Half term

 Wow! We had such a wonderful half term...we have not planned much knowing that we had already three things happening 1- MAMA the week before 2- the Queen Dimond Jubilee and 3 Dickensian Festival so really other than these we decided we wanted to just chill and relax and top up on sleep...!! but today was a rather dry day and we had enjoyed a fabulastic day at Shorne Country Park with friends and family...scooting, running, jumping, walking, climbing and laughing....ahh loved today.

 yesterday we loved doing the Dickens festival for the probably 15th time....:) its beggining to be a little same old same old....and so one day of the two is plenty for us. Boys went on a few rides but what amazed me was that R did not get phased by the big wheel rather boldly went on it with daddy (no I wasnt gona die up there) and really he was very good over all. Reuben loved bumping into Noah and Luca and was enjoying some play along the way too.

I am very proud of Reuben for having done some homework every day! No he wasnt asked by the school but I had these Jolly Phonic workbooks lying around the house and to try and still keep up with some learning and excercising I asked if he did want to do it and he off course very happily done a page each day! IN fact one day I forgot about it and he has reminded me....I was so proud! I am seeing a really really lovley boy emerging in him. Not to be mistaken he has always been my angel in many ways but he is alwasy known as so active and I guess it surprises me pleasantly to see how well he is doing in school and in swimming how he takes things on himself....I am loving this stage. He has also surprised me with his often improptu singing either in Hungarian or English. He makes songs up or slightly changes to his own interpretation...but most I like when he sings "Jesus put this song into my heart....its a song of joy no one can take away...."I hope and pray that his joy will be always permanent and not depending on momentary things and wants. When he sings this song I also get challanged to think about those amazing things I could be happy for especially my happy and very wonderful family.

 Reuben;s best friend Nicholas remains Reuben's favourite person...they have decided that at the age of 12 they will move in together and play all day... (hmmm no food, no sleep no need to do anything just play....strangely loving his ideal world)...they are so lovley together. We even had a half sleepover....and even though it did not go to plan due to his N missing his mummy and family Reuben still talks about it as the most lovley thing....! I have to mention Reuben woke up in the morning to ask where his friend was....I said he had to go home...and R was so gutted. When N left the house here he asked me..."will R be very upset that I had not slept all night with him?" that shows how much they truley care for each other. I am loving that friendship that is so considerate. N is one of the most wonderful boys I have met and its been a pleasure to watch him hang out with Reuben. He has always been such good influence on R. Compliments to a wonderful set of parents (and no I am not ashamed to say they are excellent friends themselves proper grown up and adult friends who know how to relate and not be too precious and competitive...)

 As I mentioned MAMA has come all the way from Romania. Not ashamed to say I had been very exhasuted lately...the frequent illnesses since December with Zac (about 8 sets of antibiotics) and then the chicken pox, the conjunctivitis, the fever...the trips to hospital....worn me out and also the work I had to be attending to. So I called in for some well needed support in the form of my mum. Reuben was so happy it was just sooo nice to see how he was literally attached to my mum for about 3-4 days. On the first day of mama being with us, Reuben said to mama to come and collect him from school which we did. I ended up chatting to another mum in the school courtyard while R got out of his classroom. He looked at me then walked to mama, held her hand and took her straight to his teachers. The next thing I knew mama was all tearful so were the teachers....Reuben has been telling everyone about his special mama arriving from Romania and that was so touching indeed. He walked home holding mama's hand and I was trying to swallow my tears as it looked just like me years ago walking home from school with my mum.

 After much sewing of buntings and celebrating with friends (at two friend;s houses) finally on Sunday (Queen's Jubilee) I did an impromptu lunch...which was enjoyed by all. On the menue was, sausages - braised red cabbage with apple, onions, honey and spices, potato pieuree, pees, strawberries various chockolates and well whatever was to be found in the fridge/cuboards...:)) but the main thing was everyone was in good spirits and food was yummmmmmmm.

 and finally.....isnt my cheecky monkey Reuben good at drawing?! This lovley Jubilee kitchen towel with each and every child having drawn themselves on it....:)) rather cute me thinks.

