We Saw Some Really Big Rocks

When we asked Elvira and Keith what they wanted to do and see when they came to visit, they said they wanted to see Viking Stuff. And thus began our search for Really Big Rocks.

Sweden has many Viking, um, artifacts. And they all seem to be Very Large Rocks - burial mounds, etc.

So one morning we packed the men into one car and the women and children into the other car and we headed off in search of Really Big Rocks.

Our first stop: Skegriedösen. The Dolmen of Skegrie. Some sort of Viking burial mound. Only the top portion is visible - you know the part with the really big rocks.

Tipton stands among the Big Rocks.

Our next stop was Trelleborgen "a remarkable re-creation of a Viking fortress. It is based on the original fortress, thought to have been built by King Harald Blue Tooth in the 10th centure and excavated 1,000 years later." They had a little museum there, too. There was a Fairly Large Rock in the museum:

With a man carved into it, then the carving was painted. Pretty neat.

Here's a little info sign for the fortress. The Western Gate.

Here's what it actually looked like (Tipton and Keith are posing for scale. And also because we told them to turn around so we could take a picture.)
Tipton liked running along the top of the fortress wall. And of course, wherever Tipton went...
Lilli would follow.

Elvira and Keith waited very patiently while the kiddos ran all over the fortress.

Here's another one of those Fairly Large Rocks with a man carved into it and painted.

Tipton's favorite part about the Fortress was running along the top. Lilli's favorite part was the giant ice cream cone outside the snack bar.

As we were leaving Trelleborg, in route to our next Really Big Rock, Elvira and I saw this sign:

Of course we had to take a picture (hello, we're 8 years old!) Fart museum. hee hee. It's actually a Maritime Museum. I'll have to take the kids there one day. Just to say I've been.

Not long after we left Trelleborgen we found some more Really Big Rocks called Disas Ting.

which translates to Disa's Thing. Funny.

Lilli and Tipton play among the Really Big Things, uh, Rocks.

Disa's Thing was right on the coast. So we took a break from our search for Really Big Rocks to play among the waves and rather small rocks. (From the few Swedish beaches that I've been to, it appears that they do not have seashells, but rather small smooth stones. Very pretty.)

Lilli LOVED the waves. She liked splashing in them. I cannot wait to get her to Ocean City, MD next summer!

The children enjoyed examining the smooth pebbles and throwing them into the water. You will note that Lilli's shorts are missing in this picture. I had taken them off because they were so wet. Then she sat down in the wet sand...

We all enjoyed our impromtu beach excursion. But there we were longing to see more Really Big Rocks. So we brushed the sand off the kiddos and drove on.

To Kåseberg, to Ales Stenar (also known as the stone ship.) We parked and walked up to take a look at the sign:

Tipton saw the picture on the sign and said "We've already seen those rocks." Hee hee hee

Welcome to Ale Stones

It was a long walk from the parking lot to Ales Stenar. We didn't think it would be that long. Or that it would be uphill the entire way. Lilli spent most of the trek either on Mommy's hip or Daddy's shoulders. Tipton ran ahead with Elvira and Keith.

Sea Cows!

Ales Stenar! (Many, many Really Big Rocks.)

When we were almost to the top of the hill, almost to Ales Stenar, Lilli had to pee. There were no bathrooms. I had not brought the diaper bag or little potty with me. (I didn't know we'd be have a 30 minute walk to get to the Really Big Rocks.) And while I was trying to figure out what to do Lilli had an accident. So I just went with that. I pulled her off the path and just let her go. Then, of course, I had to get her out of her wet panties and shorts. We didn't want her running around the Really Big Rocks pantless so Dave took off his t-shirt and I wrapped it around her as best I could. It wasn't a perfect fit, so to avoid it falling off Lilli held onto the sides of it when she walked.

It was pretty funny.

Dave took this picture as Elvira and I were loading the kiddos back into the car.

He thought the car looked funny with the trunk and doors open.

The kids were passed out before we made it out of the parkinglot:

I think the Really Big Rocks wore them out.

Who Is This Child?

Today was Tipton's first day of Kindergarten.

He is in a new school, Bladin's.

He already knows several of the kids in his class (through Little Gym and one that came with him from Soderkulla.)

Tipton had no trouble starting in a new school today. He was already on the other side of the room, playing, when I looked around to tell him goodbye. I was not all sad and weepy. My little boy starting Kindergarten didn't make me long for his babyhood years. (I get all sad and weepy when I look at him and all of a sudden I can see what he'll look like ten years from now - then I want and miss my Little Boy.) Lilli was the weepy one. As we were leaving the building she held her arms outstretched and cried "Tipton!" All the way around the building to the front where we'd parked our bike, she cried and cried for Tipton.

He eats lunch at school - a school provided lunch.

Today the school lunch menu was: Spaghetti with carbonara sauce.

Now, Tipton will not eat spaghetti at home. He will not eat any sort of "sauce" at home.

