The LEGO-themed Birthday Party

I cannot describe how busy the LEGO project kept us for months and how big pleasure meant to prepare for it. Dominik's birthday is a little Christmas for me and always do the preparations in the same way: well before, thoroughly, scrupulously.

The invitation cards were created even in May in order we could give them to the addressees before the nursery came to an end. This was an effective entry of the party. What made it unique is that we used no fancy paper to write the invitation text on it but LEGO bricks and stickers. Each item can be used for building purposes later, united with the existing LEGO collection of the children and can remain memorable pieces.

It would be a mistake not to analyze and evaluate this event and not to make some feedback for myself. This helps to improve, to find out how and what to do better next time. As for the right strategy, let's see a short SWOT analysis:

STRENGTHS. The conception. The theme of LEGO was a great idea since there were a number of possibilities that we could build on. It will be hard to tower above it next year. The decoration. I was to build up a legoworld even from the entrance, sparing no time and pain. We asked even Péter bácsi to loan the LEGO penguin from the front yard of the day care. Food. Regarding the festive board, my efforts are always directed to include some sustaining/nourishing snacks in a childish coat and also some fruits and vegetables. I know well that occasions like this are not famous from big eatings. The children usually forget to take some food or eat hurriedly. Then what they eat, be healthy, appetizing, not greasy and last but not least spectacular that easily catches their eyes. The festive board must included LEGO as well: LEGO cake, LEGO cake pops, popcorn served in a bag made from LEGO catalogue.

WEAKNESSES. We have to calculate with the sisters and brothers as well even if they are not pronouncedly invited and each of them needs to be observed whether they drink and eat something. Organized games. Failed. Previously we found out with Dominik to divide the guests into 2 groups and play team games. All these shouldn't had reamined without compensation: the prizes of each turn would had been LEGO bricks. Surprisingly, they weren't as enthusiastic as we expected. Only a few of them agree to play and after a while they all escaped (including Dominik) and chose another engagement. Next year we won't force such games unless otherwise requested. Drinking. It is very important to drink enough, mainly if they move a lot. It took much enery to make them drink. Next year I surely give them a little bottle of water, signing each in advance.

Taking pictures. I was so busy and could not take as many photos as I wanted. This is the weakness that I feel sorry about most.

OPPORTUNITIES. This is an opportunity for the children to meet each other and being together during the long summer holiday. This is an opportuity for the parents to become closer with each other, too.

THREATS. If only I had a wish to have one great feature, I'd

surely want to multiply myself. One Rita proved to be not enough, I always was in demand. Not the time of deep conversations. Since the time goes so fast, the party needs to be full of content and well constructed.

Colours, Shapes, Impressions - 3 days in Denmark, LEGOLAND

Undoubtedly the Northest place I've ever been. The most number of clicking with the camera per square meters. Legoland is a place that cannot have and see enough of it. A real Canaan for child and adult's eyes and senses as well. 

The LEGO Group began in the workshop of Ole Kirk Christiansen, a carpenter from Billund, who began making wooden toys in 1932. In 1934, his company came to be called LEGO, from the Danish phrase "leg godt", which means "play well". In 1958, the modern brick design was developed and it took another 5 years to find the right material for it, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) polymer. The modern LEGO bricks was patented in 1958 and bricks from that year are still compatible with current bricks.
 

Where the idea of visiting Legoland came from? It was an obvious destination to make the first week of the vacation so eventful since we're preparing for the LEGO-themed birthday party for Dominik. On one hand, we needed to get some accessories for the party and on the other hand, one happening rolled up the other and then each formed a whole. The project began with a LEGO catalogue that we were chasing for for decoration purposes. Accidently, I have discovered that there was a page which allows one child to enter the park in Billund or in Günzburg free. I started to play with the idea of visiting Legoland and to check the possibilities. After reading a blog of a family who experienced all 3 Legoland in Europe (the English, the German and the Danish), it became clear that it worth seeing the original one in Denmark, right next to the LEGO factory. It turned out that direct flight is operated by one of the cheap airlines.

