't slip.

Sometimes I can't believe I'm a mother of two. I love my babies!

 Taking center stage. Now if he could only figure out what's so funny all the time...

For now, he gets treated like one of Paloma's dolls. She checks if her Minnie bow, which fell off her backpack, suits him.

A possible bribery photo.

 Paloma says, "I'll be the mommy, and Mateo will be the daddy." So inncocent.

 His turn for a chuckle.

 Seriously, this is one cuddly baby. Thanks for visiting!

Volume Forty: Paloma

What is it with three-year-olds having their own independent mind? Now that we have a tiny baby to whom we dress as we like and smother with endless kisses without any protests, it's hard for me to accept that Paloma is not that somewhat agreeable baby anymore. She has her own group of school friends, own sense of style ("My favorite color is pink." Surprise.) and her own ideas ("Why don't we put the frames here?").

School-wise, she's adapted well to her school schedule and is really picking up the Catalan language. She knows loads of Catalan songs! Should we sign her up for Chinese classes too? :-P

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

"I can do it by myself" is a common sentence. But we don't mind giving her a hand every once in a while.

I often catch her role playing and pretending by herself at home. In any of her three languages!

 

Rain or shine, we walk to school. Twice a day! Since we have our neighbor to watch Mateo, I can squeeze in some alone time with my daughter.

"Mommy, do you need help?" Why, yes...always! Here she taste tests the chocolate chip cookie batter. It's good, as usual!

Saturday mornings are for lounging around. (But not usually for Mommy...)

I'm all for a little creativity. Like her 100% kid-chosen ensemble?

 Fall is here! Collecting leaves on the way home from school is no less than fun.

Our big girl. I know I'll look back at this and realize how little she really is right now.

Hugs to all!