Wow, everyone started talking about the end of summer holidays and even us feel the stranged and mixed feelings that come with that. For starters we are certainly much cooler and we are noticing the difference when trying to enjoy a coffee in the garden in the mornings.....but it does not really feel bad just something in the air is noticeably telling us back to busniess:) For us business means SCHOOL starting again and off course juggleing things around the boys. We certainly had an unplanned chilling and relaxing summer which is why I chose this photo first. I had a massive selfish ME time with my boys because it felt right and needed. Reuben has been most days a delight and I can say this is certainly the best summer we had for ages.

 Chillaxing! one of the most noticeable changes in our family life is seeing the boys (yes both boys) totally being happy at home and knowing how to entertain themselves and each other. Reuben is still big on outdoorly things, always embracing whatever activity we planned or not and at home always happy to juggle the 3DS, wii, Ipad, various character games, NIJA LEGO (he has many of the lego ninja figures if not all and most of Mario or Sonic figures), I love love the conversations he strikes among his characters sometimes using incredible gramatical impossible tenses and making it really cute....I also notice that often he prefers acting out a story rather then telling it which gets very much of a fun game as he  inacts them. This photo describes him so well..ready for some mischief and enjoying a pose!:), being aware of us watching him and encouraging him. He is indeed so very very grown up sometimes...and he did enlighten me about a thing or two during this summer...I will treasure these moments forever....as they are so unique and such a insight in his little self.

 After our summr holiday in Romania we had a quite week of settleing back into home life (rediscovering their toys, rooms, etc) catching up with several close friends especially Elena and family. So other than a few days spent local we were busy settleing in back home when we had the urge one Sunday to go explore London. I most like the impromptu things these days....we were going to cyclopark (more later) but Zac fell asleep and snored so beautifully we decided to carry on driving...Jonathan took us through Stratford and showed us some of his latest work  (see the sculpture at this link http://danesyardkitchen.com/gallery/ ) and we found ourself in Greenwhich and around the Olympic park....we had scooters and all and decided to get out the car and explore. We had a picknick with us so we were well equipped. Boys got excited about the prospect of trying the cable cars and I MUST SAY IT WAS TRULEY WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENY!!! The boys were in awe of what they saw and so were we!  So we had an afternoon of experiences GREAT!

 On the Thames....some fun in the bubbles as we call them....! Reuben got Zac very excited. When we asked the man in charge if Zac could go he said he is far to young and he wont give us back the money should he decide he did not like it. We took a risk, well I did because I guess I am the pushy one here:)) and well Zac just loved it and he was copying his brother most times...no he did not shed a tear...not did we loose any money in fact people were praising him...pointing at the bubble saying "wow look at that little one" (needless to say I was the proudest mum in London) and at the end I did feel like asking the man to give me back the money purley because he has no idea and was so stubborn on talking us out of it....and I prove him wrong!:)

 Do I need to say much more?:) a moment of sheer happiness!!

 Scooting around Greenwich was brilliant I loved the fact that I did not need the buggie and had to gallop with the boys and it was all so much easier.

 WE had been doing some homework at home but here Reuben and NIcholas were doing a lot of colouring 2 hours worth of sonic, mario sheets colouring....I was enjoying some peace and quite and they were so so into it I did not even know I had the boys....another great afternoon well spent.

 Cyclopark!!!!- has anyone seen this amazingly great place?! Wow! This is where we are gona hang out from now on...in fact I shall move in next door...:)) the largest cyclepark in Europe. A fab place for all. Beautiful play area, skate park, caffee, and two great cycle routes for familes and professional cyclers. I was so refreshed by my experience there its hard to explain. We had seen Reuben learn how to cycle in July (without stableisers) and then in only few hours he tackled a bumper route which is really for 8+ years old. We had to once again fight to get them let us let him on this but it was worth every little puppy eye....and convincing.