All in all very happy with how this half term week went. Reuben has had much play and sleep, ate well and I had some special cuddles and fantastic conversations with my beautiful nearly 5 years old. To end it on a very positive note: Reuben said to me tonight before he fell asleep...mummy sleep well you sleeping beauty.....(this while I was pretending to be asleep) he even kissed me....BLESS HIS LITTLE HEART. My joy and pride...I LOVE YOU LOADS, Reuben M Smith.

Summer has finally reached us here in UK!!

 Its been a very hot week! Started like this about a week ago off course no one realised its gona get very hot but it is not bad at all. Kids had all enjoyed some seasideing....and it was once again proven that you don;t need much to enjoy the sea just to get close to it. We went to Whistable one of my favourites....it actually is a pebble beach but it has a few sandy areas too.

 Reuben and Alex enjoying a fun moment or two!!:)) This Alex has taken it upon himself to teach my children some Romanian and also some cool stuff:))

 Its been a hard week in many ways, reuben has been so good at supporting his brother through a week of illness and repeated trips to Drs who did not seem to know what was happening. We had quite a few bad nights and late nights and I had kept him home first time ever one day this week to let him have a rest. He has never missed a day from school except for being ill or appointments. He is not even 5 yet but loves school and has really really been fab at all routines we had thrown at him. He had a nap that day at 2pm and was snoring so so much like a grown up. I think he got exhasuted and when he woke up I could not believe what a happy and relaxed boy I had. It was slightly sad that he only had 20 mins sleep when Zac who was sleeping near him woke him up screaming....Reuben came down to find me in the kitchen (cooking) he smiled and said to me: "mummy my brother is crying for you, I did try and sing him a lulabie but he did not stop crying, come help him" He was so good. I must say I am always very touched. In the above picture we had done an impromptu get together with our neighbour who also was in the garden with her little one and also another family we know....I am loving that now that its summer we see more of our neighbours and we can just go catch up for a coffee or a chat through back garden gates....

 My neighbour Clare's lovley hammock....oh How I would love one! Boys had a nice time there enjoying the hammock too!! I must admit I get so jelous each time I want a rest in that hammock the kids get in there first and I just dont want to fight with kids over it that would really show how sad I am:))

 One day after school we had bumped into Jessica (blue dress) and her mummy...and we were asked if we wanted to go for a walk and a cupcake. Off course we did....and ended up in the secret garden which I love....it was so so lovley. Enjoyed chatting up Jessica and Lilly. (May I mention here that Jessica has written a personal note to Reuben asking him to MARRY her:)) she is besotten with Reuben....however R gets a bit phased by it all...)

 Summer also means mummy gets to wash all her rugs and upsholstery and clear out unwanted clothes as some go into storage for autumn, winter....and off course outcome some paint and art work in the garden....! Boys today have enjoyed painting a lot!

A lot is happening here in Smith land!! As you can see Reuben is being the new Eurovision presenter:))) or so he would like to think. But really, Reuben had his first health check at school and its all strangely recorded on a strange form which gives the following info: HE IS NORMAL:))) (well glad to know).
We also had a first few no nappy nights succesfull....
Reuben has passed his 15 m swimming
We have one more week at school before the half term, this week on Monday we are going to St Guys and St Thomas's to see a specialist regarding Muscular Dystrophy a condition Reuben's daddy and his family has...we are making it our fun day too.
Wednesday Reuben's mama comes from Romania for a long week to help mummy and enjoy her grandsons here in Uk.
We have quite a bit going on for the weekend including a playdate at a school friend's house then a BBQ at some family friends, followed by no doubt more seasideing and Monday another BBQ with the Godparents of Zac....and the two grannies! Tuesday we are celebrating 60 years of Queen Elisabeth on the throne...
I am sure I forgot something but I am just enjoying so much my boys right now...this is turning more into a quick record for the future....
For all of you that are reading us....ENJOY THIS WEEK AND THE HALF TERM...we will be back:)

Update May 2012

What a rainy April!! Well we had managed it ok with plenty activities around the home and looking forward to some fun outdoors in MAY!

