you are in for a treat with Spanish cell phones. Not only is the reception superb, but you can pay as you go. AT EVERY ATM machine are options not available in the States.
1. you can add Euros to your cell phone account from your local bank account OR from your USA visa/mastercard account. Just choose your mobile (cell) phone service from those listed at the ATM, and your Movistar or Vodaphone will immediately text message you that you have added, let's say, 30 euros to your account. When you get low, you'll get a text saying that. You'll find text messaging much more prevalent there than in the States, and very useful.
2. you can buy theatre, opera, even movie tickets via an ATM.
3. you can pay your utility bills via an ATM.
You're also about to enjoy washing machines that spin dry clothes at jet speeds (these washers are only now being sold in the States). Go with LG--very realiable products. Don't worry about not having a dryer. Your clothes will dry in a flash on the outdoor line after having been spun dry so well.
You're also about to see right and left hand turn signals on the SIDES of automobiles. Only, I think, VW Jetta here in the States has figured out that it might be a nice addition here too.
IF you buy or rent a car, get a Ford "Ka" car. You can see them at them at the UK Ford website:
http://www.ford.co.uk/ie/ka/-/-/-/-/-/- They are great cars for touring Spain, and although smaller than what you are used to, the boys will survive in the back seat.
There are some American products very hard to find, still. With 2 boys, I'd pack a lot of peanut butter. You might also want to pack Nestle chocolate chips (as you are traveling in winter, this shouldn't be a problem in your luggage). Also canned cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie spice and bags of Sleepytime tea (out of the boxes) are things we would carry over, although Horniman's camomile tea, which is everywhere there, along with their mint tea, isn't bad. Also, take ziplock bags. Caprabo and other markets will have them but will be more expensive.
Re food, if you order patatas bravas, just ask them to hold the aioli (garlic oil and hot sauce), and the boys will have beautifully roasted/deep fried cubes of potatoes, much better and more addictive than "fries."
Also re the farmacias (pharmacies): pharmacists are a patient's first line of defense in Spain. They are able to diagnose for you, as was posted earlier to you. There are no prescriptions in Spain. You describe, they prescribe. IF you are on U.S. meds, take prescriptions (which you won't need), but the name of your med will be looked up by the pharmacist for the Spanish equivalent. I take one med, and its Spanish version is SO Much better than the American that I now use it exclusively. Not to mention that the American is $120 and the Spanish is 3 euros for the same amount.
You will also discover that you can get outstanding family health coverage (with access to the best U.S. medical facilities for when you're home) for about 80 to 100 euros a month. In Spain, you keep your own medical files that you keep at home and take with you to doctor appointments. This has been a godsend, as I can show my U.S. doctor x-rays etc taken in Spain.
have the best time. You boys will have memories for a lifetime. I know because I lived in Switzerland as a 9 and 10 year old and that began my lifelong love of travel and for actually living in a country rather than visiting it.
What you will come back to the States with will be fabulous canned Spanish olives and smoked pepper (sort of like paprika) that you will use in Romesco sauce.