We went out for lunch today. There is a little pizza place in Bellvuegarden. There are several shops/stores that surround a little square. There is a fountain and a sand pit and benches to sit on in the square. There is a grocery store and a video store and a flower shop and a bakery - and a pizza place. Al Pacino's Pizza. So today we tried it.
At first glance, you wouldn't know it was a pizza place. Probably because of the bar and all the video poker machines. I had to look around until I found a menu. We sat ourselves and no one came to our table to take our order. We were the youngest people in the place and I felt a bit odd being one of only two girls in the place (the other girl was Lilli.) But we stayed. Tipton was being very good. Lilli was fine once we got our food. Both kids ate a really good lunch. Tipton had three pieces of pizza! Lilli ate one entire piece and a bowl of applesauce (brought from home.)
The pizza was pretty good. And fairly cheap - Dave's not sure if they charged us the right amount. Once we got past the drinking and gambling atmosphere, it was a pleasant experience. And really, we should have known - I mean it IS called Al Pacino's Pizza. Of course there would be alcohol and gambling.
Not sure if we'll go back or not, though. Which is kind of a bummer. I was really hoping it would be some place we could go in the summer - then let the kids play in the sand pit and splash in the fountain and maybe get some dessert from the bakery.
I am always making these grand plans in my head, and reality/life/whatever always seems to mess them up. But a girl's gotta dream, right? And the whole point of coming to Sweden was to try new things, right? (Oh yeah, and so Dave wouldn't have to fly over here every two weeks.) So I'm going to make the most of it. I'm going to keep making plans and eventually one of them will stick. I'm going to keep trying new things and eventually we'll find some thing/place that we like.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
The Not So Swimming Lessons
Tipton's swimming lessons started today. They did not go well. And I don't think I helped. I was really hoping that this could be something that Dave and Tipton could do together. I want them to have some guy time and thought this would be something special for just the two of them. Something for them to do together other than play video games - something to do together away from the house.
Since it was the first day, we all went down there together. We got pulled over right in front of the Aq Va Kul (place where the swim lessons were) for a traffic stop. They checked Dave's drivers liscence and swedish ID and had him take a breathalizer test. At 8:00 in the morning! Too strange.
We all went in and got Tipton changed into his suit and found where we were supposed to be. There were about 10 other kids in the class, and four instructors. The class started with a warm up and they played a few games - all outside the pool. Tipton didn't want to join in. He hid behind me. The instructors kept coming over and tried to get him to join the other kids but he wouldn't do it. I tried to get him to do the warm up exercises by me and he wouldn't do that either. So I decided we would just leave. Then Tipton changed his mind and decided he wanted to participate. He stood in the line and walked into the shower rooms. They were supposed to rinse off in the shower before getting into the pool. Tipton does not like to get his head wet, so that didn't go over very well. Then they had to sit on the side of the pool. That was about the only thing that went well. Tipton sat on the side of the pool. He wouldn't splash. He wouldn't get in.
So we left.
I was angry. I understood why Tipton didn't want to participate - the class was being taught in Swedish and it's kind of daunting when you don't understand anything (Lilli's gym class is taught in Swedish and I always feel a little lost.) And I sympathize with him. But I was angry. Angry that my plan of Tipton and Daddy having special time together was not going to happen. Angry that we had gotten up early and wasted the morning. Angry that Dave didn't really do anything to try to get Tipton to participate. It was supposed to be THEIR special time, and yet Dave didn't want to have to deal with Tipton - he would rather just follow Lilli around to make sure she didn't try to get into the pool. Angry.
When we got home Lilli wanted to play in the snow (did I mention that it snowed again last night - about an inch.) Tipton decided to play in the snow, too. Dave went inside and I stayed out with the kids. It's hard to stay angry when you're playing in the snow.
I need to work to be more patient with the kids, especially Tipton. I need to focus on what they are feeling and not what I am feeling.
When we left the pool, I told the woman at the desk that Tipton would not be taking the class. She asked why and I told her that he couldn't understand what the instructors were saying. That even though they would speak to him in english, the class was being taught in Swedish it was too much for him. She asked if we would take a class if it were taught in english and I said yes, definitely. I think Tipton would be okay if the class were taught in english.
