Billy and his favorite sport

February 5th 2012

Billy's favourite sport is football and as well as training three times a week with his team, a game on the weekend, makeup games at playtime during school, he also finds time to play in the apartment garden.

I took the following photos while waiting for Harry and Charley's birthday friends to arrive, while H & C played with those who had already.

There has been a number of times that I have mistaken this face for Charley!
Yes it's possible that I need glasses!



 It was after all this football that Billy developed Sever's Disease in his right foot. The solution was to take it easy for two weeks which meant that we tried very hard to always get the bus instead of walking everywhere, he took a week off football totally, and then the second week he tried hard not to play football when it was not training time. He went through a phase of the other foot hurting too but now both seem to be better and he is back playing as much soccer as he was before.



 

  

Quique and Carlos' 11th Birthday and party!

5th February, 2012

Harry and Charley's 11th birthday started with the opening of presents from family:

Waking up to presents from family.

The birthday party was in the afternoon. Harry and Charley had invited all the boys in their class. There are a total of 10. Two could not come due to illness but the others came and had lots of fun playing both inside the party room and outside.

Setting up the party room.

The cakes are a favorite of the boys and with no equipment to bake and me not wanting to eat cake for the rest of the week what could be better?

Party room in our complex.

The party invites were all about football and the boys brought their cleats with them. However, they played cards while waiting for everyone to arrive and then tag with the American flag football flags (last year's birthday present) and then finally after eating the long awaited game of football .

Playing poker while waiting for everyone to arrive.

Happy faces, I wonder who really has the best hand.

Getting ready to play tag, sorry I missed the joke.

Harry has still not been tagged.

Now they're after Charley.

Returning to the party room after playing tag.

Birthday Toast.

Singing to Harry in Spanish.

Harry pleased with only needing one breath.

Singing to Charley in English (guests' request) but looking to Harry and Billy for prompts.

Charley's turn.

Party, Party, Party!

The boys with Alex.

The boys with Adrian.

The boys with Fran and Juan in the back.

The boys with Ricardo.

The boys with Jose.

The boys with Juan.

The whole gang.

After opening presents, the boys went out to play football and they played until it was time to go home.

Harry and Charley's favorite present.

Another favorite present.

A good day had by all!

First week of January in South England

2nd January, 2012
We took Grandpa and Olivia to a Pantomime in Tumbridge Wells, Kent. Another fun show with hilarious acts and jokes.

After the performance.

3rd January, 2012
We went by train to London to visit a school friend of mine, Lisa and her family. We picked the worst day to travel due to the heavy rain and strong winds. But we had not seen them for ages so we were going.

The train took us to a south London station. We crossed to the north by metro and then took a bus.
The weather at this time has much improved.

Lunch at the Marples, Au pair from Switzerland, Martina, Billy, Georgina, Charley, Lottie, Harry and Lisa.

Playing Wii and DS? after lunch.

Playing 4040 inside due to the wet day.

Playing Sardines and helping the Christmas tree come down.

Return journey on the train.

When we arrived back at the Truemans, Grandma Ann and John were there.

Back to Age of Empires.

Charley's opposition for Age of Empires!

4 January, 2012
Grandpa took us out for lunch and then we played football or tried as it was very muddy.

Lunch at the Swan Hotel in Forest Row.

Forest Row football field, but a little muddy and getting dark - I think lunch must have been Spanish timing.

5 January, 2012

Nathaniel playing his exam piece for me.

6 January, 2012

The Menkens visited Grandpa.

Lunch at Grandpa's

8 January, 2012

We returned to Madrid after a great time with family. It took us longer than usual to arrive home from Madrid airport because it took time to learn another rule about Madrid transport tickets - you cannot buy Familia Numerosa cards at the machines in the metro or in the office there, although all others you can.

When we arrived home, it was lovely having Montse visit us and she kindly brought us a traditional Three King Day Spanish cake which was delicious. I was the lucky one to find both the traditional bean (meaning that I have to buy the next one) and the surprise gift (a small purple china dragon) in my slice.