Cluj-Napoca, Romania - Day 1

I arrive in Cluj-Napoca on Saturday evening. I ventured out of my hotel to find food and to keep from going to bed too early. I made it to the city center (it’s not a large city and the hotel is close to the center) to find a festival going on. There was local beer and local orchestra and local people milling about. It was a perfect introduction to Cluj. 

On Sunday I spent the whole day walking around. After seeing the Opera House exterior and the Orthodox Church (where there were services going on which they had speakers outside for people to hear the service) I found the last remaining tower of the old city wall which was now renovated to be an art museum. I then found a street food fest, craft fair, and ancient Romanian reactments along the length of the other remaining part of the wall (swords and axes and fire and all...kids had the opportunity to try real sword fighting too). It was a great experience to have all that put into a festival so I could experience the best of Cluj-Napoca. And that was all before lunch! I then met up with a colleague and we wandered the Botantical Garden and the soccer stadium and made our way to the top of a hill for panoramic views of the city. 

I’m also enjoying the traditional architecture mixed in with communist era buildings and post-communism capitalist stuff (which really is truly ugly). 

Reading and spelling

Calvin aced a pop spelling test that he was given on his first day of heading up to first grade for reading. And Ellie stenciled a library tote at our library to celebrate banned book week.

Soccer Saturday

Saturday’s have gotten more exciting now that Calvin is playing soccer. At the AYSO games we always see friends and neighbors. And at Ellie’s games it’s competitive and intense. 

This past weekend Es team went up against the number 9 team in the state. Last year they lost to them 12-0. Ellie was super stressed but this year the girls did great and had a lead at one point. But, they ended up losing...but only by 2. 

New appliances

We got a new washer and dryer that was delivered on Sunday. The kids were excited to see them delivered and then immediately wanted to help do laundry. So we spent Sunday sorting and folding. 

Cherry bomb

When I was a kid me and my friends would hang from the bar by our knees and help each other flip off by holding hands - our version of cherry bombs. We didn’t dare try it on our own. It would require serious momentum to flip ourselves off of a bar. 

Well, Ellie is now doing cherry bombs by herself. Flipping off of the bar after swinging by her knees. I saw her do it. It was amazing and very frightening. 

Someone loves school

So much so he cleaned off the table in his room and set it up as a desk.

Fifth Grade is for tests

She had a math test today and has a science test tomorrow. She’s been learning new studying skills the past two weeks. Fortunately she has confidence back as she aced her history test from last week.

(Her teachers send all tests home to be signed by parents. The history test was computer based so we just got the score)

New tricks

Cal is working on his tricks on the playground equipment. It reminds me of E in kindergarten. 

It was also back to school night at Webster and E got to see her friends as they watched the younger-kinder brothers.

Grandma Pam takes a turn at drop off

I had a very early meeting today for which I was given very short notice. Grandma Pam came down and did drop off at both schools today. Apparently she woke the kids up about a half hour earlier than normal and made a couple wrong turns but everyone got dressed, fed, and to school on time.

Special lunch

Today was Grandparents Lunch at Webster. Nick and I were both able to have lunch with Cal and his bestie and his grandparents. 

She’s back...

We got her first math test of the year home. 

All about him

Cals poster, all about him, that he laid out and designed. This was homework.

Clue

Cal has been into games lately. The latest one is Clue. He is figuring it out and developing his own strategy (after multiple games per night with me and Nick) and eventually will win. But, not yet...I mean, Clue is kinda complicated...more so than Jenga!

Reading buddy

At Ellie’s new school the 5th graders read with 1st graders every week. They first day Ellie paired up with her good friends little sister. The 1st grade teacher snapped a photo and sent it to the parents.

After soccer on Saturday Ellie’s team had a swim party and BBQ.

Two sport Cal

Tonight was Cals first soccer practice. He is officially a two-sport kid. His coach also coached Ellie a couple years ago so it was nice to see a familiar face. 

Tomorrow is his first game...which E and I will miss because her soccer game is at the exact same time (in San Bernardino). 

Dentist

Today the kids had dentist appointments. Nobody had cavities. The dentist said Cals adult teeth are much much larger than his baby teeth and so it’s fingers crossed there isn’t crazy crowding like in Ellie’s mouth...