Hello 2014

 2014 has well and truly started. We had passed a massive and difficult year for many reasons and I am very keen on being more proactive this year! Its got to be a good year its got to be about us and about our wonderful kids. I am particularly thankful for two inquisitive boys that God blessed us with and a husband and father to my children who's main priority has always been and is US.
Reuben has been learning about the Great Fire of London and we had set out to go and visit the important land marks. it was learning for us all and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We had invited Nicholas with us who is the fountain of knowledge and Reuben's best friend....

 THe boys had been up the tower now discussing its beauty and uniqueness!!

 Yeah one of my favourites....millennium bridge linking  St Paul;s Cathedral and South Bank with some famous landmarks such as Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre....and in the distance the tallest building (very new) the Shard!

 We went to Museum of London too and on special request we had gone to see Paul Klee at the Tate Modern. Reuben has been learning about Paul Klee and was great to see how much he knew about him....with him I also learnt so much this school year already.

 My little pride and joy has made me proud on several occasions already but this was a special recognition of the Head Teacher (award) for his hard work. I must say he is enthusiastic about school and almost never hear him say he wants to stay home. He loves his friends and they have such a tight friendship. Parents Evening was very enlightening and I was so pleased to hear about his enthusiastic Maths and ICT and Science.....! He is a happy child often forgets himself in the world of toys play and imagination. Although his reading and writing is not up to scratch he is improving and working hard. What else does a mummy want to hear?

Perhaps me exposing Reuben to Andre Rieu has been a good thing as one day he told me he would like to learn to play the violin. He said perhaps we could ask the gentleman from the telly to teach him (I love when kids have no idea about what they are really asking) and so we started the violin lessons at school with a very friendly man (no not the one from the telly) whom Reuben now calls his friend. I am off course keeping an open mind I know kids loose interest very quickly but equally I know that perhaps with the right guidance he will learn to play and master it well.

 Another big step for Reuben has been becoming a member of the Kent Library in Maidstone. A brilliant place where you can check some books out and enjoy some well needed ICT time:)

 I am amazed by Reuben....I hate how I misunderstood him for a long time and I love that we now can talk and cuddle and communicate well. I have recently discovered that both my children love their home and their toys and enjoy each other;s company. I also have learnt that I can count on them and they really are growing up fast. I am amazed at Reuben;s self control when it comes to giving up things and letting little brother get his way. Recently I was being a little rough with Zac at bath time due to his tantrums and when I looked at Reuben in the bath he was tearful and begging me to forgive Zac as he is really "afraid OF THE water"  - I loved that he stepped up for his brother that he allowed to feel for his brother and tried to understand what might have been wrong. He often comes across like a cheeky and confident boy but inside he is very sensitive and needs a lot of positive messages.

 Reuben needs a lot of time for himself but when its fun time he loves his friends and spending time with them....this is one day when we had a sleepover....we are fortunate to have such a lovely courtyard so boys can play outside.

We are half way through the Term 2 and I am looking forward to the February break. Things have massively changed in our home since I started working and boys have adapted so well to my working life....weekends are gona be about us and about each other....I am excited about making this year our year...about giving my boys all my attention without suffocating them and trying to balance working and family life as well as my professional and social life. One or two major events are happening soon will try and keep you posted. Thank you for tuning in hope you've enjoyed my ramblings.

TICK TOCK TICK TOCK!

 Hi there! I know I know I have been silent! We are still alive and kicking but somewhat lazy when it comes to blogging....mainly cause I just feel tired and want to spend every little time I have with my boys partly because I wonder what happens if all this goes up in the air one day....all that time we put into recording these memories....

Reuben and Zac together are like chalk and cheese and you can either expect great harmony or a lot of noise....and generally Reuben gives in something that I truly admire and love about him. Normally older brothers are bossy and very territorial but when it comes to Reuben he is so restrained with his own feelings of lashing out at his brother often rightly so that even others have noticed. I am thankful for his wonderful restraining ability....I watch and I marvel ....he is so grown up in so many things.

 A moment of nerf guns with his best friends Nicholas and Jack...both are into nerf guns too! Zac is always an additional pain but boys generally cope well.

 Between Jack and Reuben they probably have way too many of the NERF GUNS but that's another story. I do like the fact that they get on so well...and really its so sweet how they get into target shooting and all....they have even got my neighbours involved....if not by playing ...collecting the bullets:)

 Well, before I discovered that there was an ARMY shop on the highstreet I one afternoon got into maiking Reuben army stuff. Please note all the equipment is made by me...:)) with applique technique well that is cutting out felt leaves and sawing them onto the vest after and using elastic I created bullet holding hooks.:) not very well but he was soooo excited!

 vest came out too small so I tied it with real leather tie:) He still was very happy!

 check out my soldier! and my biscuit making boy!:)

 icing the biscs or cookies the  joys of being home!

 Poor daddy had to sort out that LEGO! Don't even ask....this room well...started off very well ended up being a mess:) Lego has brought joy and incredible pain into our lives....seems everyone loves to build but they love more the mess:(( I must confess I sometimes gather it all up and the rest has to be hovered up (don't tell a soul). Just don't know how to store it once in million pieces.

 the wall of family....Reuben loves loves photos and making memories! He talks about each and every one of his cousins and friends. If only the walls could take all he would like to post on them.....

 an autumn day out at Cobtree Manor Park with his brother is always fun...they complement each other well....Reuben often helpful and funny teasing and enjoying a bit of bossing around...Zac always happy to help and to oblige (well I wish). R got cleverer now he knows how to get his brother to do what he really does not want to do....

 A wonderful visit of my sister "aunty Ellie" it was interesting to watch her crack some wall nuts for our cake....

 then it was good to practice with aunty:)

 Yes, we do happen to go out too!! Often boys want to stay at home play with their things. Its interesting I always imagined Reuben would live at school in that he will attend every possible club and after school activity but NOPE I was wrong. I only learnt lately possibly last few years that Reuben is a complex often unpredictable boy he has needs and his needs are not always easy to translate. He often asks for friends then when friends come he retreats and plays on his own or often goes in his room leaving them...I think he is off course loving the idea of friends but maybe he does need his own space really. When we have home days he is happy to just relax and enjoy home....and for that I AM TRUELY THANKFUL.

 Beautiful day out at Quex Park with great play area and nerf gun place too!! Wow both boys loved it there. I think we might go back.

 and we got to see my fav place the Hearty Ferry Inn, we did not get there in the summer so it was cold and not so much fun hence we are in the sulking pot all cuddled up!

 BOMFIRE NIGHT! The first sparkler lit by Reuben with daddy's help. He loved it ...and as Zac was not so keen he felt doubly big and clever!

 Red nose day! Yes, we have a lot of celebrations here in UK....here are my two Pudsey bears...they were sooo happy and so good in giving to the poor....school raised good money and hopefully made a difference.

 The first Sunday of Advent we started with a Indian take away! Twas lovely.

 Reuben was sooo helpful and cut up all Zac;s food....and then nearly ended up feeding him.

 And  chatting is big at Dinner Time my fav time of the day....partly cause I know wont be long until I can hear peace and quite:))) but also because I know I will hear about all the good things that they remember and enjoy....its a nurture time for all....we often have granny who is the source of all knowledge and that also is often fun and good. I do love when Reuben tells stories to Zac only to realise he is only teasing him...then Zac returnes the favour tells Reuben something like "Roo Roo...listen to me.... I am a big boy and been playing in your big boy room" ...R: "what but why that's my room" ...Z: "just joking":))) yeah well Reuben one leaf of your tree:))

All in all I am loving this age...both boys are conversing well, they have ample interest and really quirky interests. I know they are unique and I love them for it. they often remind me of me ...and then of different family members. I recently had 2 days for myself when they were visiting their cousins in Lincoln. Before they returned on Sunday pm I found myself nearly tearful because the house felt empty too quite and I was so lost without them. I know they are my everything....and through this very hard year and in the most difficult times they have been my joy and my pain but I would not have it any other way. I know we belong together and I love God so much for giving me these two amazing and gorgeous and big hearted, generous and loving kids. They continue to amaze me and to make me proud and for that I am so so blessed. A lot has happened for us this year, we had been through some very tricky things but we are standing strong....we are soldiering on....and yes...we are looking forward for a very relaxed family orientated Christmas. One when we can play games, talk, hug, kiss, listen and just be......
Looking forward to Christmas we all do!

Summer summer summer time

 Fun packed summer?! Indeed! We had so much fun and beaching and being with friends and family was truly a blessing. I love to talk to Reuben and he has been my source of joy as per usual. I love his arguments his dialogs and he always wins me over with his gorgeous funny and witty personality but God I hate his stubbornness and insistence....something I am to blame for as surely that's part of me in him...:))

 A new swimming place for us to enjoy was Cascades....! We had managed to see Ashley a few times this summer holiday and its worked out really well. I was conscious of making this summer as good as possible so although did not want to purposefully forget school friends we just took it easy and were spending time at home and visiting new places at times perfectly naturally we caught up with some of Reuben's fav friends....Ashley, Ben, Noah and twice we made it to the weekly get together with the red class.

 We also managed to get together with Romanian kiddie winks and mums and that is always a treat. I am so pleased there is a nice Romanian community around me. Some of these girls I have only met 2-3 years ago but it feels as they and I belong. Its strange as most of them come from the south and I am from East and a completely different cup of tea if you want. I also am aware I am Hungarian nationality which if you want in Romania makes you totally strange. Well, put it this way I was here for 13 years and people still cant understand how I am both Hungarian and Romanian. I always lived in Romania and my closest and dearest friends are Romanian...I love them. I never been made to feel unusual when I grew up. We got along just fine with our Romanian neighbours we shared recipes and enjoyed jokes and bunters...however, politically I must say we were meant to never get along...something Ceausescu the ex dictator tried to do is mix us up so well that Hungarians will disappear and he certainly did something to spread Hungarians out however it was all in his head and in politicians heads....nationalists but us the people were making good progress in establishing good friendships and I have never experienced any kind of bullying or such like some of my "nationalist" acquaintances say they did.
My upbringing was never about drumming national identity in me...THANK GOD FOR THAT although my dad fought and laboured hard to teach us our native language Hungarian and allow a school to learn he also allowed us to choose where and in what language should we be educated. This is how I ended up doing primary school in Hungarian and secondary and A levels in Romanian ...followed by Further Education in English:)) Yap so back too the start...I am privileged to belong to a nest of great Romanian girls who have accepted me just as I am and my children who don't speak neither Hungarian or Romanian.....and further more one very lovely girl Elena has become recently the guardian of my kids...her and her husband Alex. I feel blessed....and so proud that against all prejudice, national challenges or such once again good prevailed and our relationship is even more special. Kids speak three languages together and often try and teach my kids some slang too!!! my little corner of heaven...this photo talks about much more.....than I can express in words here.

 Rochester Airport fun day! Yay boys were fascinated with all planes and such.

 Boys also had a few sleepovers at our house and Reuben especially liked having Nicholas here....and yes we had sandwiches in the bath tub...no don't want to tell you how that bath ended up being

 Scooting and bikeing was also part of summer as well as tree climbing!!

 Climbing trees, playing in the bushes and making dino house!

 Having a pet has been a lot on the agenda these days:))) However, we live in a conservation area and not allowed pets so I guess that's my excuse...I know for sure the kind of pets I would want wouldn't be accommodated here neither by the current home or neighbourhood. Labrador that is.

 So as for pets we had compromised a little...we have fish and we see often friends who have dogs....this Izzy is one of them....but we have also spent some good times with Ollie who is Jim and Hester's dog (they are Zac's godparents) so all in all good contact with house animals:)

 An absolutely gorgeous day at Eynsford.....fishing....boys were so excited and so was I. its hard to be a parent sometimes....this place is a place where you feel the need to be a kid again...I had great company that day and kids loved the attention.

 We also visited Reculver Castle and it was such a treat to have my childhood friend Ioana with us. It was amazing to swim with her in the sea and the kids have also loved having her attention. She was called ANNA the whole time and that was just cause they took to her so much and even made a name up for her:))

 Reuben loved being a monkey around these rocks...much to my anxiety levels which were rocketing and my heart was beating ever so fast:)) Kids make you die a million deaths:)

 Anna (aka Ioana) and Reuben stopped for a pose!:)

 We took Ioana back to her county of residence....beautiful Buckinghamshire where we stopped at the great Outlook Centre which was fascinating....I nearly bargained myself a stay there overnight however the place shut at 9pm and although we did not get home til 10pm we did exit in time...no we did not get locked in the park. This is a fab place everyone should visit....so much there scientific stuff and also fun playarea and all.

 Reuben got to be an architect for a few hours while at the outlook centre. Also we got to build some walls and windows after designing them. To my total amazement there were about 1o kids there and they all were building together and given jobs by one older kid. The Kid was off course the site manager and he informed everyone they got to work really hard of they can pack up and leave. Also he said as the site manager he has to just walk around and give instructions:) I wonder where he heard all that but I was well entertained and enjoyed how my kids really were not bothered by this all important self appointed kid and carried on playing along while doing their own things....:)))

 Action - at the building site!

 We also seen Cheyne this summer a bit here we are at Tyland Barn enjoying the exploration of the fossils....

A tender moment....Reuben was trying to encourage Olivia to play along....bless! All in all what a great summer we had! Its been a lot of challenges and a lot of wonderful memories I hope and pray all goes well now school started....that Reuben keeps growing and learning about life and family will become stronger and stronger....! I am incredibly proud I myself managed summer after illness, work and personal challenges. I know in some things I have failed only to learn how strong I was and that when I am weak indeed I am strong. Life goes on....we must persevere....soldier on...hopefully we will be rewarded some day for our efforts...and partly we are already rewarded....and I am loving that.