Happy Birthday!!

This morning as I was making a cup of tea I was called into the living room. All three kids where working on their upcoming professional career as master BBQers! This is the sight I saw!

I had my first taste of BBQed truck and the BBQed plastic toy bowling pin was fantastic!!! Thank you Michael!!
Yesterday they were playing with play dough before supper. Sierra thought feeding her dolly play dough was a good thing. In theory yes...but I ended up finding a paperclip end and digging out the purple play dough out of that poor little dolls mouth.
Jonathan was feeding his stuffed turtle "mashed potatoes". I listened as he told Sierra that his turtle would not open his mouth. Then they both decided that it would be best to get some vinegar and spray it in it's mouth as a consequence. Considering the fact that this poor little stuffed turtle has a sewn on mouth!!
 A little while later I watched Sierra as she put.. what was potatoes earlier... on this turtles "bottom". She informed me that she was putting medicine on his bottom. And that she and Jonathan were mommy and daddy. They are so very caring! Making sure their babies get food and medicine. These kids are continually changing who will be Daddy. But Sierra is usually Mommy. SO sometimes ya kinda have to ask them who they are...cause ya never know!
The triplets are also going through the stage were they like to run around with no clothes on at times.

The other day the kids got into their seats at the table for supper. I come back from the kitchen and this is what I see. I said "what's going on here?" They told me that they were super heroes.

So I have never come across kids that LOVE peanut so much! I am not sure if I am actually a nanny or a professional peanut sheller!!!

The other night after supper. Jonathan and Sierra thought that I needed major surgery. They told me to lay on the couch and pull up my pant legs. Funny thing...the "surgery" was not on my legs. Apparently they had to get something out of my stomach...not sure what though. Sierra took a ruler and pocked my finger and Jonathan pocked my arm with something else. I am not actually sure if they ever got whatever it was...out!!

Last Saturday I went for a walk around Torremolinos (in the rain) and seen many cute shops. I was surprised at how many shoe shops there were...and fish spas!!!. Or the how much African made things you can get here...like necklaces and carvings.
Also on a rainy day believe it or not it can still be slippery and you may land on your bum. I didn't but I was pretty close to it! The sidewalks here are like a smooth tile...not completely sure how to explain them. But when it rains...they get slick!!!

In Spain I have never seen so many traffic circles in my life. They make them pretty and nice to look at...but I really am not sure the reasoning behind a majority of them...It would have been much easier to just put in a 3 or 4way stop. But anyway!!! Here is a picture of an interesting statue in the middle of one of the traffic circles down near the beach. Two girls dancing...I think!

So on Monday it was my 26th Birthday! David & Rosa and their 3 kiddos made it a special time. We would be busy on Monday so they decided to make me breakfast in bed on Sunday! I have thought back...I can't remember having this special Honor before. Sierra came in with a glass of orange juice and Rosa with the rest...and entertainment! A beautiful round of Happy Birthday!!!

Later on that day they had a birthday supper. Very Delicious! Later they brought out homemade cards and 6 Mars bars wrapped up and a can of Dr.Pepper. I think they have figured out that...umm. I love chocolate!!! Thanks guys :)

Each kid was showing me the cards they made...Michael just wanted to show me his card...but wanted to keep it. And they all wanted to help me open my gifts. Some were half open before I got to them!!! So helpful

I had many people wish me a Happy Birthday either by phone, e-mail or facebook. So sweet and thoughtful!!
As we were getting ready on Monday morning...Michael says "Miss Sarah. Are you a boy?" I assured him that I was definitely a girl and a princess just like Sierra and mommy! Ooo man...things that come out of kids mouths!!
On Monday I was visiting a large group of people...some acquaintances and some new friends... this was after we had finished homeschooling that morning. They had a cake there too. There was another gentleman that had his birthday the day before. SO we celebrated together and they sang Happy Birthday to us in English, Arabic and Spanish. Very Special!!! :)