What about timing? The date was quite fixed in my mind and finding accomodation seemed to be not easy. What about the long-seen relatives? Where do they live exactly? What? 40 kms far from Legoland? How grateful I was when turned out that they are ready to give us accomodation and an airport pickup. Thank you for your kindness and hospitality Zoli, Évi. You cannot imagine how much I appreciate your help and how we enjoyed every minute of our staying in DK. It was beyond all my expectation that you were so kind to loan your car in order to get Legoland and felt lucky and comfortable to experience driving on Danish roads by myself. I also highly appreciate that we were able to obtain an insight into the mink farm where Zoli has been working for many years. The animals are from Canada, 6 types and breeded for their valuable fur.

My real favourite zone in Legoland was Miniland,  which is the heart of any Legoland park. The 1:20 scale LEGO brick models feature landscapes, sights and buildings from all over Denmark as well as famous landmarks from other parts of the world. Dominik's favourite was The Temple in the Adventure Zone. It is an indoor ride where riders board Explorer SUV´s and are equipped with laser guns to shoot at moving targets in 11 different scenes themed to ancient Egypt, the land of the Phaeros.

Denmark is an amazing rich country with its long daytimes and changeable weather. Would love to see more of it next time...

 

Sounds, Scents, Thoughts - 3 days in the country

Couldn't wait the nursery to come to an end. Athough, the last 2 weeks were the so called "happy weeks". On each of these days the children abound in many exciting programs. Happy week back and forth, all of us faced with the summer and felt like the daily routine has to be over irrevocably.

We know by experience that the very first week right after the nursery and the school is always very hot. So it seems to be a perfect choice to make a short vacation on these days. Once the nursery was over, we set off on the following day. Be sure the bicycles up to the roof rack and let's go to the country where several program possibilities were waiting for us. In such heat the main engagement is around the local pools for us of course, i.e. bathing, sun-bathing, ice-cream and  swinging legs. :-) 

On that weekend was a national car cross race where we had big interest since one of our friend came by first. Even on the previous night we saw and "helped" them to tinker the vehicle. Big thing to be the No. 1 knowing the disadvantageous facts behind. Hearing and seeing such race sets going something inside. I feel quite close such races to myself.

 

The other big event was the Horse Day on the same day, unfortunately. It always fascinating to see the rule of such big animals. Fine animals, fabulous carriages, prominently performing talented people.

Visiting my shepherd godfather is a great and amazing experince. He looks after cca 1100 sheep and 90 goats on every second full day. The real country life, the embodiment of silence and calm and the horizont that I like there most.

Corpus Christi

Amazing carpets woven from flowers and petals. Kind illustrations and patterns. The second Sunday from Whitsun. Holy mass. Four fancy altars. Breath-taking compositions. Procession. Balloon. Lollipop. Familiar faces. Crowd. Ancient German/Swabian habit for 300 years. 

Christening + Children's Day

I'm usually a bit frustrated when want to write about a memorable event retrospectively. The event is over, the inspire goes away and the more time passes from the fame date, the less inspire remains. Now, this happened...

Little Noel was baptized on Children's Day. It goes without saying that the whole family gathered together and such memorable moments were added to all of our life. Pleasant day in the best company, enhanced by good food and drinks. The hardest thing to start working next day after such an event.  

Noel Christening

Sátoraljaújhely + Mother's Day

It was time to go out, time to drive far and to keep on our "Discover Hungary!" project. This time we've invited my sister and the little nursling one who cannot exist without her, Noel. Destination: Sátoraljaújhely, Hotel Hunor right next to the Slovakian border. Sátor-alja means "under the tent", referring to the tent-shaped hill nearby.

The hotel was surrounded by mountains but under expectation with its scantiness and its too many insect remains. The water of the indoor pool was dirty and did not tempt me at all to have a dip in it. The only advantage of the hotel was its location and this fact made us forget other inconveniences. Firstly, the big backyard of the hotel was operated as a zoo including mainly domestic animals and providing steady entertainment for the children. Secondly, the Zemplén Adventure Park was almost right next door with its fantastic outdoor sport facilities. The longest chairlift and bobsleigh kept us entertained during our whole stay. On our way home we made some stops to admire the vine-plants of Tokaj Hill, the soil of the the world famous Tokaj wine.

