Everyone’s well, and we’re off….

All the stars aligned today – we have internet, zero sick children, and beautiful and cool Madrid weather. The appearance of pinkeye (harbinger of fever + stomach flu) in child #2 led us to get out while we could. Here’s how it all went down.

9:00 Rise.

9:30 Seth and Mommie do backhoe loop. This has become such a morning tradition that Mommie now dresses for the backhoe drivers, lest they see her in the same outfit two days in a row. More on comparative sociology of backhoes in another post.

Meanwhile, Jon signs the older kids up for membership at the enormous sporting complex in Alcobendas.

11:00 Leave to go downtown via metro.

12:00 Realize that Madrid is really, really big – we are still in transit on the metro. Kids growing restless.

12:30 Arrive at la Corta Ingles, the major upscale department store in downtown Madrid. Kids starving and grouchy. Ascend 7 floors to the cafeteria. Wait to be served while Jon descends to the sub-basement to search for Tahini in their supermarket. Jon successful. Heather not so much in controlling children. Spanish matrons flee our vicinity in droves.

1:30 Kids sufficiently fed and sugared up, depart for la Casa del Campo, a Spanish park.

1:31 Child #2 complains that he has walked too far.

1:32 Child #1 says that she can’t possibly go on.

1:33 Child #2 complains of deadly pain in hip.

1:34 Child #1 says the heat will kill her if she is forced to take another step.

(Repeat until 1:40)

1:40 Arrive at Cable Cars at el Casa del Campo. Take a beautiful 10-minute ride over the parks and neighborhoods of Madrid to the middle of the park. Look down at desert paths below, realize children will not survive in that environment for more than 30 seconds. Take same cable car for return ride.

2:00 Start walking back to metro.

2:01 Child #1 complains of hunger. This after burger, fries, and ice cream at the department store not even an hour ago.

2:02 Child #2 complains of pain in feet and hips.

2:03 Child #3 enters fray by insisting on running alongside stroller.

2:04 Child #3 loses shoe.

2:05 Child #3 insists on emptying sand out of shoe.

2:05 Child #3 loses shoe again.

2:05 Child #1 complains of hunger.

(2:06-3:15 repeat as necessary).

3:30 Ride back to house on the metro.

5:00 Head to the pool.

5:10: Seth announces gleefully “The pool is my potty!”

5:11 Discussion of Golden Rule with Seth.

5:15 In the one redeeming moment of the day, Seth dunks himself underwater by accident, gets up proudly, and announces “I just like Nora now. (Pause) I learn Spanish next.” (Context: Nora is an excellent swimmer).

6:00 Mommie starts drinking. Children with distemper are sent to their rooms until attitudes improve. Wine and "go to your room" are the best weapons in the parental arsenal.

9:00 Everyone in bed.