We live in such a fantastic place Kent is known as Garden of England, is surrounded with amazingly beautiful Cathedrals, Castles, National Heritage places, English Heritage and plenty Farms and places kids can hang out. This is by far the best for the more active children. It might be seen as a little expensive but I'd rather spend money taking us all out and enjoying excersize in fresh air - than getting into cramped, airconditioned play places and parks that are either too busy, exposed or have been vandalised....sadly. But back to the boy!!:)) he has certainly surprised us with his massive physical ability the perseverance and endurance in tackleing such a big challange and he was totally extatic when older boys shook hands with him and said how cool he was!!!...I hope and pray that Reuben will find it in himself to be able to positivley embrace the school with its challanges of less play, more study, new teacher, shorter days (after school), less freedom and I hope to be able to support him to become a strong and able child who knows well his limits and his abilities, who knows that every single goal that he sets is achievable just as he achieved the full completion of his bumper track, with support encouragement, ambition, self believe and a lot of hard work, some falls, some tears and a lot of excitment....
Year 1 - School hear we come!! hope you are ready for us....!!! more about this soon.
We are enjoying the last few lazy days! - we had daddy home for almost all summer which was an added bonus!!

Romanian Holiday

Hi! I wish I knew how to make what was 2 weeks really wonderful time HOME in Romania, communicate to you my faithfull readers what we had experienced. We had decided to go back to Romania in August as my parents were celebrating 50 YEARS of being married something that we certainly felt was worth celebrating. Here is a pic of how it was all set up...(my dad made the gazeebo?! I provided the table arrangements, and my creative mum sorted the voil and the summer coloured umbrellas)

It was a wonderful hot summer holiday. Our flat is self contained above mum and dad's (my old family house). I was able to look down on the grand garden first thing and last thing each day which I loved. I remember being young and dad and mum talking about how one day they will extend and make more room for us all now I actually lived to see their many dreams come trough and enjoy the fruit of their hands.

 My dad makes amazing things...the strairway the covered area (where my brother parks his car, he does live in the other half of the house) and the garden with the various nice metal works.

 As it was sooo very hot we often gone to the TIME OUT caffee where the best coffees were enjoyed and my lovley sister in law Irenke and Hannah my niece came with us too. It is not something that locals can afford often its a luxury still at home to go to a caffee:(( I found that a bit sad but I am glad we were able to enjoy it there.

Another thing I often heard when I was young was that my little town will one day have its own thermal water spa. I was so glad to be able to take kids there and they had an amazing time. Boys really did enjoy it and I was once again so glad I lived to see it happen. Again, a bit expensive for the locals but such a great little treat when they can make it there and enjoy the nice warm water and a little swim.

I am sorry about the washing....but this is part of my parent;s garden we lived in it day and sometimes night too. The brick wall...stands between our garden and the old communist orphanage (I used to hate being in the garden for I heard many unwelcomed and upsetting cries from the kids who were dumped there and mistreated...now I am glad to see it empty and I hope there will never be again sorrow behind that wall). On the other hand the wood you see piled there is the wood every good man has to provide heating for their home for the winter....! The inflatable pool was our saviour when days got madly hot!!

 We also went to to the hills surrouding my town because my town is totally surrounded by hills and mountins. I was able to enjoy some peace and quite and a rest with my older sister Ellie. The gentle noise that this gorgeous stream provided was truley relaxing and Zac loved finding stones that upset the serenity of it all and splashing us as he threw them in the water....:))

 My older brother now 46 surley is a big kid at heart got into the freezing water with Reuben for some splashing....! It was about 50 cm deep here. Reuben loved it so much I had to pleed with him to get out. Don;t kids feel cold?! Lucky things.

 With the cousins looking for some treasure:)

Back at the house....my dad thought R how to make a fire if he was ever stuck in the woods or wanted an impromptu BBQ:)) this was one of the most exciting evenings. they had carried the wood (yes proper wood), set the paper in the middle, used matches and set fire....kept the fire going and well occasionally stuck a stick in it...lets hope we do not have this recreated at home:))) or else Fireman Sam must come and help us and we might have to move to ROMANIA:))