This week is Holy Week in Spain. Many schools and such are closed this week leading up to Easter. The Catholic church is very prominent here. Each town will have a parade of it's own. I am not sure what all this will look like. I might see if I can go see some of it.
Last night I went to a worship service. There were people from all different places in the world. The songs were in English and Spanish. There were four people that shared their testimonies how God has changed their lives. A guy from Syria, another young guy from Morocco, as well as one from Argentina (I believe?). And a young lady (can't remember where she was from).  Each one that spoke had someone to translate for them. Two that spoke Spanish had an English translator, the other two spoke Arabic I believe and the translation was to Spanish...so I understand just a little bit...but not much. The two that I completely understood were not overly old...but they have lived through some crazy things including getting into some drugs.  It was beautiful to see how the Lord has changed each of their lives.

   

This week!

So I am not sure where to start! I have lots of stories going around in my head...but what one first?

On Friday during homeschooling we made...Slime!!! So fun :) I am not sure if the kids were more excited about it...or me and Rosa (triplets mom). Jonathan and Michael loved it and we had to change all of their clothes afterwards. Sierra and Peter liked it but they touched it very little and we just had to wash their hands. Sorry no pictures! I forgot...we will play with it again and I will make sure to get some.

Soo! I have been told that I sound Canadian...But have you ever been told...You look Canadian? Humm that's new, interesting! A sweet lady from Jordan said that to me a week or so ago.

On Saturday I had the privilege to get together with a young adults group for the evening. Ya know it's really humbling to sit in a room with 8 other people...and you don't understand what they are saying. Yes I know a few words but that's it. I was very grateful that I had a friend to translate every so often. Some of the other people knew a few words in English. All the people in the group were very welcoming and I look forward to visiting with them again.
One lady in there is pregnant. She is such a sweetheart!!! So bubbly and she is sooo excited to have this baby, her smile is from ear to ear and she has that mommy glow :) The little one inside her was moving around...and she wanted everyone to touch her belly and feel the little head. It was very sweet :)
There was a girl there from Italy. She has not been a Christian that long...but the look on her face and the tears in her eyes when she talks about the Lord...I have no words to describe. It's wonderful.

 

Ok so I finally got the whole Spanish greeting (kiss, kiss) thing explained to me. No, no mistakes happened. But now I know....Always right cheek then left....and don't mix it up or you will smooch on the lips!!!! Ok, right then left! I can do this!!

So have you ever had the urge to tell someone they had toilet paper dragging from their shoe but you can't speak their language!!?
Well I was having lunch with a friend at a restaurant. I look over and a lady walked up to the counter and had a long trail of toilet paper stuck to the bottom of her shoe. Someone else did eventually tell her...then a little while later I seen a man walk by with the trail of toilet paper of his own...I know it is mean to just sit there and not tell them. BUT my friend and I just sat there and smirked and tried not to notice. But when you see it twice in one day...kinda funny!!
Then yesterday I was sitting with a travel agent booking a train ticket...and I look up and the guy had either pen or marker smeared on the whole one side of his nose! I sat there giggling to myself...this guy knew a little English...but I just could not get myself to tell him!
When I was back home I would have told all of these people...what was wrong with the picture!

OK! So the other day Jonathan was playing with play dough quietly by himself. And Michael & Sierra were in their bedroom playing. I went in to check on the two...they were pretending that their closet was a shower. I noticed that Sierra was taking off her one sweater. So I warned both of them that they were just pretending to take a shower and their clothes had to stay on. I left the room for less than two minutes. I walked back in!!! Humm. WELL! Sierra had not a stitch of clothing on and Michael only had a shirt on. Sierra's back was turned to me...I said HEY! She jumped a little and she knew she was caught! They said...we were just taking a shower. I said hemhem I think it's time to get your clothes on and it will be bath time later...Miss Sarah has been enough bear bums for today!!!

                                          This is their closet they turn into a shower, train etc.

