Our first actuary

In the Strada family, several people (Najp, Mummy, Keresztpapa) have flirted with the idea of a career as an actuary. Finally, someone in our family is following through, pursuing an actuarial career beyond sitting for an exam or two.







My uncle Peti bácsi graduated from John Carroll University this past Sunday. He gets a few weeks off and then will be moving to Connecticut to be an actuary. Congratulations, Peti bácsi! We're very proud of you. We know you will not "bring shame or dishonor to the proud family name".




I don't know much about being an actuary, but I do know that Peti bácsi is a great uncle. We have lots of fun together.

Peti bácsi with Sándor, 2005

Peti bácsi with Najm, 2004?

Peti bácsi with me, 2002

Peti bácsi with Mummy, 1998

Good luck, Peti bácsi! We'll see you in three and a half weeks to congratulate you in person.

And Sándor says,
"I miss you and I love you and I hope you have a nice day".

A day with Gilbert

Although we dressed for the heat wave today, the fog came in and it cooled off little by little. By the evening, all of our windows were closed.













Julian cut his own hair this morning, then joined the rest of us to visit Gilbert who has been cutting our hair for more than 10 years. The kids love him as well, but they also love the Legos Gilbert gives them to play with and the post-haircut treats at the French coffee shop next door.













Alexander is always a great sport and climbs right up in the chair as soon as my turn is over. He likes to watch himself in the big mirror, laughs when Gilbert sprays his hair, and goes right back to the Legos when he's done.


Charlotte gets a bit more nervous, but always has a smile on her face when she realizes there was nothing to worry about.

Or maybe it was the croissant that made her smile.

Heat wave

It was 97 degrees in San Francisco yesterday, and only slightly cooler today. In honor of our heat wave, I thought I'd post a few more photos from last weekend's adventure in San Jose.

Waiting for "Rumpelstiltskin" to start

Cruising

"I'm a good driver"

Taking a break

Hanging out in the hotel

Sleeping off the excitement

After only two nights of sleeping in a king-sized bed, Alexander said his twin bed was too small and was worried that he would roll right out. He did not, and readjusted rather quickly.

Thanks, Najm!

My Mother's Day was very quiet. I actually did not hear the pitter-patter of little feet, or whining, or crying, or the 3-year-old human alarm clock at 6:15am. Najm took Charlotte and Alexander away for the weekend, and Julian and I had a lovely break.

On Saturday they went to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose. They enjoyed riding the rides and seeing the animals (those that did not jump up on them). Their favorite ride was the Ladybug, and Alexander particularly enjoyed going backwards on it.



On Sunday they visited the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. The kids had been asking to return since we first went more than two years ago, so they were very excited. Unfortunately some of their favorite exhibits had changed in the meantime, but they still had lots of fun, especially in the Water Room.



Thanks again, Najm! We appreciated the break and enjoyed seeing you while you were here. We'll see you in 31 days (at least by Charlotte's countdown).

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to our mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and godmothers. We love you and hope you have a wonderful day!

Alexander and Charlotte with Dédi (Maria's grandmother)

Móni néni (Charlotte's godmother), Najm, and Maria

Grandma Webster

Auntie Tracey (Alexander's godmother)

We wish a very happy Mother's Day to all of our friends and extended family members who are mothers as well.

A good sport

Grandparents will do just about anything for their grandchildren (even things they would have never done for their own children). How could they not, when it brings such smiles to the children's faces?

Sándor bowling

Sári batting

Sándor was having a blast playing cricket with Daddy in our hallway, also know as the cricket pitch, the soccer field, the baseball diamond, the bowling alley, and the driving range. After the allotted time, Daddy had to get back to work. Mummy was cooking dinner, so she was not able to fill in (see above comment about not doing things for your own children). Luckily for all concerned, Najm was on hand to continue the game.

Sándor was a great teacher. Najm was a great student. And Sári finished her homework in time to join in. They all had a fun time!

Will my time ever come?

I am not naturally a very patient person. I have been told that it runs in the family, but I'll leave it up to you to decide which member of the family I am most like.


I am learning. I don't have much choice. I feel like I'm always waiting. I'm waiting to be as old as Jaja, so that I can do everything she does. I'm waiting for my tomato plant to grow, so that I can pick the tomatoes. I wait for Mummy to finish cooking or cleaning or folding clothes, so that I can play with her. I wait for Jaja's TV program to finish, so that I can watch mine. I wait for Daddy to come home from work, so that we can play soccer in the hallway.

Here I am sitting in the Upper Yard, waiting for Jaja's class to come out after school.


I am also waiting for a haircut!