Christmas

Thank you to Grandma Betsy, Grandpa, Grandma Kathy and Santa for all the great gifts!

Johan unfortunately was pretty sick from the 24th to the 26th, so the kids and I found some things to do on our own. He did venture out for a little cookie baking (and eating).

Julavslutning

The week's biggest news is the amount of snow we have. It's pretty unbelievable. Johan and Dad brushed off the car and shoveled the driveway, but when we woke up the next morning, there was another foot of snow on the car. We're well over two feet on the ground, which means the piles on the side of the road, well over my head, make for lots of kid entertainment... until the cold settles in.

When discussing our move last year, someone familiar with Sweden commented that it's a place where people don't help each other--everyone just minds his of her own business. While there have been times these last six months when I would have wholly agreed with this statement, this week is indicating otherwise. I was pushing a cart with two kids and groceries while pulling another little cart through the snow (how do I keep finding myself in these situations?), the first person I passed in the parking lot, a man in his 60's, offered to push my cart the rest of the way. Then, later, at home, a neighbor I barely know drove by as I was lazily shoveling our little driveway while watching this kids roll around in the snow. This neighbor parked his car at home down the road and then walked back over to see if I needed help.

Monday was Marcus's school's Christmas performance, which was a parade with kids from all grades and then outside songs, followed by inside songs and, of course, fika, Swedish for coffee break with sweets.

Here's Marcus with two friends at the coffee and sweets party after.

Chirstmas, Part 1

Pre-present opening: We laid the presents out as a morning surprise and then forgot. As usual, the kids got up first and found their way downstairs. A suspicious silence dragged me out of bed. I made my way down to find the kids reading the tags of each package-- "Don't worry, Mamma; we're not opening them."

Since Grandma and Grandpa were leaving on the 21st, we had our first Christmas on Sunday.

Winter Break!

Ellen's birthday celebration at school was supposed to be last Friday, but, with so much going on, I forgot to bring in the ice cream. Bad mom. She was to celebrate with another little boy, so they had treats from his much more attentive mom, but, of course I felt bad. The teachers said she didn't notice, but when I got there, she immediately (smiling) said, "Mamma, you forgot the ice cream." Bad mom.

I rescheduled for her last day of school and borrowed an idea from Grandma Kathy, who had brought the additions from the US: ice cream snow men. Since marshmellows are almost non-existant here, it turned out to be a great, unique dessert. By the way, the chocolate chips were supposed to be buttons, but, well, you can see...


We said goodbye to Grandma Kathy and Grandpa early Tuesday morning after a great visit. We had such a good time together, and it's hard to know we won't see them until the summer.

School is now out, which means a much needed rest as well as plenty of snow play time. The city has given up just pushing the show to the side of the street and is now looking for public places to pile it up. This is the pile across the street, noticeably browner than the other snow--Marcus pulled a piece of metal out of it--but it looks too fun to not climb.

Legos are still the favorite indoor activity.

Ellen's Birthday

Today was Ellen's big day. Marcus came home earlier and cut out teeth for Pin the Teeth on the Crocodile.

The spread: Chocolate chip cookies made by Grandpa (we realized he has been under-employed in the kitchen--the cookies were fantastic!), Lucia buns by Grandma Kathy, including a special "E" shape for Ellen, and glögg. I was persuaded to (again) compromise my principles and buy fresh strawberries and raspberries in the middle of Swedish winter for the cake. She's been talking about a strawberry cake since she saw one this summer. I couldn't say no.

Also in view on Ellen's placemat is a present: a green crocodile made from fuse beads laid with Marcus's left hand. It took a few days.

Present opening, including hand-knitted hats for babies Ellen and Marcus from Grandma Betsy.

Back to Grandpa's previous under-employment around the house: he also drew the crocodile for Pin the Teeth on the Crocodile, which was even more popular this year than last.