 I was particularly proud of Reuben for the way he enjoyed Romania. Not once has he mentioned missing England, it was just natural we were there. He made friends with everyone....often kept chatting to them even when Romanian boys felt embarrased at their English or lack of it and hid away from him. Reuben insisted on following them and smiling at them then holding his hands out to them inviting them to play. I love seeing how kids really interact with no spoken words. Here we were playing in the nearby town's playground with my childhood best friend Erna's children Matyas and Toni. They really bonded as after a good play they decided they needed the toilet and since we couldnt find one they all together decided to water some trees (actually all watered one poor old tree) and came back to report they made an X sign on the tree....I live the rest to your imaginations:))

Back at the house....the kids got aunty Irenke and Hannah in the pool as they were, fully dressed...and why not? the sun will dry you soon said Reuben....and like that Aunty Irenke (who by the way adores my boys) did just that, Hannah followed.

What were we doing? Well, Jonathan who never gets in the water...was up to no good...

 Now, this is something coool unique and full of vitamins...on the negative side it does stain teeth....fresh BILBERRY (yes that is correct) latin name vaccinum myrtillus this is something unique to our part of the world. Has amazingly fab qualities but I have to say Zac's nappies were something you would never want to experience....however has def helped with getting them vitaminised....:)

 Both kids loved loved these BILBERRIES they are sooo yummy they had them every day at any given time...when offered with this irresistable smiles on theoir faces. Mama had even made jam and we have some in the fridge...yumm.

 Basketball at my old highschool PE field. Harry was the coach and he was an amazing help while at home with childcare:) He was faithfully with us at all times and making sure none of the English cousins had a moment of boredom....wish we could have brought him back with us. He is such a wonderful and cute kid.

Hanniel (Blue T shirt) my eldest nephew was at hand to make sure boys had a good time while at the park. Hanniel is studying in the nearby city...we had enjoyed trying out the trams in Oradea (and we got and old fashioned strange one) and he speaks brilliant English.

 another picture of the thermal spa we enjoyed every so often.....

 Aunty Rebeka has stayed with us and travelled with us in Uk all of July (THANK YOU REBEKA) was and is my DREAM SISTER, I can not say how much I love her (she is the one holding Reuben) I am not ashamed to say that since I had Reuben and Zac, she has spent most of her holidays with us. She lavished and entertained my children with her undivided attention, love and care. This is such a special photo for me as we saw Betty (blond niece) and Harry (the boy on the floor) first time a few days after we arrived home. Boys were thrilled (as you can see ) to see them. Hannah (pretty flowery dress) lives in my parent;s house (with her family) and boys loved having her at hand too. I love how happy everyone looks in this photo.

Ups. Back at the STRAND (spa) boys had a fab time with yet more cousins. In my home town live quite a few of my first cousins. Its great to hook up with them too. They are very close to me as we grew up together and spent most days together...really they are like my siblings too.

 And fnally the event!  It was sooo exciting!! Mum and dad have really done such a good job....just look at these summery colours and the imagination....My dad's actual hard work in making mum's ideas come true...could there be a more ideal couple?!

 At church Reuben got to be a "sweet" distributor....with the Pastor's daughter Boroka. This meant that he had the job of carrying a basket full of sweets through the church and offer people sweets after the service. He was brilliant at offering sweets. One moment I will never forget was when he has gone out his way to find this old gypsy woman who was waiting at the gate of the church for some left overs and offered her the same way sweets as he did to those who were in the church hall. I loved how oblivious he was to the difference between those who were in and these few gypsys outside. he has noticed them and wanted to share with them.....I love that there was no fear, no prejudice and no sense of they should not have what we have...I silently prayed..."GO BOY" stay like that all your life!

 A picture with the happy couple....I am so proud of my parents!! Can you tell?!?!