Mother's Day was a beautiful experience for me in the nursery. I knew well that they were preparing a lot but Dominik kept everything in secret. I was fascinated while he was standing right in front of me reciting I don't know how many verses but alot clearly, loudly, steadily, without getting stuck. When I expressed my admire to the kindergarten teacher about the so many and so long verses they had teached, she said that Dominik is one of the children who learn the rhymes earliest and she added that he has a huge encyclopaedic knowledge.

Limited moments. While he was standing right in front of me and was telling his words just for me, I saw him to concentrate on me seeing deeply in my eyes. Then it flashed through my mind that how short is the time we are able to admire their cutiness and how immediately they grow up.

New Bike, New Adventure

The magnificient Mother Nature unfolded itself before us, everything went green just within a few days and we have crazy hot summer days by now. 

A new epoch opens for Dominik by his new bike. I'm very lucky and happy to get the most suitable one for him. Not a brand new one but the one that he doesn't has to take care of or to be anxious about it. The one that will open the road for our joint ridings. His only wish was a stay-rod when asked him what bike he would like to have. The previous one was outgrown...

Bye-bye Mr. Winter, welcome Ms. Spring!

Just by now, we started to face the most spectacular, eagerly expected change of season. Finally, the spring came and the nature is reviving at an accelerated pace thanks to the immediate set in of the sunny warm days. Although, it ’s high time, I hardly believe.  I wish I was in Japan in these days in order to see the cherry-trees blooming. Even the trains slow down to let the passangers admire the pink petals even permitting some delays. The symbol of Japan, the cherry-tree blooming is get ont he list that I must see at least once in my life.  

Not only a change of season but also a change of vehicle. I mean, time to change from 4 wheels to 2 wheels, time to use my new bike designed by marguerites, inspired by Amsterdam. More people must think of the many advantages that a single bicycle means. It’s not only a cheaper way of transportation, but also much healthier, do not pollute the air. It’s not only fine exercise, but also possible to get tanned at the same time. It’s not only a comfortable way to reach certain points, but also easy to find parking area. You’re not only able to be much closer to the street life, but also can discover newer routes. Warmly recommended using as much as possible. :)  

Emil

Running against the clock all the time and sometimes some important notes dropped out, eg. my godson's second birthday which happened at the very end of February. Emil is a cuddly little child and is full of emotions. He is so temperamental, willful, independent, eats everything with relish, speaks in single words or in short sentences and loves his baby brother very much. He is a hair fetishist, no matter whose hair is in his hand but needed to be there when holding him in our arms. He is the direct opposite of Dominik. Looks small, sounds big.

Red-letter Day

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger..."
Sometimes I wish I was soulless and could not be disturbed by things that might seems to be pettiness for others. I was touched by some facts and the happenings of this long weekend really upset me. Red-letter day indeed that stamped on my memory much too.

During the last 3 years Dominik was rarely visited by his father and if meeting happened, it wasn't full of content at all, what's more it was rather unconstructive. Last time Dominik told me that daddy has a new girlfriend and he brought even his big TV to the girl and they spent the day together. What I know about him, all come from Dominik because K does not communicate with me, he is still playing the role of the injured party. I thought it must be a quite serious relationship (hopefully more serious than the previous ones) if he shack with the girl. And I understood why he started to push the bringing of Dominik more often: the girl has a daughter just at the same age as Dominik. In this case, I thought, if serious, I had to know her, I must know with whom Dominik is going to spend every second weekend from now. The fact is that I wasn't settled at all while Dominik was alone with his father based on Dominik's tellings (daddy allows everything, daddy fell asleep while he was there, daddy does not like his glasses and suggests not to wear them, daddy does not bring him anywhere, etc). The question is that how to support the picture of Father with capital in this case in order that Dominik do not lose his faith in his father? To tell you the truth, it is very very difficult in this way but definitely needs to be done. K did not realize that we have to stay in touch and cooperate all the time because of our child and did not understand why I wanted to meet his girlfriend. 

