Maria's 4th Birthday

Maria turned 4 on 27th Nov. She is growing fast, is a bright girl, a very good big sister and loves to do lots of things. This year, Maria learned how to write her name, her sister's name and lots of other words. She can spell and read short words. She is ready to go to school, but she is too young yet. In the UK, children start school at 4, but because she is born in Nov, she will have to go to school only next year. Maria still enjoys her dancing, swimming and gymnastics. This year, we celebrated Maria's birthday with lots of her friends from the baby group, her pre-school and other friends. Here are some pictures from her celebration.

Happy Birthday to our gorgeous girl!

This is just before her birthday, waiting for her guests

Maria's Birthday cake, a joined effort between parents and grandparents

Maria's friends playing games at her Birthday Party

This autumn, my mum was here with us, enjoying playing with the girls, celebrating their birthdays and visiting different places and people. Here are some pictures from autumn 2012.

At Wisley's Gardens

Elsa and Maria exploring the gardens

Enjoying the seaside in West Sussex

Elsa's 1st Birthday - Happy Birthday!

Our little Elsa Liliana was 1 year old on the 1st of October. She has had such a great first year, enjoying being with her family, learning how to crawl, walk, smile and laugh. She loves her sister, Maria, who makes her laugh many times, especially when she is loud and is dancing. Elsa is still tiny, hasn't reached 7.5 kg yet and is quite dainty. We love her to bits and are so happy to have our two little girls. Just before Elsa's brithday, my mum came over to stay with us for a couple months. It's so nice to have her here and to celebrate with her our girls' birthdays.

 Maria and Elsa on the 1st of October

 Mama Lili playing with Elsa

 Happy Birthday, Elsa! La multi ani, Elsa!

 Elsa and Grannie Mary

In our Romanian tradition, when the baby is one, she has to choose three objects, which would relate to her future career. So, we put lots of different objects on a tray and Elsa had to choose three of them. Her first chosen object was the scissors. After picking it up, we were all ready for the second object, but Elsa would just look at us and the tray and didn't want to choose anything. After about 5 minutes of persuading her to choose something else, she eventually picked up the mobile phone and the badminton shuttlecock (of which I was very pleased).

 Here is Maria trying to encourage her to pick up her next object.

 Another moment when you are 1, you meant to have your first hair cut. Elsa's hair was cut by Grannie Mary.

 Family picture on Elsa's birthday

Paralympic Games - September 2012

This year was definitely the most attended sport event year for all of us. Figure Skating Championships in January, Wimbledon in June, Olympics and finally, the great Paralympics Games. We were very pleased to be able to get tickets and be part of a such an inspirational event. Seeing these great athletes compete in the Games gave us shivers on the spine and had lots of tears of joy and appreciation watching them. We were there for only one day, but we took the girls with us and experienced quite a few of sport events. In the morning, we went to the Excel Arena and saw Wheelchair Fencing and Boccia and in the evening, we returned to the Olympic Park and saw the final session of the swimming finals. Great experience, great memories and a wonderful day spent as a family and enjoying sport.

 Aquatics Centre - London 2012, excellent venue and a super swimming final session

 The girls were tired at the end of the day, but it was well worth it

 The Olympic Stadium in the background and the Orbit

Summer Time - August Trip to Cornwall

August was a very busy month. Olympic Games for the first part, visits and a very nice trip to Devon, meeting old good friends and making new friends. Here are some pictures from our busy August. Slightly catching up with our blog.

This summer, Maria started taking seriously her responsibilities as a big sister. She is a lovely sister, taking very good care of Elsa, playing with her, helping her to crawl and walk and giving her lots of cuddles.

 Maria with her friend, Emily at Wisley Gardens. A lovely day spent together.

 Feeding the ducks

 Guess what is in the picture? 

 Another nice picture, in Will's style

 Summer flowers at Wisley Gardens

 Maria looking at the pretty flowers

At the end of August, my friend from Germany, Ursula, whom I first met years ago in the US, while I was an aupair, came to visit England. Ursula, her lovely little boy, Quirin and her funny friend, Sabine all came over here for 10 days and we rented a cottage in Devon together. It was a very nice trip and it was lovely seeing my old friend and also seeing her baby boy and Sabine. Here are some pictures from our trip to Devon.

 Introducing our friends to the world of geocaching on a rainy day

 Finding treasure together

 In one of our daily trip on the Devon coast

 Beautiful sunset in Bude, north Cornwall

 One of our visits was at an old Victorian village. Maria experienced some of the punishments from Victorian times. She was a very good actress. 

 On the way back home, we stopped in Salisbury, at the Racecourse.

 It was a special evening, with a Queen Tribute concert. Maria was in a great singing and partying mood (as usual).

Ursula with Quirin, Elsa and I at the concert