Busy Bop

Just some fun stuff with Claudia this week.    

I kind of love her little dismount move.  They teach them the basics of gymnastics, but its mostly tumbling, laughing and playing.   It's her favorite hour of the week, hands down.  

We were flooded with art from the first "semester" of PreK. The dining room wall was looking mighty bare, so we made a little gallery wall with her favs.  She loved that!   

The artist & her art.

Swimming is new.  Her PreK class just started lessons during school, but they invited the parents to check out the first class.   

I can't help myself... I get so tickled when she puts those little goggles on. She calls them her "googoo goggles."

Any nerves she had about swimming melted away the instant they instructed them to start kicking.  They were all going nuts.  So funny!  

Seeing how it is STILL snowing, we will definitely be swim-ready by the time summer gets her.  If it gets here!  Yuck, I'm so over winter!  

12/52

Patrick, your favorite part of everyday is getting up and rolling your diggers, dump trucks, fire engine and trains.  It's also the best time to take a picture of you... because you sit still for several minutes at a time.  =)

Claudia, after seven months you are still loving gymnastics.   I marvel at your focus.  Even with four rowdy boys running around you on the beam before class, you see only the beam.  So cool!

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Inspired by Jodi.

In Like a Lion

It's mid March, so I really hope this is the last of the snow pictures I post in a long, long time... because it's officially spring.  There shouldn't be snow in spring!

This is Claudia, barely visible, in a little snow storm we had on Saturday.  I say little. It was little for us, but in some areas right outside Budapest, they reported over 9 feet of snow dumped in less than 24 hours.  People who attempted to go out were stuck in their cars for about 24 hours until the snow plows could get them out.

Daddy figured out that he could throw snowballs consequence free if he just held Paddy while pelting us.  Pretty ruthless.



This is when the snow started.  It was so cold and windy.  We retreated pretty quickly.

Surprisingly, the cold really doesn't bother this one.

I was begging her to come inside.  I only got her to come in with hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Once the worst of it was over, the sun came out and we had blue skies.  The snow is finally melted and we are feeling a tiny bit more hopeful about spring!

I Call This Game Fun in a Box

The sun did not shine. 

It was too wet to play. 

So they sat in the house

All that cold, cold, wet day.

...and they had fun in a box for about TWO glorious HOURS.

They cuddled in the box.

Played "pirates" in the "boat box."

One of them removed and ate the shipping label off the box.

They watched Oswald in the box.   Don't they look engaged?  There's something about this box.

They played chase around the box.

(More chase)

They were happy to just sit in the box.

Never underestimate the fun that one cardboard box  (and a few Dr. Suess books) can provide your children!

So although it was too wet to go out and too cold to play ball, we had fun with a box (it was not boring at all).

11/52

Winter made one last stand here.  As Claudia put it "this is booger freezing weather."  If you look close enough, you will see, it was indeed booger  freezing weather."  

Patrick preferred this kind of white, fluffy stuff.

I don't blame Patrick.  We are all over winter here.   Please spring, come this way!

 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Inspired by Jodi.

Crossing Bridges, Running from Bears, Yelling at the Table, Etc.

Széchenyi lánchíd (Chain Bridge) is my favorite bridge of all in Budapest, but Szabadsag Hid (Liberty Bridge), the one pictured, is a close second.  Plus, it's just perfect for St. Patrick's Day.  

We walked across the bridge to get to the Great Market Hall the other day and Claudia decided to strike a pose for some camera happy tourists.  Posing for tourists in random spots gives her great joy.   Because I am also camera happy, I snapped some pics too.

This is the new dinnertime ritual of yelling in each other's faces. They get about two inches from each other and start hollering, in the same tone, and then they laugh, laugh, laugh.  It immediately follows the blessing and precedes the dining.  I'd put a stop to it if it didn't make them laugh so much.  It makes me laugh too.  I can't stop it!

Claudia was in the "time out corner."  Patrick toddled over and brought her toys.  He was so proud of himself.  She was actually in time out for pushing him over (very much on purpose), but since Patrick was so forgiving, the "time out corner" turned into a play corner that day.

Don't you worry about Patrick.  The future footballer is perfecting his three point stance and other tough guy moves.

Mid day bath following about five bowls of spaghetti between them.

Me:  Claudia can I get you to wear your smile?
Claudia:  Nem.

Claudia running for her life in Budakeszi Vadaspark (wild animal park).  Daddyboy told her a bear was right behind her.  This child can run like the wind blows.  If there was a bear behind her, I think she'd be just fine.

Claudia (and someone else in this picture) doesn't consider it a proper wagon ride until about three wheels have left the ground.

New milestone achieved - cup drinking! (never you mind that half the milk dribbled down his chin, tummy and legs to the foot rest of his high chair).  I'm so proud!

Massive slides at Gellert Hill revisited.

A little baking.  I bet you always forget to measure the bowl with your head.  Not my Claudia!

We are so happy that winter is almost over.  We can even feel a  little spring in our steps!

 

10/52

Claudia, this week you were in "bear mode" for your preschool assembly.  You performed the role of "baby bear" from The Three Bears beautifully.  You practiced your "bear claws" all week.  

Patrick, I feel bad posting this picture, but it was the funniest moment of our week.  Now that the snow is gone and its a little warmer out, you crave to be outside.  When you got up from your nap and saw sister outside, you plastered yourself against the door.  Message received!

And this is because I couldn't be cruel and just post that crazy picture of Patrick without a sweet one. 

 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Inspired by Jodi.

9/52

Patrick, you are officially a walker and you don't stop.  This was one of the few moments you plopped down and just sat.  You must be exhausted, but you don't show it!

Claudia, you just wanted to stay home every day and chase Patrick around the house.  You have been patiently waiting for the day when Patrick can "play" with you.  It's coming!

Both of you seem to be really enjoying each other's company lately.  It makes this mama very happy. =)

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Inspired by Jodi.