Dubai > LA

We were very proud of our efficient packing (!) with a grand total of 7 suitcases, 1 stroller and 1 kid-carrier backpack. And 3 of those were Papa's for Spain, so they don't count in our LA tally.

Check-in.

Little does Mama know that I will not sleep until 

Very proud of my boys who did not shed a single tear during the flight. Pau and I slept a lot, but Andrés had too much TV to watch and couldn't be bothered to sleep until 2 hours before landing.

Adventure in Dubai

We love the Dubai Mall. We saw a surprise Smurf show while Mamma speed shopped. They don't call it "Do-buy" for nothing!

This is the beautiful, elegant Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world. It is  over 828 metres (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories. We didn't go to the top this time, but we did see a fantastic water/light/sound show in the fountains below.

Lego Family

Flags

Pau made this sculpture and told me it was the Brazil flag. Not bad, eh?

Emirates Park Zoo

Rest In Peace Sarsaparilla

Last night our beloved cat Sarsaparilla died. I adopted her 17 years ago in San Francisco and she has been my loyal companion ever since. Sarsaparilla lived in 13 different homes, from SF to LA, Manhattan, Cambridge, and Abu Dhabi. She crossed the country in planes and in cars, slept in motels, friends' and familes' homes, student housing, and various apartments. Her final resting place is this shady backyard in the UAE. Through it all she has been a loving part of my family. Most importantly, after some initial protests (ask Miquel about his favorite leather jacket), she worked her way into the hearts of my true loves - Miquel, Andrés, and Pau. Andrés' first word was gat, Catalan for cat. We will miss her. 

We Love You Sarsaparilla.

International Week at Nursery School

Container Garden in Bloom

Friday Morning Art Project

Bacterial Infection

The other day I was talking to Miss Kisie and Yvette, two of Pau's nursery teachers, who had a funny anecdote to share.

Last week when they noticed that Andrés was not in school, they asked Pau, "Where is Andrés today?"

Pau promptly answered, "He is home. He has a bacterial infection."

They can't get over how "clever" 2 1/2 year old Pau is. Me neither.

So Good

Andrés helped me to make tomato sauce this evening. He (and Pau) picked fresh basil, garlic chives, and parsley from our garden. Andrés peeled and shredded a carrot while I chopped garlic and eggplant. Andés added the salt, pepper, and oregano. I poured in 2 cans of chopped tomato and he stirred. He let simmer. He seasoned the chicken then watched me brown it in the pan before adding it to the sauce. He salted and oiled the water for the spaghetti. He waited, patiently, for the water to boil and pasta to cook.

Finally, when it was all ready and time to eat, Andrés helped himself to a huge portion of spaghetti which he mixed with a large spoonful of the tomato sauce. After eating quietly for a little while he said,

"Mama, it's so good I don't even taste the vegetables!"

Andrés Graduates

A day to make a mama proud.

"This certificate is proudly presented to Andrés for being our most Rapacious Reader with a fabulous imagination. Congratulations!"