Finally, I succeed to carry out this meeting and exchange a few words with his beloved and what a surprise we could speak cultivated as mothers and could understand each other's worries. Interesting situation but my sixth sense whispered that neccessary to happen because of the smooth transition and for the future free from bumps. I'm happy to push this meeting and to get to know her. But we will see. I hope that this relationship will be stable and fruitful for all of us. Although, I left Dominik there with blur of tears and can't stop crying after getting the empty home. Mental struggle. 5 years spending non-stop with my son. K wasn't there when needed to be there. I asked him several times to care for his son but he refused to deal with him and turned his back on us. I had to make my way on my own. So this is a milestone that should have happened earlier, much earlier. 

I still have doubts but in case there will be a system in the visits at least, this can be a great improvement and the emotional balance also will be re-established a bit after a while. The key is Dominik and I must be sure that everything is okay around and inside of him.

Snow Situation

I cannot leave unmentioned the disaster that fall on many people who was taken prisoner of the snow on the highway for more than 15-20 hours.
On Thursday morning we started the day as usual and could not suspect what difficulties we had to face by the end of the day. In the afternoon it began to snow and by the end of work right before the long weekend, considerable amount of snow made me welcome getting my car. I was immensely angry with the weather and shouted that why could not fell in December by Xmas? I started to remove the snow from my car by naked hand because I had neither gloves nor broom. And of course, this was not my fault but the weather. Ahh, it was almost spring! Who recalled winter? Not me!
In the meantime, the wind rose. The situation on the highway started to become chaotic. The cars stucked in the traffic jam and were heavily covered with snow, more meters high, due to the snow-storm and blowing of the wind. Thousands of people and hundreds of cars could not move anywhere until they were set free by the rescue teams. Volunteers, local people helped by bringing food and hot drinks and blankets; schools and shopping centers opened to give shelter to the people. All radio stations helped by broadcasting the latest news continuously and forwarded all the messages containing emergency calls and helping hands as well. For most people this was the only connection to the outworld.
On the day of the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence, the nation gave evidence of real collaboration and superhuman actions although, only the goverment could not rise to this unexpected (?) catastrophe... 

***

"25 év alatt, amióta ebben a szkafanderben élek, nem történt ilyen, mint ma. Ma nem a széthúzásról szólt minden, meg pártokról, hanem az emberek összefogásáról. Önkéntes autómentők, online szerkeszthető dokumentumok, Google térkép ami szerkeszthető.. volt itt minden, gyorsan reagált mindenki a helyzetre, és még a szomszédos országból is jöttek segíteni! Több tucat pizzéria és étterem ételt szállított ki, csak szervezést kértek cserébe, ők meg sütöttek, főztek. Erre kéne koncentrálnotok emberek, hogy átitasson Titeket ez az érzés, hogy együtt vagyunk, és közösségben kell élnünk. Nem csak, amikor beüt a krach és baj van, hanem mindig. Nem fog fentről jönni a segítség, itt mellőlünk jön a segítség, a másiktól, így tartjuk egymás hátát!
Nagy fel és köszönet azoknak az önkénteseknek és civileknek, akik szállást, meleg ételt, italt és jó társaságot adtak azoknak akik már majdnem 1 napja ott rekedtek. Öröm áradat itasson Titeket át, ne állandóan a kormányt szapuljátok meg a BM-et... evvel csak megteremtitek ugyanazt a helyzetet, és csak idegessé váltok. Eddig is így volt, most is ez van... mit vártok? A segítség embertársainktól fog eljönni.
Én is felhívtam minden pirossal jelzett embert a google térképről, ahol bejelölték, hogy kinek kell segítség, és 80%-ban mindenkit elértem, meleg helyen voltak, megköszönték, hogy hívtam őket, ez a legkevesebb (többiek ki voltak kapcsolva, de a térkép alapján sok ember indult el menteni, meleg étellel, itallal őket). Csodálatos dolgok ezek, ez egy újfajta mentalitásnak is nevezhető, de valójában mindig is itt volt bennünk, csak ráraktuk azt a sok szemetet, ami még a szemünket is eltakarta!
Megható érzés egy ilyen Magyarországon élni emberek! Ne rontsátok el Magatoknak se ezt a jó érzést avval, hogy másokat bíráltok, elítéltek, és ócsároltok... ez a szint teljesen más.
Merőben más. Ez az új paradigma szerves része. Megosztva elbukunk, egységben felállunk, sőt táncolunk! :)"

