The Three Kings and Kong

Before we knew that San Geraldo was the 22-greats grandson of Saint Ferdinand the King (Ferdinand III) or the multi-greats grandson of English, Scottish, French, and a whole bunch of other kings and queens, we learned that he was descended from ancient Norwegian royalty. At the same time, we learned that the Norwegian word for "king" is "kong" (King Kong is apparently redundant). So, for a short time, San Geraldo had the nickname of Kong.

IN SPAIN, YOU CAN SIT ON BALTHAZAR'S LAP AND TELL HIM WHAT YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.
SANTA CLAUS (PAPA NOËL) IS MAKING SOME HEADWAY, BUT I HOPE HE DOESN'T USURP THE KINGS.

Since San Geraldo (aka Kong) is a serious genealogist, I don't think he'll be laying claim any time soon to descendancy from Melchor, Gaspar, or Balthasazar. Still, we thought it would be fun to pay our respects by watching the Three Kings and the other 30 groups and floats parade through our neighborhood on the eve of "Kings' Day" (Dia de los Reyes). It's called the Cabalgata de Reyes (the Cavalcade of Kings). We had the delightful company of our nephew Matt (23-greats grandson of San Fernando) and his wife Lindy (like me, "royal" only by marriage). The more research San Geraldo does on my family tree, the more clearly rooted it is in peasant stock. For whatever it's worth, I married up.

THE CROWD IN PLAZA DEL DUQUE, WAITING FOR THE PARADE.

KING MELCHOR'S PAGES (#10 IN THE CAVALCADE).

NOT A GREAT SHOT OF "ATHENA'S PALACE," (#2 IN THE LINE-UP).
BUT YOU CAN SEE THE CANDY FLYING THROUGH THE AIR.

THE LOCAL POLICE (#4). SO REASSURING.
SPONGE BOB REALLY GOT ON MY NERVES.

EGYPT (#30). (AND THERE'S SPONGE BOB AGAIN; IF I'D ONLY HAD A PIN.)

A CLEVER (AND SAFER) WAY TO CATCH THE CANDY.
WE USED OUR HANDS (AND FACES).

BALTHAZAR, AT #33, FINISHES OFF THE CAVALCADE OF KINGS.

THE STREETS GET VERY STICKY WITH ALL THE CANDY.
THIS FAMILY CAME PREPARED.

LEFT OVERNIGHT OUTSIDE OUR DOOR BY "THE THREE KINGS."
I GUESS THEY THINK WE'VE BEEN GOOD.

So, the Kings brought us candy (or perhaps it was our upstairs neighbors). But they didn't bring us hot water, a second working toilet, or a partridge in a pear tree. I had "words" with "F" this evening and I'm calling the experts myself Wednesday morning.