We're still alive and kickin'

Hi folks!

I know...we haven't posted anything in a month and a half, and I realize that some of you were worried if we had been gored by a Spanish Bull. Well, lay your worries to rest, we are all doing great!!

Truth be told, it was a combination of being really busy and then just very regular days with not much to tell. Nevertheless, routine days always hold a bit of charm when you have three kids running around. Here we are hanging out at home (Martha with a new haircut and the boys in their twin shirts giving her a little positive reinforcement!).

Francisco's vocabulary and ability to speak has suddenly exploded. He is talking up a storm and understands about 90% of everything. This makes it super fun to talk to him and to see him interact. He went on this two-week streak where he added "pol-falol" (that is: por favor or "please") to everything he said. The way this kid drinks water (at all hours of the day and night) puts a Saharan Camel to shame. Man, you'd think he was a plant! This makes potty training all the more intimidating (something Martha has been putting off since Jan 1st). But just to hear him construct sentences is so exciting, for example, this evening he said "Antonio sacame la cama pol fal-lol" (which is 'Antonio, peesh take my bed out') -he sleeps in a trundle.

We recently went to get our official Spanish ID cards (called NIE) and for that we needed some passport photos. Generally, we did a pretty good job at the "do-it-at-home" photo, save for Fran who is quite the clown!

A couple of weeks ago we had Fede's friends from the MBA come over for dinner. Marisa, who is from Peru, had her fiancee visiting and he made the most spectacular "lomo salteado" dish! And...well, we definitely think he's a keeper!!

Up top: Franco (from Mexico), Fede, Nadim and Marisa

Antonio has also really taken to drawing (finally!) -being the son of an artist, this is quite exciting for Martha. His ability to draw and color has improved enormously, as can be seen below.

 

And, as you may all know, Antonio turned 6 on the 23rd of February. We had a nice birthday dinner for him, but the real party will be this coming Saturday, March 3rd. So, stay tuned for that and for amazing pictures from Segovia (last weekend). Cheers to all!