Since it was the first day, we all went down there together. We got pulled over right in front of the Aq Va Kul (place where the swim lessons were) for a traffic stop. They checked Dave's drivers liscence and swedish ID and had him take a breathalizer test. At 8:00 in the morning! Too strange.
We all went in and got Tipton changed into his suit and found where we were supposed to be. There were about 10 other kids in the class, and four instructors. The class started with a warm up and they played a few games - all outside the pool. Tipton didn't want to join in. He hid behind me. The instructors kept coming over and tried to get him to join the other kids but he wouldn't do it. I tried to get him to do the warm up exercises by me and he wouldn't do that either. So I decided we would just leave. Then Tipton changed his mind and decided he wanted to participate. He stood in the line and walked into the shower rooms. They were supposed to rinse off in the shower before getting into the pool. Tipton does not like to get his head wet, so that didn't go over very well. Then they had to sit on the side of the pool. That was about the only thing that went well. Tipton sat on the side of the pool. He wouldn't splash. He wouldn't get in.
So we left.
I was angry. I understood why Tipton didn't want to participate - the class was being taught in Swedish and it's kind of daunting when you don't understand anything (Lilli's gym class is taught in Swedish and I always feel a little lost.) And I sympathize with him. But I was angry. Angry that my plan of Tipton and Daddy having special time together was not going to happen. Angry that we had gotten up early and wasted the morning. Angry that Dave didn't really do anything to try to get Tipton to participate. It was supposed to be THEIR special time, and yet Dave didn't want to have to deal with Tipton - he would rather just follow Lilli around to make sure she didn't try to get into the pool. Angry.
When we got home Lilli wanted to play in the snow (did I mention that it snowed again last night - about an inch.) Tipton decided to play in the snow, too. Dave went inside and I stayed out with the kids. It's hard to stay angry when you're playing in the snow.
I need to work to be more patient with the kids, especially Tipton. I need to focus on what they are feeling and not what I am feeling.
When we left the pool, I told the woman at the desk that Tipton would not be taking the class. She asked why and I told her that he couldn't understand what the instructors were saying. That even though they would speak to him in english, the class was being taught in Swedish it was too much for him. She asked if we would take a class if it were taught in english and I said yes, definitely. I think Tipton would be okay if the class were taught in english.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Knitting and Stuff
1. At a friend's requestI have created a new blog, for my knitting.
2. Dave drove to work today, in his "new" car! It is a Nissan Micra. I will get a picture of Dave with his new car this weekend and post it to our flickr page.
3. I have discovered how to put links into my blog. Most every other blog I've looked at has links. I've always wanted to be able to put links in my blog but never took the time to figure out how to do it, until today. I think it's totally cool.
4. I made a new cookie today. Banana Oatmeal. They are okay. They'd be better if they weren't so dry. Think I need to add a little more oil/butter/shortening. The recipe calls for shortening, but I have yet to find that over here so I used butter. And I don't think I used enough. All this to say that I made a new cookie. I am trying to get the kiddos to eat better. So I am trying to make healthier snacks, etc for them. I got this recipe out of a cookbook called Feed Me I'm Yours. This is the third recipe I've made from this book. The first recipe was called Bacon and Egg Cookies. I liked them, but nobody else did. The second recipe was called Cereal Bars. Tipton did not like them, but every body else did. In fact, Dave liked them so much that he's asked me to make some for him to take in to work. I think these Banana Oatmeal cookies might be good if I broke them up in a bowl, put them in the microwave for a few seconds and poured milk over them. I might try that for breakfast tomorrow... Tipton has requested that I make the Bite of Apple Cookies recipe next. Might try that this evening.
5. Tipton read his fifth book today! He is getting really good at reading. He is wonderful at sounding out words. Today I remembered that there was another CD with phonics games on it. So after we finished our phonics lesson Tipton played phonics games on the computer.
2. Dave drove to work today, in his "new" car! It is a Nissan Micra. I will get a picture of Dave with his new car this weekend and post it to our flickr page.
3. I have discovered how to put links into my blog. Most every other blog I've looked at has links. I've always wanted to be able to put links in my blog but never took the time to figure out how to do it, until today. I think it's totally cool.