 A rare moment...all four of us together....not sure where the fifth one has dissapeared my sister Rebeka....but indeed its hard to get us all together. My brother (blue t shirt) lives with mum (massive house with many rooms and more bathrooms:)) he is 46, then its my sister Ellie (lives in Slovakia and she is 42) then the boy I always wanted to marry as a young girl Misi (my older brother) he is 42 and lives locally few streets away from my parents;s house, and me off course far away in England....the ever so young, fresh and beautiful one:)))

 I had been waiting for this moment for such a long time. This is the brother who often saved me, stuck up for me, scared all my boyfriends away, scared me away from all the friends he had whom I eyed up for myself, the one who fulled me around, dearly loved me, held my heart, who was my rock and my shield, and the one I could not fall asleep in the evening until he was at home, the one that used to take me on crazy bike rides...got me to drive, let me share his drinks, his dreams....I miss him so so badly. I want to be a child again when he is around me because he made me feel so safe, he also was the most hilarious and funny boy. I hope he feels the same way about me...I hope he also misses his little sister...and I hope we will still share many happy memories....cause God knows how much I love him.

 And finally the family....I cant but get emotional when I look at this. My mum and dad I think also can hardly believe their eyes. Two young people set on their journey with very little...to have gained sooooo much....I look at my nieces and nephews at my beautiful sister in law's and my big and generous brother in law....I am so blessed so very blessed. My boys and us have experienced such a unique and brilliant time of true true FAMILY time. All cousins together with their mums and dads and grandparents (two of them)...we ate together, sang together, laughed and cried together...we needed no words at most times cause LOVE NEEDS NO LANGUAGE. I know we won;t all be together again like this for some time...but I will treasure these moments these special times when my boys (including my gorgeous and faithfull loving husband) had exeprienced FAMILY HOLIDAY. I pray that we are able to hold these memories and treasure them....so that when life gets tough we can look back and scoop up some love...to keep us afloat. For now, LONG LIVE THE HAPPY COUPLE and massive THANK YOU TO ALL MY FAMILY FOR GIVING US SUCH A SPECIAL TIME.

I asked Reuben what was the best he remebers of Romania, he said EVERYTHING and WHEN CAN WE GO BACK?!:) He misses his cousins and mama, tata and REBEKA and wants them all to come for Christmas....! Well done Reuben for being a brave, happy, content, enthusiastic, funny, adventurous and loving boy through the two weeks of your holiday in ROMANIA. You did have an amazing time....and I am sure you will remeber it when all the photos will get printed in your album.

Hello!:) where shall I begin?! Its been so much happening feel like I would be catching up for ages. First things first....NO SCHOOL and we are very much aware of that. Reuben has not mentioned it once and I guess he is loving his holiday. We had enjoyed the Torch entering Rochester and yes we had seen it then enjoyed time with friends at tea rooms. This holiday is all about chillaxing and realxing and just being. We are soon of to Romania so this is the last post until we return although I am playing with the idea of doing Reuben a summer holiday journal:)) if only I had the time. So far, we had enjoyed the Olympic craze and Reuben and Zac both watched the opening ceremony right after they took part in the MEDWAY MILE race at the Castle in Rochester which was followed with everyone enjoying the view of a big screen in the castle grounds of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Reuben and Zac both loved seeing MR Bean and that did it for them. I had one goal or two for the summer holidays both can be ticked but more about that later. Reuben CAN NOW RIDE THE BIKE without any aiding and thats fabulastic news I am looking forward to enjoying cyclopark soon with both boys. http://www.cyclopark.com/
here some of our snippets in no particular order!:)

 getting ready for the Medway Mile 2012!!!

 reuben next to his friend Toby (friend with blue shorts, reuben next to him with black shorts)

 getting ready for the run!

 Us waiting for the Olympic torch!

 Noah! - finally the dat came for Noah to visit and they even shared a drink:)

 Georgia visited too...and Jack our neighbours but this was a cheecky moment under the kitchen table...Zac thought he was driving the newly wedds:)

 We saw lots of reuben's best friend Nicholas!!! how could we not...? He wakes with Nicholas's name and goes to bed needing reassurance that they will play tomorrow too!!!I do love the fact that they play so well.

 And my moment of sheer pride! my son cycling like a pro in his second time we took off , stopped and enjoyed his cycling all the way to granny's flat ....all without any help!! YAY! He is a wonderful outdoor boy!

 This is watching Mr. Bean and loving it:)))with aunty Rebekah who loves them soooo much and has sacrificed a whole months of her summer holidays to come and stay with them...

 Enjoying a moment in the garden with granny having strawberries and icrecream...

