As is becoming the norm nowadays, there is so much to say that I don't know where to begin. Summer has been a whirl. Rather than my usual 20-hour work weeks, I was putting in an extra day all through the summer in an attempt to do my part to help make up for losses from the fair fiasco. This past week has been my only "vacation". But this year's vacation just means that I haven't been working at the academy... Tuesday and the better part of Wednesday morning we were in Granada scouring the piso in the un-airconditioned heat. It has been nice, however, to just be at home; and of course it felt good to get some headway made on making our place in Granada a little more home-like.
The really wonderful thing about this summer has been that although I've been working more hours per week, it was only in the mornings nine to two. My schedule has been getting up around 6:30 to walk the dog and eat and shower in a leisurely manner before heading to work, get home for lunch at 2:30, have quiet time with Emily from about 3:15-4:00, and then spend three hours at the city pool until closing time at 7pm. Then it's home to walk Norte, bathe Emily, have dinner and put her down to be around 10. Usually have and hour or so to myself before I must hit the hay myself. Not a bad schedule, right?
I know that I am going to miss my five-hour days at this new job. Working from 8:30-4:30 will be a big transition for all of us, so I have been savouring these lazy days by the pool. I've got four books in this summer! That's a record! It has been over a year that I haven't read something that was directly related to my studies or childrearing. (kind of the same thing, really) In just two months of shady afternoons between splashing in the pool, however, I've managed to fit in three novels and a book on psychology. Not too shabby. ;)
The pool has also been really great for Emily. For some reason she often says she doesn't want to go when I suggest going after it becomes clear during quiet time that she isn't actually going to take a nap; but once we get there she always has a blast.
As you can imagine in a place like Southern Spain, the pool is THE social hub in summer. The whole town is there. Everyone brings their iceboxes and chairs and sits around socializing in the shade of the big, leafy trees that dot the lawn around the pool. It's such a big area that even with lots of people it never feels very crowded.
We bought month passes and so have gone nearly every day. With such frequent visits, we've made friends with different groups of people we don't often coincide with. Emily, being the social butterfly that she is, loves flitting from group to group chattering away about this or that, dancing for them, or mooching candy and other junk food I refuse to buy her. The attention from other adults and the interaction with children of all ages has been great for her.
As you know Emily's never even been to pre-school and so has very limited experience relating with her peers. She always tends to get along better with (or at least to charm) adults, but these two months at the pool have helped her Spanish improve, which I think was a main impediment to relating with children her age. Today she was happily sharing a squirty water toy with another little boy and they were both industriously watering (drowning) a little plant growing in the cracks of the pavement near the pool. It warms my heart to see her enjoying these rewarding social interactions. And I hope that these experiences have paved the way for her to be a little more open about going to school.
School begins for me on Monday (!). I am not actually overly nervous...at least not at this moment. Perhaps on my early morning drive into Granada I'll have a nervous break-down. ;) This week, since Emily won't be going to school until the 11th, I am commuting. The elementary students begin on the 6th and so Thursday I'll have real, live students in my classroom--how exciting!
This past Tuesday when we were in Granada cleaning, I met with some more of the staff at the school to discuss the school year. It is all very exciting. I am unsure how or when I'll have time to study for my final exams, which are in October. But I do suppose that having some access to REAL materials will be helpful.
Things will definitly be accelerating for us in these coming weeks, but I do hope I can squeeze in some blog updates.
Until next time!
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Slightly Disasterous...
Slightly disasterous is how I would qualify our debute in the new home in Granada. Never fear, I would like to emphasise slightly rather than disasterous, all the same it was a rough welcoming.
Our home-hunting at the end of July was rushed and frenetic. We had two different appartments (our budget doesn't allow for house rental) rented out from under us! When we lost the second one, we were desperate because it seemed as though everything was being taken up and if we waited any longer there just wouldn't be anything available come September. Thankfully, the real estate agency that had shown us a few places had a flat open up that met our needs the very same day we were given the negative on that second apartment. Sight unseen (if you don't count photos), we agreed to rent it and paid the 400 euro reservation fee.
Tuesday we drove to Granada to sign the contract and get the keys. We had originally wanted to wait until September, but the owner of this particular place said we had to sign by August 15th at the latest or look for somewhere else to rent because he didn't want to have the place empty a whole month especially with the high demand for swimming pools (it has a pool) during these hot summer days.
We grudgingly agreed...and so now we're paying half a month's rent without much chance to even be in the place. It's not, however, all bad news. I asked to take vacation the last week of August since I was anticipating this move and now, there won't be any need to ask favors of the landlord to let us in a few days early in order to get settled before my work begins September 3rd.