Not only did Tipton eat "almost all" of his spaghetti, he also ate- C A R R O T S!

I'm still reeling. He has gone over to Aaron's house to play for the afternoon.

So it's just me and Lilli. I may have to put on a video for her and lie down a bit.

Surprise Guest Appearance

Our friends, Elvira and Keith, were coming to visit. Only, they were having trouble with their tickets. That in an of itself is a long, complicated story. Not gonna tell it here. Not now. But they finally arrived here, and they brought someone with them (for a day, at least.)

Jessie! I used to babysit Jessie. I've known her since she was Lilli's age. Jessie was only going to be able to spend the day in Sweden, she had a job that she had to get back to. So while she was here we tried to show her as much as possible.

Jessie playing Pokemon with Tipton.

Lilli makes herself at home in Jessie's lap.

I must point out (for those of you who care) that I think Jessie looks exactly like her mom in the picture above. And also, that when I first babysat Jessie she was about the same age that Lilli is. How strange and wonderful it was to see Jessie playing with my children!

After everyone had freshened up, we headed downtown. We parked at Stortorg and walked along the pedestrian mall.

Jessie and Tipton pose with "the band."

Jessie poses alone with "the band."

I pose with Jessie in front of a bookstore. I don't think this bookstore sells books in English, though.

Tipton and Jessie pose with the big, giant ball in Gustov Adolf's Torg

Dave and Lilli walking around one of the fountains in Gustov Adolf Torg. Fun fact: In the winter the water in the fountain is turned off and the top is lit like a torch.

A manhole cover. Funny, everyone one who's come to visit us takes a picture of the manhole covers.

Jessie "wearing Tipton like a backpack."

We all thought this was really funny - "Slut Rea" means final sale. And yet the manequins are naked. Just what exactly were they selling?

This was the menu from where we ate lunch. Dave ordered what we thought was a pork cutlet. It turned out to be...

Bacon! With a salad and some potatoes and gravy.

After lunch we came back home so that Jessie, Elvira and Keith could take a nap. (Lilli napped while we were eating lunch.)

We took everyone to Ikea for dinner. We really know how to show our friends a good time. Jessie said she wanted "typical Swedish food." Typical Swedish Food = meatballs, lingonberries, potatoes and gravy. And Ikea has the best meatballs.

After dinner we took everyone down to Vaestra Hamnen (Western Harbour.)

Lilli and Tipton played on/around these steps for a good 15 minutes.

Taking a little break from walking. Sitting on the steps looking out at the waves.

Me and Elvira! The Turning Torso is behind us. Elvira took the picture (with some assistance from her husband, Keith.)

I love this picture. Lilli sees me across the square and starts running towards me - happy as can be!

Lilli made a new friend. She and this little boy were chasing each other around. He kept trying to pick her up. Litterally.

Young love is so hard. It was a tearful goodbye. Seconds after this picture was taken they kissed each other on the lips. I think they may be engaged...

Tipton and Jessie pose with the Oresund Bridge behind them.

Not to be outdone, Dave and Lilli also pose.

And then we went home, exhausted. Everyone took showers and changed into jammies. Then we stood around the kitchen eating popcorn and talking. Until Dave realized that he would have to get up at 5:30 AM to get Jessie to the airport in time to make her flight.

It was such a nice surprise to get to see Jessie. I am SO glad she was able to spend the day with us!

Folkets Park

Two weeks ago we went to Folkets Park with my friend, Adriana and her daughter (Tipton's friend,) Samantha. We had a great time. Although Tipton and Lilli and I have been to this park before, this is the first time we've been when it hasn't been cold and rainy...

The kids played on the playground:

Tipton and Samantha playing on the boat.

Lilli on one of the see-saws. This one is two seals. Cute.

Tipton and Samantha on the other see-saw

Folkets Park also has amusement park (or more acurately State Fair) type rides. The second we walked through the gate, Lilli wanted to ride in the elephants. So as soon as the rides opened, that's what we did. (Note: The rides did not open until NOON. In the summer. Where is the logic in that. Must have been decided by the same guy that decided that nothing should open before 10:00am and everything should close by 6:00pm...)

Lilli, Tipton, Samantha and me on the elephant ride. Photo taken by Adriana, who opted to stay on the ground.

Tipton in one of the "classic cars." He was thrilled to get to "drive" his own car.

These were the cutest little cars. And the most obnoxious. Each car was playing a different tune. At ear-splitting decibles. Lilli chose the car with the ladybugs. Tipton is in the giraffe car in front of her.

There was a train - of sorts. The "engine" of the train was a big rig. Tipton's gonna be a trucker when he gets his license.

Lilli and Samantha chose to ride in the princess carriage train car. How appropriate.

Lilli did NOT like the tea cup ride. Even after Tipton and Samantha stopped spinning the cup.

Is this not the sweetest thing?

And there you have it - our day at Folkets Park. A great time was had by all. The children did not want to leave (the Mommies were more than ready.) The children slept really well that night (as did the Mommies.)