Chez Nagymama-Nagypapa

We spent a wonderful Sunday with Nagymama-Nagypapa today. It was especially wonderful because all the aunts, uncles and cousins were there. Such reunions don't happen everyday, as some of us live in Toronto/Sydney/Pécs most of the time. It is possible these days because Emese's family is visiting from Sydney for a couple of months. Today was the first time that all 11 grandchildren were together!

The great thing about having so many cousins around is that we are enough to form our own soccer league. We spent hours playing soccer today!

While the big kids were playing soccer, the little ones were busy doing other things - like getting to know each other...

...trying out new looks 

...and checking out the slide.

Nagypapa baked 11 alma-rétés (Hungarian apple strudel) - in honor of each grandchild.

Field day in the 2nd district

Last Sunday was the annual day of races in the 2nd district, where our school is located. No matter that the starting gate was far narrower than it was long, so it was hardly a fair situation for those who actually wanted to win the race...we still had a good time!

Those who made it to the finish line were rewarded with a bottle of water, a t-shirt and a banana.
Our kids all ran two races, so I guess we are all set for the year when it comes to t-shirts!

There was energy left to burn, apparently....

There were excursions organized in Basti and Ilo's classes, which was a very nice occasion for kids to play together and parents to get to know each other. This was a welcome opportunity for those parents who  had recently arrived from Canada and didn't know anyone. In Ilo's classes there were different stations organized around the park, where groups of kids performed different kinds of activities for fostering different kinds of desirable qualities. 

I guess this was the one about trust and cooperation....

Hmm, I wonder what this one is about....That you should always follow your leader? I'm not sure I trust the mischievous-looking one in the front....

Almost home....tired, but still a little energy for one more photo!

Sunday with Kata

Last week Sunday we visited Kata (papa's sister), Balázs and our two adorable little cousins, Enikȍ and Zselyke. We climbed the tower near their house and then went for a walk through the forest. We found a grassy field so we decided to have some barefoot races. It was a perfect afternoon!

First week of school

School started last week. It is hard but we are getting used to it. Aside from having to learn everything in Hungarian, the kids attend twice weekly instrumental lessons and singing/choir almost everyday. And (Catholic) religion class. Basti and Ilo are learning German, poor Adri is still trying to get out of her English class...Life is very busy!

A sleepy Basti on the first day of school...still getting used to the 6:15 wake-up time...

All school kids in Hungary go to school dressed in black and white on the first day and there is a
big assembly with (thankfully short) speeches, beautiful choir and instrumental performances, and poetry recitations. 

Ilona in her new classroom.

Bastilo in front of the main gate of the school.

The lovely pedestrian street that we walk/bike through everyday to get to school is filled with tempting treats. Bastilo on a lucky day. 

Our very own stray cat who lives on our street and greets us occasionally on the way home.

Purrrr

Kalandpark

The last summer outing before the start of school: a visit to Kalandpark, which we have been wanting to visit for years. We have passed by it countless times while riding the Children's Railway through the beautiful forests of Já'noshegy (one of the Buda hills, located close to where we live), and finally we made it there. Unfortunately Adri was not feeling well, so it was just Bast-Ilo and Mama.