Sleigh or Sled

On our way back from the science museum, we stopped by our friends' house for a visit.  Åke took the kids out to try out these sleds. Or sleighs. They kind of seem like a cross between the two. I want one. You stand on the back , and push yourself along with your foot, putting it on the other side once you've got some speed or to go downhill. How fun. Apparently, these are extremely common in northern Sweden. I had never seen one before, even though I have lived here three years. I need to get out more.



Åke  and AJ sledding



K trying it out



Happy girl



AJ going solo



K pushing H on one

 After the kids became too cold for more, we went inside for some food and fellowship. At the end of the day, H decided to try out this, this, what is this? It's not a lute. It's not an oud. Maybe a domra? Most likely a balalaika. Anyway, H didn't care what it is called. He was having fun.

What a busy day. These days make good memories, though. :)

A Lovely Unexpected Gift

A friend of mine gave me this lovely Christmas present today. It contained homemade Lussebullar, two kinds of tea, candied almonds, and some Christmas krisp-bread.



Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.



I enjoyed the Lussebulle and the tea, even though I had eaten my share of Lussebullar at the Luciafest.



Thanks, Danielle! You are such a sweet friend and a blessing in my life.  

Luciafest

This afternoon, AJ's school held a Lucia party for the kids. They had diligently practiced their songs and baked gingerbread cookies and Lussebullar. Now, they were ready for the big show. The teachers like to do it all outside, despite the below-freezing temperatures and darkness. Actually, the girls' Lucia crowns of electric candles shine nicely in the dark, but the boys are somewhat left out.

Anyway, I helped AJ get dressed up in his outfit. We had to put everything over his snowsuit and hat since it was so cold outside. He still looks sweet, in my opinion. Then, it was time for the kids to go with the teachers and the rest of us to wait outside for their appearance. 

AJ in his costume inside

  One of the teachers served glogg (a hot spiced wine, which, in this case, was non-alcoholic). I was busy keeping H happy and getting the cameras ready, so I had none. Oh, and I didn't have a free hand with the video camera and SLR camera on hand. I did, however get a picture of two of our dear friends here. :)


Our good friends, Elisabet and Johan

 The kids came out singing, and the parents crowded around, with parents moving closer and closer to the group of kids as everyone strained to get a picture or video of his or her special little one(s). I was just as guilty of moving in front (but crouched down) of other parents, and it was admittedly frustrating that I couldn't get a good shot for most of the event.
After the first song, the teachers told all the parents to move back. We did, but parents soon crowded around the children again as they began the next song.



AJ singing outside


Meanwhile, H was crying. He felt hungry, cold, and alone. I went back and forth between him and watching and photographing AJ. H was happy to have ginger snaps and Lussebullar to satisfy his hunger. I would give him a bite, run over to try to watch AJ, hurry back to give H another bite, etc.

H thought it was too cold outside, but he enjoyed the flash on the camera. Yes, he does have two layers on his head.

 Overall, I enjoyed last year's event more. It was inside, so it was warmer and more light was available for video. Also, every parent seemed to have enough space to capture the moment on "film." Perhaps it seemed less chaotic for me also because Timo was able to be there to help out with our three munchkins, and H was young enough that he was content to sit on my or Timo's lap.

I always enjoy my kids' programs, but I felt that I short-changed AJ by not being able to give him the attention he deserved.

Midsommar 2010

The day after H's birthday we celebrated Midsommar. We started by driving to some old palace grounds for a picnic, followed by some dancing around the maypole and other festivities.

The maypole

K and her friend by the maypole

K in front of the maypole

K took a picture of me.

K hugging H

AJ

H enjoying some open space to wander

Flowers AJ picked for me

AJ hugging his friend

Dancing around the maypole. You can see me and AJ.

More dancing. You can kind of see in this picture that I am holding H.

H and I dancing

H ended up on my shoulders toward the end.

AJ dancing

I don't know why K was facing the wrong way, but there she is. She doesn't look very happy, but she did have fun dancing.

