a very much fun Christmas!!- thanks to Harrisons

Hello! Having loads of fun at my cousins and no doubt mummy and daddy will not hear the end of this best ever holiday. I have been so so excited and happy with my cousins that my mummy and daddy did not get many glimpses of me. Its been great being with older cousins and having them all to myself.
My aunty Helen has made a yummy yummy meal or two but my first introduction to CRACKERS was a really cool thing. Food off course at the age of 4 is not as exciting as any shape or form of game....and play.

aAnna is such a good cousin. Here she was talking on Skype to her friend and I got introduced. It was such a good time...we played musical statues over the internet...ha ha:))
with all three cousins, Simon (the eldest), Peter, and Anna off course. We had our own table and enjoyed eating together....that must have been thoughtful aunty Helen...THANKS.
My mummy has made my Friday the 23rd very special by babysitting Oliver and Ben all day nearly. It was great fun...first at Monkey Bizz then went home and continued the fun. Don;t know when she did all the packing for our time away at the cousins next day....but she has managed it all and I had heaps of fun....as you can tell.
monkeying around:))) with Ben and Oliver and my brother Zacky.

1 term of school completed with no missed days!

Brotherly Love!:)) So delighted that boys seem to still enjoy crafts and things and seem to play well most times...Reuben has surprised us again:))) yes, at the new playhouse called ADEVENTURE KIDZ he has been whizzing around 3 meters high on these scary things for over an hour. I always knew he will be great at Physical Education stuff but never realised what a gifted son I had....time to start thinking and investing in this little spider monkey.with this beautiful nativity called ANGEL GOT HER WING! :))) and my son;s undivided attention to the play we are pleased to say we had completed 1 longish term of school! The idea of never had missed one day seems so alion to me as I loved when I was young to miss school days (ha ha:)) Reuben has been so enthusiastic and happy all the way through his first term.Little stars were so sweet the song was: COME WITH ME TO BETLEHEM....we loved the nativity what a great performance. Must have taken a lot of hard work.Was frustrating as could not take any good photos still....it made it even more special for us....!!

Its been a long long 2011 for us all. Reuben has been amazing at overcoming all the major events of this year and we think he has grown and developped most of all. We had succeded toilet training at the very beggining of the year (yes I know late but then again....better late then never:)) as if that ever happens)), he has finished nursery and started school. He has never missed one day of school nor was he ever late....!

He has two badges from swimming and does really well. Loves languages and has been attending French Club at school. He knows more and more hungarian and remains interesting in anything that involves some sort of adventure. Loves Trains and cars and his fevourites remain, Thomas the Tank Engine and Cars (1 and 2). His best friends as he calls them are: Nicholas, Alfie, Zoli, Toby, Ben, Mathew, Sam and Felix, Samuel and everyone else he remembers when he is asked:))) He is going to marry Georgia and Polly both girls in his class. We are planning to go to his English cousins Anna, Peter and Simon for Christmas which will be possibly the best present for him and he knows that. He loves his God parents whom he often calls GRANDPARENTS:))) and has been very blessed to be loved by many this year. He also loves Romania and would like to go tomorrow:))) Reuben has grown a lot, we are just so pleased to see that he knows all letters numbers and seems to be able to judge well situations. He loves when we involve him in our conversations and when we play HIDE AND SEEK and other family games together.

I think right this time he is not to keen on his brother who seems to be a pickle and always somehow spoil Reuben's fun by wanting the same toys and the same attention....I am looking forward to next year this time....and its challanges.....and just cant imagine what Reuben will be like in one year;s time.

For now we would like to wish you all HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!

First Sunday of Advent ...OH Come oh come Emanuel!

This week we had been very busy! Monday as usual swimming while Tuesday we were enjoying some time at home redescovering CARS the disney film since daddy has been lovley and ordered our own copy. Wednesday we had gone out for after school coffee date with my boys while Thursday we had the STAY and PLAY at school what a great success. I have truley enjoyed it...and learnt so much about my son. I loved seeing him at the heart of his class and always busy playing with different kids. This funny photo was special as he got very excited about making a dough...with the girls.I love this photo and if you knew this little boy's mummy you would actually see me and her in this photo!!:)) Reuben here reminds me so much of me...I had some special friends and I always in my childhood pics I used to take similar postures....of showing and expressing my feelings...

I asked Reuben if he wanted to take a photo with some of his friends and he and Luke immediatley wanted a photo!!:)) I did like that....they were so cute.

