26 February 2008

Post #32:  More Friends

Tuesday, the kids had quick spelling tests, after breakfast, and then we packed a little fruit and our day bag (i.e. diapers), and we jumped in the car and headed for Swieggei, (pronounced Swee-wee, I think). Well, actually, DeDe took a wrong turn right off the main circle near here, so we took a rather long route to our destination. Seems even with her wonderful sense of direction, she's prone to distraction and errors in judgment, especially in this foreign land.

We made it to the luncheon at Eve's house a little late, but we received a warm reception from her and her many friends. We met three other women, and the kids were thrilled to find they had children, too! There was a 13 year-old girl for Rachel to chum with, 8 and 10 year-old boys for Addison and Ian to race around with, David followed them pretty much, and he enjoyed all the toys belonging to the 4 year-old girl in the house. The house was wonderful, with a play area off a living space, and an enclosed patio for some outdoor play, too. The kids were seriously in heaven, I think.

DeDe enjoyed so much getting to know these wonderful ladies, and hear about what they've been doing in Malta. The ladies visited a bit, and then called the kids in for lunch. Eve had the kids at a round table in the dining area, and the ladies ate buffet style. DeDe was thrilled to see the Maltese Ftira sandwich fixings there! This is the tuna sandwich she suggested you try in the last post! Here's a new variation to add to your repertoire: northern beans and a crumbed cheese! (I think feta would be wonderful.)

We had a nice visit over lunch, and then the kids ran outside to play around the fenced in home, while we had tea and sweets and visited some more. Hoping to have more opportunities to do play-dates with these ladies. It was so nice.

We headed home in the afternoon, just in time to squeeze in a nap for Nathan. He does so much better if he gets about an hour nap in the middle of the afternoon. If not, well, you can hope you're not invited for dinner on days when he doesn't nap. He becomes impossible to please, and his favorite thing to say when he's un-napped, “Don't talk-a-me!” (meaning: “don't talk to me”)

We had dinner guests coming in the evening, so for a trial run, Tara came up to help with the kids, while DeDe prepared for the evening. Tara's brother has soccer practice with the boys, so it worked out well. She came along when her father brought Mark to “footie” (as soccer is also called here). We're leaving it up to Tara as to when she wants to move in here.  Last night was such a busy time, we didn't even get a chance to discuss the details, but we'll work something out soon.

The dinner guests arrived a little after 7, so we fed the kids just before they arrived, and since Eve loaned them a copy of The Chronicles of Narnia, the movie, we sent them in the boys' room with DeDe's laptop, and they were good and quiet while we had a nice meal and conversation. We enjoyed getting to know Conrad and Jozienne, (not sure how you spell it) and we had a wonderful meal of salad, pesto penne and fish.  Our guests provided a wonderful red wine and a tasty cake, which we believe was a terramasu with rum crust.

DeDe dismissed herself after 9:00, as she had to read a chapter of King Arthur to the boys and get them all to bed. We really need to get more books here. We packed only a few chapter books for Rachel, and she's been long done with them. She's crying out for books to read. Need to go find a used book store, I guess.

Tough having dinner guests in this place, as we're limited in dish-ware, but it always makes the flat more like home after having guests, so we don't mind giving it our best. We think they had a good time, and they seemed to really enjoy the children.

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