Dancing with H and AJ

After we danced around the maypole, there were some people dressed up in traditional Swedish costumes that danced a several old dances.

K snuggling with Daddy while the other dancing is taking place.

AJ getting a closer look at the people dancing.

Later, they invited the children to go up front to sing a couple of songs. K really belted it out. She did great. :) They handed out candy to the kids after this, but it was extremely unorganized, and our kids ended up empty-handed. They basically put a box full of bags of candy on the ground and told the kids to help themselves. Of course, the candy was supposed to be for the kids who sang, but parents and people who were watching rushed up to grab their share. It rewarded the greedy and punished the patient. It was no big loss to me since I don't want my kids eating much candy, anyway, and K took it well since she didn't know if it would be peanut-free or not.

H helping himself to some water from our Camelbak. He loves that thing.

After we left the outdoor festivities, we drove to the house of some dear friends. We had a delicious meal (which I enjoyed, but didn't take pictures of), followed by some fresh strawberries and ice cream.

I think there are 4 liters of strawberries here.

It was fun to see all the kids playing together after dinner.

Before we left, we also enjoyed some of my midsommer cupcakes for a late fika. The sun stays out so late during this time of year, that I was shocked when I saw the clock said 9pm. Even though we were enjoying ourselves thoroughly, I decided it was time to go home and get our kids in bed.

Tack, Elisabet och Johan. We had a wonderful time.

Sommaravslutning

Yesterday evening, the kids' school held a party for all the kids. The main event was that the older kids were graduating to the "big" school. They were recognized, and they received their diplomas while everyone applauded. The kids also sang a few songs, and a couple of the parents put together a tipspromenad.

A tipspromenad, for those who don't know, is a series of questions posted along a path. As you walk along, you mark on your little slip of paper which one of three possible answers is the correct one. At the end, whoever gets the most answers right gets a prize. In this case, all the kids received a sucker when they handed in their slips of paper.

When we finished answering all the questions, we ate hot dogs, and the kids also enjoyed popsicles.

Singing

The graduating kids

K receiving her diploma

Eating a sucker and hot dog

AJ eating his hot dog

A popsicle and a sucker, who could ask for anything more?

K enjoying her popsicle

K with her balloon and popsicle

K and one of her friends. I don't know why she didn't tell her friend that we were trying to get a picture of the two of them.

My Swedish Girl

K is so Swedish in so many ways. I can't blame her since she doesn't remember a lot about living in the US.

Thursday evening was beautiful, if a little chilly. K was determined to enjoy the outdoors, even if it was a little colder. She came inside to get one of her American Girl books and her bear blanket. Then, she headed back out to the trampoline. This is how I found her.

When we moved here, I learned that Swedes like to enjoy the outdoors as much as they can when the sun is shining. They will have outdoor seating at restaurants in the spring and summer, but they also have blankets and, sometimes, heaters that warm the patrons. When I saw Kristen with her blanket, I immediately thought of the people who want to sit outside, even though it is too cold for comfort.

Walpurgis Night

April 30 is Walpurgis Night in Sweden. It is kind of a celebration of spring. The bad weather is supposed to be behind us (although it is cold and gloomy outside today), and the dark, dreary days of winter are gone. This event is celebrated nation-wide with bonfires and fireworks. Our little town had a bonfire at the soccer fields, and we walked over there last night to partake in the festivities.

Daddy and Hunter hanging out, waiting for the bonfire to be lit.

They had a jumping castle set up, and Kristen and AJ had a blast. Here is Kristen being silly.

The bonfire. The wood was wet from the day's rain, so it took a while for it to really catch. I thought it was cool how the sparks look like a volcano erupting in this picture.

Fireworks!

This all takes place rather late for the kiddos. Hunter started getting fussy before the bonfire was lit, and I put him in his stroller and walked all around the soccer fields. The combination of the movement and the late time put him to sleep, and I rejoined Timo and the older two. When the fireworks started, I was afraid that the noise would wake Hunter up, but he slept right through it all.

This is the first year that Timo has been in the country for this event, and it was fun to celebrate another Swedish tradition.