David

Hello, Friends!

Last Saturday it was a big celebration in our nanny's house: her biggest grandson and our godson had the "Strands Party"! We did it with Maria last month, we did it again with David last week! We celebrated earlier (his birthday is in September, so we are going to party twice!), because the tradition says it has to be done before his first anniversary, and it was the only weekend available for all of us.

Runa is brilliant with small kids, unfortunately we are talking only about other people's kids...

All the family anxiously expected his choices, the ball was in the most visible place, as his father wants a football player career for his beloved son. Well... the first chosen item was a screwdriver... sorry, dad!

But... mommy is happy now, it seems that he will make good money with his pretty screwdriver...

... and a pair of good scissors! Who knows what the future has in its pockets for him? He might be the next Galliano? No? Not Galliano? OK, OK, Alexander McQueen, if you like him better...

Bogdan, the hat was not for you, you know? You have to give it back! Now!

Sad, but very determined to keep his new toy!

And, the tragic moment has arrived, I had to cut something from David's head, hopefully some hair.

An amateur photographer is trying to capture the best moments... Good luck! Nobody can see you, I bet!

Comm'on, daddy, don't be sad, I promise I'll be good and famous and rich!

God, I'm good!

My happy, pretty godsons are the sweetest pair in the world!

I love the way he smiles and shows his four teeth!

And now: pictures with the future famous man, his crazy tattooed uncle first!

Good things come in pair, isn't it?

Oh, another uncle! Of course, didn't I just said in pair?

Ta-daaaam! The birthday cake was brilliant, with Thomas the Train and some fruits inside, so yummy!

Happy Birthday, little man, may your life be blessed and full of joy, and may all the loving people around you to be always there for you! We sure will!

20 Broken Bones

I was deeply impressed by those statistics:

Image source: http://creatingaquietmind.tumblr.com

This Moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. {from www.soulemama.com}

This Moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. {from www.soulemama.com}

Kids All Around

One of my favorites things to do in the summer is going in park with all kids. If possible, with Bogdan. Because he takes his camera and watches the kids on the field, while I'm with my eyes on all of them from a bench. So, when intervention is required, I can jump and help or caress, as the case it is. :)

This time, he was sneaking around, stealing pictures while they played, so I was kind of relaxing in the sweet evening light.

So, they started with a tree. Climbing that tree. Jumping on the ground from the tree.

I was watching all the kids from a distance. And the scooter, and the bags. The scooter is at the third kid, we bought it from Austria, for Runa... very long ago.

While in the park, Mara is making friends very easy. She leaves every time with dozens of goodbyes!

Runa was very vivacious in the beginning, jumping and running all over the place, helping Radu to explore all the corners...

Then, she passed out on a swing...

Radu went through all the toys and the slides and the stairs...

He didn't forget the rockers...

... while Mara was practicing somehow her ballerina skills.

Well... not only... Do you think I should take her to a pony ride next weekend?

Hey! Is somebody there? Beware, I might bite!

I really love that playground, you can fall from the scooter as many times you can, no wound will happen!

At the end, a big and rare treat for Radu, Mom Spinning!

Well, Bogdan was spying on me, too...

Another bit of ballerina moves...

And, finally, the gang has left the building. 

"Mom, now we can have some dinner?" 

Oh, what a music to my ears! 

Neah, not really mines, the food dealer and guardian in the house is my mother-in-law, she is absolutely delighted when a kid (or an adult, either) is hungry. And she really needs to feed everybody. All the time.

Have a quiet night, my friends!

Kids and Dogs - Love At First Sight

Last week, on our way home, we spent couple of hours in Costinesti, at my husband's aunt. Her dog, Colt, is a beautiful Golden Retriever, not trained, but very sweet and empathic. 

Between him and Radu was love at first sight! They both enjoyed the experience till the last drop!

I'm sorry for the poor quality of my photos, I took them with the phone's camera, but I just felt an urge to share them!

 

Prespa Lake, Makedonia

 Close to Ohrid Lake, in Macedonia, is Prespa Lake. We crossed Galicica mountain, at 1500 meters high, to reach the highest lake in the Balkans and second largest lake in Macedonia. 

Among Prespa Lake and Ohrid Lake, lays the mountain Galicica, as I said, below which runs underwater channel called Zavir. From here, the water flows in the springs of St. Naum, and from there it fills Lake Ohrid. We crossed the mountain at 1500 meters high. There is a point from where you can see both lakes, the views are really breathtaking!

 The coast of Prespa Lake is the purest one in whole of Macedonia. Nature seems untouched by human hand. White pelicans, cormorants, herons, cranes and swans are gathering close to the lake, which, in turn, is rich with dozens of different types of fish like carp, trout, rudd... 

It is located at a slightly higher altitude and its environs are much less populated. Here the wildlife prevails. This does not make it less beautiful, but just on the contrary. 

It is interesting to note that despite its small area, Prespa Lake is situated in 3 countries - Macedonia, Albania and Greece.

Although it has less fame, it is not less beautiful. Prespa Lake has an exclusive charm. The surrounding area is very well preserved and the modern civilization almost did not leave its mark. I said ALMOST, because on our way around the lake we found an abandoned restaurant, on a beautiful beach, known only by a little amount of people. We put the car in reverse and stopped for a couple of hours, refreshing, taking pictures and enjoying the moment.