4. I made a new cookie today. Banana Oatmeal. They are okay. They'd be better if they weren't so dry. Think I need to add a little more oil/butter/shortening. The recipe calls for shortening, but I have yet to find that over here so I used butter. And I don't think I used enough. All this to say that I made a new cookie. I am trying to get the kiddos to eat better. So I am trying to make healthier snacks, etc for them. I got this recipe out of a cookbook called Feed Me I'm Yours. This is the third recipe I've made from this book. The first recipe was called Bacon and Egg Cookies. I liked them, but nobody else did. The second recipe was called Cereal Bars. Tipton did not like them, but every body else did. In fact, Dave liked them so much that he's asked me to make some for him to take in to work. I think these Banana Oatmeal cookies might be good if I broke them up in a bowl, put them in the microwave for a few seconds and poured milk over them. I might try that for breakfast tomorrow... Tipton has requested that I make the Bite of Apple Cookies recipe next. Might try that this evening.
5. Tipton read his fifth book today! He is getting really good at reading. He is wonderful at sounding out words. Today I remembered that there was another CD with phonics games on it. So after we finished our phonics lesson Tipton played phonics games on the computer.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Oh Joy, Oh Happy Day!
Dave is (finally) buying a car! And we are all so very, very excited. He will no longer have to ride the bus. I will no longer have to hear him whine about riding the bus. To be fair, he does spend at least 2 1/2 to 3 hours every day walking to/waiting for/riding the bus. And now his commute will be about 20 minutes.
Yesterday after Lilli's nap the kids and I drove to Lund to get the tire fixed. We have been driving around on the spare tire for over a week - very, very bad. The kids and I stood outside and played in the snow while they fixed the tire. It only took about 20 minutes. We had about an hour to before we had to pick up Dave, so we went to the mall and I let the kids run free in the toy store.
The girl with the car came by a little before 7:00. Dave took it for a test drive. It was fine. In fact, it was great - perfect, wonderful! This morning I am going to walk to the bank to get a check. She will come back tonight and we'll give her a check and she'll give Dave the keys. And tomorrow Dave can DRIVE to work. He is so excited. He couldn't sleep last night because he was so excited.
Oh, and not only is Dave getting a car, but the girl said she would love to babysit for us! Woo-hoo! Oh joy, oh happy day!
Yesterday after Lilli's nap the kids and I drove to Lund to get the tire fixed. We have been driving around on the spare tire for over a week - very, very bad. The kids and I stood outside and played in the snow while they fixed the tire. It only took about 20 minutes. We had about an hour to before we had to pick up Dave, so we went to the mall and I let the kids run free in the toy store.
The girl with the car came by a little before 7:00. Dave took it for a test drive. It was fine. In fact, it was great - perfect, wonderful! This morning I am going to walk to the bank to get a check. She will come back tonight and we'll give her a check and she'll give Dave the keys. And tomorrow Dave can DRIVE to work. He is so excited. He couldn't sleep last night because he was so excited.
Oh, and not only is Dave getting a car, but the girl said she would love to babysit for us! Woo-hoo! Oh joy, oh happy day!
Snow Day
It snowed! It finally snowed! I am sure I will regret saying that, wishing for snow. But for now it is still new and exciting - for me and the kids. We went out to get in the car Monday morning and it was starting to snow. Tipton was SOOOOOOOOO excited! He has been asking me when it will snow for the past two months. By the time I got back from taking Tipton to school there was at least an inch on the ground. Lilli and I played in the snow in the front yard. It was her first snow! She liked to stomp around in it and try to catch snowflakes with her tongue. After lunch, while Lilli was napping, Tipton and I went out into the backyard and played in the snow. I am amazed that we did not wake up Lilli. I showed Tipton how to make a snow angel. Then we had a snowball fight. Then we made a little snowman - we put it up in Tipton's window. Then more snowball fights. We were outside for at least two hours. And Lilli slept the entire time! I'm glad that I got to spend individual time with the kids in the snow. It was a good day.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Ho Hum Cherry-O
Whoever invented the game Hi Ho Cherry-O ought to be shot. Or better yet - should be forced to play the game with a four-year-old. Now, I was very excited when I got the game for Tipton. I remember playing the game as a kid, and loving it. It was one of my favorite games. What on earth was I thinking? The game goes on forever. Whenever someone gets close to winning (and thereby ending the game) they spill their bucket, or get attacked by a bird. And then it starts all over again. It's like the little kid equivalent to Monopoly. All that to say Tipton and I had a marathon gaming session yesterday. We started with 4 rousing games of Candy Land. Then moved on the the mind-numbing Hi Ho Cherry-O, twice. Next was the always exicting 3D-Labyrinth, Jr (or as Tipton calls it "the spooky maze game.") We played that a few times, until Tipton got upset that he didn't draw the card for the crystal ball - funny how that happens when I shuffle the cards and don't let him stack the deck...) It was a good lesson, though. He learned that you can still have fun, even if not everything goes the way you want it to. Will he remember this lesson the next time we play? Who knows. We ended our game marathon with a marathon game of Chutes and Ladders, I swear the game went on for 30 minutes. But it was still better than Hi Ho Cherry-O.
