6 weeks since Romania and half Term fun

Can hardly believe that 6 weeks have passed since we had come back from Romania.
It has done a world of good for Reuben to have visited family and I know there is just not enough words to describe the learning and amazing experiences we had at home.
First of all the two boys have really bonded and I am thankful to see how happy they are in each other's company. I also was able to dedicate myself to them and made a conscious effort to have fun during the day (varied fun) and introduce regular bedtime stories at nite time. Learning meant not just me teaching but them teaching me what it was (is ) that makes their world go round. I realised that we are indeed o blessed and so lucky in many ways and we must stop wallowing in those things we cant do and start rejoicing in that what we have. So the 6 weeks since back were about all of us developing on these learnt stuff and a few hick ups and a few celebrations...

I had enrolled in the Race For Life and having done it last year I was determined to do it this year mainly for myself but also to show my boys life does not stop when you become a mum and indeed there is loads of fun to be had when one works hard and reaches, completes a task. So, I did it! here is the photo!:)  I think personally I am so delighted as only less then 4 months ago I had major breast surgery...yet I ran the race and completed the race which was amazing!! IT really was!

 

So having been back for 6 weeks and worked hard physically to live up to the race having worked and been busy at school we are now enjoying half term! It is a quite and relaxing one....we started off with a visit at Elena's on Friday after school, a BBQ at Iveta on Sunday....

Then followed with some bank Holiday Monday clear-out in the house in the hope of raising some cash for various things....then a visit to Ioana (my childhood friend) and enjoyed once again the OUTLOOK CENTRE (http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre)

 One of the family favourite places we had been to many places but this one is pretty cool!

 Water play and amazing exploratory stuff together with a massive woody play area....with loads of amazing stuff!

the first ever proper kids building site and structure and scaffolding and all I have ever seen in a play place.

 

We then enjoyed a Wednesday of relaxing with Alexia and Rafael whom we had not seen for a while and it really was very nice to learn how well kids can really play. Finished off with a MacDonald's after MONKEY BIZZ fun and exploring and making in the JUNK ROOM

All in all! I am so glad to see my boys so confident, happy and fun. Most mornings we have a lazy morning Ipads and crazy breakfasts (whatever we feel like, cereal, fresh baguette or brioches, often some chock toast...) and then we venture out for some fresh air (could also just been enjoying the development kicking a ball, riding a scooter or just walking around)....then seeing friends and activities at home, play areas and such.....then family dinner bath and bed with off course the "wishing chair" having read "the magic treehouse" so its all nice off course. IT has been a lot of rain so less time at the park but we had been very good and as soon as we had sun and warm weather we had enjoyed the park after school. When you live in England you soon learn to just enjoy warm days as not many and dry days too:))

Something I might regret is that I had given up swimming for a little while for Reuben. IT was terribly inconvenient after a long day at work Monday (a day of all) to then take 5 kids to swimming after school and then late dinner and that was only the start of the weekend. I think Reuben needed a break as he has been going for nearly two years. He also is undergoing tests as he has had a lot of swollen glands....over all I think he needed a break and so did I. We decided we will resume when he feels able and ready with some fresh enthusiasm...for now we will just do it all ourselves....he can swim well, is confident in the water....and has loads of fun at the various leisure centres we go to.

I am gald that we can have fun! I am happy that our two boys are developing and learning about life. I am daily amazed at how they surprise me by loving what we create for them and accepting things we can not magic for them or grant them. I feel very happy that my nearly 7 year old is confident, happy, creative, able to reason and most of all that he shows me every day the reasons to live on, soldier on, forgive and love again and again! Reuben you never cease to amaze me. Thank you for being so unique! I love seeing your brother worship you and I love seeing how much you care for him. You are my treasure and I am blessed to have you! REALLY BLESSED!

ROMANIA

 Such a fabulous holiday! Last minute just before the Easter Break we decided to step go back to Romania and have some fun...something was calling us home and we set out without daddy to try and have some bonding time and some catching up with cousins time. We had not been back for two years almost so....it was a good time to go! When we arrived in Romania we had a stop in Oradea (this is the nearest city) where we met cousin Hanniel (next to Zac) and cousin (2nd cousin to R and Zac as his mum is my first cousin) Otniel. We stopped at the KIDS TOWN (a fab kids area with just about everything you can think of) and had few hours of fun in the sun.

 When we got to Mama;s house two beautiful rabbits waited for the boys these were names Snow (white one belonging to R) and Dusty (Zac;s black one). Interesting how they make the choices yes R loves pure and clean colours and things and Zac is pretty into mucky, dark and accent colours and things. But they had immediately connected and loved loved the garden and space there is at Mama and tata;;s house/

 Yes! finally reunited with his beloved aunty Rebeka!

 Mama and Tata had even sourced scooters and bikes for the boys.....

 yeah and some boxing gloves and punching bag:)) so no need for me to intervene the boys were smashing the thing day and sleeping it off at nite:)

 How very special! Aunty Irenke and uncle Jo Jo (my brother) live in the same humongous house and they have a Jacuzzi bath which they get treated to each time we visit!!! THe boys were petty spoilt anyway by my brother and his lovely wife Irenke (and cousin Hanna and Hanniel).....but really a Jacuzzi bath?! They were hyper all nite:))))

 A really good park a street away from my parent;s house we hang out a lot there it was really good indeed!

 Skate/bike park meant we could also work out our energy levels

 the MUST have BBQ with tata meant the boys were learning some skills and eating very ethnic!! My fav ever thing to do....at home and they seemed to love it tooo!!

 The two entertaining characters (cousin Harry (in red) and cousin Efi (in blue) both of these were my saving grace. Thank you boys. Efi is technically again a second cousin who's mum is my first cousin...if that makes sense. Both him and his two brothers I have watched and loved since they were born. These youth are getting me to feel very old...but delighted they are such fine people.

 And yes! Here comes the girls ...my nieces...Hanna and Betty they are cousins not sisters. I have the most beautiful nieces in the world. I love them to bits!

 Ha the other saving grace when boys had enough of being out they often decided to sit down and play IPADS.....this is one morning after waking.

 Harry and Reuben having one cuddle.

 Writing their journals:) there was a lot to write about!

 Guns and guns and swords and more fighting stuff!  - my boys are well into every kind of gun/.///

 Just before we left we went to the Bear Cave (an amazing cave which has huge amounts of stalactites and stalagmites) and some prehistoric extinct bear remains....a truly amazing place> I was so delighted to see Reuben take an interest and Zac actually enjoying the exploration.

 Doing some crafts after a busy day! It was wind down time too hot to be out!

 on the way back from a truly amazing trip and we were travelling first class as there were no three seats in the plane all together and my boys have worked their charms on the stewardess ...I was well pleased....more leg room and a few other extra nice bits...+ sitting right at the front....not something we could have otherwise afford. Both boys were at this point full of mixed feelings./ Sad to leave Romania (and I mean crocodile tears and all) and happy to come back see their toys and off course friends and mostly daddy.

Overall the most educational holiday we ever had together. It was amazing to see boys playing together and being brothers....Reuben particularly enjoyed being a big brother and I think it has thought us a lot! As always special thanks to my family who have been amazing and have really really given us their all....plenty memories and lovely photos to have and hold....! now back to uk for some back to school and back to reality!