Anyway, as I said, we drove to Granada after "quiet time" Tuesday to sign the papers, taking advantage of the fact that Wednesday was a national holiday (no work for me) and therefore planning to stay the night. Our seven o'clock appointment to sign the papers ended up lasting over an hour! Then we hurriedly followed the owner to the apartment, where he gave us a quick tour, after which point we dashed off to the school to meet the director and her girls (one of whom will be in Emily's group) and also actually see the school.
I had originally arranged to meet the director and her family at the school around eight o'clock...but it was about quarter to nine by the time we got there (!). Thank goodness this is Spain! They very graciously had waited for us and then proceeded to give us a tour of the school--no rush.
Norte, meanwhile had been a mess at the real estate agent's (we couldn't leave him in the car with the temperatures above 90º), and I am quite certain he caused a very bad impression on our landlord, who was iffy about the dog in the first place. The last thing the man said to us before driving away was to be careful with the dog and the furniture. :( Being the persnickety dog that he is, he also hadn't gone to the bathroom at all since around 5:30 when we loaded him in the car. He will ONLY go in the empty lot next to our house. Only very recently has he begun doing his business just over the RR tracks when we take him out on his walks, but even then, he has a specific place (now covered in dog turds) and he refuses to go anywhere else!
We let him run a bit around the school grounds, but Angelines wasn't comfortable with that because she was worried he'd break some of the things they had out for the children to play with. She ended up taking him for a walk while Emily and I were given a tour of the classrooms, etc.
At the school, things calmed down a bit. Emily and the director's daughters warmed up to each other and began playing. They fed the rabbits kept in the playground (a BIG hit with Emily!) and watered the flower pots. Emily kicked off her shoes, seeming quite comfortable and just enjoyed exploring about. I was especially pleased by all that because several times now she has unexpectedly broken into tears at bedtime crying that she doesn't want to "go to school". Seeing the building and meeting some friends I think will help a lot toward changing her mind, although I'm sure there will still be many tearful nights (and mornings/days) when the day actually comes.
It was exciting to see where I'll be working. It was also, honestly, a bit daunting to think about because suddenly it was all so real: thrilling and scary all at once. I am really looking forward to beginning and I think that it will be perfect for me that my actual job description is as a teaching assistant. I'm looking at this as a very well-paid apprenticeship. :) I cannot wait to start!
Finally, around ten, we climbed back in the car to head "home". In our hurry to leave the house I had been quickly throwing food and dishes into the car, but despite planning to make omelettes for dinner, I realized only once we'd got everything unpacked, that the frying pan had been left behind! Luckily, I had thought to throw in some leftover rice and so Emily ate that, but neither Angelines or I even felt very hungry. With the stress of the evening, we'd both completely lost our appetites. We snacked on some chips I'd quickly bought at a corner store, chinese-firedrill-style, as we idled at a red light when Angelines had suddenly decided she needed ice to put on a nasty bee sting she'd got earlier that afternoon before leaving the house--her whole wrist was getting quite swollen.
And just to top things off, Norte STILL hadn't gone to the bathroom. For fear of him barking and/or doing his business on the small balcony, we opted to leave him in his kennel overnight. He whined and yipped some, but quieted down after not too long. I was woken up around 2 am by his crying and took him out for half an hour...to no avail. Then again at 6 am...same story. Only when Angelines left him out on the little balcony at around 7am did he finally let loose. ...I only hope this doesn't become a habbit. We cannot have him peeing and pooping out on the terrace!
Wednesday morning after breakfast, we all took a hike in the natural park area at the top of town (about 3 min. drive). It's a lovely pine-covered area with wonderful views of the entire vega granadina and the capital city of Granada. The town we're living in is just at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the whole town is therefore built on an incline. It really is a beautiful area...I wish we could have found a piso a bit closer to that natural park. In any case, it's fun to think of getting to really explore and know the area. And the vegitation is a welcome change from the monotonous beauty of the olive groves in La Roda.
After our walk, we did a bit of shopping for the piso (bathmat, stool for Emily, silverware, etc.) and then decided it was best to just head back to La Roda for lunch. Emily and I took a very quick dip in the pool, which is nice, and then we packed our things and wearily headed home.
I had originally thought we'd spend the day in Granada...but the apartment doesn't have AC and Angelines had had it up to here with just about everything. Staying there certainly would have been a terrible way to spend the holiday. Coming back was a wise decision--there's no place like home.
...I just hope we can make that little place in Granada feel like home away from home in not too much time.
Our home-hunting at the end of July was rushed and frenetic. We had two different appartments (our budget doesn't allow for house rental) rented out from under us! When we lost the second one, we were desperate because it seemed as though everything was being taken up and if we waited any longer there just wouldn't be anything available come September. Thankfully, the real estate agency that had shown us a few places had a flat open up that met our needs the very same day we were given the negative on that second apartment. Sight unseen (if you don't count photos), we agreed to rent it and paid the 400 euro reservation fee.
