Down on Pre-K Farm

Vito's Pre-K class performed "Down on Pre-K Farm" for the school at Friday Morning Assembly. The kids were all different animals and...well...just watch the video below.

Vito, his buddy Lars and Yealin were Roosters. Vito was the one who Cock-a-doodle-doo 'd the loudest.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving meal and are enjoying their leftovers today.

Anna had to work yesterday so I was in charge of the meal. It wasn't nearly as hard as I imagined it would be. I find that advanced preparation really makes a difference. About a week before, you call the Intercontinetal Hotel and arrange for the entire Thanksgiving meal to be delivered. Easy Peesy.

I did prepare the dough for the homemade crescent rolls but Anna took over when she got home.

The whole rest of the meal, including a bottle of wine, was delivered. It was pretty good. Not great like when we make our own or go to my Mom's but you can't beat the prep.

It was a good thing we didn't need the kitchen to make dinner since the guy came to fix our dishwasher and didn't leave until about 5 minutes before dinner was to start. We thought we would have to make an extra place for him.

Katie and Vito really enjoyed dinner so much that they didn't barely touch their dessert...which is OK since that meant more pumpkin pie for me!

Happy Thanksgiving!

HSM 3 - starring Frank & Barbara

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Savings Bond Fun

Being long distance grandparents my Mom & Dad can't always be there to share the holidays...to give too much candy for Halloween or hide eggs at Easter. They do however send a card with a Saving Bond in it to mark the occasion.

The kids have come to really look forward to each new Saving Bond and it was with much joy and anticipation that they opened their Halloween cards this year. They were so excited that they could not wait to go and play with their Savings Bonds so off to the park we went.

Katie and Vito took their Bonds on the swings first.

Then for a ride on the See-Saw.

Katie and her Bond had fun spinning around...

...while Vito gave his a ride in his truck.
Then it was time for a slide.

They had a great afternoon.

I know you're going "huh?" Here's the explanation. A while back, when we still lived in Texas, I saw this commercial for Toys 'R Us about a kid playing with his Rain Check. It was hysterical. Then a few days later my Mom asked if the kids had gotten their savings bonds and I said something like "Yes, they are playing outside with them."

My Mom doesn't usually get angry at me. At my Dad and my Brother, yes, but not usually at me. But boy did she get pissed. I had to quickly explain about the funny commercial and she calmed down but still didn't really see the humor.

That was then. But I think about it every time the kids get a bond from them. And this time, when Katie opened her card, she held up the bond and said "I always get one of these pieces of paper." I just died laughing and had to take these pictures.

I hope your laughing at this Mom because we love the Savings Bonds and I know that Katie and Vito Jr. will appreciate them when they get older. Just as much as I did mine (how do you think I paid for Anna's engagement ring?)

First Snow, Part Deux

So you've heard the saga of the late evening walk home. Let me add that while the kids complained about the walk in the cold, they did not whine about it. There's a big difference and I am very proud of them. Don't feel too bad for them since I was the one who had to walk back this morning and get the car (of course I'm also the one who sat on his ass Friday rather than getting the snow tires on so I guess that point is a wash).

It started to snow some more today so the kids and I went out and had some fun in the snow.

There wasn't really enough snow for sledding but don't tell them that.

Time for some Snow Angels.

The only way to get them inside was a promise of hot chocolate!

First Snow

Today was the first snow here in Budapest. Very exciting stuff. The kids were so happy. They kept looking out the window at the flakes. At around 2pm, there were just flakes in the air and a little bit of accumulation on the grass - nothing on the roads.

However, at around 4:30 pm, we had to pick Vito up from a friend's football (read soccer) birthday party which was near a nice park that we sometimes go to have a picnic, ride bikes and such. However, this place is at the top of a big hill, two hills over from ours. And, it started snowing again. Only more....Lots more.....And sticking.

But we pick him up. And then go to dinner at the local Friday's.

Now, we knew it was getting somewhat icy and snowy on the roads as we went to dinner.

