Pre-Fallas celebration at Isabella's Spanish school

Everyone gets involved in Fallas, even the youngest members of the Valencian community. At Isabella's school, Colegio Ingles, a minature Falla was created in the courtyard echoing the theme of the main Falla erected in the center of the city. The theme is the new BioParc, one of our favorite places to visit on a Saturday afternoon.The level of detail (when & how the school staff had time, I will never know!) was very impressive and a real surprise - every child was dressed in full Fallas attire (albeit in paper). Isabella seemed equally excited as she showed me her "flowers" and gave me a tour...

Our little Fallas princess, with flowers to offer...

Renée comes for a visit...

Renée (and her mom) are still up in Montpellier, France, waiting with Dad (Guy) on the AC court decision... fortunately Carolyn and Renée also suffer from "fomo" ("fear of missing out") so found a way to come back down to Valencia and have joined Isabella and me for the next two weeks... the girls are back in town!

Meanwhile, back in Valencia...

It's almost time for Fallas!

Fallas is not for everyone... it's loud, crazy and chaotic. Fire crackers are set off at all hours, by all ages, marching bands wake you up in the morning and fireworks put you to sleep at night.
The streets are blocked by huge colorful "fallas" costing thousands of dollars, which are then burnt to the ground on one grand final night, March 19th.
Fueled by hot chocolat and churos sleep in not an option.

Half the fun is the preperations. This year we (BOR family members) decided to make our own "fallas" - obviously a boat was central to our theme, as was "the sea." And yes, it too will be burnt to the ground...(all part of this spring cleansing ritual dating from midievil times with pagen roots).

It's all about tradition...

As is the wearing of beautiful silk brocade dresses... last year I made, (by hand!) a skirt for Isabella. The good news? It still fits! Even better actually as this this year she is walking...

(Next year maybe I'll get around to making the rest of the outfit...?)

Cousin Clara visits Isabella in San Diego

Wake up ra-ra! Time to play!!

Cousin "ra ra" (as Isabella calls her) came to stay with us in San Diego for one full week (not nearly long enough as she was a wonderful guest!) during her school's winter break.

She got to fly as an "UM" (unaccompanied minor) which was pretty cool in itself...

Even cooler was all the fun stuff we did during the week!

Mornings were reserved for Lego's and pool time:

Afternoons were for "one fun thing" each day... (we may have exceeded that rule a few times...:-).
Monday was rainy so we visited the science museum:

Tuesday we went to the "world famous" San Diego zoo to check on the Panda's and ride the sky train:
Wednesday we went to the mall (no pics - window shopping only!)

Thursday we went to SeaWorld and learned all about beluga whales:

Friday we hit the "Wave House." Clara went boogie boarding:

And then had a cuddle with Isabella, her number one fan:Saturday we packed up the car and headed for the Anza-Borrego desert:There were plenty of desert flowers starting to bloom (it had rained the week before) but no trantulas....(we looked & looked...)

So now we have an excuse to do it all again!

Back in San Deigo... February 2009

Isabella is happy to be with her Papa again...

And also enjoyed catching up with her buddy Noah at the beach on Coronado (mom is from Italy & dad is from Freemont, "center of the Universe" - yes it is a small world!)

Back on the bike - always a favorite activity (but what she really wants to do is drive...)

So we got her her own bike (er, trike) for her 2nd birthday. She can't quite reach the peddles (yet) but at least she (thinks she) gets to steer...

Auntie Liza came for a quick visit. The weather was less then stellar but we were able to get out and about for one afternoon. First we hit the science museum and "kid city"...

then we stopped by the "wave house" in Mission Bay to check out the surfers... Note the hot tub (winter surfing Southern California style...)
And finally did a drive by of the old AC bases ('92 & '95) where we came across Roy Disnet's "new & improved" Pyewacket.

Isabella turns two!

A gaggle of kids (15 total - all 6 & under) plus another 10 very fun chica's helped to celebrate Isabella turning two - the theme was a "tea party." It ended up being a very international affair with as many as 14 different nationality's represented.

January 25th is also both Robbie Burns birthday (yes, we had Hagis but in the excitment forgot to put it out) and Australia Day. The little kids loved the fairy bread: buttered white bread sprinkled with "hundreds & thousands".

The "big kids" enjoyed the Cava, aka "Spanish Champagne"... not sure if anyone ended up having tea.

In addition, Isabella's play school recognized Isabella's big day with "magdalenas" (cupcakes), balloons, a crown and a birthday book filled with pictures done by each of her classmates. A wonderful keepsake!
(I had a hard time convincing her to take off the crown and put on her bike helmet for the ride home...:-)

Finally! a warm (and sunny) day at the Valencia BioPark...

(click on pic to enlarge)
in January, no less!

(Sometimes ya gotta love this place...)