I really like that Tipton is able to play games now. I like to play games. Dave and I have a ton of games. I'm hoping that we'll get back into the gaming habit while we're over here in Sweden. Maybe I should start scheduling a Game Night. It could be a family game night - we could start with Ele-fun - Lilli's favorite game. She loves that it has an elephant. She loves that butterflies shoot out of the elephant's trunk and rain down on her. She hasn't quite mastered catching the butterflies in her net, but she's quick to grab them off the floor and put them into her net. Then after Lilli goes to bed we could play one or two of Tipton's games. He's getting quite a collection. When I was unpacking all of our games, I set several aside that I think Tipton is old enough to play. Maybe we could play one of his games and one of the 'new' games. Then after Tipton goes to bed Dave and I could play a game - something that involves strategy or maybe on that doesn't involve any thinking at all. Just something.
In other news, we're actually supposed to get snow tomorrow. I'm nervous and excited. Tipton has been asking when it's going to snow. Lilli has never seen snow. I want to be able to play in the snow and teach them how to make snow angels and have a snowball fight and build a snowman. I want to go sledding. But then there's another part of me, the nervous part... Will I be able to drive in the snow? We still have the spare tire on the rental car - I am supposed to take it to Lund tomorrow - will I be able to? Will we be snowed in, will we have enough food and milk? We go through a lot of milk. But I know we'll be fine. I can always take the car another day. I can keep Tipton home from school so that we can play in the snow. And maybe we'll have another marathon game session.
I really like that Tipton is able to play games now. I like to play games. Dave and I have a ton of games. I'm hoping that we'll get back into the gaming habit while we're over here in Sweden. Maybe I should start scheduling a Game Night. It could be a family game night - we could start with Ele-fun - Lilli's favorite game. She loves that it has an elephant. She loves that butterflies shoot out of the elephant's trunk and rain down on her. She hasn't quite mastered catching the butterflies in her net, but she's quick to grab them off the floor and put them into her net. Then after Lilli goes to bed we could play one or two of Tipton's games. He's getting quite a collection. When I was unpacking all of our games, I set several aside that I think Tipton is old enough to play. Maybe we could play one of his games and one of the 'new' games. Then after Tipton goes to bed Dave and I could play a game - something that involves strategy or maybe on that doesn't involve any thinking at all. Just something.
In other news, we're actually supposed to get snow tomorrow. I'm nervous and excited. Tipton has been asking when it's going to snow. Lilli has never seen snow. I want to be able to play in the snow and teach them how to make snow angels and have a snowball fight and build a snowman. I want to go sledding. But then there's another part of me, the nervous part... Will I be able to drive in the snow? We still have the spare tire on the rental car - I am supposed to take it to Lund tomorrow - will I be able to? Will we be snowed in, will we have enough food and milk? We go through a lot of milk. But I know we'll be fine. I can always take the car another day. I can keep Tipton home from school so that we can play in the snow. And maybe we'll have another marathon game session.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
What a great week...
It's cold and dreary and raining - and this has been the best week!
Monday Tipton's school extended it's hours, so he now goes from 8:15 to 12:00. It is amazing what I can get done in that extra 45 minutes. Also, Tipton is now supposed to take a sandwich in his snack, in addition to fruit, since they are spending more time at school. So with a little experimentation, Tipton will now eat two kinds of sandwiches: Cheese with butter and cream cheese with jelly. Almost doubling the number of foods Tipton will eat.
