Wandering Mole (3) - Bran

Bran
Today was supposed to be wonderful: Bran Castle was on the menu. We read about castles, we've seen books, discussed about how people lived in them. But still, I was a bit afraid  because I'd seen it before and I didn't quite understand how this castle was going to meet the expectations I thought my kids had. My, was I in for a big surprise...

It looked like a Fairy Land from the very beginning. In the middle of the park around the castle we found a charming house all shades of green and brown.

 

And so the story started to unravel. Their story. 

We stepped inside and  I could barely keep up with them. They had questions about most of what they recognized and obviously there was a long list of "What's that?". One of the custodians offered to help and every once in a while I could hear her and some other visitors bursting into laughter as they heard how my little ones were tuning their imaginary to this reality.

Everything needed to be linked somehow to what they already knew.

:: the chimney

:: the library - reading room

:: the secret passage

They each fell in love with something, according to their heart and interests at the moment: the Missy with the elegant study room 

and A. with the dining room

.

Oh, yes, I almost forgot: and the Mole was there to witness another day of our precious time together this year.

Wandering Mole (2) - Siriu

Siriu
On the 1^st of August I was already away from home, but somehow in my mind this was the starting day of my holiday. Wow, a FULL month of wandering about, time spent together with my dear ones, hiking, camping and driving. Full in every regard. Over 30 days of busy Summer to soak in, to capture those small changes that always make a difference, to keep and cherish what doesn't change and gives structure, 30 days of loosening up… But being away also means spending even more time and energy in parenting. Meals are tricky, making sure that they each get that special toy, game, story that they love, smoothing things up and trying to help them solve whatever argument sibling life could bring takes longer than at home. “Mom, have you seen my…?” and “Mom, I need … Could you…?”

And because of this, the moments when I get to pause and feel are treasured. It could be about anything really.

Like today, when I left a traffic jam – not so willingly because I knew I had to go back to it later – just to admire the view.

 And to hear them chatter. ...

And to take more pictures.

 Sitting, thinking, dreaming on the side of the road just before getting back in the chaos.

Wandering Mole (1) - Vulcanii Noroiosi

Packing for "the wide road" was an adventure itself, everyone with kids already knows, those with pets are very close to knowing and those who do not have any of these...well...they get to relax more!
And when I thought everything was done, and the last string from the backpack pulled, there comes the question: "What toys can we take?" Hmmm...It took her only a few moments to decide and then we were finally out through the door. And the winner is...the MOLE!

 First stop on our way was in a place very close to where we drive every Summer. Just a couple of miles away from the main road. I don't know why I lived with the impression that my kids are too small for this and that the place wouldn't appeal to them. Well, I was wrong.

Every bubble was cheered in all the languages they've been exposed to. Missy was loud and fun to look at for those around her and although you couldn't hear him that much, he was visibly impressed by "the way they worked".

I was in love with dozens of shades of grey and so many textures on such a small spot. Dry - cracked and melting-flowing were layering everywhere around us.

Hooray for wide spaces,

 for new friends

 and for sweet memories to take with us. Some of us on the boots...

 and others on their knees.

On the road again

On the road again! Same song, new plans, some fears for the days when I'll be alone on the road with two kids for the first time, and full of hopes that everything will turn out just right in the end.

Green Venice

Between my friends' dos and don'ts in Venice, go see this or that  and it only looks good in pictures, my Venice came out green.
Green from the water...

Green from the painted doors and window shutters...

Green whenever you sneak in one of those countless small gardens.

Walls turning green

one way

or another...

Green from the oleanders that haven't blossomed yet...

Winter tales (1)

Usually our trips are not very well and into detail planned, but they are most certainly dreamt of!
We care less for "what is to be seen there" and more for how is that place going to make us feel. And for that you don't really need a map. An open heart and a camera is what I take with me. And a good companion ;).

Waking up early was still an adventure, but I guess that will never have anything to do with the place for me...
The first day was about roaming the narrow streets,

 

walking up and down the stairs, sniffing the food they were making&selling in the squares and falling in love with small details.


Ok, I admit, I wanted to see "those roofs" also,

 but I never expected to get so hooked on door knobs.

At the end of the day I was already dreaming of a good coffee in a nice spot.

 The snow, the frost and the cold were not on the menu, really...

Paint it BLUE

This month we paint it blue.

For all those days we laughed and cried in the same time, we struggled, we hoped and wished for.

A big hug for all those understanding, supporting and loving us. :)