Santa, birthday, new year, and the Kings.

Today the Kings (the three wise men) brought a present for Elena and David as is tradition in Spain. In the past Santa didn´t ever make it to Spain (it was probably too hot for the reindeer) and it is actually the Three Wise Men that bring gifts to the children on the twelfth day of Christmas (Jan. 6). Due to globalization and advances in technology, Santa now visits most Spanish homes (thank goodness because kids are off school from a couple days before Christmas until the 7th of January and imagine all that time without new toys!)

Anyways, yesterday we went to the port to see them arrive on a boat and today went to an organized event where they personally gave the kids a present that had previously been dropped off. Last year was more fun because they had a clown accompanied by Micky Mouse doing activities with the kids until the Kings arrived. Everytime we drive by the place where they do this entire function David says "that´s where the clown and Mickey Mouse live!" He has been waiting all year to return but to his disappointment the clown and Mickey didn´t show.
He enjoyed himself anyways and Elena surprisingly didn´t freak out when she went to get her gift. David got a spiderman scooter and Elena got twin dolls (a boy and a girl) that was actually a birthday present that Grandma sent but at this point there really was absolutely nothing that Elena needed. So I saved the dolls for the Kings (sorry mom). Elena was more excited anyways about the candy and cheese puffs that were handed out as well.

Elena had a chaotic birthday. We celebrated New Year´s here at home with Sara and Frank and Jorge and Judith- and their children- Noa and Sasha and Lia and Carmen. I made a turkey (my first) and it came out pretty well- i was quite proud. I stayed up late decorating a Dora cake for Elena´s birthday the next day which we celebrated with JP´s family. Within five minutes of arriving at my in-laws' house the cake ended up falling on the floor! Needless to say I was very upset- didn´t even get a picture! And it was a bitch cake to decorate! Elena was freaking out the entire day anyways due to over stimulation so she didn´t care- she didn´t even blow out her candles.

We celebrated her birthday with friends together with Sara Bannantine (who turned four and is also Spanish-American) She had a much better time at that birthday party. We had two clowns as surprise guests (Ximo and Iolanda, a couple who also have kids the same age as ours). The clowns were a big hit amoungst the older kids (Elena was a little freaked out). I was going to repeat the Dora cake and do a Little Mermaid cake for Sara but I was so fed up with the Dora experience that I only did the Little Mermaid. It was a big success.

So, tomorrow back to work for me and back to school for the kids:( We have enjoyed our time off but I feel like I really didn´t get much done. My house is a mess and I have a ton of ironing to do and my car needs a good cleaning! It is hard to do chores when the kids always undo whatever you have done! Right now JP and the kids are taking a nap so I´m going to try to do some ironing!