Reuben has passed his 10 m swim blissfully and was so good to see him swim like a fish. He was so happy and excited. I knew he can do it but it wasnt a matter of can do it it was a matter of doing it swiftly. Often I see parents at swimming just collecting badges....pushing kids...well we are not. We go swimming for fun and learning will also happen but not necessarily feel like pushing for the badges. Well done Reuben.

Here we go R unaided...swimming from one end to the other. Well done sunshine!

Reuben has been very good so we had let him have his early bday present (well one of them) and here he is spending time with one of his favourites....his new DSI!

I am loving the evenings...yes I am! He is very interested in stories however he seems to love his own voice often one reads and he is on about something completley different. Granny however does reading the best way...she reads and comments, questions and exclaimes just as she should do. She is never in a rush so she stopps to hear what each of the boys are saying....! Reuben loves listening to the stories with granny.

Boys swinging ...we had window cleaners and boys were facinated...:)))

 May started for us with a special trip to London Morfields Hospital. Reubens daddy and his family have been in a research programme for some time now for their family condition Muscular Dystrophy. We were asked to take both boys for their eyes to be examined as often some muscle waste and such can be observed early on...however after a long trip there and 4 hours wait the boys were not cooperating. Reuben had a little accident as he got very tired which meant he was very preoccupied by his pain and anguish and we were really exhasuted so much he actually fell asleep in the waiting room. Still I am terribly proud that he soldiered on he understood why we were there and was keen but also just a child....

On the way back he was only too happy to stop at Stratford and do some retail therapy at Westfield shopping centre. To be honest we felt we needed to treat them both as they were incredibly good....just look at next photo, which makes me incredibly proud of my fabulous boys.

Yes, my big boy Reuben! I am icredibly proud and happy with you, sometimes you really do amaze me...with your inteligence with your wittyness and ability to tap into my most inner thoughts and prayers. You recently said that you wanted to marry me and that I was gone be your sweetheart and that you will bring me butterflies....I love you too....!!! I love the fact that you alwasy greet me with smiles and incredible hugs and kisses. I look at you and my heart shrinks of fear that anything could spoil your confidence and love of life. I hope and pray that you will be everything that God intended you to be. I also love that you know how to show your affection with your friends, you love them so much you would consider moving into theirs, also you do ask for them if not seen for a while. Today you hugged and kissed your friend Ashley while he was playing with you on the wii and each time you talk to anyone you get really close to them and look into their eyes meaning every word you say. I think the world of you and I am so happy to be your mum....!

HAPPY EASTER JESUS IS RISEN! HALELUJA!

