Red, white, and grey

As we welcome October with excitement for fall, changing weather, changing colors, sweaters, boots, fires, and holidays, we in Spain, are also welcoming uniforms.  Starting today, the kids will be wearing uniforms to school.  In Spain, they like to start school off slower than in the states giving the kids time to get back into their school routine as well as wait for the weather to cool down- considering the classrooms do not have air conditioning- before wearing uniforms to school.  At Los Argonautas, they have two different uniforms: every day and track suits.  The kids have to wear their track suits to school on the days they have PE and on the other days, their regular uniforms.  

I have always wanted the kids to wear uniforms to school but I never thought I would have to remember what day of the week it was and what day of the week my kids have PE.  

Does the school know who they are asking to remember?  I am lucky to get the kids out the door some mornings with a proper breakfast let alone having to remember what day of the week it is...  now I am being required to remember what day of the week these kiddos will be having PE... I am sure they will be in the wrong uniform at least one this year- these poor children of mine.

Aydin in his every day uniform:

Morgan in her track suit

Second day: switching uniforms:
Morgan in her every day

Aydin in his tracksuit... less than thrilled to be taking more pictures..

And the two of them...
got to love how Morgan loves taking these pictures while Aydin looks like I am torturing him...

 

First Day of School

Today the kids began yet another journey in Spain- Colegio Primaria Los Argonautas.  

2nd Grade

4th Grade

I have to admit- I was nervous for them up until we arrived in the school and was greeted by Aydin's teacher: Maestro Fernando.  He was so welcoming, friendly and nice that he was able to ease the kids nerves within a few minutes.  

We were then able to meet Morgans maestro; Diego and the English teacher, Maestro Nacho.  Everyone is so nice and happy to help.  This is going to be a great year!

Aydin with his Maestro, kids in his class and the english teacher (in black) Maestro Nacho

Maestro Diego and Morgan

Their colegio

Gibraltar

Today we took the kids to Gibraltar.  What a great day trip!  Spain is full of day trips that we are looking forward to taking but this was probably one of the better ones.. and we did it for our first!!

Gibraltar is located on the southern tip of Spain but is not a part of Spain.  It is a territory owned by the United Kingdom.  

Although there are only about 30,000 people who live in Gib, they see over a million tourist a year.  It is truly an amazing place to visit and we will for sure be going back with who ever would like to see it!!

Driving in:

As soon as we walked across the boarder, we found a taxi waiting to take people just like us around Gib.  We were lucky enough to find the most wonderful tour guide: Elisa who absolutely loved the kids!

No car seat laws in Spain- not even for Liam so the kids were beyond excited to sit 'shot gun'.

The first stop was at the Pillars of Hercules.  From here you can see Morocco- on a sunny day.  We had a little too much cloud coverage to see it but we know it is not too far off the coast.   

View of southern Spain.

Next stop: the St. Michaels Cave

When we walked outside the cave, Elisa was waiting for us with FOOD for the monkeys...

This made my trip to Gob worth it!!  

While the monkey was peeing on him... yes- PEEING down his back!!!

My favorite picture of the day... 

After we finished playing with the monkeys... we went to the 'Rock' where it all happened.  'It' being the war.  Inside the Rock, there are more miles of tunnel than there are outside on the streets of Gib.  

Inside the Great Siege Tunnel:

Shortest runway in history.... Yes- that is the whole airport... (notice the road in the middle of the runway- We walked right across the runway.  The flow of traffic stops when planes are taking off and landing)

Top of the Rock

Castle

After the tour- Elisa took us to the best fish and chips restaraunt in all of Gibraltar.  Although we had nothing to compare it to, we agreed.  Both Steve and Aydin cleared their plates!

At Roys Fish and Chips,  they serve fresh caught fish daily...  a freshness you could taste.

Steve's plate:

Aydin's plate:

Our view from lunch: The open market

I had to take this:  Actual pay phones... in working condition!!

So what are you waiting for???  Come visit and see this for yourself!!