Sunday, April 12

We started the day with a trip to the pirate boat playground.

Cody was in rare form posing for pictures.

Cutie pie.

Rosa was amusing herself (note a public library in the background).  I need to check out that library one of these days.  I seem to only remember that it's so close on holidays (of which there are many).

More Rosa play time.

Devon play time.

And then we walked along the upper part of the river.  It's gorgeous at this time of the year with the trees all filling in with their springtime and summer leaves.

This was the day we decided to figure out the public bus system.  The kids had a blast riding it.  Our destination was the southern part of the Parque Maria Luisa.  This was our 4th time+ to the park, but the first time seeing this part.

We got a kick out of seeing the park rules signs that were created clearly decades and decades go (check out the classic car and the gramophone pictures).  

At the park we accidentally found the aquarium.

The aquarium is along the river's edge.

A picture of the aquarium with Scott and Devon.

A view across the river.

Yet another orange tree in bloom.  Yes, I'm infatuated with them.

Beautiful plants in the park.

We entered the aquarium on street level and left on the water level (one floor down).  The problem with this, according to Cody, is that he'd left a stick he'd found by our entry doorway.  This turned into a 25-30 minute crying fit.  Meanwhile, we crossed the main street and ended up at Plaza de America which I'd been wanting to see.

Notice the lily pads in the picture.  Lily T., this picture is for you.  

Notice that Cody is still scowling.  It took a ridiculous amount of patience for this meltdown.

The views in the plaza are phenemonal.

I even love the street lights.

You can take horse and buggy rides in the park.

We found yet another new to us playground in the park.  

The kids played for quite some time.

Not sure what this green bag is.  We see it on the sides of a number palm trees around town.  Any ideas Beth or Bob?

Here we are back at Plaza de Espana.  We love it there.

Flower, pretty (Malena, Rachel, Rachel)

From the park we walked up towards the American friends' apartment.  Along the way, we ran into someone Scott works with and his family.

  Just before the apartment we saw this building again.  We think it's an art musuem or art school.  It's hard to tell in this picture, but there are umbrellas outside of most of the 2nd floor windows.

We ate outside in the plaza by the Americans' apartment at Taberna La Manzanilla.  It was a great meal (company and food)!  Like always. the girls had a blast together.  

Devon was also occupied.  

Notice the Cruzcampo awning.  

As we walked back home after dinner, we accidentally walked by a playground which meant that the kids insisted on playing for a few minutes.  One slide down (3 at one time) and then our walk home continued.

Such goofy kids.

Pretty flowers on someone's balcony.

Our grand plan to get home early and get the kids to bed early didn't work out that well. But we tried.  Eventually after shutting the amazing blinds that black out the apartment and reading books on the couch, the kids were chilled out enough to fall asleep.