First (Official) Day of Work

Today I began my June schedule as a nanny. They have pulled Alvaro (2) out of daycare for the summer since I am here now. We will spend the mornings together before I feed him lunch and put him down for a nap. All the while the parents want me to speak with him in English. The only problem is....he doesn't speak or understand English. He does know a few numbers and colors, but these only go so far when trying to call him into the house or ask what he wants to eat for a snack. I say the sentence first in English, then in Spanish, and again in English. I'm already tired of hearing myself speak.

Solete and Alberto seem to have very high expectations for their children. Sergio and Alejandra are enrolled in a bilingual school and attend extra English classes at the Bowman's 3 times each week, which even Alvaro attends. I'll be taking over these classes next week...yikes.

This morning Alvaro and I walked to a nearby park, which we enjoyed all to ourselves. We played with ants, toy cars, and of course, his soccer ball. Never have I ever played with a toddler who could roll his "r's" and kick a ball better than I can. It's pretty amazing.

We headed home for lunch and hit a bit of a rough patch when I separated two yogurt cups for him to eat one. WHAT.WAS.I.THINKING?!?!?! Of COURSE he wanted them to be stuck together! Before too long, Suso (good friend of Alberto's) came over and saved the day. Alvaro is clearly crazy about him. I enjoyed a short nap break while Suso and Alv went to pick up the two older kids from school.

All the niños back at home, Sergio, Alvaro, and I played an ugly game of tennis on the court across the street in the center of the neighborhood before heading off to English class. Poor Solete was home for less than two hours before she had to rush out again for a meeting, leaving me to feed the little ones dinner and put them to bed. Alberto and Solete are struggling to start a company in planning business meetings and so are working around the clock to try and get it off the ground in the shaky Spanish economy.

Thursday, the kids don't have school due to some Spanish holiday...something about flowers and a parade and a fair. Sometimes I wonder if half of these holidays aren't made up just to create more days off from work and school; that wouldn't surprise me in the least. Anyways, they have invited me on their first family vacation of the summer to Galicia in northern Spain. All I know is that we'll be spending the weekend with good family friends on their farm, they have a pool, and I'll be sharing a bed with Alejandra. Though the trip has the potential to be both awkward and confusing, I'm excited to be included (because I don't think I was originally invited) haha. Vamos a ver (We will see) !