Happy Birthday to ME!

The birthday was epic. For the first time in 13 years, Trent completely surprised me. And if you know him, you know why he's never been successful before...but in case you don't, you need to know that the man CAN NOT keep a secret. Well he did this time.

His decoy was a game of golf with the guys, which isn't an abnormal Saturday activity, so I totally bought it. Meanwhile (all our friends were in on it, so I knew the guys were going golfing) he'd arranged a babysitter and got me out of the house on an errand. When I returned he surprised me with a morning of relaxation and rejuvenation at an Arab bath house!

It was so wonderful, I almost started crying. I know, I'm such a baby, but it was so sweet and I just didn't see it coming. I was shocked! The man can't even keep what he got me for Christmas a secret, he always tells!

The spa was wonderful. We spent about an hour going in between hot and cold pools of water to relax our muscles. Then we had our bodies exfoliated and washed with a mud bath. Afterwards we enjoyed massages. It was awesome! And my skin's never been this silky smooth....like butta!

I have to say this was one of my best birthday gifts ever. I also have to say that I love love LOVED being surprised! It feels so good! Thank you TP!!

A morning in Chipiona

School is officially in session!  Judy and I took advantage today to go explore the town of Chipiona.  It's about 15-20 minutes north of Puerto.  The town is situated right on the water, which is lovely, and has an awesome walking street with little shops, books stores, cafe's and a great market.  We wandered around a bit oogling and then had some lunch.  It was a wonderfully relaxing morning!

We found a shark at the fish market today.  Isn't it great?!!  My kids were so excited to see the pictures and a bit sad that they'd missed out.  What do you think...dinner tonight??

I found these beauties at a flower shop. 

These Lisianthus flowers stole my heart.  I think they are one of my top 3 favorite flowers just after ranunculus and tulips!  So beautiful and fragrant, WOW!

My Hibiscus Plants & Tapa

I'm so pleased with the continued good progress of my little patio plants.  I feel like I've been able to accomplish what before was impossible for me!  My plants are doing so well and they make me happy every time I look out the window.

Here's a little Tapa update.  She's a bruiser.  She's a fighter.  She's a midnight raider.  She's been coming home with all sorts of cuts and scrapes.  The girl has some serious battle scars.  She's even come home a few times limping.  I have to admit I'm a little worried about her, I don't want her to get hurt too badly or worse, not make it home one night.  There are a lot of stray cats around (Remember when I told you Spain has no wildlife to speak of.  No squirrels, chipmunks, etc...they have wild cats and dogs instead) and I worry about her wild side.  Sometimes I'm not sure if she wants to be a "pet" she might prefer her freedom.  She was rescued from a ditch when she was 4 months old after all.  But, having said that, she is free to leave at anytime and she keeps coming back, I guess that means she's happy with us. 

I snapped these two shots while she was outside with the kids.  She is a quirky little girl.  I still think she thinks she's a dog.  She sits in the driveway while the kids play hoops and she herds them!  It's pretty funny to watch.  She's our little watch cat.

The touch, the feel, the fabric of our lives...

I have been so caught up in visitors, traveling, summer ending, school starting and the everyday grind of life that I needed to get out and do something creative. I wanted to do something today that was all my own, something no one else needed from me. 

This area of Spain grows a lot of crops, everything from fruits and veg to flowers and cotton.  Everyday I drive past these fields and tell myself sometime, when I'm not in such a hurry, I'll stop.  This year the ones closest to my house have cotton plants growing in them.  Today I made time.... I stopped.  They were interesting to see close up and soft to touch.  It's a neat little plant that makes my life enjoyable.

I found these noxious weeds and bushes in the ditch next to the cotton fields.  Aren't they gnarly looking?  I had to have a few shots of them.

Emry turns 8

Ahhh, what do I say about Miss Emry Abigail.  She is such a joy to have in our family.  She is almost always looking on the bright side.  She is a wonderful, loyal and loving friend to any creature, human or animal or bug, that crosses her path.  She wants to do good and enjoys making others around her happy.  Emry enjoys coloring and drawing.  You can almost always find her with some sort of drawing utensil in her hands and any scrap of paper will do!  She has recently discovered that she loves to read!  She's currently reading Super Fudge by Judy Blume and her and I are reading the 1st babysitters club book together.  Emry is a good big sister and always includes Carley in her games.  Happy Birthday Missy!!

At the partay, we had a fashion show.  We blasted music and the girls made up outfits for each other before they strutted their stuff down the catwalk!  Watch out America's Next Top Model...these girls were FIERCE!!

Kendyl

Olivia

Morgan

Daniella

Isabella

Funny story with these outfits...they are capes, not dresses.  When the girls came out in them and I about died laughing because when they turned around, they were a bit exposed.

After the fashion show, we decorated cookies and watched the movie Soul Surfer.  The girls camped out on the living room floor and giggles into the wee hours of the am.

Sevilla

For Lyndsee's last night with us I took her up to Sevilla.  We strolled around town, window shopped, ate frozen yogurt and had Italian for dinner. 

The Torre del Oro.  Built in the 13th century, it's primary function was a military outlook and prison.

The walk up to the Plaza de Espana

The Plaza de Espana was designed and built for the World's Fair in 1929.  It's a beautiful little oasis in town.  The architecture of the buildings, which today house city offices, is really unique.  They really showcased the beauty of Spanish artistry in the tile work all over the pillars and bridges.  It's a very relaxing place to visit.  You can even go for a boat ride in the little canal.

my favorite boutique clothing stop

Plaza del Trifuno & La Giralda Cathedral

Hope you had a fun trip Lyndsee!  We sure enjoyed your company.  Hasta Luego!