time to ....

 I don't really know where time is going but really time is flying and yes we are having heeeeeeeps of fun! Andy Pandy is still Zac;s best friend and he loves spending time with Andy.

 In the last few months Zac has become an amazing little monkey! So very independent and full of life, "good ideas" and some bad ones too! Loves making cake and so much excitement at nursery school too!!!

 Zac loves sleepovers, visitors and basically everything. Something amazing about this boy! He really knows how to be happy and excited! Here we were celebrating Iveta (my very good friend's bday) with my sister who was also visiting at the time and Jack who is Reuben's friend from school and our neighbour.

 Aunty Ellie was great fun not only we went swimming together and to parks we also enjoyed cracking some nuts (wall nuts) she even brought them from Slovakia and that was even more exciting.

 Mum joined the Village in Maidstone which means we are now taken on Swimming on Sundays and so family fun galore:)

 Sulking pot and Zac! He really knows what he wants this monkey. I know I know dummy is still with us and I am in no hurry to take that or nappy away. This kid has been through a lot this year alone and I am not gona push, shove or cause distress for the sake of it. Second time round I am not gona make the same mistakes and I want Zac to be happy and content rather than frustrated and angry. I know what I know and I intend to go with the flow.

 A very happy 4 a gorgeous day out at Harty Ferry Inn one of my favourite place.

 Mr, Santa with his white beard....and all!

 And time has come to embrace Christmas....to start making decorations and here is our first one.

 We also observed Red Nose Day with Pudsey bear here in our living room two of them aren't they just so cute?!

 Two pudseys then were three pudseys and it was all such a gorgeous day! Here with Olivia and Sophia two of our dearest friends....

 Oh yeah anything to have some fun....after getting these oranges squeezed we used them as ear muffs:)

 Yap more ear muffs....:)

 oh his favourite ICE CREAAAAAAM!

 Sometimes Zac gets very sentimental....he has a few friends who are all dearly loved around his cot bed and well....this one happens to be PANDA. Zac comes down often in the morning bringing down Panda, or Luigi, Mario, Teddy, Puppy....depends who has been good enough to get his attention.
Panda happens to be exactly around 40 years old. He was daddy's first cuddly toy and survived the times by the careful and watchful eye of "granny Smith" who surely knows how to HORD:) yes she has nearly all the things kids had and a lot of things that are older than her (and she is 80 yrs old).  I am extreamly thankful she has kept so much as I come from a different upbringing where often things we had got recycled or sent to better homes if unused and this means I have so few memories and things that I could keep. I love to hear all the stories granny Smith tells us about Jonathan, Helen and the family in which we all belong. Such a blessing.

This is a first Advent photo! I love it! My boys that evening were ever so good. Reuben helped Zac to cut up his food and enjoyed each other;s company. I love that we can spend time together....and hear each other out....Sometimes is hard but generally its worth every little effort.
Zac has a special place in his heart for his brother and he demands his attention and often knows how to get into that special place in Reuben's heart. He adores his brother he really does look up at him and I know this because every so often they will cuddle and squeeze each other like only siblings can. I always have a little ache in my heart when I see my boys loving each other and being like true brothers. The Ache is mine alone....I miss that .....I also had a very special place in my heart for my brother Misi....he was my hero my first ever love and I have great memories of being his sister. unfortunately with my other older siblings the age gap was so much bigger that less memories and fun but what is amazing now I am in this country miles away here in England is that I appreciate each and everyone of my siblings so much more...each memory is so much more valuable and important. I know I have a smaller family but I am building memories and hope they will be their treasure one day. I hope my boys will never have to separate and can always be there for each other no matter what....! Incredible to think last year around this time I had no idea....we would be so much more in love with Zac....amazing, funny, witty and full of life....! thank god for him.

Summer been and gone?!

  Hi! What a summer it has been! We were meant to go to Romania then I was offered work which I wanted so we ended up staying. What a brilliant summer it has been...yes very tiring but weather was beautiful and kids were able to explore their surroundings better! Here Zac at the Strand enjoying some water pistol games....

 We are so blessed to live in such a fab location surrounded by parks, castles, cathedrals, animal parks....we did almost all.....meanwhile having plenty ice creams!

 Always loads of times to cuddle.....this one was one of my favourites...

 Its been particularly good that boys were happy to just hang around and play well at home....but what I am always so so happy with is having my other two boys around....here Andrei and Zac but Nic and Reuben....are also such special friendship!

 A moment of childhood! Zac has become more keen on parks and equipment.

