Spring adventures

We had many small fun adventures this spring and somehow they got lost in the sea of big fun adventures. They brought many smiles on our faces, so I'll try to revive them.
In preparation for Easter, we tried to find several egg hunting events, as Catalina really enjoyed them last year. The neighborhood egg hunting was a big event, with lots of eggs spread on a BIG lawn. Catalina however took her time to pick the eggs, and .... she only picked 2. She was terribly upset, especially after seeing lots of kids with baskets full of eggs. Growing up is not easy...

                                                 Oh well...I'll pick some flowers instead....


The egg hunting at our church was much more in line with the Romanian style. A lot of eggs were spread out, but each kid was allowed to pick only 3 eggs. After each kid had 3 eggs, everybody else was allowed to search for more. Catalina was happy with her 3 eggs this time :)

Easter came and passed quietly and beautifully. It was the first Easter I spent with my parents since I left Romania 12 years ago, so my heart was a little warmer than usually. We had good food, good wine and good company. It was lovely, and the church service always puts a flicker in my soul.

                                                       Rolling the stuffed grape leaves!

                     Cozonacii (Easter bread) were delicious! (but slightly uncooked :))

Hristos a inviat!, and may we all be better and kinder, with our hearts open for goodness

And then it was my birthday. Again, for the first time in 12 years I was with my parents. So, to make it extra special my mom took me out for sushi. It was the BEST lunch I had this year so far, and I am not talking about the food, but about these two pretty girls next to me.

And this is a pretty present I got from my sister!! 

This cutie pie here serenaded me the whole day, and she really sang her heart out!

We later took a short weekend trip, just before my parents left. We visited Shenandoah Valley, and the trip was nice but somehow not very well planned. We drove a lot, while I was actually hoping we'll spend time outside, so at the end of the trip I was a little frustrated. But we managed some good times, too.

                                          Remembering some old times of youth, and naive love

We saw this little cutie by the side of the road, eating some grass and pretty much making the long drive worthwhile

Hiking to see a waterfall!

Best part of the trip: an hour of sun bathing just outside Luray caverns. We were all somehow happy and Catalina loved the grass, the geese and the dandelions. Her nickname is papadia after all :)

Fast forwarding a month (over the Disney vacation), Memorial Day came and it was time to say good bye to bunica and bunicul. Catalina left them with a silly memory, to keep them happy :)

Mami, I miss your soul

Many adventures passed by, and I did not write, waiting for that moment when all the pictures are uploaded and the inspiration floats around me. I am still waiting for that moment, but meanwhile I'll share a heart warming moment from last night.

Catalina is still very excited about our recent Disney trip (a new post to follow, I promise), so it's hard to convince her to go to sleep. Last night we read a looong book, I told her a story and just when I thought she is ready to sleep, she started a tantrum about a toy she can't find in the bed. At the end of my wits, I turn my back to her and:
Me: I'm very upset, I will go to sleep upset with you and I won't be happy until morning.
Catalina: No, I'm upset, you cannot be upset
Me: Well, I AM upset
Catalina: Ok, we are both upset
Few seconds later, Catalina hugs my neck from the back and kisses me
Catalina: Mami, please show me your face, I miss your soul when you are upset. My heart doesn't have love and I cannot sleep.

And just like that, I turned my face to her, gave her all my soul until her heart was filled with love. She then fell asleep.