Tuesday we drove to Granada to sign the contract and get the keys. We had originally wanted to wait until September, but the owner of this particular place said we had to sign by August 15th at the latest or look for somewhere else to rent because he didn't want to have the place empty a whole month especially with the high demand for swimming pools (it has a pool) during these hot summer days.
We grudgingly agreed...and so now we're paying half a month's rent without much chance to even be in the place. It's not, however, all bad news. I asked to take vacation the last week of August since I was anticipating this move and now, there won't be any need to ask favors of the landlord to let us in a few days early in order to get settled before my work begins September 3rd.
Anyway, as I said, we drove to Granada after "quiet time" Tuesday to sign the papers, taking advantage of the fact that Wednesday was a national holiday (no work for me) and therefore planning to stay the night. Our seven o'clock appointment to sign the papers ended up lasting over an hour! Then we hurriedly followed the owner to the apartment, where he gave us a quick tour, after which point we dashed off to the school to meet the director and her girls (one of whom will be in Emily's group) and also actually see the school.
I had originally arranged to meet the director and her family at the school around eight o'clock...but it was about quarter to nine by the time we got there (!). Thank goodness this is Spain! They very graciously had waited for us and then proceeded to give us a tour of the school--no rush.
Norte, meanwhile had been a mess at the real estate agent's (we couldn't leave him in the car with the temperatures above 90º), and I am quite certain he caused a very bad impression on our landlord, who was iffy about the dog in the first place. The last thing the man said to us before driving away was to be careful with the dog and the furniture. :( Being the persnickety dog that he is, he also hadn't gone to the bathroom at all since around 5:30 when we loaded him in the car. He will ONLY go in the empty lot next to our house. Only very recently has he begun doing his business just over the RR tracks when we take him out on his walks, but even then, he has a specific place (now covered in dog turds) and he refuses to go anywhere else!
We let him run a bit around the school grounds, but Angelines wasn't comfortable with that because she was worried he'd break some of the things they had out for the children to play with. She ended up taking him for a walk while Emily and I were given a tour of the classrooms, etc.
At the school, things calmed down a bit. Emily and the director's daughters warmed up to each other and began playing. They fed the rabbits kept in the playground (a BIG hit with Emily!) and watered the flower pots. Emily kicked off her shoes, seeming quite comfortable and just enjoyed exploring about. I was especially pleased by all that because several times now she has unexpectedly broken into tears at bedtime crying that she doesn't want to "go to school". Seeing the building and meeting some friends I think will help a lot toward changing her mind, although I'm sure there will still be many tearful nights (and mornings/days) when the day actually comes.
It was exciting to see where I'll be working. It was also, honestly, a bit daunting to think about because suddenly it was all so real: thrilling and scary all at once. I am really looking forward to beginning and I think that it will be perfect for me that my actual job description is as a teaching assistant. I'm looking at this as a very well-paid apprenticeship. :) I cannot wait to start!
Finally, around ten, we climbed back in the car to head "home". In our hurry to leave the house I had been quickly throwing food and dishes into the car, but despite planning to make omelettes for dinner, I realized only once we'd got everything unpacked, that the frying pan had been left behind! Luckily, I had thought to throw in some leftover rice and so Emily ate that, but neither Angelines or I even felt very hungry. With the stress of the evening, we'd both completely lost our appetites. We snacked on some chips I'd quickly bought at a corner store, chinese-firedrill-style, as we idled at a red light when Angelines had suddenly decided she needed ice to put on a nasty bee sting she'd got earlier that afternoon before leaving the house--her whole wrist was getting quite swollen.
 |
| My little hikers :) |
And just to top things off, Norte STILL hadn't gone to the bathroom. For fear of him barking and/or doing his business on the small balcony, we opted to leave him in his kennel overnight. He whined and yipped some, but quieted down after not too long. I was woken up around 2 am by his crying and took him out for half an hour...to no avail. Then again at 6 am...same story. Only when Angelines left him out on the little balcony at around 7am did he finally let loose. ...I only hope this doesn't become a habbit. We cannot have him peeing and pooping out on the terrace!
Wednesday morning after breakfast, we all took a hike in the natural park area at the top of town (about 3 min. drive). It's a lovely pine-covered area with wonderful views of the entire vega granadina and the capital city of Granada. The town we're living in is just at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the whole town is therefore built on an incline. It really is a beautiful area...I wish we could have found a piso a bit closer to that natural park. In any case, it's fun to think of getting to really explore and know the area. And the vegitation is a welcome change from the monotonous beauty of the olive groves in La Roda.
After our walk, we did a bit of shopping for the piso (bathmat, stool for Emily, silverware, etc.) and then decided it was best to just head back to La Roda for lunch. Emily and I took a very quick dip in the pool, which is nice, and then we packed our things and wearily headed home.
