My Dream Bedroom

This week, I decided to put my 2nd graders' creativity to the test. I'm having them draw their own "Alom Szoba", or Dream Bedroom. I've been blown away by the results. It astounds me how amazing kids can be at such young ages. Here are a few things that I've seen included in their Dream Bedrooms:

1. A popcorn machine
2. Swimming pool
3. Trampoline
4. A fingerprint sensor on the door instead of a key
5. Security cameras
6. A "Sumo floor"...the skinniest kid in the class drew this one.
7. A hockey rink
8. A pizza bed..."So I can eat when I sleep!", says Laura.
9. Stacks of money
10. Lego tower
11. A chair which brushes your teeth, feeds you, and gets you ready in the morning while you sit and watch a movie.
12. Weights..."To get fit!", yelled Bogi (a tiny little girl)
13. This is what I could gather: Remi wanted actors in his room who would act out different scenes in Harry Potter whenever he wanted.
14. Giant teddy bear
15. A beach

Nice, eh?

Day On The Duna

Friday was "Day On The Duna" at Varosliget for the 1st through 4th graders. I went along happily on the 90 degree day and aside from a lot of heat and mosquitoes, it was awesome! It also included the following: food, playing ball, playing tag, food, ice cream, hand holding, food, English games that the kids WANTED to play, a funeral, bumps and scratches, food, running happily, and lots of love. Here are a couple of pictures for you to enjoy!

Zsofi and Lilla enjoying ice cream (what, kids eating? CRAZY!)Oooooh they are so cute waving at the camera!He is so shy, but he pulled his hair out of his eyes, pointed at himself, and said, "Hanna, picture please.""Hanna, too sunny!"

Where is your money?

So, some of you already know that I lost my wallet last week. Yes, I honestly am not sure if it got lost or stolen, but all I know is that I got money out of the ATM, got on the bus with Alvin, and by the time I got home, it was not there. Luckily, there were no charges made on any credit cards, and only (this does hurt, but it could be worse) about 75 dollars worth of money was in there (including the monthly metro pass I had JUST bought two days before! Grrr...). All in all, I am not too incredibly upset, because it could have been worse. It can be replaced, I still have my Passport, my health, and happiness....things happen. Whatever. Anyways, Monday, I mentioned the said wallet-losing to a couple teachers at school. One even noticed I was carrying my cash around in a Ziploc baggie. How barbaric! Really though, I had forgotten about it...until today. I was in the hall, talking to some of my kids...when about 1O kids from 2.a ran up and asked me, "Hanna! Where is your money???" Huh? My money? Were they asking me for money? Did they want to know where it was so they could take it? Well kids, it is in a Ziploc bag upstairs...but I would rather you leave it there so I do not have to venture to the bank again and try speaking to a bank teller about it. Then one kid acted out something falling out of a bag. Ahhhhh. They wanted to know if I found my wallet!!!! I told them no, I did not find my wallet. I made a sad face, just to get the point across. Suddenly I was attacked by hugs and hands petting my hair. Man, I love the therapy that comes with teaching kids!!!

What Hungarian Children Bring on Vacation

Last week at school we explored the English phrases that coincide with "Going on Vacation" in my classes. I even brought in my way-cool American passport and let the kids gawk at all my stamps...ok, they were only slightly impressed. For one lesson, I had the kids plan their own trip and draw pictures in their suitcases of what they would bring on that particular trip, given the elements and activities. Of course, if you were going to the mountains in the winter, you wouldn't bring your shorts and swimsuit...I loved hearing the kids say, "NOOOOO!!!!" when I told them I was packing my swimsuit to go to Mt. Everest. Anyways, as I walked around my classes, I noticed the girls were packing standard items...shirts, shoes, dresses, books, etc. The boys however, always have to be a little crazy. And I love it. Here are just a few things that I saw at any given time last week drawn in the boys' suitcases:

• Spiders
• A British flag
• A snowman
• 16 gloves (yes, specifically...I told Boti that this would come in handy should he be in the mountains and encounter 7 friends with cold hands!)
• Carrots
• TV
• Scorpions
• Hot chocolate (the drawing was of a cup full of chocolate with steam lines, so I assume he wanted an already-made cup in his suitcase should he need it at any time)
• A leopard (as protection, I was told)
• Forks
• Spoons
• A snake
• Beach umbrella
• Beach chair
• Vacuum cleaner
• A rope
• Ice axe
• Water wings and a water tube with a duck coming out the front
• Ninja stars

Let's see if my boys make it past security on their magical imaginary vacations!