Thursday, March 26

Thursday was another typical weekday.  I did actually pack a picnic lunch for the kids and I, but it still wasn't enough food (and we needed a bathroom), so we popped into a cafe for more food and the facilities.

And, we had our picnic lunch at Alfafa Plaza.  There's a nice playground there and we met our American friends to play.  All 5 kids played beautifully together.

Jennie has been learning so many things from her amazing landlord including the fact that there are restaurants that deliver in Sevilla.   Also, she's having her girls try a flamenco dance class next week and she invited Rosa along.  It's spring break (Holy Week/Semana Santa) and the kids are off of school all week.  And Scott will be off Thursday and Friday as he's now observing the Spanish holidays (rather than the American ones) while he's onsite for the project.

She found out about the classes through the Website Not Just A Tourist.  I look forward to looking at more of what it has to share.

I contacted them and the Website Karen D. shared from her trip to Sevilla, Sevilla Walking Tours, as I'm interested in learning more about the architecture that surrounds me.  In fact, on Thursday as I was meandering, I came upon 3 ancient Roman columns.  My camera battery was out so I don't have pictures yet to share.  Anyway, I want to learn more and so I've contacted both companies to find out if there's a walking architecture tour of the city.

Here's a picture I do have.  I don't remember which restaurant it was taken in.  But, it's a typical view from the inside of a restuarant showing the tile floors, bar-height tables and stools, and some various colors.  Outside you can see bars on the windows and a speed limit sign (the red circle with a number on the inside).  

Here's a picture of a bike shop near our apartment.  Notice the half of a bike hanging outside in the upper-right-hand corner.

After dropping off the kids at school after lunch, I stopped in the basement of El Corte Ingles for groceries.  I had a big list, but just bought what I thought I could carry home in my new backpack and with the one reusable grocery bag I had.  I bought most of what we needed.

School pickup took about 40 minutes.  Rosa told me that she needed to buy 2 books to read (and do exercises in).  I learned that the books were for sale in the school courtyard.  We headed there and asked which books her class needed, but they weren't sure.  We saw the mom of one of Rosa's classmates (she also works at the school) and we waited to talk with her to find out what Rosa needs.  She directed us to the school papeleria.  There, not only did we find the 2 books that Rosa needs, but also her other school books have arrived.  I didn't have enough money to pay for them, but they let Rosa take them home knowing that I'd be back the next day to pay.  It's wonderful the trust and the help.

On our walk home, the kids fought the whole way about who got to hold my hands.  Usually the boys sneak and Rosa is starting to get jealous.  And this is now becoming a constant complaint which usually ends up with the child who's not holding my hands stopping, cowering in a doorway, and often crying and sulking.  We all wish I was an octopus, or at least a tri-pus with 3 hands to hold all 3 kids' hands at the same time.

Scott had dinner waiting for us when we got home, then it was shower time for the boys, homework time for Rosa, and we finished watching the movie "The Nut Job".