Shawn's first Pinewood Derby!

Yesterday Shawn participated in his first ever Pinewood Derby!  He had a great time making his car with the help of our neighbor Gary and Daddy!  The event was long, but fun.  We were at the school from 10am till 3pm.  Shawn's car was not the fastest, but it made it down the track, so we were happy!  Shawn seemed to really enjoy cheering on his friend Johnny who ended up being the overall champ of the day!  The girls were busy running around and playing with their friends, but also at times were enthralled in the race itself! 

Shawn's is the middle of the back row, green and yellow for the Packers!

Shawn's car is the far right, last place.  Didn't seem to bother him at all, he enjoyed having the slow car!

Shawn giving the ready to race signal.

Alyssa watching the races!

Shawn's car in the middle ready to start the race.

Alyssa and her buddy Dylan watching the races, having a great time!

The whole pack after the races!

Shawn showing off his car when we got home!



Haircut!!!

Shawn decided he wanted his hair cut.....


Before



During

More during

Look at all that hair, and there was more on the floor!

After!!!!



Potty training....

This is going to seem completely random, but I think that potty training Kelsey is going to be more challenging that it was with Alyssa and Shawn.  In the past week, she has gone on the potty at school, both pee and poop!  This is great, however it isn't happening at home.  Here she wets her pants, brings me the wet clothes and a new set as well, telling me that see has peed her pants.  Today, she peed and pooped her pants in the backyard, poop on the ground, all over her legs and pants...fun.  This is going to be a different kind of adventure here in Spain!!!

Zahara de la Sierra and Grazalema

Yesterday we went on our first day tour organized by the base, we went to two of the "pueblos blancos" or white villages.  Zahara is especially known for their olive oil mills.  The ride up on the bus was very pleasant and when we arrived a guide met us to take us around the town.  Then the bus returned to take us to the olive oil mill for a tour, dropped us off, only to discover it was the wrong mill.  After a 40 minute wait for the bus to return and then take us to the correct mill, the bus driver would not drive down the dirt road with a large pot hole.  By now it is time for the scheduled lunch, so our choice was walk up the dirt road to the mill or go eat...everyone choose lunch!  Lunch was really delicious and by the time it was over, it had started to rain.  We headed to Grazalema on the curvy mountain roads in the rain!  We did get out of the bus in Grazalema and popped into a few shops and then found a place to get the kids hot chocolate!  I want to go back and visit the olive oil mill and explore the towns a little more.
 


                                     

   

       


   

Kelsey and Owen!

Three friends, Raya, Alyssa and Tatum.

Family photo overlooking the man made lake.

Kelsey enjoying her hot chocolate!

A day of firsts for Shawn!

Today Shawn ran/walked his very first 5K!!!  He did a great job, although Brian and I had to remind him not to run so fast in the beginning, we will have to work on that!  We ran together and finished as a family, it was an enjoyable morning. 

After that, our neighbor Gary was kind enough to help Shawn make his first Pinewood Derby car.  Gary was very patient with Shawn, taught him how to do it and really let him do most of it himself.  He still has to paint and put the wheels on, but he is off to a good start!  Thanks Mr. Gary!

Celebrating Three Kings Day in Spain!

Three Kings Day in Spain is when they give and recieve presents to celebrate Jesus's birth.  On January 5th, many towns celebrate with lavish parades and then that night kids leave their shoes out for the Three Kings to deliver presents in!  We took part in some of the traditions by going into Rota for the parade!  The people riding on the floats pelt hard candies at the parade watchers!  And then even toys were being thrown out into the crowd!  Shawn caught a ball and was so excited!  The kids had a great time watching the floats, getting candy and dancing to the music as the parade went by!  The adults were entertained by a lady across the street from us who was wearing pajamas, with bathrobe and slippers!!!  She was hopping into the street in between the floats to pick up candy off the ground!

The next day, January 6th is Three Kings Day, the spanish schools don't have school as this is their day of celebration.  Shawn's teacher, Ms. Cuba, invited the parents to participate in a breakfast with the class.  She left them treats on their desks from the Three Kings!  A father of another student dressed up as a king and also handed out treats.  Another tradition is the king cake.  The king cake has two treasures in it, one a baby or king, which is supposed to bring good luck to the person who finds that in their piece of cake, and another a bean, which means that person will make or buy the king cake next year.  The kids enjoyed digging into their cake looking for the treasures!

The lady in the pink bathrobe and green slippers was quite entertaining!

Shawn's class at school with a king!

Shawn's teacher Ms. Cuba telling the kids about the king cake.

Two tired girls!!!

Last night the girls fell asleep on the sofa, not sure why there were so tired!  Kelsey fell asleep sitting up.  Love them when they are sleeping, so peaceful!