Barcelona, June 2021

My BFF Tamsin surprised her husband Ivan with a one week vacation, to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in Greece. And I flew ‘straight outta wilderness’, with salty hair and dirty sandals, into the big city to take care of their three daughters in Barcelona during their absence. They had not been without the kids since quiet a while and really needed some time off. My wedding present - going off on a girls trip with Tamsin - had never been carried out as she got pregnant very soon after marriage. Then she did her MBA, pregnant again, And again. Then opening up a new business…Never the right timing. But now I am finally able to fulfill my slightly varied wedding gift in form of a fly- in- nanny.

City life seems hectic and a bit stressful as I find myself driving with Ivan‘ s huge 7-Seat Volvo at 8 am through traffic jam towards the girl‘s schools. And picking them up again in the afternoon. I drive slow and carefully, not to receive any scratch from the hundreds of motorbikes squeezing in between the cars, shooting through. Same at the edgy turns in and out the parking garage or super narrows streets within the neighbourhood. I must admit to be totally out of practice and a little insecure, but luckily, routine takes over and all goes well. It’s like riding a bicycle or making love, you never forget it anymore.

The girls are absolutely wonderful and I enjoy dressing them up in the morning, still with sleepy dust in their eyes, and getting them ready for school. Afternoons consist in doing homework in french, braiding bracelets in all colours and forms, eating ice cream in the neighbourhood or taking girls to ballett classes. Apart from that, it‘s repeating a million times to brush their teeth, finish eating, sorting out their fights and, finally, reading books before everyone falls asleep of exhaustion. Me included.

Luckily, I can share most of the duties with their full time Nanny Dalila, who is doing all the delicious cooking and takes care of the cleaning.

One morning, I decide to prepare for my next stop in Rio de Janeiro where I will be flying to next week: a two hours shopping tour in search for kids clothes with Superman, Dinosaur and Spiderman patterns for my four year old twin nephews. Although I absolutely hate shopping! My own clothes, for instance, are falling into pieces ‘cause of wearing the same old stuff every day. I look a bit like a forgotten potato on the harvested field. Very sun tanned, dry blond hair, unshaved legs and pre-menopause lip beard. All in all I am wearing an air of neglection, and so is Mr P - totally neglected this week. No yoga, no stretching, no CBD, no swimming, no attention what so ever. I am literally sick of him. He is totally obsolete these days.

Superman is cheering me up as I limp home with my hands full of shopping bags filled with his super power inside. Back home, I book another session with Tamsin‘s physio, who‘s first session was given to me as a gift by her, beginning of the week. By the way, I have become totally addicted to all kinds of physiotherapist‘s work on my body. It is such a good pain relief and muscle/joint relaxation. Need it every six to eight days.

The week is over. Car is back in the garage without any damages. So are the kids - no damages. Only happiness and joy! Can still feel all the cuddles and kisses of good bye, while I am sitting in the cab on my way to the airport. Lucky me to be an auntie of so many kids! Yes, lucky me…