I had originally thought we'd spend the day in Granada...but the apartment doesn't have AC and Angelines had had it up to here with just about everything. Staying there certainly would have been a terrible way to spend the holiday. Coming back was a wise decision--there's no place like home.
...I just hope we can make that little place in Granada feel like home away from home in not too much time.
Saturday, July 21, 2018
A few more Emily-isms
I finally skyped with my mom for the first time in about 2.5 weeks Thursday evening and after we jointly got Emily to bed (Ga read her a bedtime story), I called her back for some quality mother-daughter conversation. Emily may be small, but she really does have a magnetic personality and also a demanding presence. When she is awake, Ga is all hers and I can't get a word in edgewise! Of course, even without her in the room, our conversation gravitated toward the subject of Emily. As I was retelling all the anecdotes, my mother asked if I had written them down... I decided that to write them down, I may as well share them with all of you. ;)
Enjoy!
I didn't immediately see the relationship with the book, but sure enough upon a closer look at the picture of Jane Goodall--hair pulled back in a grey bun, smiling face and decidedly "hippy" looking clothes--I realized that Emily was confusing her for my second mom!
I was impressed by my daughter's memory: we haven't seen Laura (not even on Skype) for at least six months, and unfortunately we don't have very frequent contact, at least not via video conference. Very funny, indeed and I am sure that Grandma Laura will be pleased by the comparison.
Enjoy!
***
Today arranging to pick up abuelita and go clean up at the bar I hung up saying, "hasta ahora". Suddenly Emily asked, "Mommy, what's astora?" I told her in meant "see you in a minute" or "see you later" and after a slight pause she piped up with, "Astora, Crocodile!"
***
The other day at quiet time we were reading books and she asked me to read her Slowly, Slowly, Slowly, Said the Sloth by Eric Carle. This particular edition has a forward by Jane Goodall, who apparently also loved sloths. There is a picture of Ms. Goodall and Mr. Carle heading the forward. As I was about to turn the page to begin the story, Emily suddenly asked me, "Why Grandma Laura is in this book?" (She never inverts the subject and verb when making questions) I hesitated for a moment because I didn't know what she was talking about. Grandma Laura is my childhood best friend's mother...I didn't immediately see the relationship with the book, but sure enough upon a closer look at the picture of Jane Goodall--hair pulled back in a grey bun, smiling face and decidedly "hippy" looking clothes--I realized that Emily was confusing her for my second mom!
I was impressed by my daughter's memory: we haven't seen Laura (not even on Skype) for at least six months, and unfortunately we don't have very frequent contact, at least not via video conference. Very funny, indeed and I am sure that Grandma Laura will be pleased by the comparison.
***
Lately she is curious about weddings. This all hppened because, as you know, our anniversary is the 4th of July and I explained that to her. She was very interested and a few weeks later asked me some of the same questions again (what do you do in a wedding? why do you give each other rings?) as if to double check that I'd give the same answers. When she seemed satisfied with my answers she began to tell me about her wedding, when she "married herself" :)
On another ocasion she explained that in her wedding she married her friend Defnonna (an invisible friend who coincidentally lives in Visible--her imaginary land). I have no idea where the name Defnonna came from... Mommy, when Defnonna and me got married, we gived each other rings and ballet dresses and crowns and... (the list went on). Cool wedding, Emily!
Monday, July 16, 2018
The Times They Are A Changin'
June went by in a whirlwind, but I have been purposely avoiding the blogosphere. Although I am fairly certain that my only readers are you dear friends and family...you never can be sure.
As I'm sure you remember, I am finishing my studies to become a certified Montessori Guide for 3-6 year-olds. The degree actually ends in October, but looking to the future, I decided I should begin sending out my CV this spring just to see what happened. October is too late to begin looking for a job for the 2018/19 school year. I was also worried that if there was too much of a lapse between finishing my studies and getting into the classroom, I would become far less marketable, especially considering that my degree has been 100% online and much of what we're learning is very hands-on.
In April and May I began seriously searching. I won't go into details here since it is a public forum, but let it be said that it's been a reaffirming experience. I was even offered the chance to do two weeks student-teaching at the beginning of June after interviewing at a school and jumped at the opportunity. For two weeks I was commuting to Córdoba every morning and working afternoons at the academy. It was so illuminating and also humbling to be in the classroom and OBSERVE the guides/children in action. It was a wonderful experience.
Now that a contract has been signed, I feel confident announcing that in September I will begin teaching at a school in Granada! Emily will be able to attend school free. I am so happy and proud that I can give her something different from what is otherwise offered. And, of course, the location is just icing on the cake! It's actually a small town on the outskirts of Granada capital--even better in my mind.
