Home for Christmas....

very common to see in Stockholm

Freezing at the Christmas Market in Skansen

Where has the time gone? I can't believe I'm packing to come home for Christmas.  As I reflect on 2013,  I'm amazed at how my life has changed in just one year.  Last year at this time I was decorating my home in Atlanta, excited about hosting my first Christmas in a very long time, and feeling really blessed with my wonderful life.  Twelve months later,  I'm living in another country, across the world.  I'm not decorating my home, but instead, packing and shopping in preparation to spend Christmas with all of our family and friends.  But.. I am still feeling VERY blessed to have a wonderful life and a new adventure to add to our memory book.

Chase was home sick last week for a few days.  He didn't get the famous Stockholm Stomach Virus, but he did get a fever for two days.  Before moving to Sweden, one of my fears was how to get the boys to school if one of them was sick.  While Smith was sick, I left him home alone for the hour it took me to take Jake and Chase to school.  When Chase got sick, I didn't have that option.  The only solution, Jake and Smith go alone.  I was 100% confident that the boys knew the way and were very capable of this feat.  However, they had never done it alone before, so Steve decided to (secretly) follow behind.  Of course, they did awesome, and they loved the independence.  They came home that day by themselves and did it all over again the following day.  Now, even though Chase is back to school, they beg me to let them go alone.  I'm not ready for them to go alone everyday, especially because they don't have a phone to call me if they get into trouble.  I know many of you are thinking that I'm crazy... but this is very normal here.  I'm one of the few parents that walks their kids to school.  Steve and I were more nervous about them losing their $1,000 train card.  hahaha

 On Friday the weather took a turn and the snow arrived.  It wasn't the snow storm we were hoping for, but we did see white all weekend.

taken from my living room window at 2:00pm

 The wind was unbelievable.... so strong.  It actually knocked Chase off of his feet while walking to the train station last week.  He's now bundled up in his full winter gear.  It's adorable.  Unfortunately, the temperatures were so cold that it all turned to ice.  I'm blown away by the ice that coats the streets and parks.  I thought there would be more plowing, but I've discovered that the sidewalks are not shoveled.  Now I know why everyone is talking about the spikes that go under your shoes.  I will most definitely be purchasing those.  Smith has already wiped out four times.  The ground is very deceiving... it doesn't look like ice until you step on it and go flying.  Speaking of ice... Bebop and Kiki bought the boys ice skates for Christmas.  They opened them early because they all started skating lessons, through the school, a few times week.
Lesson day was an adventure that I will never forget.  Because the park we were originally signed up at was repairing their ice, the lessons were moved to Kungsträdgården.  It's a great area of the city, all decorated for Christmas.  It reminds me a bit of Rockefeller Center in NYC with the Christmas music playing, the tree decorated, and the people skating.  The smells of doughnuts, coffee, and the crisp air, brings me back to my days in NYC with my parents and sisters.  The boys were excited to be on skates for the first time.... but after five minutes on the ice, they weren't so thrilled.  Ice skating looks a lot easier than it is.  They reminded me of Rudolph and all the baby reindeers when they were learning to fly, and their legs would slide out from under them, spending more time on their bellies than their feet.  Chase became frustrated very quickly.  He needed more one-on-one, and the instructor had over ten kids to teach, none of which were any better than my boys.  After 20 minutes Chase was in full meltdown mode and he exited the rink quicker than I could blink my eyes. The other two were frustrated, but stuck with it.  By the end of the lesson, both were standing on the ice.  They didn't want to continue, but I'm forcing them to go back and try again.  Once they get the hang of being on the ice, they are going to love it.  According to both of them, I'm the meanest mom... however, I know how fun skating is and I want them to experience it.  As for Chase, I'm signing him up for private lessons.  The group lessons, with 7-10 year olds, is way to intimidating for him.

Smith and Jake down for the count

Jake about to go down... but Smith is up

Jake grabbing this little guy for balance

The rink

After the session, we had to walk quite a distance and then take a train home.  Chase was still melting down because he was completely freezing and tired and wanted no part of this adventure.    Jake and Smith started fighting because they too were tired, cold, and didn't want to listen to Chase screaming.  I was carrying everyone's skate bags and trying to hold on to Chase.  I was so cold, my toes were numb, and my biceps were burning from all the bags on my arms.  For the first time in a long time,  I questioned whether I wanted to live here anymore.  The winter brings on a whole new stress, and having three boys making a huge scene on the most crowded streets in the city, made me want to cry and run away.  Thank God, on our walk home, we passed the NK window displays, which actually caught Chase's attention and he stopped crying for ten minutes while we observed the windows.  Somehow in all the chaos, I was able to snap a few pictures (I always put this blog on high priority).  There were more windows, many animated, and with motion.

Last night was our second lesson.  Wow, what a difference!  Smith had no problem standing, and started skating (it looked a lot like running) small distances.  He came off the ice, after an hour, excited about how much fun he had.  Jake, after five minutes, was gliding around the rink.  I had to drag him off the ice after 90 minutes because we were all freezing and starving.  See... Mommy does know best!

My big guys skating

Steve had a meeting downtown so he met us at 5:30.  The boys were craving burgers and fries.  Since Fridays was next to the park, we went in there hoping to get in and out quickly so we could get them home.  Once again, wish the Swedes would get more efficient when it comes to dining out.  There were over five tables open... yet we still had to wait 30 minutes to sit.  Why, you ask?  Well.... those tables were reserved.  Here's the frustrating part..... the reservations were for 7:00 and we walked in the door at 6:00,  an hour after we arrived.  Oh how we wanted to pull the manager aside and tell him to seat walk-ins because within that hour, at least ONE table would be getting up to leave.  This is very common here in Stockholm.  I understand this system in a trendy restaurant on a Saturday night, but it doesn't work in Fridays on a Wednesday night.

The waitress was super nice and the boys had a great time coloring their Swedish Children's menu.  As I was sitting, I was observing the decor and the Christmas music playing, thinking how we could have been sitting in America right then.  It didn't feel like Sweden at all... especially when the servers started singing Happy Birthday to one of the patrons in ENGLISH!

Lori and I have been busy shopping for Christmas presents... and also ourselves.  Steve you didn't read that.  You have to be dedicated to shop in Stockholm.  It was raining and snowing, but boots were calling our names, so we suffered through it.  Walking the streets with lots of packages, in the cold wet temperatures... who wouldn't love that?
I had to take a picture with the Christmas trees.... they were so small and fun.

Saturday morning, our Out and About Club met at Skansen for the Christmas Market.  I absolutely love Skansen.  It's one of my very favorite places here in Stockholm.  There's so much history and it amazes me each time I go.  This time, it was set up for Christmas with many vendors selling traditional Swedish gifts.  What makes Skansen's Christmas market unique? It takes you back to the 1800's.

making bread

selling incense

Christmas carolers throughout the market

The entire place was a replica of Swedish life in the 1800's.  The picture below shows how books were made back then.  This woman is binding the book with needle and thread.

Some of the ladies in the group

There was live music and large groups of people dancing to traditional Swedish Christmas songs.  What I loved most, everyone was having fun and nobody was judging anyone else's dancing.  Kids were having as much fun as the adults.  I was going to join them because they were all having a great time, but I had no idea how to do any of the dances.  It was so cold and it would have been a great way to warm up,

Skansen is up on a mountain, and when I tell you that I have never been that cold in my life, I'm not exaggerating.  This winter has been very mild, except for Saturday, December 7th.  Temperatures were as low as the teens, and with the wind on top of the mountain, it felt much colder.  At one point, my toes and fingers were so cold that they felt bruised.  I spent some time in front of the fire.... even though I smelled like a charcoal grill afterwards.

Me freezing in front of the fire

At one point, we went into the church, just to get warm.  I'm really glad I did because it was one of the most beautiful churches I've ever seen.  The pictures below do not do it justice.

the church alter

the ceiling of this church was amazing

I could have stayed there all day, however, we were all frozen to the bone, so Lori and I went to Verma for some warm soup.  This is our view of one of the restaurants from the bus stop.

