Birthday

Friday, the day of the field trip, was also my birthday. Robi is such an amazing husband and found exactly what would be a great way to show me how much he appreciates me.

Flowers, dinner, wine, the CPO's performance of Wicked Diva's, out to a favourite wine bar and cuddles and love that lasted all weekend. The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra's Wicked Diva's was an amazing show. Two stars of the Broadway musical Wicked joined the CPO for some show stopper tunes from Wicked, My Fair Lady, Chicago and music from Liza Minelli and Barbra Streisand were some of the numbers. The two artists, along with the amazing CPO, had us literally on the edge of our seats. Laughing, crying, clapping until our hands hurt. This was a night to remember. Thank you my love!!

We had a great visit with Rob's parents, coffee with close friends and dinner with my family. Thanks all for the well wishes for my 38th, I am very blessed.

steps

I remember every little and big step that Gabor and Aniko have gone through in their short little lives, and remember how the first steps we guide and hold their hand through. I was there for every little moment, big, small, I blogged about everything - first steps, first words, first experiences that we shared together. Now Gabor's steps are large and so full of excitement which I can not experience fully with him. I am there to hold his hand, guide him in what is about to happen and then I have the biggest job of keeping my head and know that he is out the door with good instructions and I've done all I can. He will take all that I've taught him and hope that he will be the best he can. This first field trip experience was a big mile stone for us both, as there were so many firsts.

I wondered all day how his first bus ride was going, who he sat with, what they talked about, how he behaved, did he remember to bring his bag, and pack up all his lunch. Will he listen to his teachers, will he enjoy the field trip, will he behave, use good manners and get a lot of out of the day. 

The school did not mess around with their first field trip, they didn't just take them a block or even a few blocks away, they took them out of the city! They headed down south to Leighton centre http://www.leightoncentre.org/, a full hours drive away so the answers to all my questions and wonders had to wait until the afternoon when they returned, exhausted and full of new memories. 

Our class was top notch with no issues, and now, days later I am still hearing new stories of what they saw and what they did, how his first bus ride was, what he thought of when he was doing particular crafts. I'm more than thrilled to report that he fully enjoyed the experience and that he did get a lot out of the trip. Phew, now with that first step out of the way maybe I can relax more about the next field trips that are coming. I am so lucky that he shares everything with me and makes me feel as though I am there with him. He is such an amazing boy that I know I do not have to worry each time he steps out the door. 

Conrad, Melissa, Adam, Gabor, Mrs. Irving, Isabella, Karim and Lief - CMS first Field Trip 2012

Just returning from his first field trip

Gabor's class, along with 30 other Montessori children, spent the day
exploring the Leighton centre south of Calgary. At pick up the
teachers were full of praise and incredibly happy about the outing. So
far I haven't heard much about his day, but according to the adorable
snores I gather he had a lot of fun!

Life is grand

Feels like we are on fast forward these days. Each and every single moment is filled up with something, and the days are long and fun. We are filling up the time with enjoyable events so we are all happy and can't complain about a thing. Robi has been working long hours, putting in time at the office but enjoying the challenge and the leadership role he has.

I've been in discussions with the school and other moms and peers as it is now decision time for what direction we go in for schooling for next year already. We've chosen to enrol Gabor into a Montessori program to further expand on the skills he has been exposed to over the last couple of years. The teachers at the school are in full support of our decision and are full of wonderful compliments on his behaviour, his strive and his level of education for his age. I know that this could sound ridiculous when talking about a kindergarten student however you must meet Gabor to really see how different he is. He is still a boy and loves to do all that fun play that others do at his age, however he looks at the world in a different light. We were told this week that he is in the top of his class in language, reading, math and although he can be distracted he never loses a beat. Last week at soccer I was sitting in the stands with Aniko just watching helplessly as he was running at full sprint doing all the obstacles and practices set ahead of him with one shoe untied. I felt so helpless, sitting far away amongst the other soccer moms (yes I am a soccer mom and surprisingly enjoy the title) when finally one coach pointed it out to him before he fell on his face. To my amazement he promptly knelt down and tied it into a perfect little knot and bow!! When did he learn to do this!?!? There are so many milestones that are happening all at once, and they seem trite and insignificant to him. I drilled him after he came off the field as to when he learned to do tie a bow, and he said its been months! That all the children at school ask him to tie their aprons and it is disruptive to his work. He too is overstepping these "small" milestones as he can feel already that he has much bigger and better things to get to. I wish I could just video tape his every move as every time I look at him he has changed and grown significantly.

Aniko, ah my sweet princess. She too is growing and learning so much that it is hard to keep up with. She points out letters and numbers that she recognizes wherever we go and is just itching to be able to recognize more and then to eventually read. She is a true performer, and makes us sit and quietly listen to her sing her gibberish songs. Usually in English which is a little sad, but just as sweet as her sound is just like honey. She is following her big brother in every way, but is also trying to branch out and be her own person. She tries to copy me a lot like Gabor did his father, and her little dainty walk and talk melts anyone she comes in contact with.

February already, most of the snow has melted from our neighbourhood and corner of life. The temperature is way above average which makes for walks with Brahms so pleasant but a little mucky. We are so busy during the week that we really love our weekends and time to bond and unwind as a family. Life IS grand!