Here the gang of four!! Reuben, Luke, Samuel and Lotchan....(with whom he also use to go to nursery to baby room!)I just loved this photo!!! How cool is this?! I loved that while I was looking for Reuben somewhere at the bottom....there he was right at the top!! I hope Reuben will stay at the top always...not literally off course but that he will always love school as much as he does now. I do think that school is fun because he has some really good friends (some he knew previously) and some really good tecahers. Thank you all. I am glad we made the decission to go to this school.And we off course enoyed mummy and baby kangoruu time...Reuben has been asking so many questions about being in my belly and about being a baby so here is our little play time.

I love these moments with Reuben every day I learn more about my lovley son. He not only always seem to overcome every expectation of mine he also is always able to tell me things that bother him that seem to make him happy. I love the way he communicates and tells me things. I love this stage. ANd off course I LOVE HIM MORE AND MORE .....amazing how you discover so much more love each day isnt it?!:))

O OH OH....soooo much going on.....and on!

We have just had a busiest week in ages. I think the more we head towards the end of the year the quicker time passes....all shops are Christmasy, Lights are being turned on in highstreets and basically we are told Christmas is around the corner....still, we now had celebrated Harvest, Rememberance Day and this weekend was all about "children in need" in Uk. Reuben had Spotty Day on Friday and this is what I had created for him. I was gona do a Pudsey bear but did not quite manage so we remained with the yellow pudsey tunic and the spotty face...he was ever so proud. I did feel so good knowing I had gone out and done something to make his spotty day even more special. He had a fab day at his school on Friday.After a long day on Saturday finally time 5:30 came to enjoy his friend Zoli's bday at Splashes. He has loved loved so much being with the big boys (7 years olds) and he loved loved being able to sit next to his friends too at the party table.

Enjoyed so much on Sunday Noah's bday party getting aquainted with STAR WARS...here he is with his friend, Edward.Daddy has been waiting such a long long time to introduce STAR WARS to Reuben. Its not something I would be interested in or else I would have been in the photo too but really someone needed to take that photo.....Zac was right in his element too. Jerry has lent Reuben his lightsaver which R loves loves and loves. Over all a mad weekend but so nice to see so many friends. Lets hope next weekend will be a bit calmer.

cold and dark and time to hibernate (wishful thinking)

Monday was a day that we had not planned and never plan much as its swimming day! I now know I had a tummy bug comming (only realised that in the evening) and Reuben asked me if I would let him make cakes with Nicholas and miss a swim session. reluctantly but since I wasnt well I had agreed and Nicholas has joined in for cake making with lovley aunty Elena.And the cakes were yummy...even we did after all make swimming as well (just in time 5 mins warning he gave me...) and had yummy fresh cakes when we got back. So yes Monday was a manic Monday....with school, cake making, swimming and crashing out at 8pm all of us.HI! I have really been so so pleased to see the huge changes since Reuben started school! He is ever so interested in the big wide world and especially in events. At school they had a POPPY (Puppy) day to REMEMBER THE PEOPLE WHO DIED FOR US IN WARS. phewwww where do I begin?! We visited Rochester one evening and he insisted to take a moment in silence to think of the puppies who have died for us in wars. Bless him!!! He does know its people but he thinks affectionatley of them as puppies his favourite ....he wears with pride his poppy and insisted on us all wearing them. Should see what he thinks when he goes to church tomorrow and sees veterans and flags and observs the two minute silence!!I just cant but smile at these photos....I took them on the platform at Stratford (having visited Westfield shopping Centre) the boys were so excited about the trains.....they did not want to stay in the posh waiting area....they had to stay to see the trains comming and going. My hoodie boys!A not so good week for us. I (mum) had the tummy bug Monday and Tuesday...although I soldiered on....it has pretty much made me feel rubbish all week. Reuben and Zac had a few down afternoons and poor Reuben on Friday had a little incident at school when another child (with severe learning difficulties) has wacked him on the head with a shovel so he had blood and a bump....we had to go to hospital. It was so sad....but he was as happy as Larry. So excited to get sweets and off course tell the nurses he was gona dine at the chinese that evening. I knew he was fine as he hopped all the way home from school....then he showed off his French and Hungarian.....it was just hilarious....but yes we did get to the chinese.....with a equally worried and excited Noah and Luca and off course aunty Angeline (whom he thinks of as a good future wife:))) and little Amelia.Must be nice to have friends with us at Chinese as he Reuben who normally only has crackers has eaten pretty much everything from the plate....chicken skewers and seasame prawn toast and crackers and the juice tooo:))) Perhaps the injury to the head did him good?!:)) ups naughty mummy I am.

The three musketeers.....Reuben off course in the middle. He wanted desperaley to sit between the brothers Luca(brown eyes) and Noah (blue eyes).

So it has been a busy week! A difficult one with various strange emotions and feelings and illnesses but weekend so far so very good. Happy to look forward to next week.

Half term gone!

Today we had been to church (family time) and then we had lunch in town followed by some play around Bwater and some shopping too. I can not belive what a beautiuful face painting ...for free in ELC today. Look how happy my Reuben is as the lady has managed to do some elephants and a setting of the jungle of his face....he was so happy!I just cant belive Zackie wanted his face done too! Look at them!!!! The best ever photo!! I must print this out!! Its one of those must keep photo!!We had managed swimming yesterday after a huged yummy home made three course meal and having seen our friends Nicholas and Andrei.Yap...we are sad to see the scate park kind a being less popular with the colder weather but we did make it there....too!

Friday, daddy took day off and we all went to the Hornby Factory and Museum...A MUST SEE!!!- it was fun and loads to get our hands busy with...even model spitfire making, painting and....colouring while we were able to try out some trains and such....Need I comment?!:))) It was an exciting day so much so that he did not eat much that day...neither had Zac..Cant believe they got me going tooo!!!:))) watch Zackie;s face too!The highlight however was seeing his first causins from England....Simon 18, Peter 14, Anna 12, we had a really good "noisy and crazy" two days which we LOVED. THANK YOU HARRISONS.On the way to Guildhall Museum a def must see place. We loved the walk in the sunshine and off course the Hulk and the coin rubbing...(bras rubbing:?) it was very interesting...not sure they got it mine two but oh well..Present for not missing one single school day (even he was twice bleeding rather badly (nose) and for bringing many gold stars home)...wonder what his present at the end of TERM will be?! Daddy any ideas?!Wednesday after Harrison;s left was hard to deal with the empty house and off course the sadness of having to say bye to our loved ones. I was eager to go out but it was raining bad rain...so much so that we had to take the car to my friend Elena's house which was only a nice walk away. When we stopped the car (I was rather tired and fed up from all the noise and winges...) we saw this ....floods of tears on mummy's face...we then stopped and chatted and R took a photo. I told Reuben this was God telling us how much he loved us....and that he was never gona hurt us ever again....(in simple words the story of Noah and his ark)....he was so delighted to see God at work...call it early theology I don;t care....my children should know the truth and learn to love God as we do!!These two love their bath times....:))) I won;t comment as pic talks for itself!Reuben and I did a little shopping together and I loved the fact that he choose his own T shirt. When he did...he looked up at me then said..."mummy we must buy one for Nicholas for he loves loves Mario" this is why they both wear the same T shirt. I love that Reuben often asks me to let him give to his friends things and I hope he will always find more joy in giving then keeping things only to himself. I think he is very attentive that way...he knows exactly who loves what and who would like what. He also does not ask for a lot just everything:))))

Thank you Daddy for taking two days off to be with us! For waking up each and every morning to be with your boys while mummy has her beauty sleep! I don;t know anyone else who makes such sacrifices....and for this we will always love you. It has been another highlight to have Daddy around...it was just one of those very nice nice nice almost like being on holiday time...
Reuben loved building with these bricks...slightly away from the idea of the actual game but...who cares seem to make everyone happy:)) I must say here we now have a huge collection of family games...Shopping Trolley (game), Tell the time (game), Charlie the bear (game), Hungry Hippos, puzzles, etc.

THe half term started with Mathew;s bday from school....Reuben got to enjoy a really nice Saturday pm party after having done some more GO Carting at Buckmore park....

Sunday we had gone to Shorne Country Park....with Vasile;s and Iveta...

Monday we spent a day around home and visited our beloved fish (at the secret garden) after which we went to LIbrary saw some friends and gone to Cathedral Tea Rooms to see granny and have chockie cake....then played in the Castle Grounds with Zoli and Harrison...had subway lunch, rested, saw Alfie and Marie, Swam and then crashed....in bed!:)

Tuesday we done a spot of shopping and welcomed Harrisons (first causins)

Wednesday gone to Guildhall Museum with Harrisons and pm saw double rainbow and visited Nicholas and Andrei at their house

Thursday we went to see Rafael and had yummy Macdonalds, slept (yay) then went to Monkey Bizz whith Rafael and family.

