Wednesday 21st February

I'm now back home!
I had a great last day. For dinner we had cakes from the bakery which were nice! After that we had a final game of rummikub, which I.. uhum.. won. And I will point out it wasn't because it was my last night and Jonathan and Esther were being nice.
Yesterday morning, I got up at the usual time, had breakfast and got ready as usual. We all headed out at half 8 and walked upto the train station. Esther took the boys on to school and Jonathan, the girls and Joshua waited with me for the train. I had to get a train then a metro then walk through to my terminal with a very heavy, awkward bag.. but I got there!
The flight from Madrid to London was fine but then I had to wait 6 hours for my Glasgow flight which wasn't fun. Then the flight was delayed and I had to wait another hour so I didn't even arrive in Glasgow til about quarter to ten. All I can say is that I'm looking forward to Edinburgh-Madrid EasyJet flights.
So I'm home now, it all feels a bit weird. I just want to be back in Madrid but it was like that when I was there in the beginning. I guess it will just take time to get back into the way of things. Well.. Brombleys, I'll be back : )

Sunday 18th February

My last Sunday = (
It was Spanish church again so a nice lie in and a hearty breakfast, of croissants. It was just Jonathan, Naomi, Reuben, Nathanael and I at church today as Esther stayed at home with Keziah and Joshua. I don't understand a thing but it has such a nice atmosphere and its fun singing in Spanish. People speak to me in English so its really nice. They've found a great church.
Once we got home we had lunch, which was tasty, made in Esther's new pot. After that everyone did their own thing.. Naomi, Nathanael and Reuben decided to dress up as Batman, Spiderman and a lion.
Later on I made some old treasure map/scroll things with them all which was fun.
Its going to be hard leaving!

There you go Esther, a photo the right way up : )

Saturday17th February

Today started with a nice lie in.. half 8. I don't know what I would have said if someone had told me I would think half 8 was a lie in after these 6 weeks!
At 11, Eliza came round, one of the Pianos, and we headed out into Madrid to go on a tour bus. It was really good. We went on the Modern trip, as opposed to the Historic one. It went past the Prada and the football stadium as well as other things. It was so busy today, being Saturday and filled with tourists. Every other time I'd been out was a Friday and a lot quieter.

Heres some pics from the tour bus-






I'm just off now to beat Esther in a game of rummikub.. maybe.

Friday 16th February

Today was a hectic morning. Keziah still wasn't well today so Esther went to the doctors straight after breakfast to make an appointment so I stayed with the 5 and got teeth brushed, beds made, shoes on and coats on in about 20 mins. I have no idea how Esther does it every morning! I think I had got as far as teeth brushed haha.
Esther took them to school in the car in the morning then came back and took Keziah to the doctor. While that was happening, I had the younger two.. Naomi decided she wanted a turn at feeding Joshua a yougurt. This is what it resulted in....



Suppose it could have been worse!

Once Esther and Keziah had got back, we had lunch. In the afternoon, Esther was busy making scones and cakes as she had invited a few mums back for a merienda.

So after school, 3 mums and about 300 children came round for a few hours. It was good fun and Spanish was spoke. The mums all spoke English so I could chat to them too.

Heres my favourite pic of the whole time I've been away.. I think its great! =D

Thursday 15th February

Again, today was just the usual. Keziah was off school sick again today. Naomi and I did some more painting, some jigsaws and read quite a few books. Then there was lunch and after that Esther took the younger 2 to the fruit and veg shop and to Carrefour to get some stuff. While they were out I did the house work and Keziah watched Sound of Music. We also had a visitor.. a Spanish gas man who didnt speak a word of English and me with no Spanish. He had to phone a man that could speak English to me. We got there in the end though!
I picked the boys up from school then we came home, had dinner, stories and bed.

Wednesday 14th February

This morning the Pianos invited me out for a trip with them so at half 9 we set off to a place called Chinchon, an old Spanish town. The plaza there is still used for bullfighting, it was really interesting wandering around. Heres some pics which are always more interesting. We headed home at about 3.







Once I'd got back I headed back out to get Nathanael and Reuben from school with Joshua. Keziah wasn't well today so she spent the day in her bed.

Tuesday 13th February

This morning Naomi, Joshua and I went out to buy some bread and milk, picked up some leaves then came home to do some painting with them.
After lunch we went to the park and then watched Spanish Teletubbies. Then I got the kids home from school.
After the kids were all in bed, I was triumphant at Rummicub : )

Monday 13th February

Today was just a usual weekday. Home in the morning with Naomi doing some painting then lunch.
After school we went out to a shopping centre to get the boys new shoes.
I don't want to come home!

Weekend- 10th and 11th February

Ill just write this weekend together. Its been a busy one! Yesterday was the one month mark!

Saturday:
We started the morning off a bit slower- for me anyway. The kids were up early doing some Spanish work in the morning then they had their lessons. After that we had a brunch then set off for Madrid on the train. We went to the Prada art museum. None of us were really impressed by it.. I thought there'd be a bit more too. At least I can say I've been!
After that we walked round to a park. It was a really sunny day and we were out with no coats on.. 19 degrees said the train.
Once we got home we had dinner then all went to bed. I had a really good day = )







Sunday:
Again a busy day and its only 4 in the afternoon. We all got up early and left the house just before 9 to drive into Madrid. We went to a cafe for breakfast. The kids all had churos (if thats how you spell it).. a very Spanish snack and I had a crossiant. =)




and heres me eating a churo.. you can tell its early.



Heres Jonathan's new car.. he told me to put it in here ; )




After that we headed into the Sunday market which was really busy and just had a wander before heading back to the car and then onto Spanish church for 12. Impressive eh?





We've just had lunch and now everyones in bed for a siesta for an hour or so. After that I imagine it will be cottage painting, table football and games then dinner and bed =)

Friday 9th February

Today I was out and about in Madrid again buying some things to bring home. Before that me and Naomi cleaned the bathrooms then Esther took the two to her bible study. We met up in the shopping centre then drove home. It was a nice sunny day! =)
Thats about it... heres some pics

Thursday 8th February

Here we are another day through!
This morning Esther met up with some Spanish mums for a coffee and some Spanish practise while I stayed at home and did the weekend clean. Reuben had lunch at school today was lunch at home was much more relaxed having 2 hours instead of 1.
The afternoon was pretty relaxed too just doing odd jobs. I think Joshua learnt how to blow bubbles today so that kept him entertained alllll day!
This evening was classes but Jonathan got home pretty early tonight so that was nice. It was another rainy day for Madrid too.

And thats all for today ! = ) Friday tomorrow.. yaaay!

Wednesday 7th February

Not much to report on today.. just the usual. plus a temper tantrum from Naomi but all fine a half hour later. = ) and i displayed some embarrassing non-excistent cooking skills while trying to cook Joshua's sweet potato. Think I need some lessons!
Me, Naomi and Joshua headed out to buy stamps in the afternoon with my well rehersed Spanish.
Evening was all fine, I got Joshua bathed and ready for bed then I played Esther at 2 rounds of take two before the family phoned. I'm glad to report I won one of the rounds.. better than none =)