Happy Easter Everyone! I hope your Easter is filled with joy, hope and really meaningful things. I have to confess somehow I had been very ntraditional this year! I had not observed Lent as I should have instead I had decided I would do a "what I am grateful for" diary which I failed at miserably but I do have a few things I am very thankful to God for and they do not need to be written down, they are things I feel and know and they won;t ever change. I had been somewhat frustrated for some time with some issues around my own believes and frustrations and I guess I am batteling something that is no win win situation...but someone said you know you;re alive when kicking and God knows I am....so lets hope God;s grace is beyond words and beyond everything so much so that we just KNOW it is sufficient , I know for me right now it is sufficient...its there and I AM THANKFUL TO GOD FOR IT! Its a good Easter for us all....in many different new ways...and sometimes not doing a routine/tradition can be equally amazing....
This is what we had been up to recently:)
Wow, after a few days that the sun seems to have abandoned us...what a glorious day today Good Friday. Boys have been good at going to park, playing home and therefore a late afternoon walk to one of my favourites (nearly bought a house there 8 years ago) Upnor was suggested so we all embarked on some fun....it was really beyond my expectation...boys also loved it.My two amazing boys! I am so so blessed. I had a week with my boys and I am learning so much. Reuben amazez me with his fantastic chatting, reasoning, questioning, attention to detail, memory and love! Gosh I do love that he cuddles up to me that he is there with me....sometimes too much but I love it. He is always fun and ready to laugh out loud and his laugh is so infectiuous that we sooner or later all laugh....including Zac who just copies everything at the mo.We had established a very good routine....we have a morning activity or two including sorting out rooms and clearing up and getting dressed etc. THen planning the day....enjoying the day, quite time and reading time, (sleep time for Zac and sometimes mummy) coffee and snacks time...afternoon activity time and off course preparing dinner time and watching something fun on TV or playing Wii and dinner time, tidy up time, bath and story time and sleep time....seems to work ok. The above was Reuben;s quite time one afternoon. I was amazed at the funny conversation he was pretending to have with SONICS.Tuesday pm we had our friend Dionne and her delightful kids, Darcey and Blake to play with. Not only did we have a play time but also a hair cut time. Both boys were extreamly naughty not wanting a hair cut but with some bridbery and sweettalk, some determination we got there...this photo followed after....poor Darcey burried by all boys.Another quite time, a breether for mummy....and off course some educational stuff. I think they were watching Thomas in the hope of recreating some of the scenes.We somehow got to one of the STEAMTRAIN Railways too....surprise surprise since we had daddy to drive us around. Yes, we were so blessed with daddy having a few good days at home with us this holiday....This photo is at Hop farm where we visited Monday 3rd April, Reuben was enjoying our picknick and wanted a photo....Hop Farm was such an amazing day! I cant believe but the sun was out all day even the weather was predicted to be somewhat awful and rainy. We took a chance and gone out and loved every minute of it. Reuben loved loved golfing and running around and has been incredibly kind and loving to his brother....I am seeing a real bond and a fab brotherhood. Something I am also thankful for. Reuben has asked for a particular game for his wii and we had asked him to do a few things in return ...not only has he done them he done them amazingly well and happily well most of them. He never had to wait this long but he won;t get it til the end of the holiday and seems to be happy with that. He is very cute when he wants something and we say he has to wait, he expresses dissapointment with cute little " Oh I did not ....for ages"/ he has been asking for a particular long seen friend but after a few times we contacted them and heard nothing back....I have explained I think pretty well to him, it seems sometimes friends move on in life and the ones that really care and are worth our attention are the ones that do something about it. Its a diff lesson but why delude ourselves LIFE GOES ON....no time or energy should be wasted any longer one has to understand and keep on their journey....the good news there are plenty people around us who are HERE so lets be thankful and happy....and for the rest they will be part of our good memories...I think the best lessons are learnt at home in the comfort of a loving family.HEre we go my two amazingly good boys...I never imagined to get to this stage where brothers play so well together. Reuben was really good at helping Zac. Big boys cars! Reuben has got to drive this big mac all by himself through a pretty good area. He also got a driving certificate after ....he was ready to drive home but we said in a few years time that will come too...:))) Thank God he seemed to understand...it wasnt that easy...:))) THe prospect of him driving home one day wow....On Sunday it was a fabulously Sunny day, April the first so my boys played happily in the garden and then we went for a great play to the Castle grounds via the Vines Park and Cathedral....and our favourite Boley Hill.

School holidays are in full swing and we are enjoying a combination of things....! We had previously planned to go away but that got postponed so instead we decided to cram into our holiday as much local fun as possible. Here the 4 musketeers Zac, Reuben, Nicholas and Andrei!

easter holiday?!!!!! - happy birthday granny 79!! wow

Beautiful weather this week, yesterday 28th March the hottest day so far and for Reuben a well deserved 2 weeks holiday...hooray!its been ever so good to spend some lovley time with some of the kids and parents from R;s class at castle today...we are so blessed to live within walking distance both from castle and catherdal...and i am planning to make good use our our fab environment here in rochester.

