Another short drive landed us at the Parque Natural de Corralejo, labeled on Google as a “large preserved park area featuring expansive stretches of sand dunes and pristine beaches.” Our original plan was to walk up a dune or two for some photos and then go get ice cream, but the kids were having so much fun that we transversed several dunes and found ourselves on the beach. While the Noah and Emmie played a made-up game called Jump Rope Waves with the ocean, Eilidh ran in and out of the surf shrieking with happiness. She only got knocked over by waves twice and recovered quickly after her initial dismay. She informed us that the water tasted liked her medicine.
The lure of pizza made dragging the kids away from the water somewhat easier, but the trip up and down the dunes seemingly tripled in length on the way back. Eilidh demanded to be carried the entire way, and both Brian and I ended up with sore backs as a result.
After quick showers for everyone, we completed the short walk from our house to the Kamala Kafe for some pizza. On our arrival, we were informed by the friendly staff that the pasta and sauces are all homemade but could be served quicker than pizza orders, as the oven was still warming up. To get food to the table quicker, we decided to split a Bolognese pasta dish as an appetizer while waiting for our pizza.
To say that the pasta was a hit would be an understatement. All 3 of the kids requested second helpings, and Emmie requested a third. Noah didn’t even mind that the pasta had sauce on it! When our Margherita and Jamón pizzas arrived, we promptly devoured them as well. Noah and Brian led the charge with 5 pieces of pizza each, I ate 3, Emmie had 2, and Eilidh ate “almost” one piece, plus finished off the bowl of Parmesan that was on the table.
Ever the brave one, Emmie was willing to try out a little bit of her Spanish on the waitress, telling her that the pizza was muy bueno and later asking her if she had any desserts available. (Mom had to look that one up in the Google Translate app.) Lucky for Emmie, she did, and everyone enjoyed sharing a piece of chocolate cake. Emmie and Brian also split tiramisu. The restaurant was loved by everyone, and the kids have begged to return tomorrow.
Brian, Noah, and Emmie hit up the small Dino grocery store before going home. Because we do not have GeeGee the laundry queen traveling with us on this trip, Eilidh and I headed home to hang clothes out to dry. In a stroke of good fortune, the washer at our current home completes a cycle much faster than most European laundry machines I have used, allowing us to hang two loads to dry in a single night! Eilidh enjoyed “clipping” the clothespins to the bottom of the clothes and excitedly informed me that she was “a really big helper for you, Mommy!”
In addition to laundry, Eilidh did a little homework at the desk in her bedroom.
Emmie and Eilidh continued drawing and writing into the night.
Sure looks like popcorn. That pizza looks good. Again, smiles all around make Grandma happy.
That looks so fun! I’m sure you would of had to drag me away form that place too!! Can’t wait to see the treasures you found!