December - part 1

When we got back from our trip to the US, the kids helped me put up and decorate the Christmas tree. Tipton was especially interested to know about each of the different ornaments that we put on the tree. Each ornament has a story - who gave it to us and why.

My Mom spent Christmas with us this year. It is the first time she has ever spent Christmas with us. She flew in on Dec 11th so that she could watch the kids perform Lucia at school on the 12. (St Lucia day is actually the 13th, but that was a Saturday so the kids celebrated Lucia at school the day before.) Lilli couldn't decide if she wanted to be a pepparkakor (gingerbread boy/girl) or a tomte (Christmas elf). Tipton was a pepparkakor. Lilli was a pepparkakor for pictures by the tree, but decided to be a tomte at school.

Dave came to watch Tipton's class performance. I had seen him perform it last year. It meant a lot to Tipton that Daddy came to see him.

Grandma Suzie and I watched Lilli's class perform Lucia.

That weekend we started baking Christmas cookies. We always bake lots and lots of cookies, several different kinds. We make up cookie tins and give them to friends.

Lilli helped Grandma Suzie mix up the Chocolate Chewies.

And of course she got to lick the whisk afterwards. That's the best part about baking...

Tipton in his new, 'manly' apron.

Tipton helped Grandma Suzie decorate the sugar cookies. Grandma Suzie applied the icing and Tipton decorated with sprinkles.

This was the coolest Christmas decoration I saw this year. It was outside H&M in the Triangeln mall. The tree was covered in crystals and white twinkly lights. Very impressive.

The last day the kids were in school Mom and I went downtown to meet my friend, Lina for lunch. We met her in the Hansa mall. Mom was very impressed with all the Christmas decorations. They are much more tastefull here than in the US (no giant plastic nativity scenes or inflatable Santas.)

Me and Lina.

The day the kids got their end of term reports a lot of us (parents/kids) went to Funhouse. It gave the kids one last chance to play together. It gave the parents a chance to run across the street to the Mobilia mall and finish up their Christmas shopping. We pretty much had Funhouse to ourselves. The kids had a blast. And there was face painting. Tipton, Keisuke and Nicolas got painted like monsters.

So of course Lilli had to be painted like a monster, too.

My little monsters...

Aunt Jenni came to visit in December, too. She made a reindeer balloon animal for the kids. (Sadly, it did not last very long.) The kids always LOVE having Aunt Jenni visit.

I think she has a good time, too.