When my aunt came out to visit us for a long weekend, we had to make some plans to keep us all busy and to show her around town a bit. She drove in from Grajewo on Friday afternoon just before it was time to pick up the boys from school. She made it on time to drop off her bags, relax for a few minutes, and then we all drove to pick them up. This was probably her only chance to see their school before she left because they had Monday and Tuesday off for Independence Day, and she was staying until Wednesday morning. After picking them up, we headed to Xtreme Kids for a couple of hours, and while the boys ran around playing, we snuck out (not really) to Crazy Pig for another feast. It’s become a tradition that whenever we have visitors, one of the first places we take them is Crazy Pig for their big BBQ platters and winter tea. It never disappoints. With full bellies, we went back to watch the kids finish playing and then headed home.
The next morning, we planned a day trip to Kraków. My aunt had only visited the city once when she was young, so it felt like the perfect opportunity. We waited for the morning rain to settle down a bit before leaving around noon. We parked near the sightseeing balloon on the outskirts of the city—our go-to spot thanks to plenty of space, low cost, and great convenience. The sky stayed gray, but at least it was dry. We walked to the main square, and my aunt and I grabbed some hot Pijana Wiśnia wine to warm up. Then we met up with Magda, a friend from Lake Villa who moved back to Kraków years ago. She recommended a great restaurant near the square and even treated us to dinner, which was a truly thoughtful gesture. We had a wonderful time catching up and enjoying the meal. By the time we finished, night had already settled over the city. We returned to the square to admire Kraków glowing under the evening lights. After saying goodbye, Magda caught her train home, and we wandered slowly back to the car, pausing to watch part of a projection show displayed on the castle walls. The drive home was quiet and uneventful.
On Sunday morning, our local pool here in Mościce was hosting a swim competition for kids from around first to fifth grade, which meant the boys’ session with Pani Natalia was moved to the next day. We still went to watch so the boys could see what competitive swimming looks like for their age group. The place was packed.
Afterward, we headed home for an early birthday celebration for Sylwia. My aunt had made her a layered cake back in Grajewo and brought it with her, and today was the day we all dug in. Her actual birthday was still a few days away, but my aunt wouldn’t be here for it. We even found a fun flower-shaped candle that rotated while playing a tune. Sweet tooth satisfied—the cake was delicious.
Then it was time to show my aunt our local stomping grounds: Tarnów. With the long holiday weekend, vendors filled the main plaza selling food and drinks, so naturally we stopped for some hot wine. We spent a couple of hours exploring the city and searching for mascarons (maszkarony)—metal figurine ornaments placed around town. The boys picked up a treasure map from the tourist center and took the hunt very seriously, finding 16 out of 18 before it got too dark. The next morning, after their swim lesson with Pani Natalia, we returned to finish the treasure hunt and located the final two mascarons. The boys are already eager to do it again when the weather improves so we can dedicate a full day to the hunt, and now that we know where they all are, it should be much easier.
On Tuesday—my aunt’s last full day with us—we took a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, exploring its incredible underground chambers and learning about its history together. It was a memorable way to wrap up her visit.
On Wednesday, it was time for the boys to go back to school, and my aunt hit the road shortly after. It was a really great visit, and I hope she enjoyed spending those few days with us as much as we enjoyed having her.
