Merry Christmas!!!

Hello everyone!

So here we are, Christmas Eve and the excitement can definitely felt. The kids had dinner and are watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (remember, that version from the 1970s?) and just waiting to go to bed. The adults will dine once they go to sleep, with a little peace, quiet and plenty of wine :). For the first time ever, we are having fish for Christmas (this is typical in Spain). Much has happend since our last post, mainly involving our School Christmas celebrations and the preparations for our special visitors!!

On Wednesday we welcomed our family from London: Fede's sister, Valentina, her husband, Miguel, and their two kids Tomas and Eva (4, 2 respectively). As one can imagine, our kids were thrilled to have new playmates, especially their cousins who they hadn't seen in 3 years!

But before they arrived, first we began the Christmas decorations. Perhaps the most original of these being our Paper Fireplace, one accessory that was absolutely essential for a smooth arrival by Santa (this was particularly important for cousin Tomas who is eagerly awaiting Father Christmas). Our kids pretty much know where the presents come from, but we're asking them to play along and they're enjoying it more this way.

As can be seen to the right, here is our new Fireplace! Made purely of paper, complete with colored paper stockings with the kids' names! (Hopefully the fireplace will stay for the remainder of our time in Spain...it looks very nice!!). We might even get some marshmallows to roast :)))

We went to Ikea to get a few more matresses and stuff for our visitors and the kids had a blast playing with their white train in the living room for several days. Below is our little Shepherdess Alejandra ready to participate in her school's play of the First Christmas. Her acting was wonderful, as can be imagined.

 

Below are pictures from the NaviBus ride, the kids at home, Antonio's Christmas Play (their class narrated the play). We also found a mural of Maya the Bee in the Metro and the kids went wild, so we took a picture.

The King Francisco upon his trusty Steed Antonio!

They arrived with silly glasses and the kids have been wearing them ever since. All of them are practically the same age and so they all partake in the same games, as you can see below.

We've gone on several outings with them, including the "Navi bus" (the Christmas Bus) that takes one through the lighted streets of Madrid at night to see all of the decorations. We also went to a delicious Brasilian Restaurant and then today we had a picnic/park outing at Retiro Park. The weather has rather suddenly turned mild and sunny (50-60 degrees?) and this has made for perfect weather! (A much milder Christmas than I anticipated).

We've done a lot of walking through the streets and just hanging out with all the kids.

Here are the three boys, having a grand ol' time at the Estanque at Retiro Park this afternoon.

Ok it's almost time to put the five kids to bed, but before that we need to go sprinkle Reindeer Dust outside, set the cookies and milk for Santa and read the story "The Night Before Christmas". To those who have sent us Christmas cards (photos) thank you SO much!! We were delighted to receive them in the mail!! We want to end by wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas from us!!!!



Cheers from Madrid!
-The Martinez Family