Friday we gone to Hornby Museum...and done some more shopping on route.

Saturday we cought up with friends at Cathedral Tea Rooms then slept then went for swimming.

Sunday went to Family Time and church then enjoyed some BLUEWATER FUN!! Yay ...now back to a busy week routine....clocks have changed and we are a bit in the air with timings. Reuben is desperatly ready to see his friends and desperate to start school tomorrow.

END ...beggining of half term....

Pheww 6 weeks of school have passed my son who purposely went to school not knowing any of the letters or the spelling of his own name....(yes yes I am not very much into sending kids to school to be bored)...well after only 6 weeks he knows all letters, he writes his name and enjoys school as though he was always there. He loves praying and singing...writing has become a very very exciting and enjoyable task....I am really happy and feel amazingly proud of my Reuben. Who would have thought that he will be so much in his element at school. I have said I should write some of his "golden words and expressions" so I can remember them later....as they are so sweet and thoughtful. The other night we his daddy read him a story and after it finishes Reuben said he wanted to read it himself....well, we were gasping for air when we realised he was memorising nearly every thing we read to him....he slightly rephrased the story but used mostly the same words....wow and that after a long day.

The above photo concludes the 6 weeks in school. It was taken at the Harvest festival at school where I was moved to tears during the serivice and during kid's repertoir. IT was such a heart warming feeling sitting there with Zac hearing them sing.....to God, I was massivley proud that he learns about God, that he has amazing teachers and loving friends. This last week of school before half term we had couple of playdates at the house (very tireing but ....) we are meeting more and more parents and children and again I am really really excited to see what a good class he is in. So now all geared up for half term...some family activities with daddy taking some time off, hopefully enjoying the Harrison's visit on Tuesday and Wednesday (causins Anna, Peter and Simon and aunty Helen and uncle Andrew)...and some swimming and some catching up with friends on Friday.....should be good fun.

brrrrrr

Phew weeks are just passing us bye! Finally feels like FALL or Autumn...and now that I have turned 35 I feel as though another milestone and more content. In my Maria world well, a birthday...with loads of beautiful gifts and presents, flowers, cards...I FEEL LOVED. I also came second at a huge job interview. Yes did not get the job but feel so much more confident and terribly good about having done so well...after 2 years out of work. And well my boys are getting so much better behaved. Reuben has been continueing to be amazing at school At first parents evening we were gulping down our tears of joy and pride as we were told how wonderfull Reuben is. At the same time we love listening to his ALPHABET, numbers and we are even more amazed as he went in not knowing a single letter and here we are 5 weeks since he started school and he can write his name down!!! WOW. On this picture one fine morning him and his brother played beautifully but he keeps having heavy nose bleeds which is why his PJs are stained. He refused to take them off as he wanted to show off how brave he was....:))) We went to drs but they are saying that we just need to keep an eye on it.On a beautiful Saturday am at Jackson;s fields. Hie best mate Nicholas with Zac and Reuben with Andrei, Nicholas's brother....happy 4 I say.As my boys have been such lovley kids I have bought them this lovley table and chairs ....so they can play and write...and just enjoy!! After school activities often include...walks and park however this past week its been somewhat hard to do everything we wanted. So Monday as usual Swimming, Wednesday we had Dispensari's around for a play date. Thursday we went to visit Veres family in Gillingham after the school pick up and before the drs and Friday he went to Ben's house from school...! so busy busy indeed.We love autumn...I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy the amazing colours and the change from a hot and sticky summer to a nice and cool autumn. I am spending time with boys observing things around us....climbing trees...experiencing the dry leafes and the wildlife....so many more birds....still my favourite is the amazing colours of freen, yellow and brown and red....wowowow. Also I love the Harvest time...the time of gathering and making things for the long winter both literally and figurativley. Preparing for winter and cosyness at home....!

I shall try and post reuben's beautiful singing:))) he is loving his Harvest Song and off course his prayer. I am so glad he goes to a Christian school. We had also started going to Sunday School so that he can learn more about God...in a way thats more appropriate to his age. I am loving his little brain.....his questions and the way he argues the answer. he loves HEAVEN cause thats where Grandad is...with all the Angels, God and Jesus....(to think he never really knew his grandad but comprehends him more than God offcourse). He said he would like to take a long journey to haeven cause its very far away up there in the sky.....but it must be so far no one ever came back from there....wow! He is learning fast...I love you Reuben. You never cease to amaze me. You are just perfect....love you dearly.