Trip to Romania 2010 - in restrospect

We finally made it to Romania this summer. It was a great trip. Aside from the plane ride, Petru had an absolute blast. OK, he had a blast in the plane as well, we not so much.

We left US on August 31st, the day after I completed my first half ironman (yes, had to throw that in). We spent a night in Bucharest, had dinner with cousin Bianca, had a run around a lake (me) and a long play session at a playground (Petru), and left for Bran, 4 people and 2 dogs in a tiny car. The trip went surprisingly well. At Bran we were treated like kings by mom, who cooked, cleaned and pretty much did anything humanly possible to make our stay as comfortable as possible. There was a conference in Cluj for me, and Chris and I travelled together, while Petru stayed with mom (somehow, he managed to convince mom that he "needed" the biggest toy in the store, and she obliged, of course). There was a trip to the place where I used to go as a little girl to pick up raspberries. There were endless trips to Sanda's restaurant for pizza and fries. There were visits to Dracula's castle, and lots of time spent on the trampoline. There was lots of visiting, which Petru did not particularly enjoy, mostly bc of the language barrier. There was a train trip with Petru to nurture his fascination with railroads.

On Petru's part, there was frustration with smoking (P: "You should not smoke, it is bad for your health"), with people not carrying for the no smoking signs in restaurant (P: "There is a no smoking sign, you should not smoke"), with people crossing the railways in front of trains (P: "It is dangerous).

It was a great, relaxing trip. Petru even started to speak some Romanian. He even told Chris: "Daddy, I feel sorry for you because you don't understand when Buni, mommy and I speak Romanian".

Happy 5th Birthday- in retrospect

We celebrated Petru's birthday in style this year. By style, I mean by spending money. For the first few bdays we got away with having simple gatherings at a nearby playground. I would have gone for the same thing this year, but Chris (yes, you read it right) suggested we have the party in an indoor gym type place with lots of inflated slides and other kid friendly paraphenelia. It ended up being a blast. And, of course, I made a cake by request - train cake this year. I am surprised as to how much I enjoy making these theme cakes for him, even though I resent everything kitchen related.



We've also had a celebration at home.

Oh my, time flies

I can't believe i have not posted here since May. Amazing! I'll try to catch up and promise to be better in the future. Pics at the end of the post.

School ended for Petru in June. The end of school celebration was wonderful, and involved singing one of Petru's favorite songs, "All I really need". I got there a few minutes late, and the moment he saw he started waving and singing for me. Then, during an intermission, he came to me and said he wants to watch.

Ed, Robin and the kiddies visited for 2 weeks, and Petru had a ton of fun with the cousins. They were both wonderful with him. They even allowed him to sleep in the same room with them, even though they were tired and Petru was not.

Chris started a 3 week teaching job, which means crazy scheduling since Petru is now in camp Seeside but only 3 days/week. But we managed.

We are really enjoying the summer: Waltham pool, the Rez, Walden Pond, trips to Grandma's house and the beach.

Petru continues to be obsessed with traffic signals and crosswalks, and he gets daily trips to entertain his hobbies. He is also mesmerized by traffic signs. He draws constantly and asks us how to spell everything. He can read a bit and write even more. He is very curious, and a bit of a perfectionist with his work (hm, I wonder where he got that from, hm, hm); if something is not how he wants it to be, he crosses it over and redoes it. Hopefully that will translate to school work.

Since he is turning 5 in August, we decided to keep him in the ACC kindergarten, as opposed to the public school. Most of my colleagues and the people I spoke with, including teachers, told me that this is a good idea. After the year, we can decide if he goes to public school kindergarten or first grade.

OK, pics now..

With daddy after camp
Milkshake time
With mama after camp




Donuts post mom's triathlon
End of year recital
Singing in Harvard square with the street musician


Making his own music at home

update

We've been really busy over here and I've been neglecting this blog. Sorry Petru!
The main reason for my business is that I have started training for a half ironman, which means 2 workouts a day, or about 2-3 hours weekdays and more weekends devoted to exercise. Yes, not much time left for other things.

Winter is almost a thing of the past. We've had some beautiful days when Petru played outside with the neighbourhood kids. It is more and more apparent that he is a corcky kid. His interests (cross walks) are so different than those of most kids. He is much better at interracting with adults than kids, mostly because adults make him the center of attention and he loves that. He has lots of fears, probably developmentally appropriate, but given my profession, worrisome at times. He is securely attached and could care less about whether we are around. He eats crap. Literally. Now we are paying him to eat fruits and healthier foods. I think it is worth it. I hope it will work.

A few weeks ago I started to have my special night with Petru. Friday nights we watch a movie, eat popcorn and chocolate, and then Petru gets to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed, while daddy sleeps in Buni's bed. I love these special nights as much if nor more than Petru. I love to watch him sleep.

Not much else, or maybe I am too tired. Will return shortly!

Our gymnast and soccer player

Petru's been taking gymnastics at Tumble kids USA for over a month now. He made AMAZING progress. Click on the pics to see him better!




And, he's been also taking soccer at the YMCA! Do you also notice a pattern in the soccer pictures?Yes, we've been working on that! No naming names but he HAS not gotten that from me! Hm, hm!

Update

Goodness, I am behind! Lots and lots has been happening around here. I just uploaded 60 pictures and was reminded of all the memories.

Here we go, the "in brief" version.

Ed, Robin and the NC cousins visited in February. Great fun was had by everyone. Petru and Michael clicked over trains (Michael was v patient with Petru) and farts (the i-phone fart app is outstanding!). We visited Tree House Toys and G Wiliker's in Porthsmouth...
Isabella showed us how to use the Apple photo booth...
More trains....
Petru got more attached to his "snugglies". He now sleeps with Clifford, Big Ali, little Ali, the cow, the duck (made by my grandmother when I was a little older than he is now), Stripy, and Obi. He also likes to be covered with 10 blankets. He also likes to sleep naked. No, no pics of that...
Sleepy P with Ali
There was a trip to the Dover Children's Museum
And lots of trips to New Castle to grandma's house
Fun with the neighbor's gals when Petru announced that "I want to be naked" and immediately took all his clothes off before I was able to intervene.
Train ride Nr 1 to Andover to visit Papi


More fun with the neighbor girls in our back yard.
Playing with his trains, which took over both the living and dining room...
Train ride Nr 2 to Newburry port to meet Grandma. This time our car was in the shop so Chris biked to the train station with Petru on his back

Last night Petru was particularly difficult. Bed time has been going smoothly since we ditched the nap (he does nap at school a bit, but v little). But last night, he kept coming downstairs or calling us to cover him, or to tell us that he can't fall asleep, he is bored, etc. Chris left around 9:30pm to watch the bball game at a friend's house. At 9:45 Petru called again. I was frustrated and went in there, covered him, and then said: "Petru, this is the last time I am coming up, I need to finish my work". As I left the room, Petru said: "Must be hard for you to have a little guy. Must be hard to have a little boy". I went back and asked him: "Why do you say that?". P: "Well, because you have to take care of me, and you have to come up when I call you, and cover me, and make me food". I almost started crying. He sounded like a 20 y old, not a 4.5 y old. I got in bed with him and snuggled with him and told him that I love to have to do all these things, and that he is my best boy. To which he said: "I love you to, mama. You make me happy every day". Does it ever get better than this? Did not think so.