Tuesday at Tipton's Little Gym class I was recommended for a playdate. The mother of one of the girls in his class said that the mother of one of the boys in her daughter's class at school was wondering if she could have my name and info so that we could get the boys together to play!
Wednesday at Lilli's Little Gym class I made a 'date' with her gym instructor, Lina. Lina is going to meet me at Anita's (a yarn shop) on Monday morning. She is going to translate for me - she knows the owner, and the owner doesn't speak much english. Hooray! A translator! Also, the mother of one of the girls in Tipton's school class called and set up a playdate for this Friday. Also, I got a phone call from the president of the American Woman's Club. I am now a member - just need to pay my dues for the year. I can't wait to go to my first meeting/event!
Thurday, today: Lilli and I went for a walk/stroll this morning (before it started to rain.) We walked down to the yarn shop, just to see how long it would take to get there (not long, only about 25 mintues.) Also, I got a box from my friends, the SuperMommies! Inside were books (for me and the kids - in English!), construction paper, fritos and oreos, yarn and knitting patterns (among other things.) It was sooooooo nice to get a box from home!
And tomorrow, well, tomorrow will be good to. After Tipton's school we're going over to his friend's house to play for a little while. Which means I'll actually get to be around another adult that speaks english!
What a great week.
Monday Tipton's school extended it's hours, so he now goes from 8:15 to 12:00. It is amazing what I can get done in that extra 45 minutes. Also, Tipton is now supposed to take a sandwich in his snack, in addition to fruit, since they are spending more time at school. So with a little experimentation, Tipton will now eat two kinds of sandwiches: Cheese with butter and cream cheese with jelly. Almost doubling the number of foods Tipton will eat.
Tuesday at Tipton's Little Gym class I was recommended for a playdate. The mother of one of the girls in his class said that the mother of one of the boys in her daughter's class at school was wondering if she could have my name and info so that we could get the boys together to play!
Wednesday at Lilli's Little Gym class I made a 'date' with her gym instructor, Lina. Lina is going to meet me at Anita's (a yarn shop) on Monday morning. She is going to translate for me - she knows the owner, and the owner doesn't speak much english. Hooray! A translator! Also, the mother of one of the girls in Tipton's school class called and set up a playdate for this Friday. Also, I got a phone call from the president of the American Woman's Club. I am now a member - just need to pay my dues for the year. I can't wait to go to my first meeting/event!
Thurday, today: Lilli and I went for a walk/stroll this morning (before it started to rain.) We walked down to the yarn shop, just to see how long it would take to get there (not long, only about 25 mintues.) Also, I got a box from my friends, the SuperMommies! Inside were books (for me and the kids - in English!), construction paper, fritos and oreos, yarn and knitting patterns (among other things.) It was sooooooo nice to get a box from home!
And tomorrow, well, tomorrow will be good to. After Tipton's school we're going over to his friend's house to play for a little while. Which means I'll actually get to be around another adult that speaks english!
What a great week.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
January 16, 2007
My original plan was to keep a daily diary of our experiences here in Sweden. And while we were still living in the apartment I did just that. I wrote it down on actual paper with an actual pen. Then we moved into our house and had internet access. No more writing down. I started entering my dialy logs into the blog. With every intent to keep up to date and make a new (current) entry for every day. But just got too busy. What with the unpacking and the re-packing/preparing for our trip back to the US for the holidays... It was just kind of crazy. And then when we got back from our trip, there was more unpacking...
But now we are settling into a routine. However, I am not going to go back and enter in all of my handwritten logs. So here is a quick summary:
In November: My mood got worse and worse. I felt completely cut off from all of my friends and family - could not contact them by internet or phone. Had no one to do things with. Just me and the kids all day, every day. I was so lonely it still makes me cry to think about it. I hit rock bottom one day... I just could not stop crying. I cried on the way to take Tipton to school. I cried in the library while trying to check my email (Lilli screamed the entire time so I wasn't able to check it.) I cried while strolling around the duck pond with Lilli. I cried while washing the dishes. I cried all day long - I just couldn't stop. I was still crying when Dave came home from work. It totally freaked him out. That night he booked our flight home for Christmas. And we started 'borrowing' an unsecure internet connection. After that I felt a little better. Still random bouts of crying, but didn't have another all-day crying fest.
