Oh Crap!! :)

Remind me of the reasons why potty training is better than diapers again?

I forgot.

All I Want for Christmas

I WANT HIM FOR CHRISTMAS!!!

Seriously.

Chrismas Party at the Intercontinental

All dressed up.

The girls.

The guys.

Keesha and I.
Our fish is named after her.

The set up and bar.
We don't get the full appreciation of a good bar...

Look familiar?
This is the same space that they did the cookie making for the kiddos, but this time, it's elegant. The Castle is lit up outside, there is a live band, there is lively conversation, awesome friends, and amazingly gourmet food.

The mood.
Can you tell we were lively?

The food.
And my hair fell down. ug.

I get to wear my ballgown about once a year, so far. And what a great event to wear it at! We were able to get many of our friends together and thanks to my good friend Mirjana, whose husband happens to be a manager for The Intercontinental, they were able to organize a banquet there just for us. It was amazing! We were able to look out the window at the Castle all lit up, eat all-you-can eat gourmet food, and chat it up with some amazing people. I mean, really, I had my doubts about the food. I'm just not that fancy when it comes to food. I figure if I can't spell it our pronounce it, it's probably not my thing, but I got THREE platefuls of dinner and finished them all. From duck to lamb to Salmon to something I can't pronounce... it was all good. And then there were the desserts! Wow. I shouldn't have to eat for a few days.

Cookie Making at the Intercontinental

The Intercontinental is a 5 Star Hotel where one of my good friend's husband is the manager and they hold events for children every so often and Mirjana was nice enough to hold one for 20 kids! Yes. 20. It was madness, but I wasn't in charge, and the kids had a blast, so it was AOK in my book.

Agenda:
1. Cut out the cookies
2. Toured kitchen
3. Ate food
4. Decorated some cookies
5. Shaped Marzipan
6. And took a boxful of cookies home

I barely saw Haley. She was independently working the whole time. When did she get so big? She thought the best part was that she got to take the real child-sized apron home with us. She cracks me up!

Maleia and Dylan needed a little more assistance.

I think she ate more gingerbread dough than she baked... and good thing. The dough was way better than the cookies.

While the cookies were baking, they gave a tour of the kitchens. VERY sanitary, I know.

Dylan was a little clingy since there were so many people around. There were even people there that would help your child out if you didn't want to help them yourself.

Dylan sat next to Scarlett!! :)

Then they had Marzipan shaping. Who wouldn't like edible playdough??

I give this event 5 stars.
We are even going to go back for the Pizza making in a couple of months. Right Mirjana?

New AISB

Haley's the one in the yellow... oh. The one SMILING in the yellow. To the left is her fabulous teacher, Ian Connell. He is British and teaches Haley all sorts of fun words!

I love how Haley can always find the camera.

I'm the giant in red.


Ray Holiday (director), Vito, Me, Ros, Monica, (PSA) 3 kids on Student council, US Charge (standing in for the Ambassador since Hungary doesn't have one yet!!), Mayor of Nagykavacsi, President of the Building committee, Board someone, Board of Director's President, Principal.

So Haley's school moved buildings in November and we (PSA) have been working ever so much to make the transition as smooth as possible. Basically, it's been more work that I had EVER imagined!! The official "Opening" of the Nagykavacsi Campus was great and the kids were the best part! They sang this outstanding song and worked so hard to make it a special event. Dignitaries, Ambassadors, Mayors, Administration, and Parents were all there. Complete with gold scissors cutting the ribbon to the new school.

The worst part of it is that the commute went from 3 minutes to 23 min... not so fun. I'll tell you later if I think it is worth it.

Live for Today

B ran outside to take this picture since the day before the leaves were green and he announced, "They won't stay like this for long." I was thinking, "Eh. They'll probably be there for a week or so."

Nope.

There was a wind storm the next day that blew them all off.

What a great lesson for us all. Look what we would have missed out on!

Laugh #1, #2, and #3

This is what my kids told me tonight as I was cuddling with each of them. I usually get the best stuff when they are tired and giddy.

Laugh #1: Me- Dylan, time to go in your bed buddy. Dylan- 2 minutes! I a boy and boys need to cuddle. 'Member? Me- Okay, only because you are cute. Dylan- I not cute. I a gutsy racer! (A quote from the movie Cars.)

Laugh #2: Maliea- (whisper voice) Do you want to smell my armpit?

Laugh #3: Haley- (whisper voice) Hey Mom. You look like a flashing robot.

To Dance or To Dance a lot... there's no question

Her whole class. This is the scrunched up nose that reminds me of Ashley's little girl pics.

Maleia and her teacher, Janine.

Maleia with Ava Stuart.
(And for all those who know my family, Ava Stewart was my grandmother's name, so it's quite the coincidence.)

There are some things that just isn't hereditary from the mother's side. Maleia has loved to dance since she was 6 months old. If there was music going, she was dancing. I still remember when she first learned to twirl. The only reason why she would stop was when she got too dizzy to stand. More and more reason that she reminds me so much of Ashley (her aunt.)

Recipe for an Aunt Ashley look-a-like:

1 c. Sweet
1 c. Party
A pinch of Spunk
2 c. Dance
1 c. Smile
3 c. Wrinkle-your-nose-laughter
1 c. Night owl
1 c. Golden straight hair
A tad of emotion
10 c. Friendliness

Twirl it all together, leave to set at a party all night, and call me in the morning, afternoon, and again late at night.

And of course, my mom thinks that she is just like me.
But I'm not that cute. :)