I have rediscovered my love of Simon and Garfunkel this past week, and with such big changes on the horizon what better title for this post?? The times cetainly are a changin'! We have to find somewhere to live in Granada and figure out what to do with our house here in La Roda (right now we're hoping to rent it). At least this first year, we'll be living between Granada and La Roda since we won't be selling or renting the bar. Angelines only opens Thurs-Sun so we'll be back on the weekends, which I think will be nice for my in-laws and for Emily because she dearly loves her abuelita and her tita.
This month and until September I don't have anymore classes for my Montessori studies (summer vacation), but now I am very motivated to keep up with it all and revise what we've been studying. All that is to say that in theory, I have more time...but you know how life is! Something always comes up. :)
As I'm sure you remember, I am finishing my studies to become a certified Montessori Guide for 3-6 year-olds. The degree actually ends in October, but looking to the future, I decided I should begin sending out my CV this spring just to see what happened. October is too late to begin looking for a job for the 2018/19 school year. I was also worried that if there was too much of a lapse between finishing my studies and getting into the classroom, I would become far less marketable, especially considering that my degree has been 100% online and much of what we're learning is very hands-on.
In April and May I began seriously searching. I won't go into details here since it is a public forum, but let it be said that it's been a reaffirming experience. I was even offered the chance to do two weeks student-teaching at the beginning of June after interviewing at a school and jumped at the opportunity. For two weeks I was commuting to Córdoba every morning and working afternoons at the academy. It was so illuminating and also humbling to be in the classroom and OBSERVE the guides/children in action. It was a wonderful experience.
Now that a contract has been signed, I feel confident announcing that in September I will begin teaching at a school in Granada! Emily will be able to attend school free. I am so happy and proud that I can give her something different from what is otherwise offered. And, of course, the location is just icing on the cake! It's actually a small town on the outskirts of Granada capital--even better in my mind.
I have rediscovered my love of Simon and Garfunkel this past week, and with such big changes on the horizon what better title for this post?? The times cetainly are a changin'! We have to find somewhere to live in Granada and figure out what to do with our house here in La Roda (right now we're hoping to rent it). At least this first year, we'll be living between Granada and La Roda since we won't be selling or renting the bar. Angelines only opens Thurs-Sun so we'll be back on the weekends, which I think will be nice for my in-laws and for Emily because she dearly loves her abuelita and her tita.
This month and until September I don't have anymore classes for my Montessori studies (summer vacation), but now I am very motivated to keep up with it all and revise what we've been studying. All that is to say that in theory, I have more time...but you know how life is! Something always comes up. :)
Monday, June 11, 2018
The Circus of the Sun
The show was absolutely amazing! My parents had given me some money for my birthday earmarked for "something fun with the whole family" and so I decided what better than to buy the good seats I normally couldn't treat myself to. We were front row (though off to one side a bit...I didn't think spending ALL of it in one place was wise) and it was wonderful!
Emily spent a lot of the show on our laps because being so close to the stage I think it was a little hard for her to see, but that didn't stop her being enthralled with all of it. When the lights came on at intermission, she turned to us and said, "But I want to see more dancing!"
There were some truly amazing circus feats as well as fun/funny skits with clowns. Emily's favorite was a woman who "danced" in the air with rings. I think she may have been more attracted to the flowing Indian-style skirt she was wearing than to her performance, though it was truly amazing to see how she could move with such grace and control. She was pure muscle!
Being front row we could really feel the energy from the performers. I began to cry in the last part of the show watching the acrobats jump from thin rod to rod, each held on the shoulders of two other performers. Their focus, concentration, and pure love of what they were doing was so evident. I was struck by the beauty of being lost in the moment--holding my breath with each new feat and grinning uncontrollably as they successfully moved on to an even greater challenge of balance, trust, strength and teamwork.
It was spectacular. All of it. And we all three really enjoyed ourselves. There were of course no cameras allowed in the Big Top and I didn't break the rules so...you'll have to do without pictures.
I promise more of an update blog soon. :)
Emily spent a lot of the show on our laps because being so close to the stage I think it was a little hard for her to see, but that didn't stop her being enthralled with all of it. When the lights came on at intermission, she turned to us and said, "But I want to see more dancing!"
There were some truly amazing circus feats as well as fun/funny skits with clowns. Emily's favorite was a woman who "danced" in the air with rings. I think she may have been more attracted to the flowing Indian-style skirt she was wearing than to her performance, though it was truly amazing to see how she could move with such grace and control. She was pure muscle!
Being front row we could really feel the energy from the performers. I began to cry in the last part of the show watching the acrobats jump from thin rod to rod, each held on the shoulders of two other performers. Their focus, concentration, and pure love of what they were doing was so evident. I was struck by the beauty of being lost in the moment--holding my breath with each new feat and grinning uncontrollably as they successfully moved on to an even greater challenge of balance, trust, strength and teamwork.
