Family Ties

The moment I see a family member or friend get off the train or arrive in the airport, I'm immediately filled with a great sense of gratitude for the wonderful people I have in my life. So far we have had my brother and sister-in-law Jacob and Liz, our friend Bethany from Leeds, Mark’s Mum and Dad, my Mum and Dad, my sister Helen, and this week we have had my big sister Jenny and her three children James, Isla and Arlen over to stay. The fun doesn’t end, as next week Mel and Andrew are coming to visit, just when the Coimbra carnival (“Carnaval”) festivities will occur! I'm always filled with nervousness, because I want to make their long trip worthwhile, but when I see them after missing them at such important moments in my life I can’t help but marvel at the things we all do for each other, and the strength of our friendships.
It’s been a lovely week full of ice cream, giggles and playing in the park. We have also enjoyed some beautiful sunshine (Mark managed to get sunburn in February!), and I almost feel guilty about the long journey they will start making in the middle of the night tonight: one coach, a taxi, a flight, and a few train rides before they’re back in familiar territory.
It was quite a novelty for the children being in a different country. One thing that Isla was quick to pick up on was being the only ones with “yellow” hair in Primary. I later tried to explain that it was because of genetics, and people from different countries look different to each other. They felt very important to have had three different interpreters in Primary though! Also, when trying to decide what to have for dinner, most things requested couldn’t be had, simply because “they don’t have that in Portugal.” It was quite annoying not being able to find food colouring when planning to make Jenny’s Birthday Cake.
Jenny had a fab time shopping, with plenty of opportunities to run off looking for various thing for her fast approaching wedding (please may Josiah’s passport arrive in time!!!). She bought some gorgeous stuff, I’m rather envious at the hot boots and skirt she got and how she can get away with wearing such things, me being far too tall for the skirt to be even close to my knee!
Well, thank you to Jenny and the kids for a wonderful week, and I can’t wait for the next loads of visitors!

Some funny quotes from the week.
Isla is trying to convince Arlen that Mulan is cool because it has a sword in it. He says, “But it’s a girl film”. She reasons. “But there isn’t girl films, because you can give anyone a Barbie film. You could give a Barbie film to a boy for Christmas”……*pauses*….”it is a bit awkward though"
Arlen: “Why are we in Portugal?”
Arlen (about Josiah): “Why is it a boy?”
To watch films we put them on a laptop, and plug the laptop into the TV to use it as a bigger screen. Isla asked, “Why is it all in English?”, James and I told her the computer was English, we brought it from home. “Is the TV english as well?” she asked.
Arlen: “I don’t like garlic…” Later eats a piece of naan bread covered in sliced garlic quite happily.
Kathy went to our room to feed the baby and Isla wanted to know where she was. I told her she was ‘feeding the baby’. She said, “But she didn’t take any food from the sink for him”. End of conversation.