Primer Día de Colegio...or How to Negotiate with Terrorists

The boys had their first day of school today. And since we are in Spain, it started on a Tuesday at 11 am and went for 3 hours. Classic Spain. Pat had to leave early in the morning to try for a 3rd time to open a Spanish bank account (the other two times were after 2 pm and even though their website said it would be open from 4-5 post-siesta, it wasn't. Also, Classic Spain) He would be home in time to take them to school because I would be at language school.

Anyway, I roused the ositos from their beds and then the lamenting /crying/ whining/ negotiating/ begging began:

"Please don't make me go to this school, I will do anything"
"I would rather be grounded for the rest of my life"
"I would rather be spanked all day by you guys"
"Please yell at me here all day instead of taking me to school"

Those are all direct quotes from Will. I was typing them into my phone behind his head while he hugged me for dear life. (Also this is 8:30 am at this point, school doesn't start for another 2.5 hours) Leo was just doing his thing of quietly coming up for a little punch here and there every few minutes. Pat got home and the wails got louder. We started negotiating and by that I mean we promised the sun, moon, stars, Harry Potter movie night with popcorn, two donuts before school, big taco lunch, a toy treat from the machine at the panaderia, I could go on........

At least they posed for this picture with me. They hate me and have the look of pure devastation on their faces, but still. 

This is them at breakfast plotting my murder. 

Both perked up a bit as we promised more junk food and legos on our walk to school. They dropped me at my school and I have to say, I was kinda pumped that I didn't have to endure the next hour and half of anxiety-quelling/negotiating. 

Pat and the boys popped into the panaderia for the sugar bomb enormo donut PLUS this weird toy ball from a machine that Will sold as a stress ball. They headed to the school where they looked at the class lists to see if there were any obvious Americanos in their classes to help with language. And even just a cursory glance will show you that no, there didn't seem to be any.

Pat reported that Will seemed to pass out while standing up at this point. When Leo said I need to go to the bathroom, Will said, I know where it is and took them to an empty deserted corner and Pat was like, What? Where is this? And Will was like, "I don't know I just wanted to come to this quiet empty place" Aye. So glad I wasn't there! And I'm sure you are feeling the same way, dear readers! (I know two grandmas who would have already skipped the whole thing and would be sitting in a heladeria with both boys at this point)

Leo was feeling good because he knew one boy, Felix, from his class (He is the son of the American friends who have been living here for a few years whose house we stayed at while waiting for the cave to be ready) So Pat left Leo with Felix and his dad and held onto Will while the morning circle happened. And then miracle of miracles, a sweet short man with cool red glasses spotted Will and came right over. He was Will's teacher, Juan Antonio! And he calmed him down right away and introduced him to a little boy who had lived in the US for a few years and spoke English. And that little angel took Will by the shoulder and guided him over to the class. MENOS MAL (means thank god)

Also, this is what happens when Pat is the one dropping the kids at school. One terrible picture of the ground!!!!! But, if you look closer.......

You can see Will being saved by Martín!!!!!

We arrived together to get them at 2 pm and they ran to us soooooooo happy and delighted and exploding with a story! Were they suddenly fluent? Voted president and vice president of the class? No! Leo found 55 Euros on the ground at recess and was so excited to get more treats. We were like, yeah, we're going to have to give that into the office. They were briefly crushed, but then showed us around the school and seemed content with the day. 

Obvi I'm down with this school if they celebrate Klimt and equality. 

Will: "Everyone in my class likes to draw and the kids at my table thought I was a good artist" (Be still my heart!) Leo: It was like "blah blah blah, [making international gesture for chatting], but I liked recess! (He's always only liked recess!) 

Home for a swim and tacos and several other treats. First day down and only 180 more to go!