***

"Sziasztok! Én egy éjjel-nappali boltban dolgozom. Ma olyan dolgok történtek, amik mellett nem lehet csak úgy elmenni. Bejött egy lány ahogy néhányan mondják olyan "mű" nő. Vett egy karton tejet, egy rúd szalámit, 8 kg kenyeret, vajat, meg nescafe-t. Fura volt a 8 kg kenyér, ezért megkérdeztem: "nagy a család?" Mire ő! Nem, az iskolába viszem az itt rekedteknek.
Elgondolkodtam. Aztán jött egy srác. Audival. Kért 30 db zsemlét, 10 kg kenyeret, egy egész doboz sport szeletet. Kérdeztem is. Ennyire szereti a csokit? (persze sejtettem hogy hova lesz) erre ő: "nem a rádióba hallottam hogy elkel a segítség"! És oda viszi. Nem sokkal később megint jöttek. Elvitték az összes mentes ásványvizet.
Már tudtam hova lesz, vagy legalábbis azt hittem. Megkérdeztem. A válasz: A vasút állomásra viszem, most hallottam hogy sokan itt maradtak.
De!! A a legszebb dolog csak ezután jött. 4 fősulis készült az esti bulira, ehhez való bor és chips készletért jöttek. Nálunk hallották a rádióba, hogy a hajléktalan szállóra is el kelne a segítség. Vissza minden. Összedobták a pénzüket és kérték hogy adjak nekik bármit ami ebből kikerül és hasznát vennék. Hát ez engem nagyon megérintett. De még sorolhatnám. Egy néni süteményt vett amit a fiával küldött el az autókhoz stb... Nagyon jó volt ma a napom. Osszátok meg. Én még ilyet soha nem kértem, de akarom hogy tudja mindenki: A magyarok a bajban összefognak."

***

"Úgy gondolom a tegnapi nap után ki kell osztani már megérdemelt és elégszer el nem hangzott köszönömöt. Tehát, én köszönöm az összes civil önkéntesnek, akik:
- Pörgették a közösségi oldalakon, mikroblogokon a percre kész infókat, rondán beégetve és helyettesítve ezzel a királyi médiát és hírközlést. 
- akik létrehozták az online segíts, ha tudsz térképet, 
- akik szervezkedtek, kimentek ásni, traktorozni, terepjárózni, derékig belefagyni a hóba,
- akik vittek meleg teát, kaját, felajánlottak szállást és a segítség ezer más módját,
- akik tartották a lelket a kint didergőkben, mert tudták, nincsenek egyedül. 
Köszönöm a hivatásos:
- Rendőröknek, tűzoltóknak, katonáknak, védelmi szolgálatok tagjainak, a hókotróvezetőktől a szóróanyag rakodókig, áramszolgáltató munkatársaitól vízművesekig mindenkinek, hogy megtettétek amit a feljebbvalóitok parancsai és a szervezeteitek anyagi lehetőségei megengedtek. 
- a sajtómunkásoknak, akik percről percre tudósításokkal igyekeztek információhoz juttatni  mindenkit, akik a helyi rádiók műsoraiban megtették azt, ami a királyi dolga és kötelessége lett volna, 
- a polgármestereknek és jegyzőknek, akik tényleg rengeteg helyen személyesen is részt vettek a mentésben, kinyitották a közintézményeket és segítettek ahogy módjukban állt,
- azoknak a kereskedelmi láncoknak, akik parkolóikkal, fűtött belterükkel, meghosszabbított vagy rendkívüli nyitvatartásukkal tették lehetővé a helyzet normalizálását,
- és a "piszkos labancoknak", akik nem restelltek a negyvennyolcas forradalmunk napján segítő kezet nyújtani!"

***

"Ezt is megéltük! A szabadságharc évfordulóján osztrák hókotrók oszlopban lépik át a magyar határt, hogy letakarítsák a magyar utakat. A Belügyminisztérium miután végigaludta az éjszakát úgy gondolta, hogy SMS-ekkel segíthet a legtöbbet a bajba kerülteknek. Az osztrákok pedig gyorsabban reagáltak mint a magyar hatóságok!"