How to move to Spain in 14 easy steps

1. Start by giving up ultimate and caffeine on the same day, making you all the more charming to your children during steps #2 - #14.

2. Leave the U.S. on an overnight flight. Incent your children to sleep at least 2 hours.*

3. Arrive to warm welcome from best Spanish friends in the world.

4. Who also happen to have cake.  On them. And the keys to your apartment.

5. Where 3/5ths of your family sleeps off the flight.

6. While Jon, Nora, Miguel, Nuria and their incredibly patient daughter Ireny…

     A. Officially register for residency in Alcobendas (the part of Madrid where we live)

     B. Sign paperwork at the rental agency downtown

7. Next, wake up your boys and have them “help”….

     C. Spend 400 Euros at the local grocery store

     D. Get the internet hooked up

     E. Acquire cell phones.**

8. Bid your Spanish friends adieu. Wonder how you will ever repay them.

9. Feed your children. Spanish food optional.

10. Watch a spectacular thunderstorm that rolls in around 9 PM.

12. And lasts for 6 hours.

13. While Starhills alternately weep and sleep.***

14. Wake up at 11:30 the next morning, slightly stunned and wondering what day it is.

* If your child happens to wake you on the flight over at 2 AM EST for no reason, there’s an excellent PBS documentary on USAIR right now-Last Days of Vietnam

** Nora’s dream come true: her cell is nicer than Mommie’s (Nora texts > Mommie texts in Spain)

*** Heather awake for the 10-2 shift, caught and tried to comfort many of the weepers. Jon was awake for the 2 AM-4 AM shift and managed to catch the Red Sox game. All slept soundly from 4 AM on.