In December: Our stuff arrived and we moved into our house. Oh joy! Oh happy day! I don't know who was more excited - me or the kids. Tipton was at school when our stuff was unloaded. Lilli was with me. She got very excited when her little rocking chair was brought off the truck. She spent 20 minutes just sitting in it, rocking, climbing out, climbing back in and rocking some more. When Tipton got home he spent an hour playing with his Geo Trax. I've never seen Lilli so happy as when I unpacked the beanbag. She dove for it before it even hit the floor. (No doubt about it, she is definitely Dave's child.) It was a busy 10 days of unpacking and doing laundry and repacking to go on our trip to VA for Christmas.
Our trip to VA: We took a car, two trains and an airplane to get to VA. The kids did remarkably well, considering how much time they had to spend confined to a seat. We were all very, very happy to get off the airplane. It was great to see everyone at Christmas. We all had a very happy Christmas. Tipton got lots of hot wheels stuff. Lilli got lots of baby doll stuff. Dave and I got to relax and eat all the junk food we can't get over here in Sweden. The plane ride back was okay. It could have been better, but then it could have been a whole lot worse. Lilli did not have a seat and the plane was full. So she sat on my lap the entire time. But of course I don't mean sat. I mean she wiggled, she stood, she slept. And she is a very restless sleeper. Needless to say I did not get much sleep on the plane. It was nice to be 'home' again, though.
New Years Eve: From our experience, it seems that every single store has a giant sale on New Year's Eve. And nothing stays open late (you can forget about going out to dinner on New Year's Eve.) We drove downtown and walked around the pedestrian mall, looking at all the Christmas decorations. We had been told to expect a lot of fireworks on New Year's Eve. But we were not prepared for what happened. Starting around 4:00 we could hear and sometimes see random fireworks going off. They started to pick up in intensity and frequency around 7:00/8:00. By 10:30 they REALLY started to pick up. By 11:30 it was pretty much non-stop fireworks, in every direction. And we're not talking the little piddly ones you can buy in the grocery store in the US, we're talking bottle rockets and professional quality stuff. They were still going strong at midnight, at 12:30. Around 12:45 they started to slow down. When I got up around 3:30 I could still hear fireworks going off (even though it was raining.) It was wild, insane. We stood in the backyard with the video camera pointed at the sky and turned in a circle, trying to capture it all - everywhere you turned there were fireworks. For over an hour. Amazing.
2007: I have almost all of the boxes unpacked. I have started making curtains for all the windows in the house. So far I've made one for Lilli's room and one for Tipton's room. I still have many, many curtains to go...
Tipton is learning how to read. Grama Kay and Papa gave him Hooked On Kindergarten for Christmas. Last week we started doing the phonics part. We do phonics for about 15-20 minutes after lunch, after I put Lilli down for a nap. Yesterday he read his first book!
Lilli is starting to say more words. I have been making an effort to read to her more often. She really does love books. I have signed her up for the Veggie Tales book club. She LOVES Veggie Tales.
Dave is still looking for a used car. As soon as he does, I think our lives will settle down a little more. He won't have to be so rushed in the mornings (won't have to catch the bus.) And he will get home earlier (won't have to wait for the bus.) And hopefully we can spend our weekends doing fun things and exploring (instead of looking at cars.)
We are flying my Mom out to visit in February (merry christmas, Mom!) The kids and I are very excited about her visit, but probably not as excited as she is. This will be her first trip out of the US. And Dave, being the world's greatest son-in-law, burned some of his frequent flier miles to fly her first class/business class!
Now that I've caught you all up on the past month, I promise to make more frequent/regular entries into the blog. And now, I must go update photos on the flickr page...
