Just a quick hello and yes-we-are-all-alive note so you don't think we just disappeared.
Been very, very busy and on top of that our home computer is once again being worked on by our office's IT crew. We've actually decided to upgrade to a nice Dell so things take time to transfer over and set up so I am only working from the office on my work PC and from home on our laptop. Neither is connected to any of our cameras so no new photos quite yet.
Last week was packed with activities. Ali's school had their St. Marton day celebration on Tuesday the 11th of November and like always, it was fantastic. I took tons of videos (actually T handled the video camera) and snaps so will have to load them up for you all to see soon. Ali was as cute as can be in their traditional march up the hill with their homemade lanterns. Then, they performed many songs and plays for us. We ended with some dancing, hot wine, food and snacks. Mia and T came with me to cheer Ali on. It was very fun.
On Wednesday, Nov 12th was Margit Neni's funeral. Very, very, very sad but good for T and Mia to take part in. Ali was also with us but she didn't really understand what was going on. It was the final process of our grieving process and Mia even took her drawings to be buried with Margit Neni. After they lowered her coffin, Mia went over to give Margit Neni's granddaughter, Gabi, the pictures but Gabi was so pleased and touched by her thoughtfulness that Mia decided she wanted Gabi to keep her works of art. It was a sad day and I even have a few photos from the event. We had to take one of our elderly neighbors with us to the funeral and she gabbed about her aches, pains and lonliness the entire ride there and back. It was not the easiest ride but Bobbi Neni was very sweet to pass out candies to the kids on the ride home which they were happy about.
The rest of the week and weekend was busy and packed with work and school activities. The weekend consisted of our usual Sat am dance and football classes. Mia then had a b-day party in the city on Sat late afternoon. I took T and Ali with me while Curt worked and it was a lot of fun as the b-day girls home was right on the river on the Pest side so we enjoyed a long walk along the Danube. The b-day was very nice as we enjoyed a bit of it at the beginning and end of pick up / drop off. There were only 6 little girls and Isabelle's mother told me that Mia was a master at doing all of their make-up. It was a princess party with lots of princess costumes for them to dress up in and then play make-up. She had planned to do the make-up for the girls until Mia took control. Very typical of my Mia! Mia was the only non-French little girl there but fit in perfectly.
Sunday was a half fun family day (for me at least) and then a work day as our investor and financial consultant both arrived at 5pm into Budapest. I picked them up at the airport and we went out Sunday night. Following Sunday's dinner was a full on, packed sales conference on Monday and Tuesday (including both nights). Curt and I are feeling very shattered. Fortunately, I could take the day off with T and Mia but he had to go in for another busy day with our Country Managers.
Our day started with a doctor's appt at 8:30am. Mia hasn't been feeling well and once again doesn't have any identifiable ailment but once again her lymph nodes and spleen are very enlarged. She received some meds and is not at home resting. However, we didn't make it home until after her first experience at a new gymnastics class. I've been searching for one for ages and am happy to have found one in 1/2 Hungarian, 1/2 French. Terence was so impressed with the facility and program that he has now decided that he too wants to join (there were 3 other boys in the class including 2 that were just a year older than him). Mia sat and cuddled with me most of the morning but T took full involvement and had a great time.
Now we are waiting for Terence to walk home from tennis - just down the street. We'll have lunch and take him to his private tennis lesson from 2 - 3pm. Ali will be home at 3:30pm from nursery then it's time to build a big fire, make dinner, finish up homework, and settle in for the night. Curt is even home tonight (hopefully before bedtime but maybe unlikely as that's not common) so it'll be great to all be home!!
Tomorrow I will have our new Dell home and set up so expect photos to be added to the blog very soon.
Best to you all.
PS I just ordered my 10 - 12 kg turkey today. It'll be ready on Wednesday (day before turkey day) for a full night of brining. Very much looking forward to a big Thanksgiving dinner!