It was spectacular. All of it. And we all three really enjoyed ourselves. There were of course no cameras allowed in the Big Top and I didn't break the rules so...you'll have to do without pictures.
I promise more of an update blog soon. :)
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Breaking the Ice
There is so much to say and I have been absent so long that it's hard to know where to begin...
I am sitting at the kitchen table listening to potatoes sizzling in olive oil and watching my balerina dance to the soundtrack from Cirque du Soleil, "Totem". Tomorrow we're going to see the show in Málaga, so I thought getting a little listening preview might be good to get us excited for the show.
I can't wait to see Emily's face! I'm sure she'll love it since the Cirque du Soleil is really a combination of dance and acrobatics. I have been to see Cirque de Soleil before once in Portland with my Turkish roommate. It wasn't something I had heard of before, but she assured me I would like it. I loved it! I'm very fun to share with Angelines and Emily tomorrow. I'll be sure to tell you how it is.
...Now it's nearly 1am and I didn't get this blog finished... but I will post my half finished post as a means of breaking the ice...
I am sitting at the kitchen table listening to potatoes sizzling in olive oil and watching my balerina dance to the soundtrack from Cirque du Soleil, "Totem". Tomorrow we're going to see the show in Málaga, so I thought getting a little listening preview might be good to get us excited for the show.
I can't wait to see Emily's face! I'm sure she'll love it since the Cirque du Soleil is really a combination of dance and acrobatics. I have been to see Cirque de Soleil before once in Portland with my Turkish roommate. It wasn't something I had heard of before, but she assured me I would like it. I loved it! I'm very fun to share with Angelines and Emily tomorrow. I'll be sure to tell you how it is.
...Now it's nearly 1am and I didn't get this blog finished... but I will post my half finished post as a means of breaking the ice...
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Emily-isms
Emily is so much fun. She has trying moments (don't we all?), especially when she's tired; but on the whole I almost cannot believe how much I thoroughly enjoy my daughter's company. Every day she is more and more fun. She is so bright and inquisitive, attentive and imaginitive... I am amazed by her and really couldn't ask for better company.
It seems as though all too often I think to myself, "I need to write this down!" And you can extrapolate from how frequently I blog how well that's going for me! :( So I've decided to dedicate a post to the most recent Emily-isms in an attempt to save these treasures for posterity.
---
Yesterday we were riding our bike (Em has a seat on the back of mine) with Norte. He was misbehaving or doing something silly and in search of a three-year-old appropriate insult I said, "Come on, Norte! You ding-a-ling!" Emily thought that was pretty funny. She laughed and said, "Yeah, I call Norte bell-y". I am always ready to assume my child's brilliant, but I wanted to be sure she had actually just made the connection between the onomatopeya ding-a-ling and a bell. "Belly?," I asked, "Why?" To which she immediately replied, "Porcause he's a ding-a-ling like a bell. He is bell-y!"
Confirmed. She's brilliant.
---
During Semana Santa I actually had to Skype my parents to brag about my girl. Three times in one day I was astounded by her maturitiy and emotional insight.
The story goes back to lunes santo in Antequera. There are always carts with balloons, cheap toys (namely trumpets and drums) and junk food that follow along behind the processions. It is admittedly a very strange juxtaposition, but you'll be hard pressed to find a balloon-less child among the procession viewers, and the obnoxious honking of plastic trumpets is everywhere among the crowds. This year, along with the typical Dora the Explorer and Peppa Pig balloons, the vendors had some transparant ones that were wrapped in a this wire of multi-colored LED lights, which served as the string and as a weight the little AA battery pack they were attached to. Even I wanted one! I couldn't blame Emily when she began asking for a balloon.
However, we were far from the car and didn't want to be dragging a balloon around with us through the streets of Antequera. We explained why she couldn't have one and promised that at one of the processions in La Roda, we'd buy her a balloon. She understood, and that was the end of the story.
Thursday--one of the big days in La Roda--rolled around and Emily was thrilled. Ice cream isn't normally sold during the winter and Semana Santa is often the start date for ice cream sales. Emily had been chattering for weeks about how she'd have an ice cream at the café on the main street at Semana Santa.
After we'd watched the paso come out of the church we headed to the café. She was jumping up and down with excitment as we walked and blabbering non-stop about mint ice cream. Emily, ran into the café and announces, "Quiero un helado!", but when we looked in the freezer display, they had no mint chip. She was absolutely crest-fallen, and so we walked across the street to another place to check if they had it. Once again, we were out of luck.
I am sure that most three-year-olds in this situation would burst into a tantrum. Emily's little face began to contort into a terrible frown and tears welled up in her eyes, "Don't you want chocolate?" was all I could think to ask her. She just shook her head and fought back tears as she said, "I wanted mint". The thing, is that morning during our coffee break at a place just outside town, she had seen mint ice cream and asked for one...we had stupidly assured her she could have one in the afternoon during the procession...
