One of the best after-school activities is going to the library and carefully choosing the next book to hide away in when everyday life becomes overwhelming. Of course, for a school-age boy, a quiet afternoon at the library isn’t always enough, so sometimes we spice it up by sitting in the park to read (collecting chestnuts, gathering with friends, climbing trees)—just like on this simple afternoon when I took these photos. Why shouldn’t such a moment be worthy of celebration, especially looking back a few weeks from now, here in rainy November…? Oh, did I mention? I have a new job at the hospital in this little town, in administration:…

Although there aren’t many photos from the evening and those we have aren’t the best quality, what truly matters is captured in them: people connected to each other, a carved pumpkin lantern, and some spooky treats! Here are a few gathered snapshots of the behind-the-scenes work and sweet memories spent with my golden-haired little one. For those curious and nostalgic, here are some clicks to Halloween celebrations from previous years: 2018 2017 2016 Dated: Nov 9, 2019

I know the Halloween debate has become quite divided lately, but I’m definitely and enthusiastically voting for Halloween! Together with Ruben (: Anyone who has been reading this journal for a while knows that Ru’s forgotten birthday falls around this time, and when we celebrated his sixth month, everything was pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns (introducing solids and all that, those adorable baby months…!). Over the years, it has actually become a tradition. By now, we have a shared dinner with grandma, a few tried-and-true dishes that I only make at this time (grandma’s favorite cheesy baguette, which unfortunately had to be replaced this year by pumpkin scones), decorating our home, and…

World Music Day moved both of us deeply—there couldn’t have been a more fitting way to start October! And this cellist boy even convinced me to make music together, so I had to dust off my flute that’s been resting for years to play a few notes alongside him. I’m far from my best form, unfortunately, but the flutist inside me is waking up, and once she stretches her limbs, real jam sessions await us! Cello lessons and preparing for them during the most beautiful autumn days are a true treat in the afternoons. And then a shared evening concert (a real nighttime outing with my son— it hit me…

They sneak off to the neighboring small town for coffee! As always, whenever it’s just Ru and me, I get swept up in the mood for planning (especially in September, when it overlaps with my autumn nesting season—I’ve written about this in my original blog, daysonpaper.blog.hu too). And really, what could capture the feeling of togetherness and paying attention to each other better than two steaming, fragrant mugs of coffee on a little table? I’m actually revisiting an old sidetrack in my life (I’ve started writing again, just for my own amusement), and sitting on the terrace of one of my favorite cafés, I couldn’t resist pulling out the story I’m currently…

This autumn, I find myself swinging between two feelings. One part of me still longs for the summer months—the vibrant life, the exceptional moments I was lucky to experience (moments I find hard to let go of). Conversations, moods, feelings that still hold me a little, and maybe I hold on to them too, because their closeness still feels good. At the same time, my always-returning autumn side is taking shape—the one that simply adores September… The cool mornings; the soft music playing while Ru and I linger in our pajamas in the sunny living room before school; the hearty breakfasts that start our day; the cozy sweaters and the…

Over the past few years, I’ve been trying (okay, sometimes maybe a little too much) to gently guide Ruben towards music, because I have to admit—I’m definitely biased here. Sure, you can live without music, but honestly, it’s just not the same. And if someone only enjoys listening, well, just imagine how magical it is to actually create music yourself! Ru has been talking about wanting to learn the cello since he was very little. Even back in kindergarten, he mentioned it (yes, I did my gentle parental homework there too—just softly pointing out that classical music and instruments exist, and then letting him discover what truly speaks to him).…

For our first day, we planned an ice cream tasting tour, visiting three confectioneries in Rétság and testing the little mouse’s favorite: vanilla ice cream. Ru prepared a table where we scored according to several criteria. We primarily considered the taste, but also ranked the texture, variety, and the cone. We gave an average score based on our overall impression of the place and the ice cream, and of course, we compiled the results. Our test included Flamingó Confectionery, Diablo, and Fazekas Ice Cream Parlor. I want to emphasize that we did this test just for fun, entirely based on our personal preferences. Maybe you would get a completely different…

This fantastic week was inspired by a missed athletics camp: the Ruben & Mom camp! Every day we came up with something delicious, exciting, adventurous, and travel-themed so that each day spent together in our camp would feel a little different from everyday life. As a little introduction, we kicked off the program on Monday with a zero day, when we planned our week over a donut breakfast. This golden-haired one had incredible ideas, and our week quickly filled up with all kinds of interesting things. What I look forward to the most is that we will focus solely on each other while gaining new experiences for both of us……

A lot of free time has opened up for me in the past days after I had a motorcycle accident that resulted in an open fracture along with some bruising… Before anyone panics, the Honda with the crash bars is fine, it survived with just a few scratches ♥. I am truly grateful to providence that I managed to get through this with only an injured foot (a broken toe doesn’t really count as a “real” fracture, right..? hahaha..!)—it could have been much worse. I tip my hat to the local emergency department (and owe them a big batch of chocolates, which I won’t forget to bring after the treatments),…