7, 10, 12

We have made it back to Spain where we are happily ensconced for the rest of the year (and into next) in the small town of La Herradura. For whatever reason, the town has become a base for many foreigners and families seeking a more alternative lifestyle. The community is welcoming and vibrant, and we are all enjoying getting to make new friendships. That being said, were there no town here at all we would probably still love it as the beach is lovely - a palm-tree-dotted crescent nestled amongst headlands. The days are mostly sunny, so though the water is wintry, the kids have been enjoying swimming and stand-up paddle board. 

December is an overly festive month for us - Zadie, Sophia and Tova have birthdays a week apart, with Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's thrown into the mix. We've been furtively sneaking into toy shops, bookstores, and knife shops for weeks in preparation. Zadie's 7th birthday arrived in Caglari, and she opened her eyes to a great birthday crepe, complete with a flag and balloons. She opted for a beach birthday, and was rewarded with the sight of dolphins saluting her from the sea. Zadie got a beautiful tiger doll, Wilder, some very nice marbles, cards from her sisters, and a DIY beads kit (she's wearing the bracelet with pride). Cake: chocolate.

Sophia's birthday came just a few days after our arrival in Spain. Once again, crepes in the morn! She got to ride horses at an adorable ranch right near town - Zadie and Tova also got to learn the essentials of horsegirlship, and all day we went around chanting "English Trot! Standing Trot! Sus-pen-sion Trot!" She rode Hercules the fat pony down the dry creek, and the staff even feted her with a cake and chips together with the volunteer kids. Sophia also got a pretty serious knife, more cards, and a kit of magic tricks. Cake: chocolate.

A week later, Tova's turn! She opened her eyes to (yep, you guessed it) crepes. Jakob had woken up early to fry them, but his flu-addled brain wasn't up to the task so he'd staggered back to bed while Tamar juggled kitchen and baby. We'd signed Tova up for catamaran sailing lessons, as her new life plan involves a great deal of sailing, which she was ecstatic about...but the wind stayed stubbornly calm all day, so she and her sisters went out on a SUP instead as it was a warm, sunny day. Tova got a pair of elite-level scissors, a little portable Tetris, a sketchbook and the mythical Poska Pens, plus a headband and Buff. There was a brownie for dessert, though by then she too was starting to succumb to the flu that is ravaging our little family. So the evening was some low-key movie-watching and early to bed.

The celebratory whirlwind is behind us, and three girls are a year older. It feels like they're hurtling towards adulthood all too quickly, so we'll make the most of the time we've got together!

Tova got a better day for SUP than sailing for sure!

Zadie soaking up the Sardinian beach

Three riders with birthdays