Now you're going to accuse me of spoiling, my child, I am sure, but what was I supposed to do? Probably had she thrown a fit, we would have just gone home, or maybe she'd have ended up settling for chocolate; but my heart was breaking for her and the fact that she really asks for so little made me even more suceptible to her tears. "You want to go to Abades," I asked her. That immediately perked her up, and so we set off home to get the car and drive to the ONLY place in La Roda with mint chip ice cream!
Seeing as how we'd missed quite a lot of the procession after our ice cream hunting venture, we headed out again quite late. Emily was enthralled by the music and the pasos and insisted we go out again even though it was FREEZING and windy. I bundled her up in the stroller and we headed out.
No sooner did we get to the procession than she saw the balloon cart with the blinking LED balloons. Once again, I know a lot of kids who at best would immediately begin whining and begging. Emily looked at me and asked quite calmly, "Can I have a balloon, now, Mommy?" My heart instantly melted. In that moment, had she asked me, I probably would have bought every last balloon the guy had! So I was out 8 euros (!!!), but proud of my girl for being so grown up.
We stayed out until nearly 12 midnight--that's even late for my Spanish girl. She hadn't napped either! Finally she asked to go home, and none too soon because she began to whine and cry a bit on the way home saying that she wanted her bed. As I was unlocking the front door she said to me, "Mommy I'm crabby porcause I'm tired and I want to go to sleep." I was, once again left speechless by this tiny insightful, human. I scooped her up and changed her into her PJs as fast as I could. She was asleep in under five minutes.
Then I called my parents to brag. :)
---
Peppa Pig has a pen friend from France, Delphine Donkey. Delphine says, "Bonjour, hee haw!" and sings frere jacques to help Peppa sleep. When my parents were here we spent the weekend on the coast in a B&B run by a French couple. Emily is now obsessed with French!
The few things I can say in French, she's learned and she's constantly asking how to say this or that. She will occasionally make words up and then tell me their meaning "in French". :) I've decided that we'll try to do some French classes this summer if her interest keeps up. A woman I work with teaches French at the academy, I think getting together with her in the park or perhaps at her home with some of Emily's toys just to play in French for an hour or so a week, would be great.
---
We all know how much Emily loves Ballet. For her birthday her cousin gave her the DVD of Kirov Ballet's Swan Lake. So now her obsession has changed from Clara and Drosslemeyer to Sigfried and Odette. My mother gave us a CD of Tchaikovsky highlights, which used to be Maggie's. It's got music from the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. At bath time she particularly likes to listen to it, and recently I have to skip through the tracks until I get to "Sigfried's music".
The other day she said to me, as the music was particularly loud and dramatic, "Rothbart is coming, Mommy! When the music gets loud like, Baaam, it means Rothbart is coming."
How very observant.
---
She loves hearing stories and sometimes telling them, too. She makes up the most random premisis for stories that sometimes I have to wonder. Yesterday she asked me to tell her the story about the Man with milk in his tetas who came to visit her at her work... I told her I didn't know that story, mostly because I was slightly disturbed by the idea of a strange lactating man visiting my daughter. She kept insisting and finally I said, "Emily, I don't know that story, and anyway, men don't have milk in their tetas, only mommies do." She got a look on her face somewhere between disappointment and disgust at my apparent lack of imagination, but she didn't skip a beat: "Mommy, it's just a story!" she said emphatically.
I had to laugh.
---
The other day as we were waiting in line to use the ATM at the bank she suddenly popped out with, "I'm proud of my Mama because I love her". :) ...Maybe not the most logical sentence, but the sentiment is adorable. Angelines was tickled.
---
We have a feelings book. It goes through all the emotions using animal similies to talk about them: Sometimes I feel like a dog drooping--Sad; ...a canary singing--Happy. Nap time has become "quiet time" since we don't always nap, and it has also become treasured Mommy and Emily time. We usually read at least one book (sometimes the same one a few times), play like we're characters in the stories and then often times there's a little teta, too.
One day after reading the feelings book. She asked for teta and I decided to ask her how it made her feel when she had teta. She got pensive for a moment and then said finally, "Like and elephant!"--Sometimes I feel like an elephant stomping--Bold! :) I laughed out loud at that one!
---
So there you have it--a little sneak-peek into the mind of a most amazing three-year-old. It's so incredible to watch her put things together, connect the dots, so to speak, and to witness the way she is constantly working to make sense of the world around her. Her ability to express herself astounds me much of the time, not to mention the way her brain works.
I am, indeed, a very blessed Mommy.
