Monday, August 16, 2010

Playmates

Alex is now 18 months old and more fun than ever at this age! Of course,every age has been wonderful! Some of the things that are particularly fun at this particular age are going places such as the creative discovery museum, the zoo (although we are due for a trip there soon), to gymnastics where Alex loves jumping on the floor tramplines, to music class (Alex loves music), to the train museum or hobbytown where kids can watch the model train and play with train tables, and many more really fun places!
Alex has developed many interests and it is really neat to see his personality and preferences evolve. He loves to open and close cabinets and drawers. He doesn't take anything out of these cabinets but is trying to see how they work. He loves to play with any ball. He can throw it to someone, kick or roll a ball. He loves dogs and cats. However, he is incredibly cautious around animals, so these animals tend to not mind Alex either. He understands the word gentle and can apply it when asked. Alex loves to meet other friends and has made many. He really loves little girls because they often give him kisses and he loves kisses.
Alex has just started going to a preschool morning class twice per week for four hours. So far he has not cried at all. I believe that he really loves the stimulation and interaction. We have been going to classes and different activities since he was 4 months old, which many would disagree with doing, but I think he is better able to cope with going to his class as a result.
As an educator, I perhaps go overboard a bit, but I really wish for Alex to have the best opportunity possible and give him the very best when it comes to learning and experiences.
We were at the blueberry farm in this photo. Alex ate lots and lots of blueberries. While at the farm you are allowed to eat as many as you want and then purchase the ones you wish to take home. It was scorching hot this day, so we do did not pick too many, and Alex ate the ones we picked to we went home empty handed. Alex loved the dog at this farm.


Alex is caught in action eating up the blueberries with his friend Jake. Jake's mom and dad are from the Czech Republic. Alex and Jake have a lot in common and are both learning two languages.














Alexia (photo)is our God Mother's daughter. Her parents are Simona and Cristi. Although they are not related biologically to us, they are family. So Alex and Alexia are cousins. Alex loves Alexia. Alexia is a beautiful sweet well-mannered young lady.


Aunt Naomi is showing Alex how to enjoy a sparkler on the 4th of July here.







Alex loves his Dad, and loves to play tag and chase when his Dad comes home in the evenings. Alex has learned to point objects when his Dad says what they are. He knows the names of many many objects in both English and Romanian. Daniel is a very involved Dad and will be even more involved when Alex can hold a Tennis racket!



Geta, is Alex's grandmother from Romania. She is a teacher in Romania and comes to visit in the summer. Alex has lots of teachers in his family including his great aunt Emi, his aunt Kimberly, his aunt Naomi, and his mom. I was just telling Daniel that our poor kids isn't going to get away with anything. We were recently at a party where kids were tearing the house apart. Daniel and I were spent most of this time redirecting our own kid. However, I must have had TEACHER written on my forehead or something because the kids kept coming up to me and asking me to help out with their social woes. So for the last half of this party, I became the supervisor or all of these kids. I was just very surprised that these kids' parents were not stepping in or having their kids behave at this couple's house. The house was decorated very nicely and the hosting couple do have kids of their own. I told Daniel that if my kid behaved that way, I would have him call the hosts the next day and appologize. Anyway, I really do not want for Alex to behave this way when we go to someone's house...I may be one of the few parents who expects better behavior in this day and age. Alex did start to open and close the cabinets at this house; however, Daniel and I did not let him continue this. I was surprised when some other parents (not the owners of the house) said that they thought this was okay. That is why being the child of a teacher may be interesting for Alex.
















We are marvelling at the home theatre in this couple's enormous lake house!



Geta had a great time this day!!! We had so much fun and thank Aunt Naomi and Uncle Doug for inviting us!





Alex's grandparents are enjoying gynastics class with him.





Alex is already a climber.



The kitchen is a popular hang out for the kids at Southern Prep.








This roller coaster at Southern Prep is so cute and fun!












Alex in the foam pit!












Alex is still in our bed. This happened one time and lasted for only a few hours.



Ready for the water park!










Alex loves his two cousins Emma and Clare. He now has a new baby cousin Audrey, who is just adorable!



Monday, August 9, 2010

Romania - May10

Cherries were in bloom when we were in Romania in May 2010. We ate so many. Alex couldn't get enough!
Everytime we go to Romania, there is a festival. This one was really fun. People were selling lots of traditional items and yummy Hungarian sweet rolls.

This is an Orthodox Church just outside of Slatina.

We are having dinner with Daniel's cousin Nicoleta and her family. Romanian's are always great hosts when invited to their houses. We really enjoyed Nicoleta's grandma, who is full of life and energy!







The countyside houses are very cool inside and peaceful. They present the most perfect napping conditions. Alex is dreaming away.



Alex and I are exploring the variety of vegetables and fruits in the garden.








Daniel is enjoying the garden with Alex.

Alex loves the pui or baby chickens.



Geese and more geese..all over the place. I really dislike geese. They are aggressive.



This little kitty was like an angel always staying with Daniel's grandma. Everytime we have visited Daniel's grandma (Geta's mom), there has been a little kitty with her. The little kitty did a great job of keeping the chickens out of the house.








Thanks Daniel for posting this one...my face is a cherry tree.

Slatina countryside.
This one is better.


This is the best!


This is one of Alex's great aunts. She is showing us around.


Daniel's grandma. She really enjoyed Alex.


This is Geta's classroom. The kids are adorable. We asked each of them what their favorite part of the day is. They all really like religion class and p.e.




The flower festival filled the Slatina with color while we were there.













This swing was so much fun. Daniel's cousin and God mother in Romania, Nicoleta, took us to a really fun park. This park had stuff for adults too!












Nicoleta and Bogdon were wonderful hosts while we were in Bucharest.