Valentino, and other Spanish times

So, I'm not even going to apologize any more.  We have decided that if we are too busy to blog, then it's a good thing.  Life here has been incredibly busy the last month.  I have a valid excuse for not blogging.

Starting off, we finally got to take our paragliding flights, and what an amazing experience.  I'm still deciding if it's worth taking the course to learn how to do it solo.  I truly fell in love with the sport, but it's a tough decision; do I take up another activity, and spend the money?  It's the type of activity that needs constant practice and many hours flying to be comfortable.  Also, the gear is really expensive, and needs constant use and upkeep to maintain it.  How many sports is too many?  I will have to give it more thought.  Kristin is being her typical awesome self, and is encouraging me to do it, so that puts even more pressure on me to take up the sports.  I just wish she hadn't have taken out a huge insurance policy on me!!!!

We have also found a couple Via Ferrata routes around here, and have had a blast trying out a new way to play on the mountains.  For those who don't know what a Via Ferrata is, it's a set route up a mountain, with ladders, and chains, and cables fixed to the rock.  Climbers wear harnesses, and clip carabiners to the rungs, or cables to secure them whilst they ascend.  We took a trip to Almeria, a province  east of us, and spent a day with the kids making our way up the Via.  It's was extremely difficult for the first 50 meters, with the route overhanging, and side cut, so we were climbing negative angles and sideways angles.  I wasn't sure any of us would make it, let alone the kids trying it out for the first time.  Slow and steady, we made are way up until it became a little easier, and then the smiles on the kids faces were worth the first hour of fear.  It took us about 3 hours, and the kids did absolutely amazing.  They even did their first solo rappel on a couple pitches coming down.  I think we all instantly fell in love with this sport, and Kristin and I have since done a second one on a mountain/cliff a short drive from the house.

Besides climbing and flying, the kids have made a commitment to improving in school, so almost every night we spend at least 2, and usually 3 hours helping them with their homework.  It's amazing how much work they are assigned each day to bring home.  We have had a meeting with the teachers and the Director of the school, and they told us that the kids should only be dong an hour a night, but each day they give an hour per subject.  It's hard, but the kids are really focusing and doing their best.  It also helps that they were promised hover boards if they get first class honors on their next report card.  A little bribery goes an awful long way!!

Today the kids took part in their first official track meet.  In January, they joined the Nerja track Club.  Each week they have 2 hours of practice and then this weekend was their first meet.  It was a good learning experience for them, and I think they both were a little surprised at the level of competition they faced.  I think they both had their eyes opened as to how much practice and work is needed to excel in track and field.  I believe there is one more meet while we are here, so they have an opportunity to try again.  That being said, they both did very well for only being involved for 6 weeks.

I'm sitting here, and I notice that Kristin is now blogging as well, so I will let her continue the story and she can fill in the details I missed.

Cheers
Shane