To be a kid again

Earlier this week I went to purchase some groceries to prepare a picnic with Beli and when I was walking towards the store I heard giggles in the distance, I looked around and saw a group of kids nearby playing on a small grassy hill. I took a closer look and noticed they were sliding down the hill all five or six of them, with large pieces of cardboard.
I saw in amazement as another kid went skating down the same hill. I was so surprised and happy, I guess I'm not used to seeing children playing outdoors, using their imagination and having fun.

This brought back memories from my own childhood when my Mom would tell my sisters and I "go play outside with the other kids in the neighborhood." I guess we were too noisy and she couldn't watch her soap opera. But in all honesty, I prefer being outdoors than sitting indoors playing video games.

What about you, do you have special memories playing with the neighborhood kids?

A movie at the park

Saturday night we enjoyed a film under the starry sky at the park Zvončac, right across Hotel Jadran. To my surprise it was a free event and this was the fourth year that the city hosted the event. When my Mother-in-law told us about the event, I thought, "hmm, I wonder what or where we were that we missed attending the event last year." The Zvončac film festival will run from August 27 thru September 10. The volunteers organized games and activities for the kids beginning at 6pm then at 8pm a movie followed.We only made it to the movie but we are hoping next weekend we can go earlier for the games.

(image via google)

We saw,Arthur and the revenge of Maltazard. I wasn't sure how Beli would react to the idea of being outdoors and watching a movie but she seemed interested. At times she will cuddle with hubby and I, or she would look up at the sky and point to the stars and start counting, "jedan, dva, tri." There where moments that she would sit up and pay attention to the movie and ask, "que es Mami?" as she pointed to the characters on the screen. I wasn't sure what to say about Arthur other than, "he is a small boy who likes animals." The movie was in Croatian and I was able to pick up a few words but hubby had to translate most of the movie for me. Next Friday they will be showing, The Great Buck Howard and the following Friday, the Astro boy. Have you seen any of these movies?



For more info on the Zvončac film festival you can click here. And if you should decide to go don't forget your blankets and snacks. See you there!

A shoebox and play-doh

Do you like the art I drew inside the box? It's my best work ever. Maybe?

I'm surprised that she can spend hours entertained by such a simple concept as play-doh.. She asked me to create cats, dogs, and elephants. I'm pretty good with cats, which consist of two small round balls and triangles for the ears on the cat, for the dog the ears are smaller round circles, but the elephant I have no idea. I passed that task to hubby.

My childhood version of play-doh was mud and water. From what I recall as a kid it was just as fun. But the advantage of having the play-doh versus mud is that cleaning up is much easier!


I was trying to make handprints but Beli only wanted prints of her feet.

Beautiful views of Split, Croatia

In case you are wondering if that's the actual name of the city, it is and go ahead you can make the jokes. I was surprised with the name as well when I first met my hubby and he said, "yes I'm from Split, pronounced like a banana split!" I giggled as suddenly I had a craving for ice cream. Even though I have lived here for over a year, everyday I'm discovering new panoramic views of the city.

This hotel is owned by the mayor of the city, and it has been under construction for years. Politics and lack of money are to blame for the slow process.

My friends from Italy, South Africa and France. I do wonder what's on their mind.

Usually this street is busy with cars and we have to be careful and get out of the way, the drivers are insanely fast!
It was a warm morning and this cute dog was getting a bath under one of many water faucets found all over the city.

What do you enjoy the most about the city you live in? For me, it's the serenity found driving along the coast, the views are spectacular. Although I have to be brave about the windy roads. You don't want to know what happened when we traveled from Italy a few years ago. Ok, I will tell you. I was behind the driver's seat and hubby was driving and his Dad was in the front and his Mom in the back next to me. I began to feel nauseous and had to ask hubby to pull over. You know what happened next right? Then we drove to Opatija, beautiful town along the north coast of Croatia, where we stopped at a pharmacy. I explained to the pharmacist I needed tablets for motion sickness or nausea. Hubby said, "they don't have any." I replied, "I really need dramamine tablets" and the lady behind the counter said with her Croatian accent, "oh you need dramamine, of course we have it!" I guess it was my fault because I assumed the name would be different in Croatian. Lesson of the story, I always carry dramamine in my purse.

