Monday, September 17, 2012

School Reports and Last Goodbyes.

Wednesday June 27th.

Last day of school was yesterday. Today is the day to return to school and pick up the boys' reports. We also said our sad goodbyes.

Saying goodbuy to our very helpful administration staff.

The boys with the Headmistress.

Billy and his very sad teacher, Chuz.


Harry and Charley with Marisol their 5th grade teacher.


Last picture outside the school.

Last visit to Cien Montaditos but first visit sitting outside for a change...

 it was a Wednesday so anything for 1euro.

The Trueman girls visit

Saturday June 23rd, 2012

My older sister, Cecilia and her daughter, Olivia came to stay for a few days.

Olivia, Harry, Cecilia, Charley and Billy.
Eating early at about 6:30pm

Outside Santa María de Caná, 9pm

Supporting Spain as they played in the Eurocup.

While the boys watched the match in the bar the girls sat outside and enjoyed the sun.

Painted arms and faces while Harry's viewing his soccer card collection at Half-time.
Sunday June 24, 2012
Tour of Madrid on foot.

Cervantes Monument at the Plaza de España.
Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) sculpture in stone and the two bronze sculptures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, the former's squire and faithful friend.

La Gran Vía looking east away from the Plaza de España

Heading towards Puerta del Sol from la Gran Via. We'll take any shade we can get.

Patient boys while the girls tried on dresses.

Ordering lunch at Cien Montaditos near Puerta del Sol.

Enjoying a Cien Montaditos outside for a change and in the center of Madrid.

Carlos III and my Carlos, Puerta del Sol.
Puerta del Sol is now a main square of Madrid but was once an eastern gate into the city.
The gate was named after its view of the rising sun and the square kept the name.

Plaza Mayor.

To save time we took the underground from Puerta del Sol to Banco de España.

Palacio de Cibeles (city hall) with the Cibeles fountain in front.
 
Visit to the Prado Museum.
Monday, June 25, 2012
The boys went to school, the girls did more sightseeing and I went to work. We all relaxed in the evening at a local bar - Harry's photo.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Selena, James and Mark visit from Sweden

June 16th 2012
The day that England played Sweden in the Europacup our friends arrived from Sweden. I did ask them who they would be supporting and since they are British they confirmed - England.

Breakfast June 17th. Mark next to Charley and James next to Billy.
Would you like some jam?



Visiting La Reina Sofia.
No pictures of paintings allowed but here we are sitting outside the galleries.


Fiona and Selena waiting for lunch after viewing
Picaso (1881-1973), Miró,(1893-1983) and Dali (1904 - 1989) in La Reina Sofia.



The whole gang waiting for lunch outside la Reina Sofia.


Thankful for a bench and shade in the hot day sun as we walk through Retiro Park.


We all felt like jumping in but it was only for rowers, Retiro Park, Madrid.
Mark and James in Retiro Park before we stopped for an ice cream.


Finally swimming back at the apartment after our long hot walk around Madrid.
Thats better.

After our tour of Madrid and then our refreshing swim, we went to the end of year school (Buen Consejo) party where the boys could see how long they could remain on the bull.

Harry holding on tight..

Pretty good going he stayed on longer than his friends.

Listening to the band played by kids from school.

Billy stayed on for a long time too.

those who did not hold onto the tail also fell off very quickly but Billy knew what to do.

Billy's great friends: Billy, Joel, Raul, Albero and Luis on the end.
Sunday June 17th 2012

The boys played soccer while our visited relaxed in the sun.

Then it was time for everyone to swim.

Charley, Mark and Billy in and Harry climbing out.

Mark and Billy in and Harry and James out.


Fun with the ball.

Dinner.
Monday June 18th 2012
While the Swedish kids were on holiday the Spanish kids including the Menken boys went to school. Our visitors toured more of Madrid and then we all met in the afternoon for another swim.



James relaxing by the pool.
Handstand performed by Mark.


Tuesday June 19th.
We had to show our visitors our favorite restaurant so we had dinner at Cien Montaditos.
Two old friends.

Three red heads.
Two new friends.


Watching another Eurocup game the night before our visitors left.
Sad faces because England lost to Italy that night.
Despite the final score on the last evening we all had fun while our visitors stayed. Next time we hope not to leave it so long before we meet again.