Well, we are up to 2.5 sick children. In addition to Festering Mess, who is actually almost better, we have a child we shall call Hot Mess (high fever, cold) and Junior Festering Mess (headed down same road as Festering Mess). Who knew we’d come to Madrid to sample not the tapas but instead from the germ pool?


In other news, we have located some backhoes for Seth. He and I took a long ride out to the edge of the city yesterday, where they are building new high-rise apartments and digging out some new parks. He was in heaven – cranes, excavators, backhoes of all kind and type. Then this morning, we took a walk and located an additional set of backhoes closer to our house. Unfortunately, there was a long pause as the foreman and backhoe driver paused to discuss (well, argue about) where to dig the hole. Later on down the avenue, another backhoe driver invited Seth to “take a ride.” I believe he meant “get in, I’ll let him help operate the backhoe.”


Our bus ride around Madrid yesterday revealed that there really are a million banks (or so) here. In our area, they are on every street corner, sometimes lining whole blocks. That seems to be the case in other neighborhoods as well – more banks than food stores, and possibly also more banks than restaurants.


The kids would like to report all the new drinks they like: Pineapple juice and mango + apple juice. Mommie has sorted out the coffee situation after several times inadvertently ordering instant (oops). And coffee and beer? Same price, pretty much.