Here are a few pictures from the walk today to pick them up from their Spanish nursery school.

                                    I actually caught them all smiling on camera! A miracle 

                                                     It's lemon season right now

                                                           Chicken crazy...Crazy chicken

                                                                       Train station

Rainy Days of March

The rain has finally stopped this afternoon!! Seeing the sun come out is a blessing :)

I am feeling sooo much better. The medication, rest, and prayer. Now I am feeling the affects of coughing for over a month. Both my ribs and back are pretty sore...and I'm sure I bruised a little spot on my ribs. So it will take a little longer until I am 100%. But I have lots more energy to do my daily activities with the kids and homeschooling. Nap time is quit wonderful...cause I need it just as much as they do!!!

Triplets & Peter(and his awesome mommy)

                                                       Jonathan in the reading tent

The kids seem to really be enjoying doing homeschooling together. On Monday I was turned around for a minute...I hear laughing across the room. They were dog piled on top of each other, and laughing really hard. I love their little laughs! They are awesome :)
We have circle time with songs and a story. They have a couple of favorites. Baby Bumblebee,  Sticky Sticky bubble gum and Little Bunny Foo Foo.
The triplets love Peter and fight to get a turn beside him.
Last Friday we were doing a craft. White paper, tempera paint and straws. So we put globs of their choice of paint...and I demonstrated how to blow threw the straw and it pushes the paint around the paper. All was going pretty good....and I looked at Michael...the little munchkin who Loves to put stuff in his mouth...had blue in his mouth. Awesome!!! Cleaned up his mouth and forced him to drink water. Crazy kid!! So we switched...instead of blowing...they could use the straw to paint with. It worked great. Some pretty awesome pictures :)

                                                             Michael in is favorite shirt

Jonathan

                                                                    Sierra (a little princess)

On March 1st. David (kids dad) had his 52 birthday. The kids had a great time making cards, wrapping gifts (hammer, tape measure, wrench). We had a little surprise party for him. Confetti and all! I am still finding it places. But the confetti was a hit...Sierra didn't even want her cake and ice cream. Just wanted to throw confetti and yell Happy Birthday.

Their favorite stories right now are The Three Bears, and The Three Pigs.

                                                 Starbucks Yumm! (Spelt my name wrong)
Yes I found the Starbucks....the only one around! At the Malaga airport. I found my way there on Saturday. It was great to have something familiar!!! Sat there for a couple of hours with my journal and my chai tea latte. :)

Sunday I finally went down to the restaurant just under our apartment for lunch. It's a very Spanish restaurant. The two workers there that I spoke to didn't know any English...that's fine. I don't expect them to. But it did take a bit to communicate what I wanted. The one girl was not patient with me but the guy that took my order was more friendly. A little bit of miss communication as for what I wanted. I thought I was getting a chicken salad. But instead I got a salad with a few little pieces...or I think they were chicken! It was tasty...and he brought another plate with a Big pieces of chicken, french fries, and grated cabbage with a vinaigrette. It was tasty too...but I could not finish it all. When you sit down you automatically get good size bun. I asked for some water...and she brought out a BIG water bottle and a glass....Umm don't they see it's just me sitting here!!!! :) But that's how they do it here though. There is still sooo much about this Spanish culture I have to learn.

This morning I thought I would go to the little cafe down the street while the kids were at the Spanish nursery school. In my broken Spanish I ordered a small coffee with mostly milk in it. I am not a huge coffee drinker but this was really good.

 Now as I sit here I am very thankful for the sun more than you know. It's pretty windy but I am glad. Sometimes it really depends on the weather whether or not you do laundry. Most Spaniards don't have dryers...they just hang the laundry out to dry...and that's what we do at my place too! It's been raining quit a bit this past week, and the long term forecast is not looking to sunny. It rained this morning and all last night. But it has cleared up now!!! Praise the Lord. So I ran in and put some clothes in the wash. Amazing what little things like clean clothes...makes my day!!!:)