 My boys are so happy with home time....they play so well and for that I am particularly thankful. Although often Zac challenges Roo (Reuben) he happily obliges and dictates the pace of the games. Reuben still needs to learn to be gentle but I love how Zac takes all in his strive and often give R that extra brotherly understanding.

 One of the shops on the high street caters for boys and girls with totally unique things. But also they have one of our magazines ANORAK that we love.

 A lot of doing projects also with daddy....Reuben loves drawing and he really does draw and colour really well.

 We have a very good big outdoor and some fabulous neighbours. One donated this massive box which then became dino/dangerous hiding place through the summer. Stuart has been a life saver this summer....often bringing his expertise (sports) and comical side to my rescue:) Here he has even painted the box white so boys can just draw on it. Twas really good fun!And we even put colourful card bunting all around it.

 more park time....and surley fun time....!

 Zac is a really funny character...he really can make some really funny faces and knows how to be funny:)))...

 Another great afternoon at the Riverside in Rochester!!!

 Beautifull Eynsford! We enjoyed this day mostly I think!

 A day at Reculver Castle! What a brilliant place...a lot of swimming in the sea this summer:)))

 And at the OUTLOOK CENTRE in Brecknell, Buckinghamshire we had a lot of fun thanks to my childhood best friend Ioana Daniela Lupas...

 Boys loved being architects! and builders.

We also visited Tyland Barn which was well worth the visit. We really are blessed to have had such amazing summer! It seems ages ago and I am always telling myself how I need to catch each moment but I feel always I am chasing back to try and keep the past in the present for I fear to let it go....I guess all very human. My boys are my life and my life is my boys...I had so much fun this summer getting to know their strengths and weaknesses and understand their little personalities better. I am incredibly proud and happy that although at times we faced A LOT we managed....and against sickness, illness, the dreaded lice infestation and the prospect of a quite summer we managed to have plenty fun and excitement...I learnt we are a great family when one is down the others step up....that's all that matters...really. So lets see what autumn and being in nursery 3 days a week brings our way.

Ps. I am a bad mum really Zac neatly 3.5 years old...still has a dummy and a nappy!

SUMMER FINALLY

 Finally summer is in full swing here in England. My little baby boy is now able to do all the amazing things....even skip sleep (this not so good for me). I am particularly loving his attitude....right now. He fights sleep to then completely fall asleep by 3-4p... When summer finally arrived it caught us unprepared. So as it was madly hot I made use of things from around the house:))) I think he rather liked the IKEA platic box!

 We are extremely blessed for living in a gated and safe development. Boys are able to gather for picnic and enjoy riding their scooters, bikes and various other equipment. As Rochester is sooo hilly its most gardens where its bumpy, sloped and uneven but we have a lot of ground they can enjoy. Although we are reminded by a particular neighbour this is not a playground...and that playing ball games is not permitted we make as much use of the courtyard as we can.

Here is one of the best possible things...don't know if its a boys thing but they love hiding out in the boot of my car. Here Zac enjoying the company of the two kids he mostly sees, Henry C and Andrei V.

 And here we managed to get a little paddling pool however I was not very good at getting the right one as this one need to be filled with water in order to keep upright and I just cant be doing that so water went in....enough to keep in...then left there for a few days....I used it for watering plants after a week or so....but kids loved it. Here he is playing with Alexia....a little beautiful girl ...they really played beautifully.

 We had been able to enjoy new places too here is Zackie;s introduction to DIno park in Hoo.

Summer also meant we went strawberry picking thanks to wonderful Carmen a friend of mine who lives and works at a farm in Kent. It was a brilliant day....not too hot and just right for jumping in hay and enjoying the freedom of a farm!

 Cuddle time! Although this boy is massively independent and strong willed I get to spend some lovely cuddles with Zac. he gives the most sweet kisses and when he does you know he means it. He also is brilliantly mannered. He always says Thank you mummy, please and NO THANK you. Which is my favourite. If he likes my suggestion he always insists "its a good idea" which is so grown up. His favourite places are the skate park and sea side.

 Picking and eating yummy strawberries!

 I am so happy to report Zac is still brilliant at sleeping in his room. I love his evening routine when he insists on reading a book and saying goodbye to the doggy faces fairy lights....! He can be the sweetest thing Zac can be....but he can also be terribly challenging.

