Noonie and the Walrus visit and first feria

My parents recently stopped here on the tail-end of a trip they took to Italy. They were here for about four days and since we hadn't seen Poppa Walrus since summer or Noonie since Christmas it was a fun time for the girls. They couldn't believe how big Laura and Vera have gotten and I have to admit that they are growing by the day. Vera is now walking by herself, wobbly when unaided and practically sprinting if she can get someone's fingers to hold on to. Laura is crab crawling along behind her and is more stable when standing. We are working on her pulling herself up. 

While my parents were here we avoided going into Seville since their visit coincided with April's Fair which makes the downtown area a zoo. The fair was originally a time when people would bring their livestock into town and there would be parties and celebrations as happens when people gather together. Now it involves carnival rides, tents with food and dancing, music, traditional flamenco dresses and seeing and being seen. We don't go to the fair in Seville because most of the casetas or tents are private and with the girls just the thought of getting to the fair site makes me nervous. Instead we go to Jose's hometown fair which is the weekend before.

We got our girls coordinating dresses and they looked adorable in them!

At the feria we had lunch and a few beers. We also took the girls on the enchanted train where a witch tries to hit you with a broom. If you can grab the broom you get to keep it. It's one of those Spanish things that you understand if you have lived it your whole life. I don't get it but Jose and Vera liked it. Laura fake cried during most of the ride. We also took them on the ponies which in all honesty bummed me out. All I could think was, poor animals.

This year we went during the day since the girls are still small so we didn't get to see anyone dancing but the girls have been practicing their clapping and hands so next year they will be ready. It's also a tradition to take a picture at the gates or portada of the feria. Luckily this time we made it out without having to buy any toys or stuffed animals (even though my dad kept threatening to buy them a drum) but next year I am not so sure. I think we should start saving now! Feria isn't cheap!

Besides our visit to the feria it was a pretty laidback visit. My parents had been hoofing around Italy for the previous week and I think they appreciated being able to just relax a bit and enjoy their granddaughters. We went to the park to see the animals, played on the play structure and ate out a few different restaurants in our town. We also went out to the Roman ruins outside of Sevilla in Italica. I have been a few times before and they are really worth the visit. In fact, I am not sure why they aren't more well known as a must-see when visiting Seville. They even filmed part of the upcoming season of Game of Thrones there. Unfortunately when we went the biggest part was closed and we could only visit the amphitheatre. 

We were sad to see Noonie and Poppa Walrus leave earlier this week but we are planning on heading to Michigan over the summer so we said, hasta luego and see you in a few months. Also, you may have noticed that Laura is holding a comb in quite a few pictures recently. She has become quite attached to it and if she sees it, she needs to have it in her hand. When she realizes it is gone, she will look for it. I took the comb away and hid it the other day during her nap and she doesn't appear to be upset that it's gone. We had a few intense days where the comb was like an extension of her arm but for now it's put away. She's such a weirdo.