Fun at the Park!

Ethan and mommy have been spending alot of time together but even more so since daddy has been sick!  We've gone to alot of different parks in Budapest.  Here is a video of Ethan going down the slide at the park up the block from our apartment.  He now likes to go down on his belly.  He loves to climb the stairs and get to the top.  After he slides down and hits the ground, he's up climbing the stairs to do it again. 

Ethan paints the town...

Ethan went to his first ever paint class in Hungary.  As per his usual active self, he was more interested in showing off to the little girls in the class, demonstrating how he could run and climb and jump and his many other impressive (for a 1 year old) skills.  Unfortunately the little girls were more interested in the painting, but Ethan continued to try.  He also found it strange that while Mama is always trying keep him out of dirt and cleaning his hands, suddenly she was throwing him into it and wanting him to enjoy being dirty.  It just didn't seem to make any sense to him.  And what was up with all those colors anyway??  Overall he had a blast though and we will have to wait a bit longer before his artistic (genius?) side reveals itself.

For more photos from Ethan's first paint class, follow this link

Eger home of the Bikaver! (Bull's Blood Wine!)



Daddy and Ethan at the Castle Gate



After a nice sleepover at Endre and Maki's we went home packed our bags and headed to Eger for a long holiday weekend (March 15- Independence Day in Hungary).  We got there in the evening and checked in. Daddy was interested in seeing the Valley of Beautiful Women, but alas there were none there, except for mommy!  Mommy and Daddy tried many of the Eger Bikaver wines, Ethan at times felt left out so we gave him a finger full to try.  We strolled around the city and Ethan chased the birds in the park.  We visited the main church in Eger, the castle and it's surroundings. 

Ethan got his first taste of Hungarian ice cream "fagylalt" and absolutely loved it. Rick got sick on our last day and mommy and Ethan made a midnight run to the pharmacy for some Panadol and antinausea medication which ended up being benedryl!  Our trip back on the train was alittle hectic as Ethan wanted to explore the entire train.  He befriended a little Hungarian girl who played with him and watched Toy Story in english with him. 

For more pics of our Eger trip click here

The sleepover! The Banana project

Ethan got to hang with his buddy Ezra at St. Istvan Park.  They played in the sandbox, on the swings, and on the slide.  Afterwards we headed back to Endre and Maki's for a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Maki.  We hung out till late and slept over.  Ezra gave Ethan his crib.  In the morning Ethan discovered the delicious taste of the banana.  He ate about 4 of them for breakfast and another 3 throughout the day. We couldn't stock enough bananas for him.  He was going thru them like water,  I was convinced he'd turn into a monkey!  BTW, the monkey pj's were totally coincidental.......or were they?

For more pics of Ethan and Ezra click on this link

Apu's Birthday Party

Ethan got to play with Sarah and Lulu again at Apu's Birthday party.  They were so happy to see each other again. He played peek-a-boo with Lulu and he devoured the delicious birthday cake Anyu made.  He tried to go for seconds but managed to take some of mommy's cake instead. 

For more pics of the birthday party click on this link

Pasha visits

One of mommy's closest friends from when she lived in St. Petersburg, Russia came to visit us in Budapest while on bussiness.  We got to hang out with Pasha one evening in our neighborhood.  We took him to this cool wine bar or "borozo" just down the block from us.  Ethan was such a good boy, he hung out with us and then fell asleep.  As you can see, he and the binkie are inseparable, much to mamma's dismay.

For more pics from Pasha's visit and the following day click on this link

Meeting Sarah and Lulu

We where so excited for Ethan to meet Sarah and Lulu, Adrienn and Tamas' daughters. We went over to their house for dinner and Ethan immediately took a liking to both girls.  It was so heartwarming to hear them calling his name while they all played.  Ethan and Sarah enjoyed pushing each other around in the play stroller. There was so many giggles and laughs.  Ethan had a blast.  When we were getting ready to leave he started to get upset and signed "more, more".  It was so cute. While on our way home he begged us to get him a sibling so he could push them around in a stroller.  We told him he'd have to wait a little while...........he said he'd give us a week.  He's so patient!

For more pictures click on this link