Another Three Free Summer Days

In most cases, it is not easy to persuade my sister's to join us to go out somewhere. It's hard to find joint interest because of the different age of the children. Actually, this is not really true; Emil & Dominik are all over each other, can play together and amuse each other very well. I perfectly understand that the baby is the first things first and the most comfortable for them is to stay at home but I heard too many times: it's too hot, it's too cold, it's too early, it's too late, it's sleep time... To cut the story short, I'm happy that we have managed to choose the right engagement on the right place for all of us that everyone enjoyed: open-air bath near Lake Velence where everything centred around the children. All of us were absolutely satisfied and felt comfortable.

On the following day, Dominik & me drove up along the Danube till the Danube Bend, till Visegrád. The original plan was to arrive by boat but at the execution we encountered some difficulties even from the very beginning (how to leave the car at the port if maximum 3 hours parking is allowed??, if we get the castle and the toboggan from the destination port on foot in that heat, wouldn't be so sweltering and exhausting?? and our way back is till not mentioned and should follow the boat schedule of course). Next time we have to work out this option thoroughly because this could be a perfect full day program again, since the Citadel of Visegrád became my favourite castle in Hungary. It has an indescribable breath-taking view down the Danube Bend, well-structured and was the home of the Holy Crown till 1529. The first fortress was demolished during the Mongol invasion and the current fortress complex was built by Bela IV and his wife Queen Maria, from her marriage portion in the 1250s.

 

The most interesting part of Visegrád for Dominik was the toboggan. There was another type running on the hill-side that we had't tried till then and that was his favourite.

He showed big interest to "canopy" but I think we have to wait until he reaches the age of 12. This is a rope-way above the trees, through the forest. The world's first canopy can be found in Costa Rica. The idea of safely soar from tree to tree by traversing along cables was to make rainforest research easier. The beautiful nature and the timeless historical monuments that surround  make the canopy tour an unique adventure with plenty of fun and adrenalin.

We also have found a gorgeous hunting restaurant with magnificient view that will be definitely tried together with the parents. On our way home, I was brooding that the sequent towns we drove through have something unique one by one that they famous from. Tahitótfalu is famous from its strawberry and strawberry wine, Leányfalu is famous from its thermal spa, Szentendre is the town of painters.

On the 3rd day, we organized some suppletory and compulsory engagement like vaccination due at the age of 6, some measurement with the district nurse due at the age of 6, the eagerly expected hair-cutting, subtantial lunch, well-deserved napping. As a pleasant end of the day we walked on the Kopaszi-gát in the late afternoon and gathered at my parent's place to welcome a long-seen familiar face from British Columbia in the evening.

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.