Jodi Visits!

This post is a little delayed because of the kids birthday but I didn't want to forget to put it up!

I will never forget the first time I met my friend Jodi. We were at my friend Brenda's house and just realized our kids were on the same bus together. Now the boys' school is small and most parents take their kids to school, so it was unusual to find another parent who's kids were on the same bus. So I asked her "do your kids have any problems with a bully on the bus?"  And she said "no, but tell me the name and I will ask my kids if the know anything about it."  "Noah," I said. "I have a son Noah," she replied.

Insert foot into mouth here. I was mortified. Thankfully we all look back on this and laugh and a beautiful friendship was born that day. Oh and Aidan and Noah patched things up and just to clear the air, Aidan's definition (at that time) of a bully and what was actually happening were two different things. No bullying ever happened. 

In the ex-pat world, people come and go at a whirlwind speed and often after you've been run over a few times, you put up this barrier to those that are only here for just a short period of time. And yet, I didn't do that with Jodi. We just clicked. And so I've taken this lesson and whenever the kids have doubts about investing in a friendship with someone who is only here for a short period of time, I remind them of the great friends that we have all made that we will have for a lifetime and that many of them were only passing thru. 

Jodi has been back since they moved back to the States. But this visit was different because she was staying with me. With my life currently in limbo and the depression that had set in, the timing could not have been better for some quality girl time.

We had a great time.  With no itinerary per se, perfect walking weather and a good friend, it was just a mellow, easy time with her.  We walked for miles and miles.  She visited with some other friends while she was here and some of the times I joined her and others, I stayed here to get work done.  But it was easy.  It was relaxing.  And it was so great to have someone here taking my mind off of everything else. We walked around Barcelona on Sant Jordi, had meals with some mutual friends, ate dinner at our favorite Greek restaurant (and got to throw plates which is why we ended up doing it for Liam's birthday that next week), did quite a bit of shopping (I'm sure Josh didn't appreciate that part) and overall just enjoyed each other's company.

I'm so glad Jodi made the trip out here!  It was a great week and a half with her!  And I look forward to the next time we get to visit together (one of these days I'll have to make it out to Colorado!).

Plate smashing

Drinks at Hotel Casa Fuster

Dinner out with Jodi's friends Yolanda, Pep and Monica (not pictured)

Lunch at the Boqueria

Besos,

Julie

Feliz Cumpleaños Aidan! Aidan Turns 10!

A decade.  That is some serious time that has gone by.  How has 10 years passed so quickly?   I mean it was practically yesterday when daddy and I were awaiting your arrival, wondering when you would make your presence known and change our lives forever.

Everyone always says that parenthood changes you.  But until you are at that moment when your firstborn makes his/her appearance, nothing can truly prepare you for what is in store.  I remember thinking "Am I ready?" "Do I know how to raise a child?" "How in the world does this work with changing the diaper and holding the penis (so he doesn't pee on me) and making sure his belly button is ok too??" "What if I do something wrong?" and so many other questions that I've asked myself over the last 10 years.

But we must be doing something right because Aidan, you are this absolutely amazing kid.  Every day I am in awe of you.  Sure, not every moment of every day is sunshine and roses, but overall, you are my sunshine.  And this past year has been your year to shine.  You glow with confidence.  This is something I never thought I would see a few years ago and now, you are in your element.

Everyone I speak to tells me how much they adore you.  They love your sarcastic sense of humor. Your kindness with others.  They go out of their way to tell me the kind things you do for other kids at school.  Why you can't do this with your brother is beyond me, but I glow with pride nonetheless.  You are a great friend too!  And your group of friends are such great kids!

You are a hard worker.  You get frustrated sometimes but you aren't one to give up.  You are persistent. You face adversity and you don't let it get you down - you just keep plugging away.  It's a trait that is going to serve you well in the future.  Don't ever give up!

On Friday I brought cupcakes to school for his class.  Aidan does not like to be in the spotlight - he's a very humble kid.  He didn't even want me to bring cupcakes to school but I insisted, it's one of the great joys of being a parent in my mind.  You can see how embarrassed he is though in this video - poor kid!!

http://youtu.be/vumL1VLT5T8

Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting a la Duncan Hines

Aidan and his friend Johnny

Totally mortified that everyone is singing to him

Aidan and his teacher Ms. MaryAnn

Everything was wrapped and ready to go when Aidan went to bed...

Ready for the big birthday morning

Last sleep as a 9 year old...

On the morning of his birthday, Aidan came into our room to open one present.  Then at an appropriate time (about 10 minutes later according to him) we all went downstairs to open the rest.  This was the year of the Legos.  Sure, he's been into Legos for years, but this is the year he REALLY got into Legos.  And other than some TMNT, that's all he got.  And he was pretty happy with that!

With the thousands of pictures that I take of these kids each year with all our travels, etc, you'll notice in the pictures below that Aidan totally has the "pose" down ;)  

Aidan's birthday party was actually on his birthday.  Pretty lucky since it's only every 7 years that your birthday falls on a Saturday!!  He invited his closest friends and this year I was smarter about planning and made sure it wasn't during siesta and just about everyone was able to come, either for the whole party or at least for a little bit.  Every single one of those friends made Aidan's day, I could tell.

Apparently they had been planning at school a huge water gun fight.  I had heard this through another mom and told her, no, there was no plan for a water gun fight.  It was scooters, cupcakes and some snacks in the park, that's it.  But then when another mom mentioned it to me after their soccer game on Friday evening, I realized that these kids have been planning this for some time and that maybe, just maybe, I need to let Aidan take charge.  And so I said, yes, that sounds like a great plan!  And we rushed off to El Corte Ingles to buy water guns since we had none!!  Then I emailed all the parents to tell them to have their kids bring water guns and that we had some as well if they didn't.

The kids had an AWESOME time at the party.  They were soaked to the bone but it was perfect squirt gun kind of weather.  They chased each other thru the park.  They played soccer...and coincidentally, the team they played on Friday night happened to be at another party in the same park - and they all did a little impromptu friendly match.  It was awesome to see!

At the park waiting for his friends to arrive

Aidan and David...Aidan and Max

Max, Aidan and Guille

Cupcakes ready to go (the cake pops were a FAIL)!

Aidan and Luis

We did cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday to the birthday boy.  Again, I can't believe we are launching into a second decade with this kid!!

http://youtu.be/NS60VZ4OQGs 

The crew!!  Such an awesome bunch of kids!!

I'm sure his wish was to stay in Barcelona forever...

Water gun fight!

Penalty of war... soaking wet!!

Isa and Aidan... Isa was Aidan's first friend here - so happy to see her at the party!

Even the big "kids" played ;)

Opening presents

Nicolau and Aidan - so glad he made it!  There was a mix up and he almost didn't get to come!!

Impromptu soccer match against some other kids at the park

Aidan had one of his best friends sleep over on Saturday night and they chatted well into the night.  At one point they were both in the two lounge chairs on my balcony just talking away.  About what, who knows, but they were having a great time just hanging out and it warmed my heart to see it.  We're going to miss all these guys!

I think overall Aidan had a great day!!!  I can't wait to see what this next decade brings for him - I see wonderful things for this amazing kid!!

Besos,
Julie