Life as a Single Mom

Eugene has been gone for almost a month now. Sorry that I haven't blogged much, but I know that my mom friends out there with a kid to parent ratio greater than 2:1 will totally understand. The time vacuum is even worse when there is only one of us here to try to meet the needs of a teenager, a drama queen and a stunt girl.

Eugene is about 40km. away from finishing his camino. He's "taking it easy" his last few days and getting to Santiago de Compostela on Sunday morning in time for mass at the cathedral. Then he will walk to Fisterra, the cape that the Romans used to think was the end of the earth, which will take two to three days. He will then bus back to Santiago, spend Friday there, and then meet us at the airport on Saturday. The kids and I, as well as my parents, will converge on Santiago next Saturday for a two week vacation in a house near the beach.

We are heading into the last week of school. The June school schedule is from 9-1. So for the entire afternoon we have the kids home. It's like a little preview into summer, too much time on their hands = petty fighting, whining about being bored, etc. My solution? Besides the vacations to Galicia and the Pyrenees in August, Jolie and Eva will have day camp for two weeks in July from 9-2 Monday through Friday. And, for the time they're not in an organized activity? I went to the bookstore yesterday and one thing Spain is good for are summer workbooks! Yes siree, the kids are well-stocked with materials for morning homework during the summer. I've been meaning to get a library card too, so we'll do that so they have plenty to read. Work in the morning = play time in the afternoon. Praying this system works. I've already started getting them used to the idea. Eva was talking to one of her cousins yesterday who was telling her that in daycamp they don't get homework. Eva retorts, "Yeah, well my Mom BOUGHT homework for us!" Heh, heh, heh...

Here are some recent photos for your entertainment, since I've been so lax on blogging.

Eugene next to one of the bazillion old churches along the Camino de Santiago. Isn't he hot? Wait, am I allowed to say that in front of a church?


Eva Lou at the new BioParc, the Africa-themed zoo that opened just a couple months ago here in Valencia. I love giraffes, and the toothy little tornado in front of them.


Crossing the bridge to get into the zoo. The zoo is in the distance, notice the open-design...it's very nice.


I've discovered lemurs. I LOVE them! This exhibit is interactive. You can go into their habitat, so long you stay on the trail. These little guys run all around and aren't very afraid of the people. They're kind of like cat-monkeys. The little babies are so cute!