Word order

This morning it’s me with our son who are preparing breakfast.

Walter (10 ys): ‘I am making a toast to my 2nd papa.’

Me (patiently): Walter, I would never want to pick on irrelevant details, and I appreciate so much you practice your Hungarian, but just in case you would later tell this story to any of the grandmas when they call, maybe it’s important to know that in this context the Hungarian word order is “2nd” coming before and not after “toast”. That would certainly spare me some minutes explanation next time. Thank you.’

Effective problem solving

i hear my children talk this morning:

Walter (10): ‘Noëmi, I don’t know what happened, my mobile phone won’t work – can you fix it, please?’

Noëmi (14): ‘Ok, let me see… ready, here you are. It was quite simple – even mama would have been able to fix it. So may I ask you to next time check with her first, and only if there is a real tech problem, come to me?’

The Fastest Way to Start the Day (do-not-try-this-at-home version)

Our son, Walter (10), sleeps in the bedroom next to ours – we also have a common door.
This morning he asks me to dress him up (this negotiation process repeats itself every morning, by the way).
I inform him that this is unfortunately impossible – due to the fact that these moments I myself am hoping to get someone who dresses ME up.
Hearing this, he flies Hippo from his bed to ours, so Hippo will help me get dressed and so I can help Walter..
On the other hand, he himself admits he cannot rely with all this MasterPlan only on a single toy.. so he also flies Chicken, who according to the script will support Hippo in his devoted efforts to dress me up..
My husband wishes success to the mission, and – being pretty good in reading situations quickly – serves breakfast both to me and our son in bed today.

Today the whole population of Belgium is buzzing around: according to the weather forecast we might have even 14 degrees during the day!!

I have already reacted this breaking-news with the necessary precautions, and as Ultimate Mitigating Measures has already prepared my sunglasses, a 50-factor suntan lotion, a safe shadow, and arranged for preventing dehydration for the whole day.

Should I not come here any more, I simply got heat stroke.

Same day a year ago in Hungary it was 30 degrees. We had a visitor from Budapest, who – having heard our weather forecast – has brought her winter coat.

Walter (10): ‘Mama, what are Hungarian schools like? Same as in Belgium?’

Me: ‘Well, there are some differences.. E.g. in Hungarian schools we don’t bring lunch boxes but eat warm lunch every day together in the school canteen..’
Walter: ‘Like in a jail?’

Spot-the-bear

SPOT THE BEAR!

You know the game, right?

It is being played nowadays all around the world giving a little solace to children who are stuck at home during the Corona lockdown.

The rules are simple: first you go and find some stuffed bears at home, put them in the window on a visible spot, and so when you go for a walk with your children (and other parents with theirs) it makes children happy when they try to spot as many bears as they can.

Such a nice & warm initiative!

Although my children do not show any particular interest in the above activity, my husband seems to be realising rather good progress, as by the end of the 3rd week he was not only able to make a difference with zebras, but sometimes also bunnies, too.

Some obvious conclusions only..

I am sitting in the garden. My husband joins me, but then he smells something strange..

My husband: ‘What is that strange smell?’

Me: ‘It must be coming from the back neighbour. I believe they are having a BBQ.

What makes me conclude this is the following:

A few moments ago they were singing together – apparently they are celebrating a family member’s birthday.

Now it’s all silent – they must be eating.

And because I can hear some cutlery noise, they must be eating in the garden, and since the weather today is exceptionally ideal (especially considering Belgium) it is somewhat obvious that they have had a BBQ, for which they must have used one of those barbecue fuel things, briquette or coal, which can have that funny smell..

Since we have a slight north-east breeze today, I conclude it’s not our direct back neighbour but the one on the right hand side.’

My husband: ‘Thank you for the thorough reasoning, covering all the vital aspects of my question.

.. By the way, if I may advise …you could take a short break reading your favourite books by Agatha Christie.’

Mission completed

This picture is something my daughter (14 ys) has just posted on social media.

I’ve always been adamant to teach my children the importance of being rational and authentic in whatever they do.

Well, if there is 1 person on planet Earth who has years of experience in how to exist as a unicorn among all those humanoids – it is definitely MY daughter… so hereby I consider this piece of parental lesson nicely learnt here.

Little mistake

Our son (10) in an utmost sentimental tone):
‘Papa, you are my 2nd best papa in the world!!!!’
My husband (in his sober-minded self):
‘My dearest son, under no circumstances would I intend to interrupt you…but who is the 1st one?’
Walter (after a short pause):
‘I mean the 1st one. 
Sorry, little mistake in my calculations.’

Children and lockdown

This morning:

Me: ‘I see, Sweety, that you’re up to something – what are the plans for today?’

Walter (10): ‘I know you both need to work, so I will play carnival, you see I put pyjama on back to front, and will build a nest below your table. Will not disturb: I’ve brought some books and toys, but I need to return for a 2nd transport.’