Not always the opposite

Last night Charlotte was very upset that we decided to let Alexander take his bath first. She pouted, cried, and carried on for about half an hour. As she stormed out of the room, she said, "You are being the opposite of nice."

I was thinking about a time when she thought I was nice. I remembered this photo, taken in early January. She really wanted to surprise me by making my breakfast and insisted that I must sleep in. I was happy to oblige (or would have been if she hadn't been making so much noise in the kitchen).


I woke to find Charlotte dressed in her Christmas finest, with her hair done and wearing jewelry. Then she presented me with my gourmet breakfast of jam on toast, a slice of goat cheese, and a peeled clementine orange. It was very sweet of her, and it's good to remember that sometimes I actually am nice (and so is she).

My first basketball game

I was so excited about the first basket I scored this basketball season. I have been working very hard to learn how to play. This weekend Mummy and Daddy bought me a proper youth basketball so that I can practice even more. Here is a video of my first game. You can see how much I had improved by the time I scored my basket. I have scored a few more since then, but they have not been captured on video. Just wait to see how good I am now!

Anything that I may lack in ability, I make up for in energy and enthusiasm, as you can see in this next video.

In the pool!

Alexander does not usually join us when we go swimming. He will put his swimsuit on so that his clothes don't get splashed, but won't go any further than the first or second step into the pool. Those who have seen him near the water will be very impressed to see this photo. When we were in Cleveland before Christmas he spent the last few moments of our swimming time in the pool with me!


I think that the look on his face really captured what he was feeling: terrified, yet proud of himself.

In other swimming news, Charlotte passed her swimming test today and moves up a level for next week's class. She was so giddy after class, also very proud of herself.

My first basket

I have just started playing basketball. It's a lot of fun and I'm learning so much from Coach Wayne. He gives me a lot of playtime too, so I'm getting some good experience.


Although we're not supposed to keep score, we do so in our heads. I have also kept track of every basket I've made so far. I'm already up to 7! That includes games, practices, and warm-ups. Here is a video of the points I scored during my second game this past Saturday. At this point this is my only official basket, but I assume it is the first of many!

I'm very lucky to have my own entire cheering section as well, or least to have my sister to cheer for me.

Keeping warm on a cold rainy day

One day last year, my friend Leona posted some photos of a quilt she was making. As much as I love all of the quilts that she has made, this one somehow caught my eye. I liked the deep colors and the unique, yet simple, design.

On my birthday in September, Leona joined me and a few friends for lunch. She then told me that the quilt I had admired would be my birthday present. I was overwhelmed with the thought that she was making something so special for me, but also felt very excited.

Leona gave me the quilt a few weeks later, just as the weather was turning cold. It now has a place of honor on the futon in the living room, and we often bundle up in it when it is cold.


Sometimes Charlotte and Alexander like to cuddle up with the quilt while watching TV. But sometimes Charlotte is more interested in a cuddle than Alexander is!

Thank you, Leona!

The gang at Christmas

We managed a few hours with all five siblings and all four grandchildren together under one roof. Unfortunately those hours were about midnight to 7am. We didn't let the children stay up late, so you can imagine that this photo was taken very early in the morning!


It was wonderful to see everyone. Peti, next time I'll make sure that I actually know your schedule before I book our return flight!

I love my cousins!

This summer we met our cousin Hannah and fell in love with her right away. I just could not wait to see her again. I am so happy that I saw her in Cleveland before Christmas. She always smiled when she saw me, and grabbed my hand. I think she likes me too.


We always have fun with Máté when we see him. This time we went for walks, built a snowman, played pinball, went swimming, played with Playmobil and other games. I enjoyed reading him stories. Here I am reading him "Robert the Rose Horse", a family favorite.


Of course Sándor loves his cousins too. He just doesn't sit still long enough to be in our photos!