Spain :: Day 3

The day started with a training session at Real Madrid City with the Realmadrid Foundation coaches. While C was busy there, I went for a quick run, then headed to the market and wandered the streets of Madrid a little bit. I had grand plans of hitting the Prado today, but realized I would hardly have any time so nixed that plan. It did feel good to get my bearings a little bit anyway since the last couple of days were jam packed. When C returned, we went out for ramen then came back to the hotel to rest a little bit before leaving to for their first international match. The match was held at Pedro Galán in Cobeja. It was seriously in the middle of nowhere. Unfortunately, both teams lost but it was such an amazing experience. The team C's team played were mainly 14 year olds. They were good, and considering C's team has 12-year olds on it, they didn't do bad. After the games, there was dinner at the soccer complex with the opponents. The boys loved hanging out with the other team. Unfortunately, by the time C's team got to eat, there wasn't much left (only Spanish tortillas) so we were starving -- but what a great experience. The night ended with pizzas in the hotel lobby.

Spain :: Day 2

Big day today. Breakfast at the hotel, then we were taken to Alfonso Perez Stadium for a La Liga 2 match -- Getafe vs. Lugo. It wasn't Real Madrid or a Champions League game, but still fun. Afterwards, we went had lunch at Real Madrid Cafe then toured Bernabeu Stadium, which was pretty amazing. We left at 10:30 am and didn't get back until 8:00 pm. Long day but really fun. We did't have much time for dinner since C had to be in bed by 10:00pm, so ended up with some other players at a market where C had octopus salad and I had a couple fish tapas. Good stuff.

Spain :: Day 1

C and I made it to Spain! We are here, traveling with his soccer club for the next week. It's the same trip H went on a couple of years ago with Brian. We are both so absolutely excited to be here. On Friday, we met a group at the airport and flew to Madrid via Philadelphia. We were brought back to the hotel, then the players were shuttled off for a brief training session. I, and a few other supporters, decided to take a walk instead and ended up at Chocolateria San Gines for churros and drinking chocolate which totally hit the spot. We met the players back at the hotel for lunch, got our rooms, then headed out on a bus and walking tour of Madrid. It was really great. Unfortunately, the boys were exhausted and delirious, so I'm not sure many of them -- myself included -- were able to take much of it in. But it was good to be out and about to help with our jet lag. We were on our own in the evening. C was losing his mind, so we ended up picking up a sandwich and fruit for him to eat back at the hotel and I went out for tapas with the coaches and a couple parents. A good night sleep is exactly what we both need.

Last Week in Moments

On Friday, Brian turned 46. It's hard to keep track of these birthdays nowadays. No big plans -- just our annual corned beef and cabbage dinner (note to self -- cook double the corned beef -- my big guys ate every last bit so no left-overs) then Brian took C to play soccer. Oh, I also made an Irish Cream cake that was pretty delicious.


These two. They really love each other. Morning snuggles every day.


Unfortunately, H woke up not feeling great. He had a referee course he had to complete, which was a total bummer. His temperature spiked to nearly 105 later in the day, which landed him a trip to urgent care. The diagnosis? The flu. What a nightmare. Fortunately, Saturday was the worst of it. It's pretty much taken all week though for him to feel normal. I can't even say he's 100% yet.


Papa was in town! Against our better judgement, H insisted on coming. So far, he's the only one inflicted though, so that's good. Papa took us all out for dinner Sunday night. Was really great seeing everyone.

Last Week in Moments

H participated in a Spanish Pronunciation Contest so had to leave the house early on Saturday. He was thrilled, as you can imagine. This guy decided to make the most of a lazy day. He had two soccer games on Sunday, and was supposed to have a soccer tournament this weekend, but it was cancelled thanks to the snow. Both the boy's schedules are insane after Spring Break, so we are making the most of these days when we get them.


Yep, it happened again. So pretty, but insane. So much snow! Brian had to travel this week and ended up stuck in New York City an extra day which meant he didn't get to come home as planned and instead had to go directly to Charlotte for the day on Wednesday. It worked out ok, but I've got to admit, this was a loooooonnnnngggggg week for some reason.

Last Week in Moments

The Chicago Fire Academy team drove up to scrimmage C's soccer team. So cold! They had a great game, with C's team winning 3-2. (Of course, it helped that the two players who scored and the goalie play on the the U14 team.) They did really great though. Fun to watch for sure.


On Sunday we drove to Oak Park to watch our friend M perform in her first Momenta show. She did so great and looked absolutely lovely. So glad we could see it.


Buddies. Love that these guys have grown up together. Seriously, I first spied Penny across the street moving in when she was pregnant with M.


Crazy winds swept through the area this week, and Wednesday much of our area lost power, including all of the schools. Our outage started at 12:22pm and was caused by a damaged pole. Fortunately it got fixed -- at 11:15pm! We were able to rescue most of the food and stick it outside. That's always my biggest concern. Otherwise, truthfully, we all loved it! It felt great to unplug, hang out by the fire together, read by headlamp and go to bed early. Turned out to be a really great night.

Last Week in Moments

C was invited to the Regional Free-throw Contest at Nicolet High School after being one of the top 5 free-throwers in his grade. He qualified with 15 out 30, but ended up with 12 on the big day. As soon as we walked in, he said "Wouldn't it be funny if a soccer player won the free-throw contest?" We had no idea he was so into basketball, but turns out he's kind of a NBA junkie.


Better late than never! Had our 8th annual holiday dinner with Ali/Scott and Shelly/Andrew. Tried out a new place this year -- Jackson Grill. We liked it! Here we are with the chef.


As part of Gretel's recovery, swimming is recommended. Luckily we live near The Feed Bag, which has a pool and provides recovery swim time. She loved it!


On Sunday we had dinner at Grandma's house. She made one of Brian's favorites -- chicken broccoli casserole. I brought a birthday cake to celebrate her 77th birthday, which was a couple days later. Happy birthday, Grandma!


I somehow started the tradition of getting a King Cake every year on Mardi Gras. This one may not have been the most traditional, but it sure was delicious. As a side note, I have never tried a paczki! May need to change that next year.


On Wednesday, it snowed! All day. This was the mood all around.


The snow was a total bummer. But look at the gorgeous day it made the next day.


Took Gretel for her follow-up visit. She's healing great, and can start going on short walks. Still another 6-9 weeks until she's back to normal, but it's nice to know we are over the hump.