Well, yesterday 28th was an important day! we celebrated granny's 79th bday. the boys have dropped in on the way to school and sang happy bday and gave granny one presie and a badge to wear that said: itS my bDAY! Mummy prepared a feast ( although granny thought was only gona be coffee and cake) well there was canopees with salmon and rocket, orange and duck pate and eggmayonese and tomato, scotch eggs, sausages, olives, meatballs and crisps. there was even champaign and a whole load of soft drinks, alchool, coffee and such. We had some neighbouresses around and granny had enjoyed the house and garden with her friends as well as the excitment of the kids once they got home from school and childminder. after school Reuben's friend Nicholas also came round with a bunch of flowers and a hand written card which granny really liked.sunday, hard to believe the weather was soooo cold. We had ventured out for a walk and found ourselves freezing...still a little bit of icecream and some fun!

boys seemed happy and unaware of freezing conditions:))) look at these icecreams...i even did not get to taste as to me it was sooooo cold..i have to say a massive thank you to jonathan for being such an amazing daddy to the boys! its been a hard months with me setting up my busniess and also attending meetings and seminars....he has taken it all in his stride and not complained once. I wish i had his cool...these boys are just so spoilt with such a loving daddy. they are my joy and pride!what can i say? march nearly over and we had come a long long way! boys are well settled in their rooms with occasional little visits and we are enjoying having our bedroom to ourselves again. I had been working hard setting up my busniess and getting back into meetings and self development days. its all happening here. j has been busy too.....busy at work and busy at home. Reuben has loved school and is impressing us with his developments in language and vocabulary, confidence and wisdom too. He has been a star and really good wth food too. At school he has been enjoying world book day, pancake day, visit to the Olympic stadium, various outings with daddy....and granny.....and really he has had a smooth move from bakugans and thomas and all to SONIC underground, tom and jerry, mr bean, garfield and even calvin and hobbs....

He is still planning his bday but i have to say he is constantly uninviting me...(ha ha) and keeps telling me if i am being strickt with him i am not gona be invited...(little does he knows). Although at times he is really looking and sounding so grown up sometimes it does make me chuckle and love his babyish cute face and smile and language. one of my favourites is when he says, mummy you dust tut - as in to say "you just put" loving also when he says "if you don;t do that mummy i will off tell you"ha ha:)) i wish i could blame it on him speaking perfect other two languages ...but no...its just him cute and sweet. now looking forward to some holiday fun for some of which we also have daddy HOORAAAY

happy mother's day?! Mothering Sunday PLEASE NOTE THE DIFFERENCE!

