Life, these days

This photos was taken at 4:00.  All four of us had a snack, made dinner, and did some painting together around our kitchen table.  One of the very greatest benefits of our move abroad is our new pace of life.  We get up early and spend about an hour and a half each morning together - - making our breakfast and lunches and then eating together.  We then drive to school as a family since we have one car.  Paul goes to work, and Wyatt and I take Greta to her class at 7:30.  We hang around her room until they kick us out, and then Wyatt and I head to the library to read books for a few hours.  I take Wyatt to school around 9:30.  I come home to Spanish lessons and/or have "lessons" with my Spanish-speaking friends.  I return to the school to pick up the children around 2:30.  Paul leaves "the office" at 3:30 each day. We get home around 4:00, after which time we all prepare our dinner together, eat an early supper, and then we usually take our dog to the park.  We spend so much time as a foursome each and every week day, and this is a massive change from our life in States. Part of this is due to my not working here.  Part of it is due to Paul's extreme job change in terms of how the school allows him to have his time for work instead of filling it with meetings and meetings and meetings.  Part of this is also due to the extras that we normally give our children on weekends being wrapped up in the school day - - violin, swim lessons, and soon soccer, ballet, and gymnastics. Our weekends are completely free for hikes, friends, trips, and just for each other.  I know there will come a time when I will want more than Spanish to fill my days.  And Paul will add more challenge to his own days once he gets his feet wet at Nido.  Certainly the children's activities will become more demanding.  But for this instant in time, life has never been easier or more full.