2018 in a nutshell

2018 is slowly coming to an end. We have a little less than 8 hours left before we can welcome 2019. It's time for a short recap of this year, mostly travel-wise. That's not going to be much, but at least something.

1. At the end of January, we took our little bunch to Egypt for winter break. We spent two weeks in a lovely, family-friendly hotel in Hurghada, where we enjoyed ourselves, took in as much sunshine as we could and the kids had a blast swimming and playing in the pools. We hardly saw anything, but it was a great time to rest. We had our daily routine adjusted to the baby's needs incorporating fun-activities for the older two, like mini golf, tennis, swimming pool, the beach and mini club. In the evening there was also mini disco.

2. In July, me, my dad and the kids (my mom at times, too) spent a few days in Hel. The days were filled with walks in the forests and on the beach. When the weather was better, the kids were also playing in the sea. I showed them the places where I used to play when I was a kid. These were slow, family- and memory-filled days for me.We also went to Hel a few times for one-two days before that, plus the kids even more times with my parents. I can't blame them for wanting to spend all their free time there.

3. In July, we went to my cousin's wedding to Bydgoszcz. Before the wedding, we spent half a day enjoying ouselves and seeing the city (which I always treated as a pass through kind of town on the way to grandma). We had a lovely time, the weather was stunning (hot and sunny, as most of the summer this year). It was all great.

4. In August, we went to Sobieszewo (which technically, is a district of Gdańsk, yet an island quite separated from it as well) to meet with friends, climb up a tower (water tank, in fact) and enjoy the view of the surroundings. While we had to book the visit to the tower tank, it was still free of charge (and if I remember correctly, still will be the upcoming year). It was a guided tour, the guide was very open to kids and we learnt a lot. Very well organised.

5. In August, we went on a three-week Eurotrip 2018. We had our car full of stuff, like tent and camping gear, clothes, food, toys, all we could think of and a general plan in mind, but we had no idea how far we could get with the baby on board. We already knew that the older two were great travel companions after our Eurotrip2016. And you know what? The baby fits our family perfectly. We not only managed to see all the places we wanted, but even more! Just see these few pictures, each from a different country we set our feet in.

Czech Republic

 Austria

 Slovenia

 Croatia

Italy

Germany

And that's basically it for this year. If we're not counting numerous fantastic walks in our hometown.

 
Apart from the travels, we also had a few family occassions to meet up and celebrate, like our youngest kid's baptism, our oldest kid's first holy communion, our 10th wedding anniversary, my husband sister's wedding, my cousin's wedding, my dad's 60th birthday, granpa's 90th birthday, our daughter's 1st birthday... just to name a few.

2019 is looking slow. We don't have any travel plans in mind. Neither close nor far. We're open to any opportunities (most likely), but we don't have anything particular in mind. We'll see what the next year is going to bring us.

In the meantime, though, I wish you all a great year. May it be better or at least as good as the last one.

A winter walk

I love Christmas season. Even though the days are usually grey, cold and short, the streets and houses are decorated with beautiful and colourful lights. There are Christmas trees everywhere and we have a little more time to spend with our loved ones. Especially if we take a few days off work, and it's always great around Christmas - New Year's.

Today, we decided to take our kids for a walk. We wanted to go out when it's dark already to fully enjoy the beauty of the decorated streets. We left early, it was still bright. And we hit the beach first. Sounds strange at the end of December in Europe (rather northern than southern), but that's what we did. It was peaceful, no wind, no snow. And we have a playground on the main city beach. It was full of kids today, even though it was cold.

Then we went to enjoy some lights next to our Music Theatre. It was still rather bright, but they were already on. You could see them much better in reality than in the pictures.

From there, we continued to Kosciuszko Square to see the fountain. It's working every summer season with water, while in winter it is decorated with lights.

It finally started getting darker. It was time for coffee. And cake. Of course, in our favourite tiny cafe. We made it in time for the last pieces of cakes (even more delicious than ever, or was it the time from the last visit...) plus delicious coffee for us and milk with chocolate syrup for the kids.