Bless! as always on Friday last week I looked through Reuben's school bag and found these! It wasnt yet mothering sunday but I couldnt help getting excited, my little boy said to me that although he made that for me and it wasnt meant to be given to me til Sunday I can surley have it cause I am the most wonderful mummy.....(tears tears)....so there not only two beautiful pictures but also a little bit of a romantic words straight from the HEART. I asked Reuben if he thought it was a good idea to have a mummy's day and he said SURE mummy when its MY DAY?!- enough of that...lets talk about mummy...then!:))))We had a not so good weekend as the boys were stuck indoors a lot and that got to us all...not that we don;t have enough toys, space or such it was just that there were many things we wanted to do, fit a sleep routine and also have fun all individually and all together two....and it kind a went off the rail and got a bit boring. To make up today was a manic day, not only school, parents meeting, mini playdate and swimming we also found these adorable bunnies while picking up some last minute sausages at the local coop and they were too cute not to start bringing colour to them straight away. i loved that during my cooking both boys in the company of granny Smith were busy painting:))) with such dedication and such excitiment each talking about what their bunny would be like in the end....well what do you think? i think they are pretty cute and lovley and will make a fab little display for Easter which is soon on our doorstep. I failed miserably already at my LENT "praise" thing but I guess cant be doing it all. God sees our hearts and feelings...he is not like us humans....we respond to human stuff to displays of emotions, actions and such...but he really does know our hearts and understands our unspoken and unformed thoughts....prayers, wishes and even knows apparently the number of our hairs....wow! so nope I am not giving into the guilt stuff instead I choose to be thankful that I am able to talk and walk and think as much as I do....and the rest is GRACE! only grace!
back to bunnies.....I love my two boys....and I am just so so pleased and proud of them and their latest developments and adjustments to their new rooms and all.A very tired Reuben concentrating to make his bunny the most beautiful one....
We had parents meeting with teacher today and I want to say how proud and incredibly thankful I am for my beautiful, clever, vivatious and energetic son. Teacher was reporting that Reuben runs into the class and brings the sunshine straight away, he is keen to learn and is very excited to help and integrate others in activities that they do. He enjoys the school and even when seemingly tired he is always happy to talk to teachers and friends. I am most proud that he never missed a school day and that he understands the need for school....his first question every morning is "mumy is it school day today?" I think deep down he off course wishes it will be "no its Saturday" but he does not get dissapointed when I say "it is a school day Reuben". He is one and only Reuben and I love him so very much. I just wish that this "mario" stage passes soon and he is back to Thomas and his friends and the land of living:)))
But just as the next picture shows he still finds a lot of time for scootering, cycling and skittles and all possible sports! Bring on the sunshine and bring on some bank holiday and long weekends fun.....:)))

not a lot of people know that I belong to a family of people who are very good at sports, both of my brothers have done a lot of football, athletics and table tennis...(in fact one of my brothers is still playing weekly table tennis and football), also I from the age of about 8yrs old I had done ballet then moved on to gymastics (I was particularly good at long jump and short distance running and bedmington), my father was a keen footballer but he has had a go at everything he could. Now wait for this, one of my A levels is in Physical Education.....yes yes....it was running and long jump....and yes I got very good grade. So I am watching Reuben and wondering what will he be very good at? I do not want him to do something specifically but whatever he puts his mind to I would hope he will excell and find tremendous joy in. For now all I know he seems keen on every sport even playing with the idea of skiing.....yay! i used to be good at that too and my brother Misi was a pro at it too....yap yap I know time to finish.....my long post...just a tad excited about the future....which seems so bright....

Wasnt going to be a Caars theme however with his massive collection of toys....it can only be Caars and World (he just loves so much maps).Finally Reuben's bedroom nearly done! Wow, one day work but really loads of thinking behind it. I can not believe how well the first week has gone. WOW! He told everyone possible about his room and is enjoying showing it to everyone who happens to come to our house! We had a massive week...(my bedroom also got decorated but that shall be revealed at a later date)...we had Monday Reuben;s best friend Nicholas to see his room...then came with us swimming. Tuesday am Zac had a playdate with Andrei and Martha, then pm Noah (and his family) have popped in after school...! Wednesday we enjoyed Georgia's visit after school and Thursday, Toby and Luke and their mummy brought R home and enjoyed playing. Friday Ivetta (my friend and childminder) picked up Reuben from school and took him to see a gymnastic's class....together with his brother Zac....next week we are not planning visits as we are in need of some family and us time.I am glad that I have involved Reuben so much in planning his special room. Where blue Dino is ...we are awaiting a desk where he will be able to do his reading....and writing. (his office as he says it)Its been a long week. We had a baby shower and a birthday to attend today meanwhile finding perfect curtains for my bedroom....so it was a bit manic....however...tomorrow hope to let kids do what they love best plenty running at the park and scooting around while hopefully curtain poles are fixed up my bedroom and then one more spare room to be sorted and house well....resfreshed and ready to be enjoyed fully....YAY!!!! Attention now turns to garden too...I want to take boys out and show them some gardening skills but hope that the weather will allow us....they had moved into the bedrooms we all planned for March and the rest shall surley follow nicely....still life is there to be enjoyed so must go out and play and enjoy SPRING!!!