How much is that again? (by Mary)

I can't pretend any longer. It has been kind of cute up until now. Sort of. On the outside, I guess...

Shopping with the kids, at the market.... after the question we learned so quickly "Cuanto cuesta?" - "How much is this?" The answer is alwasy a rapid fire "dos cientos cienquenta" or "ochenta siete". Quick thinking Mommy that I am (personal pat on back)...... I turn to the "kids-that-are-supposed-to-be-learning-Spanish" with a smile to see who can figure it out first. And YES.....now all three can answer without batting an eye.

But now my cover is blown.

I cannot understand spoken Spanish numbers when said at a normal pace to save my life!!!!!!!!!!!

I've taken Spanish classes, slept to downloaded podcasts on my iPod, chanted the numbers out loud, listened to TV and radio, and yet, still, I have to resort to either this sort of offspring trickery..... or paper and pencil.

I have become one of those parents in a foreign land that needs to rely on her children to translate the language for them. It is awful. It is embarrassing. I have finally accepted that I have spent to much time with English speaking new friends and in art class for my own good. Time to start integrating (or watching Mexican QVC --- Hmmmmm.. could also be fun!)