Here is the proof that I have two monkeys in the house...
We are at the stage where Zac is copying Reuben and really does look up at him. He just thinks the world of Reuben and that is joy to my heart as I have no other wish but for my boys to always love each other and look after each other. The only scary thought I have is that my little baby is becoming increasingly more grown up. He is 4 next February and the way time seems to gallop that's only a stone throw away:) Its scary to think how much more independent and chatty and predictable he is nowadays. I can actually do things around him and he really does seem to be able to play on his own. I love seeing him in his world of trains, cars and animals....he gets his inspiration from the you tube....but also from his brother who is making the most intricate and interesting movies. I am glad he has been also healthy and well. He had his ops in February and I have seen a massive improvement. Yes, he loves his dummy but I love it too. I am in no rush as I wasn't with R either to take things away from him partly because you can only be a child ones and because I don't like the very pushy and competitiveness here which is basically wrong on so many levels/ If he cant get away having a dummy now he is still 3 ....when can he?!
I enjoy seeing the transformation from baby to big boy.

finally spring?!

 It seems spring has finally come! I am loving the fact that we can sit in the garden and play in the courtyard after school. Don't know how many people have an opportunity to enjoy so much space around their home. I wished for years we had a bigger garden but did not embrace just how much more we have where we are here in Rochester. Considering how hilly Rochester is I seldom see a house with flat garden. We have a small garden and an even smaller back garden but we have enough space for the kids in the courtyard so they can ride their scooters and bikes....although some neighbours particularly one seems to get allergic to that....:))) still we took the opportunity these last few days to do drawing and colouring, picnicking,  having meals in the garden....and plays in the garden too.

 On such a lovely and windy day while I washed the car Zac and Henry (our neighbour and friend) had enjoyed some scooting.

 Off course we don't just play around the house...we also make it to our favourite place...Cyclopark. On this particular day we were fortunate to watch some of the top BMX riders at Cyclopark they were practicing for the following week's competition. Was great to get boys watch these great cyclers....:))

 And Zac, oh well Zac has been suprising me with moving on for nearly daily pleas for pancake to now SPACE ROCKET lollies:))) here is a moment of pure enjoyment:))

 After school we had made it to the very near Vines Park (what a wonderful place that is a haven for the hot days) http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/countryside_and_coast/parks_and_open_spaces/country_parks/the_vines_gardens.aspx

I am particularly thankful that we live in Rochester town centre. in walking distance we have two lovely parks one top of a hill and one on the riverside...while we have brilliant castle grounds and one of the oldest cathedrals within walking distance too. We are indeed so so blessed.

 Henry and Zac were having a little play in their imaginary house on wheels:))! They even ate there that evening.

 A little cheeky moment with lovely Martha(whom he calls Sarah) "steeling" some fruit and hiding ....to scare mums:)) THey were so pleased with themselves. This was followed by yummy coffee at the Cathedral Tearooms....! The nice thing is now that we take Reuben to school often we walk down the high street stopping at the bakery and then fruit and vegetable shop it just seems so natural...we discuss what we are about to cook that day and what ingredients we need....we also stop sometimes for a cheeky catch up with friends:))

 There is a lot of learning happening around here:))) Daddy is the favourite entertainer....not only does he have to build interesting buildings generally with massive towers...but he has to explain about buildings, structure etc...
To me the most amazing change since Zac's full works operation is that although slowly he is becoming confident, moody, tantrum and chatty :))
He has joined a nursery and loves it....and the biggest and most noticeable change right now is his communication....its pretty good.

 I love watching Zac in action...he is so different in that he loves pottering, he will be happy just about anywhere, as long as he has his trains and tracks, hot wheels, (now a yellow boat and a captain) and plenty footballs (oh and the scooter) he is pretty happy....he sleeps still most afternoons something I truly cherish and often I must admit I join him..."there is something incredibly amazing about falling asleep with Zac, when he lays down to sleep...instantly closes eyes, breathes regularly and within seconds he is fast asleep...and I follow....waking up together and him smiling and me...is so unique too"- this little boy is just sooo special.

Evening routine means winding down after bath time in his room....he often wonders in Reuben's room then back to his room to sit down and read....he really does study pages...he often asks for interpretation of the pictures but really does not like me reading him all the text....he also reads the picture really well. Generally explains what he notices....Thomas is cross, Edward is happy, eyes are closed..that would be James....and his favourite book is "just in case you ever wonder" - by Max Lucado and his Todler Bible given to him by Jim and Hester Gilbourne.

All in all, I am blessed and really am so so happy to see my baby growing and learning and developing...and the fact that he will be going to school in a years time is very very scary....no more babies in the house.

I am also thankful for the beautiful weather for the last two weeks and being able to enjoy our outdoors too. Boys have adjusted so well to me working and Granny has been so very helpful indeed too. Although sometime I am still a bit frustrated, flustered and anxious about my boys I am one happy mummy! Thank God for my beautiful family and for all that having a family brings in our lives...especially blessings and loads of fun!