I am sure that most three-year-olds in this situation would burst into a tantrum. Emily's little face began to contort into a terrible frown and tears welled up in her eyes, "Don't you want chocolate?" was all I could think to ask her. She just shook her head and fought back tears as she said, "I wanted mint". The thing, is that morning during our coffee break at a place just outside town, she had seen mint ice cream and asked for one...we had stupidly assured her she could have one in the afternoon during the procession...
Now you're going to accuse me of spoiling, my child, I am sure, but what was I supposed to do? Probably had she thrown a fit, we would have just gone home, or maybe she'd have ended up settling for chocolate; but my heart was breaking for her and the fact that she really asks for so little made me even more suceptible to her tears. "You want to go to Abades," I asked her. That immediately perked her up, and so we set off home to get the car and drive to the ONLY place in La Roda with mint chip ice cream!
Seeing as how we'd missed quite a lot of the procession after our ice cream hunting venture, we headed out again quite late. Emily was enthralled by the music and the pasos and insisted we go out again even though it was FREEZING and windy. I bundled her up in the stroller and we headed out.
No sooner did we get to the procession than she saw the balloon cart with the blinking LED balloons. Once again, I know a lot of kids who at best would immediately begin whining and begging. Emily looked at me and asked quite calmly, "Can I have a balloon, now, Mommy?" My heart instantly melted. In that moment, had she asked me, I probably would have bought every last balloon the guy had! So I was out 8 euros (!!!), but proud of my girl for being so grown up.
We stayed out until nearly 12 midnight--that's even late for my Spanish girl. She hadn't napped either! Finally she asked to go home, and none too soon because she began to whine and cry a bit on the way home saying that she wanted her bed. As I was unlocking the front door she said to me, "Mommy I'm crabby porcause I'm tired and I want to go to sleep." I was, once again left speechless by this tiny insightful, human. I scooped her up and changed her into her PJs as fast as I could. She was asleep in under five minutes.
Then I called my parents to brag. :)
---
Peppa Pig has a pen friend from France, Delphine Donkey. Delphine says, "Bonjour, hee haw!" and sings frere jacques to help Peppa sleep. When my parents were here we spent the weekend on the coast in a B&B run by a French couple. Emily is now obsessed with French!
The few things I can say in French, she's learned and she's constantly asking how to say this or that. She will occasionally make words up and then tell me their meaning "in French". :) I've decided that we'll try to do some French classes this summer if her interest keeps up. A woman I work with teaches French at the academy, I think getting together with her in the park or perhaps at her home with some of Emily's toys just to play in French for an hour or so a week, would be great.
---
We all know how much Emily loves Ballet. For her birthday her cousin gave her the DVD of Kirov Ballet's Swan Lake. So now her obsession has changed from Clara and Drosslemeyer to Sigfried and Odette. My mother gave us a CD of Tchaikovsky highlights, which used to be Maggie's. It's got music from the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. At bath time she particularly likes to listen to it, and recently I have to skip through the tracks until I get to "Sigfried's music".
The other day she said to me, as the music was particularly loud and dramatic, "Rothbart is coming, Mommy! When the music gets loud like, Baaam, it means Rothbart is coming."
How very observant.
---
She loves hearing stories and sometimes telling them, too. She makes up the most random premisis for stories that sometimes I have to wonder. Yesterday she asked me to tell her the story about the Man with milk in his tetas who came to visit her at her work... I told her I didn't know that story, mostly because I was slightly disturbed by the idea of a strange lactating man visiting my daughter. She kept insisting and finally I said, "Emily, I don't know that story, and anyway, men don't have milk in their tetas, only mommies do." She got a look on her face somewhere between disappointment and disgust at my apparent lack of imagination, but she didn't skip a beat: "Mommy, it's just a story!" she said emphatically.
I had to laugh.
---
The other day as we were waiting in line to use the ATM at the bank she suddenly popped out with, "I'm proud of my Mama because I love her". :) ...Maybe not the most logical sentence, but the sentiment is adorable. Angelines was tickled.
---
We have a feelings book. It goes through all the emotions using animal similies to talk about them: Sometimes I feel like a dog drooping--Sad; ...a canary singing--Happy. Nap time has become "quiet time" since we don't always nap, and it has also become treasured Mommy and Emily time. We usually read at least one book (sometimes the same one a few times), play like we're characters in the stories and then often times there's a little teta, too.
One day after reading the feelings book. She asked for teta and I decided to ask her how it made her feel when she had teta. She got pensive for a moment and then said finally, "Like and elephant!"--Sometimes I feel like an elephant stomping--Bold! :) I laughed out loud at that one!
---
So there you have it--a little sneak-peek into the mind of a most amazing three-year-old. It's so incredible to watch her put things together, connect the dots, so to speak, and to witness the way she is constantly working to make sense of the world around her. Her ability to express herself astounds me much of the time, not to mention the way her brain works.
I am, indeed, a very blessed Mommy.
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