In Alex’ class the parents have agreed to celebrate the various birthdays together. Whenever a couple of kids have had their birthday an invitation is send to all the kids. The party is always in some kind of factory specialized in kids birthdays. In Las Palmas there are a few of these sites and all use the same canvas. Entry, take off the shoes, playing, eat some chicken nuggets, play again, the birthdays kids have to sit on a chair and receive their gifts, unwrap gifts, store gifts in a big bag, play, final dance, put on shoes, receive a bag of candy on the way out.

These celebrations take three hours, and until now this time is adhered to very strictly. Three hours after the beginning you’re outside again. Something accepted happily by all, but still very very un-Spanish.

Ai! My driving license was almost expired, so I had to apply for a new one. Luckily my Dutch license is valid in Spain, and it was easy to change it to a Spanish one. In Spain you do need a medical certificate stating you are fit to drive. This costs around 45 euros and the test involved a measurement of your blood pressure and some questions that basically ask you if you are alright. I passed the test and now I drive around with a a4 paper stating it is my temporary license, until my plastic card arrives.

I have been drawn. With a bit of a big head (probably correct) but complete with all the parts. Head, body, legs and arms, and even colored with a nice skin color. Hats off to my son the artist.

The 3rd of October is something I like to celebrate. Even though it is a celebration typical to the city of Leiden, celebrating the departure of the Spaniards, and I an living right in the middle of these Spaniards, it is nice to celebrate the past and a good excuse to go into the kitchen and make some hutspot.

It is my third fathersday and the presents keep getting better. I must be doing something right. This year I got homemade bonbons and a nice picture with myself, Alex and a parrot.

Last weekend we went on a dolphin spotting trip. With a nice boat we went out on the ocean in search of dolphins, and after a little more than an hour we finally encountered some dolphins. Alex had wanted to see more, but still he was satisfied. Ana was seasick right from the start, so for her the two-and-a-half hour trip was not so nice.

Alex also claimed he was seasick, but this was probably just him repeating his mother. He had a great time and loved exploring the boat. He went from the front to the back and climbed up and down to investigate all parts of the boat. The waves and motion of the ocean did not bother him, even when it was difficult to stay on foot.

Alex is lucky, because he is part Dutch he has three gift getting events. First the Sinterklaas visits him, then Santa Claus and finally the three kings. All bearing gifts. Alex clearly remembered Sinterklaas the best, and I was wondering why.

I think the answer lies in Alex experience with the three events. All events involved some great arrival. Sinterklaas arrived in Cadillac, with a drum band. Santa Claus arrived in a mini helicopter and the three kings arrived in three boats. Alex had his picture taken at all three events, and every saint was dressed up and looked impressive. Soon after each arrival Alex received a few gifts (at night) that were delivered in some magic way.

The only difference that made the Sint stand out was that when the Sint arrived he shake the hand of Alex (the picture moment, just like Santa and the Kings) but this moment was accompanied with a little present and some candy. Enough to make it a memorable event.