Update: (Thank you for your kind comments and prayers for Beli's great-grandfather. He remains hospitalized, still in critical condition.)

A bike and portraits

Saturday I was surprised by hubby and his family to have lunch at this lovely restaurant. Thanks again for your sweet comments and birthday wishes! I'm very blessed to have such kind friends.











From the moment you step inside you are transported to a small place in history. This konoba or family restaurant has been around since 1799. The walls are decorated with portraits of local celebrities, including artists, and politicians. After we ordered our lunch the owner stopped by to ask if everything was to our satisfaction. Now I call that, customer service. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend it. It's only minutes from Bacvice beach.

Historically konobas were simple cool rooms were wine, olive oil, cured meats
and fish were stored and where food was often prepared which is why they usually had fire places and dining tables. Commercial konobas (or ostarijas) are family owned and offer simple, high quality food made from fresh local ingredients using old recipes and most often focus on sea food and local house wines and spirits. It was around 1pm when we arrived and about half an hour later this place was busy with locals and tourists. (I could see maps and books about Croatia on their tables)You guessed it, that's Beli and hubby peeking through the window. I just love the old typewriter on the wall. They even have an outdoor seating area.



It was a very special day indeed! After lunch we drove to the Makarska Riviera (about 40 minutes from Split) where we stopped in the small coastal town, Baška Voda for coffee and while we waited to meet some friends I noticed a paragliding ad across the street, and you know what happened next right?

We asked for the prices and it was only 100 kunas/person (about 18-19 dollars). This was not planned but that's what made it fun and a memorable day indeed. Have you ever tried paragliding?skydiving?diving? Do share.

Routine or no Routine?

A few weeks ago I took a picture of this beach while walking with a friend. I couldn't believe how the cars were able to park along the sea, well today I found out when we drove there to meet some friends. It was not even 10am and it was very difficult to find a place to park. I think it took us about 20 minutes of slowly maneuvering through the tight road to find a spot. You might actually see our car parked next to that yellow big truck. Do you see it?


Hubby's childhood friend was visiting from Zagreb with his wife and 3 year old son L. Beli and L got along quite well. She was actually sharing her toys! It was a very nice beach especially for parents with small children because of the small pebbles and several trees which offered plenty of shade. There was also a cafe where you could purchase sodas or gelato. Afterwards we drove home for a quick lunch since it was already late for an elaborate one. I prepared zucchini soup with carrots and potatoes and a tomato and cucumber salad. Then we had a failed attempt to nap since Beli made it loud and clear she was not interested in sleeping. I wondered, "wasn't she tired from swimming in the sea?" So I asked hubby ,"where should we go now?" We had several parks to choose from that had activities for toddlers.

Hubby suggested a trip to the small cafe with trampolines called Bubamara, Ladybug. It's located between Hemingway bar and Kavana Procaffe. Actually if you park near Hemingway then walk past the soccer field, on your right is the marina and on your left you will see the cafe with the trampolines.

The cafe had a small track for electric cars, a small arcade, this statue greeting you at the entrance,and you could even host birthday parties as well.

First row of photos:entrance to the cafe Bumabara, Beli taking her shoes off to go into the trampolines and a sweet moment with Mama.

Second row: Beli waiting for coins, then at the trampolines trying to balance sitting on both plastic donkeys, and Daddy driving the electric car beside her.


And speaking of birthdays, today is my nephew's 5th bday. Happy birthday Roman noodles.!

I called him over skype this morning and he informed me he was going to have some chocolate cake (since it was his favorite flavor) and was waiting to break the pinata his grandma and grandpa bought for him with his younger brother and two cousins.
And that was our day in a nutshell. Sometimes I wonder if not having a routine is a good thing, I mean our day is not structured at all. We all like some degree of certainty in our lives right? We have a joke in our home, "the plan is: there is no plan." But there are times that I would like to know what we are doing the following day or the next but the only consistency in our life right now is our free time. Is it wrong to assume that we all thrive on predictability?