So, we carefully and slowly proceed back home - across the Margit Bridge and on up the hill towards our house. One intersection was a little slippery but all in all, we were doing great.

Now, we live up the road about 1 mile past the last bus stop, so we know the road does not get plowed as often past that section. But, it seemed pretty good. We were making good progress - then - about halfway up the last section, the car just started slipping. I put on the brakes and we are still sliding down the hill. We make a few half-hearted attemps to get further but realize the road only gets steeper as we get closer to the house.

So, we turn (slide) around and slowly slip and slide back down the road to the bus stop and turnaround. There is a nice parking area there. So, we park and proceed to walk.

Oh, and (little) Vito fell asleep the last 5 minutes of the drive. So, now, we have to wake him up, convince him that he needs to walk by himself and no one will carry him.

Meanwhile, it is about 25 degrees out and windy. Luckily, the kids have hoods (no gloves of course) and I was lucky enough to have my scarf. Vito was out of luck as his woobie is permanently retired.

Well, after so slipping and sliding, a little bit of grumbling and some complaining about being cold and having to go to the bathroom, we all made it back to our house. Little Vito was a bit worried about us leaving our car, but we assured him Daddy would go get it in the morning. Alone.

Oh, and did I mention that Vito said he was going to get the snow tires put on, but decided not to, as he was still recovering from his night out with the girls (other AISB parents) on Thursday.

AISB Pictures

Just a quick post to share some pictures from the kids' school. Most of them will be of Vito since his teacher actually updates their class website.

Vito and his buddy Lars (Belgium) collect leaves for an art project.

As the snack helper, Vito makes sure that the table is ready for snack time.

Flynn (Germany), Vito & Holden (USA) with their bears.

Marco (Italy), Lars & Vito enjoy swimming during PE.

Anita (Belgium & Canada) & Vito make a pattern during Math time.

Mei Lee (USA) & Vito in the Book Corner.

Mei Lee, Vito, Océane (France) & Anita.

Katie & Vito waiting to enter the gym during the International Week Opening Parade.

Go USA!

Vito works on a self portrait for his journal.

Vito and Lars play in the sand after school.Soccer is one of Katie's After School Activities. I was lucky to get this action shot since...
...most of the time she spends in the middle of the field playing with her hair. I don't think that she will pick Soccer next time.
Flynn and Vito can't wait to carve the pumpkin for Halloween.The class made scary masks with Ms. Meyer in Art Class.Playing the Trick or Treat Game.Vito as Batman and Holden and Samuel (USA) as two Red Power Rangers.

At the Assembly on Halloween Katie's class played "Pass the Witch's Broomstick" (think "Hot Potato"). The kids really enjoyed this game and were excited that their class was picked (out of the four 2nd Grade classes) to play it at Assembly.

The best part was that Katie was the winner!This morning Katie gave a book review of "DW the Picky Eater" for the entire school.

This afternoon Pre-K showed us what they had been learning in Music Class. Vito and Anita are ready to play the Xylophone during "Wheels on the Bus"

The Itsy Bitsy Spider.

The kid's did a great dance based on Dr. Seuss's "My Many Colored Days." Each kid got to pick what color/animal they wanted to be. Vito & Océane picked the purple dinosaur and had to do a "sad" dance.

Wow, it's been a busy start to the school year, but the kids are having a great time!

Happy Halloween

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween. Katie and Vito enjoyed the Halloween Parade at their school and then Trunk-or-Treating in the evening. Many thanks to Grammy for bringing over the Halloween costumes.

Vito Jr. as Batman

Katie loved this Pink Cheerleader outfit.
Katie and her teacher, Mrs. Lehner

Katie's Class

Shiraz, Katie's friend shown next to her, joined us for Trunk-or-Treating. That's where we go to the school and everyone decorates their car trunks and the kids go from car to car begging for candy Trick or Treating. Anna and the kids had dinner in the cafeteria while I decorated. Then she took them around while I handed out the candy to the HORDES of children.

Katie, Vito Jr and Shiraz by our decorated trunk

Vito Jr. would like the final word: