SHEFFspañol

Felt wonderful to be back home in Granada after two weeks away. We went to the correos to pick up the most thoughtful package from the Shwebbs (yetis, chess set, holiday card and book) and you know it was cold and rainy if David and the Migueletas stopped halfway through the round. In Spain, January 6 is Three Kings Day. Since the three wise men brought gifts to baby Jesus, kids here write letters to the three wise men, set out their shoes and some snacks and drinks (for the kings and their camels), and wake up to gifts on January 6th. To mark the arrival of the three kings, there are parades through town on the night of the 5th. We met Nico, Martin, Nacho, Manu, Sonia, and Elvira for the parade and for drinks and tapas afterward. Nico and his bros taught our kids the art of collecting chuches (candies) as they’re thrown from the floats and cars. On Saturday morning David was the laundry champion. For lunch on Saturday we met the Pratts, a fellow Collinswood family that lived in Granada two years ago. While parents laughed and caught up, the kids engaged in a heated debate about the best ice cream in Granada. Pratt kids are devoted Los Italianos fans while Sheffer kids are anti-Los Italianos and pro-Mama Alice. Miles, Dean, Claire and Georgia sold olives and oranges to unsuspecting souls in el campo. Then Blanca, Chico, Blanca and Angel came over for merienda. It was a great time all around: Blanca showed us her goodies from the three kings and went on a “house tour,” Miles and Dean did a dance and trampoline performance, Angel did card tricks and launched fireworks and poppers. Sunday David played golf while the kids recorded a play in costumes with Laura. The plan was for parejas y niños to meet up with the golfers at lunch. But while driving to lunch, David got a flat tire. The amazing Pedro drove straight to the gas station to meet him, poured over the rental paperwork, and made calls over lunch to get the car towed and repaired. Manuel brought Julie and the kids to grab David and we all had a great lunch. Kids played outside and launched more poppers with Angel. As lunch wrapped up (6:45pm) Fer insisted on going back to the gas station with David and waiting with him for the tow truck. We are truly grateful to these friends who are not only a joy to be around but also went above and beyond to help us when we were in a bind today.

Also we are now officially University of Florida fans! Go Gators 🐊, go Uncle Mark!!