When we finished our treats, it was already all dark. We went to Kaszubski Square, where there's a ceiling made of lights above the fountain. The fountain isn't working in winter, but the colourful lights sure are. Plus the ceiling and a Christmas tree. There's nothing more you could want. Or could you?

Our kids did. Artur had to go to the library on the way home to borrow a book. Paulinka decided to become the member of the library, too. She left the building proudly holding two books we will be reading. And she definitely wants to come back for more, soon.

Post Christmas...

Hey all, if there's still anybody here. I have to admit that I'm hardly ever here. I don't feel much like writing these days. Insead, I spend much more time in real life, enjoying the time I have with my family and friends.

Much has changed over the past two months since my last post. I got back to work after my maternity leave, which leaves me much less time for...anything. But I love it. As much as I was scared to get back to work, I have to say that I didn't think I could be doing so many fun and enjoyable things at work. I also got back to school. Just for a year, but it's over the weekends. Every other weekend, to be precise. Friday afternoons and whole Saturdays. Which leaves me with so much less time. Plus I still need a little more time to actually study at home, too. But it's interesting and giving me more perspective (and focus as well) towards my professional life.

Martynka is staying at home with her beloved grandpa. At least for now. They're doing great, she's learning so much so fast. Oh, to be one, with a fresh and open mind. And so eager to learn.

So much has happened over the last year. Both good and bad. I just hope the next year is going to bring us much more good. And for now?

We all have a few days off over this Christmas-New Year's season. So we're enjoying family time. Reading, playing board games, fooling around. Christmas Eve is an important day here in Poland. And much to our surprise, we had snow for that day this year. And that day only (well, plus a few more days earlier). Cause first day of Christmas it was already grey and wet. And yesterday felt like early days of Spring. It's a whole way from winter to spring in just 48 hours.

Martynka's first birthday!

I can't believe it's already been a year. 365 days since our little baby girl joined us in our journey through life. Little did we know how our lives would change with her arrival. With arrival of a third child in our family. It is often said that a first child is a revolution. Two adults taking care only of themselves now have to take care of this little, defenceless being, who trusts their parents completely and unconditionally.

 Frankly speaking, the arrival of every single child causes changes to a family. You might think that once you have a child, the second one wouldn't be that much of a surpise. Not to mention the third one. But actually, each child is different. With their own needs, their own pace, their own rhythm. We made it through the first year together. I love all of them so much (and so much more with every passing day).

What can I write about her first year?

Well. Martynka has already been to seven countries on two continents. When she was three months old, we went to Hurghada, Egypt.

Then, over the summer, we visited bits and pieces of the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy and Germany. Phew. Quite a number for such a small kiddo. And we were camping then. And roadtripping. Yes, we spent three weeks on a road, sleeping in a tent, with three kids, one of them being 10 months old. Yup, that's us.

She made her first steps yesterday. Trust me, that was a long wait, since she can stand for quite some time now and she walks holding on to furniture (or whatever she can hold on to) quite easily, too.

We had a lot of birthday celebrations over the weekend. I don't know about your traditions concerning first birthday, but we give a child a bunch of things to choose from and try to predict their future based on what the child grabs first. Martynka took a book. Then a glass. We think she might love reading books while sipping wine. Which I like, too.

She loves trying new foods.

She shares some of my passions ;)

She likes playing with books. Touching them, opening and closing them, not so much chewing on them (which kind of surprises me a little). Well, the kid has some respect for books.

She adores her big sister and big brother. She follows them around and when they're not home, she gets into their rooms, sits in the middle looking around, trying to find them. She misses them easily.

She has been to two weddings.

She takes part in our decision making processes.

She loves helping with housework.

She'd put on whatever mummy made, whether for her or not for her.

She loves going out for a walk, observing the world.

She can fall asleep even while eating...

Taking pics of three kids at once is a huge challenge. Not to mention taking pics of the whole family...

She is a very positive kid, smiling and laughing a lot!

Happy birthday, little girl!