Beer and Snowballs
TO JE MASOPUST! It is Carnivale!
Prague has been celebrating Masopust this week. (PLEASE check out this link. It really is very interesting and describes this celebration much better than I can.) Today the moms and kids joined in by attending the pre-parade festivities at our local square (Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad). I say "pre-parade" as we didn't actually make it to the parade. The kids had all wandered off to a nearby sandbox by the time it got underway.
But, it was still fun to see the different costumes and listen to the bands.
The weather this weekend was amazing! I don't mean to rub this in to those who are being snowed upon...but it was in the 50s F/10+C and sunny. Blue skies and typical Prague architecture...this is just someone's apartment!
We had a "Meet the Dads" party at the family center on Saturday. Neat! Here Roman (Sasha's dad) is being surrounded by Patricie, Dylan, and Sasha!
And visited a new little park on Sunday. Ella enjoys feeding others as much as she enjoys feeding herself!
Time to study Czech!
Maylia
Holy Snickers & MoonPies!!!
Unless Ella happens to get a brother or sister before the end of the year (zero indication or attempt, by the way)...then February 19th just went down as the best day of 2007.
Yes, today is a banner day for the Parkers (Junkfood Junkie Jeff, especially). We got two (that's one plus another) packages today! Not sure if the senders would want all their full names on the Internet, so we'll just give credit to Kit & Tom and my ol' gang at HP.
Both packages were filled with delicious goodies from countries better stocked than this one.
Rich/HP: Know that the Peeps had the honor of being opened first (they barely survived before May insisted on taking a picture). Poptarts, Frootloops & Moonpies, oh my!
Kit: I've said it before and I'll say it again (with proof in my hand): Nowhere can one find a better Snickers than in Korea. You are so lucky! Now we have plenty to last us! Not to mention the other Konglish items! :) We love your little heart-notes.
A massive "Thank You!" to Kit & Tom, Rich and his crew, Sally & Geo! Plus...it is not fair to write just about these care packages. We have received many generous care packages from parents, relatives & friends and we love and appreciate every one. A huge thank you to all we haven't posted about (too busy eating).
I've got to post a picture...worth a thousand words:
Entering a sugar coma now...
Jeff
A Week with Maylia and Ella
It seems that we talk alot about what we do on the weekends or special events that take place. But we haven't really told you about a more typical day or week with us. Now that we've been here 7 months, we've really established a routine. Of course, you know what Jeff is up to Monday through Friday...he's at work! (If you'd like to hear more about this, I'll let you comment and persuade Jeff to do an entry on the subject.) But what do Ella and I do Monday through Friday each week?
First off, our days are kind of structured like this: Ella wakes around 6:30 or 7:00. Jeff leaves around 7:30. We have some sort of morning activity. Then home for lunch. Ella naps from about 2pm to 4pm. After that it's a bit of playtime and then Jeff's home around 5:30. Supper. Jeff gives Ella a bath and she's in bed between 7:30 and 8pm, giving Jeff and I some free time in the evenings.
Monday - We were attending a music class in the morning. This required leaving the house around 9:15 to travel (often with friends) via metro, tram, and foot. We haven't gone lately but think we're going to pick it back up again.
In the meantime, we've started meeting my friend, Annika, and going for a run. Annika helps me push the stroller up the big hills in our local park, Riegrovy Sady. Annika's kids are in preschool in the morning so she is free! Mondays are also typical shopping days...although I'm not sure a day goes by that I don't have to buy something. I could write a whole entry on shopping here...maybe I will! Here, Linnae and Ella are waiting in their stollers while Annika and I take turns shopping in a neighbourhood "potraviny".
Tuesday - There is a group of about 6 or 7 moms that often get together Tuesday mornings. Sometimes we meet at a park or playground...
sometimes we meet inside at a family center (rodinne centrum) or detsky koutek (children's play area in a mall)...
Other times we meet at someone's house. This is a recipe swap I hosted.
Wednesday - I babysit Dylan for a couple of hours. He's a month younger than Ella and one of the only boys in our group! Ella really likes him. He's a hoot! Hmmm....I had this awesome video I was planning to include but GoogleVideo is not accepting new uploads right now so it will have to wait. In the meantime, here's a cute photo of Ella and Dylan from one of our weekend adventures.
Thursday - Ali (Dylan's mom and my good friend) babysits Ella for a couple hours. Thursday afternoons there is another group of moms that gets together and I try to meet up with them if I can. This photo was taken at Martin's 2nd birthday party. He invited some fine looking ladies! From left to right are Sasha, Kiera, Janella, and Ella.
Friday - We've started attending a new music/dance/puppet class called "Kids in Motion". Interestingly enough, I've been asked to help instruct it and will have my debut this Friday.
Side note, Evenings
Tuesday nights Jeff and I have Czech lessons. Our friend, Karen, started joining us this week. She's a motivation as she's more advanced than we are...her husband being Czech is a bit of an advantage! But no matter how you slice it Czech is a difficult language. Tezky Cesky!
Every other Wednesday night I've been attending lectures to learn about Czech history, art and architecture. It is truly fascinating! What a history ths place has! If I had grown up here I may have been a history major. (Can you imagine that, Dad?)
Bonus Photos
This is a photo of Ella's pal, Patricie. I'm putting it up for my family because she reminds me soooooooo much of Erin when she was little.
We went to the zoo this weekend with Ali, Paul, and Dylan. The kids are allowed INSIDE the pen with the goats and sheep!
Incidentally, we walked to the zoo through Stromovka Park and passed the flat we're buying in Bubenec. (Did ya catch that?!? We're BUYING a flat!)
Over and out!
Maylia
