Ratóncito Pérez Came For a Visit
Jackson has lost three teeth now- I am really hoping that the other front tooth falls out so that we get just a little bit of time without both of the top ones. It seems almost every time he is trying to talk to me now I just start laughing, it is endearing when they loose their teeth.
The tooth fairy doesn't make it to Spain, so when I was a kid I learned about a little mouse named Ratón Pérez. It is the same basic idea, the child places their tooth under the pillow and in the morning something very different is there.
Ratón Pérez comes to our house, he must be able to cross the ocean and head over. I have told the kids it is pretend, but it is okay to pretend and enjoy imagining what this little guy looks like.When Jackson lost his first tooth I started a tradition that Ratón Pérez would leave a picture behind of his story, so each night when Jackson looses a tooth I stay up late painting, it is very fun. These are for the first 3 teeth Jackson has lost.
Properly Outfitted in Spainish Glory
What!? Suprised to hear about the World Cup since it is a full couple months in the past, well I can only promise you that this will not be the last time it is mentioned. It is kind of a big deal.
We have four years to celebrate- so we had better get that done right!! Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Jackson we (well all the boys) have an official Spanish World Champions fútbol (soccer) uniforms. They are different because of that gold star above the Spanish crest. Since we earned our right, we (all us Spaniards) will wear it proudly for the next for years until the next victor earns their spot as World Cup Champions.
For now we celebrate!
Do you remember being really excited about something like this as a kid, something that you didn't fully understand but you loved the passion that it brought?
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We Love Camping!!!
There are so many reasons our lives are better told in pictures. Not only are they worth thousand words, they are prettier and less rambly too.
All you have to know is that we went camping with some friends and loved every second of it.
Oliver's quote of the trip: "I want more crawdads, they are so good- they taste just like caterpillars!"...Uhhh, I should watch this child better when he is outside, right? Eeek.
Our last camping trip was great too! Oh, and we had some super yummy food.
Do any of you know un-crowded, way cool, camping places in Oregon? Or do you have a favourite camping memory?
Our Pretty Little Black Rabbit
*Edit: I just had a super smart rabbit rescuer friend come over and she says there there is no doubt that Fiver is a buck, not a doe. Fiver is a good name after all, and Belle was not :)
This weekend we got a pretty little black rabbit, my friend knew I was looking and sent me an email as soon as this came up on Craigslist. I was first of a long list of people wanting to claim this cuteness and bring her home-for FREE (with cage and supplies might I add)!
Her name was Belle but we have a friend named Belle and so did a quick switch-up to a name of my choosing: Fiver. Fiver is Hazel's little runt brother in Watership Down- an AMAZING rabbits gone wild book even if you aren't into the cute cuddly things (and it will change your view of rabbits forever) it is of adventure and war and civilization, give it a shot . You can read my review to see if it intereststs you. Anyway I wanted to choose one of the rabbits from Watership Down that was fitting.
Here is what Wikipedia has to say about the Fiver of Watership Down:
Fiver – A small runt rabbit whose name literally means "Little-five" or "Little-many" (rabbits have a single word, "hrair", for all numbers greater than four; Fiver's name in Lapine, Hrairu, indicates that he is the smallest of a litter of five or more rabbits). As a seer, he has visions and very strong instincts. Fiver is one of the most intelligent rabbits in the group. He is quiet and intuitive, and though he does not directly act as a leader, the others listen to and follow his advice.
We are so excited to be joining the ranks of lagomorph (not rodent) owners out there everywhere! This little rabbit is timid and funny, she makes us laugh and has personality. She is an all black, brown eyed Netherland Dwarf. All I have to say is, as far as a little furry creature I will never go with rats, guinea pigs or hamsters ever again- this little cutie is way more interesting. Every morning the first thing Oliver says when he gets up:" I better go check on my rabbit, Fiver".
GO SPAIN!
I grew up in Spain, so my childhood includes late nights of soccer playing and mornings of sleeping in later than any semi-productive American (even teen) would dare. I can't apologize for my fútbol frenzy, or my love of the Spanish Selection Team (AKA. La Furia Roja= The Red Furry) because that just wouldn't be quite right since I am in no way ready to renounce this insanity. Especially not now that it has affected all the members of our family. For the games we are all wearing red, right down to the chickens, who dyed their combs red just for the occasion. We had no idea (note: NO IDEA) that España would make it beyond their first loss...but lets not go there since we only have on thing in mind right now:Spain winning the World Cup.
The final game is Sunday, we'll see how they do. I know I will be sweating, shaking and just out of control the whole game. Oh, and after it is over we'll call our cable company and get rid of this cable for the next four years at least :)
So can you guess what we have been up to in the back yard !?
Watch this video to get the full energy behind this game:
With a win Spain would not only have won the European Cup, but also the World Cup!!
Summer Memories
I love thinking of seasons passed, how one day its warm enough for shorts and running through the sprinkler and within that week everyone is grabbing sweatshirts and watching the leaves change. The trees on the country roads right now look like the burning bush must have displaying fires of bright red, yellow, orange and some are still green. The scenery is so pretty it makes me stare every time.
I guess most of the time there are things about each season that I wish would linger (except maybe winter). Every year I have a summer fling with warm evenings and medium days- I love the beginning and end of summer when things cool down a bit but still are completely enjoyable.
This summer was a new milestone for us. This summer was the first summer we braved camping with the boys, they are 3 and 5 and did spectacular- now we just can't wait to take them again. We probably wouldn't have thought to go on our own, but our new church does an all-church camp out every year and we signed up. We didn't even have a tent that would fit us all!
We had never camped with electricity and water capabilities before, we were into hardcore backpacking camping pre-kids. I think that is why we didn't go for so long after we had them. We used to only eat power bars and trail mix when on the road, our bodies craved hot nourishment.That was not a problem this time! A friend let me borrow her dutch oven and it is now on my wish list. The food was so good- none of the typical hot dogs or hamburgers...well, just check it out for yourself.
PS.Recipes for these dutch oven dishes to follow, stay tuned friends they are worth it.
Our Conquest of Spain: Castles, Knights and Aqueducts
On our first stroll through Segovia, Spain:
Photo Spain Posts to Date:
Spain Through My Camera Lens
Our Conquest of Spain: Arrows and Sticks
I will try to post pictures here again, but I will be uploading them all to my flickr album España.
If you want to see our pictures of Spain in your google (or selected) reader sign up for the RSS for the España flickr album.
The Latest Posts:
- We Loved With A Love That Was More Than Love.
- He’s more myself than I am.
- Valentine,You Must Allow Me To Tell You…
- Stones of Remembrance Because I Love Him: Mommy Jewellery
- Marked by Blessing
- Despair is Losing its Grip, a Lasting Peace Filling its Fingerprints
- Transformed Through Pain, Learning Who I Am Now.
- May There Be Beauty from This Pain.
I (adoringly) HEART—>