But now we are settling into a routine. However, I am not going to go back and enter in all of my handwritten logs. So here is a quick summary:
In November: My mood got worse and worse. I felt completely cut off from all of my friends and family - could not contact them by internet or phone. Had no one to do things with. Just me and the kids all day, every day. I was so lonely it still makes me cry to think about it. I hit rock bottom one day... I just could not stop crying. I cried on the way to take Tipton to school. I cried in the library while trying to check my email (Lilli screamed the entire time so I wasn't able to check it.) I cried while strolling around the duck pond with Lilli. I cried while washing the dishes. I cried all day long - I just couldn't stop. I was still crying when Dave came home from work. It totally freaked him out. That night he booked our flight home for Christmas. And we started 'borrowing' an unsecure internet connection. After that I felt a little better. Still random bouts of crying, but didn't have another all-day crying fest.
In December: Our stuff arrived and we moved into our house. Oh joy! Oh happy day! I don't know who was more excited - me or the kids. Tipton was at school when our stuff was unloaded. Lilli was with me. She got very excited when her little rocking chair was brought off the truck. She spent 20 minutes just sitting in it, rocking, climbing out, climbing back in and rocking some more. When Tipton got home he spent an hour playing with his Geo Trax. I've never seen Lilli so happy as when I unpacked the beanbag. She dove for it before it even hit the floor. (No doubt about it, she is definitely Dave's child.) It was a busy 10 days of unpacking and doing laundry and repacking to go on our trip to VA for Christmas.
Our trip to VA: We took a car, two trains and an airplane to get to VA. The kids did remarkably well, considering how much time they had to spend confined to a seat. We were all very, very happy to get off the airplane. It was great to see everyone at Christmas. We all had a very happy Christmas. Tipton got lots of hot wheels stuff. Lilli got lots of baby doll stuff. Dave and I got to relax and eat all the junk food we can't get over here in Sweden. The plane ride back was okay. It could have been better, but then it could have been a whole lot worse. Lilli did not have a seat and the plane was full. So she sat on my lap the entire time. But of course I don't mean sat. I mean she wiggled, she stood, she slept. And she is a very restless sleeper. Needless to say I did not get much sleep on the plane. It was nice to be 'home' again, though.
New Years Eve: From our experience, it seems that every single store has a giant sale on New Year's Eve. And nothing stays open late (you can forget about going out to dinner on New Year's Eve.) We drove downtown and walked around the pedestrian mall, looking at all the Christmas decorations. We had been told to expect a lot of fireworks on New Year's Eve. But we were not prepared for what happened. Starting around 4:00 we could hear and sometimes see random fireworks going off. They started to pick up in intensity and frequency around 7:00/8:00. By 10:30 they REALLY started to pick up. By 11:30 it was pretty much non-stop fireworks, in every direction. And we're not talking the little piddly ones you can buy in the grocery store in the US, we're talking bottle rockets and professional quality stuff. They were still going strong at midnight, at 12:30. Around 12:45 they started to slow down. When I got up around 3:30 I could still hear fireworks going off (even though it was raining.) It was wild, insane. We stood in the backyard with the video camera pointed at the sky and turned in a circle, trying to capture it all - everywhere you turned there were fireworks. For over an hour. Amazing.
2007: I have almost all of the boxes unpacked. I have started making curtains for all the windows in the house. So far I've made one for Lilli's room and one for Tipton's room. I still have many, many curtains to go...
Tipton is learning how to read. Grama Kay and Papa gave him Hooked On Kindergarten for Christmas. Last week we started doing the phonics part. We do phonics for about 15-20 minutes after lunch, after I put Lilli down for a nap. Yesterday he read his first book!
Lilli is starting to say more words. I have been making an effort to read to her more often. She really does love books. I have signed her up for the Veggie Tales book club. She LOVES Veggie Tales.
Dave is still looking for a used car. As soon as he does, I think our lives will settle down a little more. He won't have to be so rushed in the mornings (won't have to catch the bus.) And he will get home earlier (won't have to wait for the bus.) And hopefully we can spend our weekends doing fun things and exploring (instead of looking at cars.)
We are flying my Mom out to visit in February (merry christmas, Mom!) The kids and I are very excited about her visit, but probably not as excited as she is. This will be her first trip out of the US. And Dave, being the world's greatest son-in-law, burned some of his frequent flier miles to fly her first class/business class!
Now that I've caught you all up on the past month, I promise to make more frequent/regular entries into the blog. And now, I must go update photos on the flickr page...
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