 Ups back to Medway Mile...

 All registered and doing the Medway Mile!!! We all loved the event sadly the last one!! Fabulastic Fireworks at the end and ready for watching the Olympic games ...bring it on. Thanks to Godmother (brillant) Cheryl for always being on call at such wonderful events. We love ya Cheryl.....miss you being around the corner...but pleased we still get to see you loads.

Reuben is FIVE!! 5 YEARS OLD!!

 Yes! We are 5 years old pregnant!!:))) And that vest will never be worn again. Reuben has been eagerly awaiting his 5th bday. He wants to know how he was in my belly and how he was born and all that....so here we were talking about how difficult it was to carry him...how I have not stopped carrying him for a whole 5 years now...:))) except its easier now he can walk and really I only carry him in my heart...a whole different carrying that often is also worrying and anxious but most of the time a brilliant!!!

 Reuben has been rather crazy for LEGO recently. Mainly LEGO NINJA cought his eyes and I have managed to make him a LEGO NINJA ROOM with not so much hard work....but just have to say LEGO is totally facinating but gosh its hard to keep the bits together and not hoover them up....:))) still achieved his dream bedroom and the desire effect so I think I am awareding myself THE BEST MUMMY AWARD:))

 Reuben had a very exciting bday! He was rather emotional on the day overwhelmed I guess. On the Friday we had Elena and the boys around for a little play and start of the bday celebrations and even though it was only following week Tuesday his actual bday was being the weekend we started early. This is also Friday, when his room was all made over:)) with stickers and such. He was allowed to open a few presents...
Saturday morning we all set to go to playfootball.net and it was fabulous weather. We had managed to play most of the 2 hours with some drinks at half time and lovley hotdogs and burgers after.He had 21 children at his bday and here in the above photo we did play some pass the parcel.

As it was his bday we got is troffee he was the winner of the football match!!! He also managed to get certificates for everyone and a brilliant cake made by Ivetta his first ever childminder and our wonderfull family friend. I was so happy that Reuben did not ask to be head of the table. Everyone asked to sit with him and he was in his element with all his friends. I was so proud that so many boys have come and they all kept calling his name asking if them can sit next to him. He is a very likable boy...often what comes across is not what he is like but he is a very sensitive and adventurous unique and beautiful boy.

Saturday afternoon with his best friend Nicholas he opened the many very generous presents and cards and even offered some of his presents to Zac his brother. Sunday we had spent the day just relaxing and enjoying home....and it was so good not to do the rushing around. We missed church but then again it happens sometime. Monday evening Reuben did his last swimming lesson for the summer and he did brilliantly. Daddy was able to attend and see him in action which was added bliss. Tuesday, it was school day and I had decided to take the 40 cup cakes that IVETA has made to school and they were the highlight of the day:) Reuben had everyone sing HAPPY BDAY to him which was brilliant...and he loved enjoying his actual day with his current friends and in his own environment. I am off course amazingly proud of Reuben because not only he has settled in beautifully into his new school he is more than happy to run in day by day....he hardly ever missed a day and he loves his friends and they are his world....as well as us as a family.
Tuesday Reuben went to football after school and that was cool as on his bday he got to play what he loves....while me and Zackie went to celebrate Blake's bday who also is born on the same day as Reuben the 17th off course 3 years younger.
Wednesday pm NIcholas had Reuben at his house after school and he loved that.
Thursday after school was a Boley Hill picknick with all his school friends this was fabulastic the sun shone and daddy and Zac came along too. Friday today, we got up and went to see the Olympic torch being carried through Rochester and then enjoyed a coffee and a late breakfast at Cathedral Tearooms. There were about 10 kids from his class so we had loads of fun. Bday presents are still comming...yesterday he got a present from the Dispensari's that apperntly we found out his been waiting for all his life:)))) NINJAGO no doubt:)
Today Godmother Cheryl has brought up another present. We had cards and presents and all sorts even a week after his bday party:))) HE is a very much loved and cherished little 5 years old....I am so proud to be your MUMMY Reuben! I love you forever will carry you forever always in my HEART!