Alli and Lori as we were leaving

That evening Åsa and Jimmy invited us to their home for dinner.  They live in Solna, so we took the train and then a bus to get there.  Steve always wants to grab a cab, but I prefer public transport for some reason.  I like figuring out how to get places.  Weird... I know!  Dinner was amazing.  We ate a Swedish beef stew with potatoes.  It was so delicious.  For dessert they made chocolate meringue, topped with home-made cream (lactose free... made from yogurt, so not sweet), raspberries and almonds.  Even my chocolate snob husband loved it.  We had a great time with our new friends, and we've already scheduled our next family get together... at our apartment in January.  The trip home was interesting.  Jake slept at their house, so it was the remaining four of us.  We walked through the snow and ice to the nearest bus stop.  Waited on the bus and then transferred to another bus.  Yes, that was me again forcing the buses.  Steve wanted to call a cab, but I really wanted to learn the bus route.  On the first bus, Chase fell asleep sitting upright in the chair.  Steve carried him to the next bus stop and he slept the entire way home.  I guess even the cold temperatures couldn't keep that tired little guy awake.  

Keeping the apartment clean in the winter is not an easy task.  Besides the fact that we are living in very small quarters, when you add dirty shoes, jackets and pants to that list, it can get pretty icky inside.  I feel like I spend most of my time cleaning and straightening after FOUR messy boys.  

Tennis is going well.  I really enjoy playing, and the ladies have been so welcoming.  They are consistently teaching me Swedish, and now they are making me say the score in Swedish.  I can completely understand it, but my pronunciation is not quite there yet.   I can't roll my tongue.  Even when I was learning Spanish, I could never roll my tongue.  There are certain Swedish words that require this skill.... so when I say them, they sound ridiculous.  When the score is Thirty/Forty.... that would be one of those times that I sound comical.  They never laugh at me though... I told you they were very nice.  I've actually double faulted quite a few times because I'm concentrating so much on saying the words correctly.  

Even though the Christmas stress is not prevalent here in Sweden, I'm still feeling very overwhelmed with all that I have to do.  We are leaving in two days and I am still not packed, still have a few more gifts to buy,  have a school party to plan, and my neck went out two days ago so I can barely turn my head.  If only the stores would stay open a little later, I could be shopping at night and getting it all done.  Like I said, the hustle and bustle is not here.  The stores all close between 5-7pm every night, regardless of Christmas season.  It's crazy!  

It took me two days to get in touch with the chiropractor to make an appointment.  I tried calling yesterday, but couldn't understand the office message.  I know the recording was telling me to push a button to schedule an appointment, but I didn't know which number to press.  I decided to try all of them, one by one.  Pretty good plan right?  No luck... I got hung up on.  My next plan, send an email explaining  that I don't speak Swedish and that I am in a lot of pain, and I need to make an appointment.  The sympathy card worked because I finally received an email back, the next day, and I was able to get an appointment for tomorrow morning.  I guess I should be happy that I was able to get in before I flew for 20 hours.  

Gustav, my hairdresser, squeezed me in Monday night (they work late.. thank God).  We were chatting about living in America (he's been many times). His sister and brother-in-law live in Salt Lake City so we talked a bit about that.  It was interesting to hear his perspective on America.  I think Swedes in general are in awe of America and Americans.  He was saying that even though it's his favorite place in the world to vacation,  he doesn't want to live there.  I asked him why.  He said because you have to be rich to live in America.  I chuckled a bit because you most definitely do not have to be rich to live in America.  His point, was that it's very stressful to raise a family there because you would always be stressing about your future, your kids' future, your job security etc.  This conversation gave me a new perspective into life here in Sweden.  Swedes don't have to stress about their future because their education and retirement  are taken care of.  Saving money for a future is irrelevant.  We were also talking about health, food, music, and entertainment and how all of it originated in America.  We talked about the extremes in the country.  It was fascinating how spot on he was.  We are a country of extremes.... think about it.  

As  I meet people, so many of the twenty/thirty year old age group is flabbergasted when I tell them that I live here now.  They all say, without hesitation, "why would you move here from America?"  It's funny when you think about it.... many Americans will never leave the country and don't have a desire to ever leave, even for vacation.  I have always been from the mentality that there is so much more to experience than just our American culture.  Don't get me wrong, when this journey is over, the only place I want to live is America... but I am so happy that we are all experiencing another culture.  Steve and I were just talking the other night about how big the world actually is.  Now that we are in Europe and hoping to visit many other countries in the next two years, we are in awe of the vastness of this world.  

Tuesday, after school, Jake's friend Pascal came to play and then had dinner with us.  Besides being a great boy and really good friend to Jake, Steve and I had so many laughs listening to his perspective on living here in Stockholm.  His family moved here this summer from Dallas, Texas.  He is one of six children.  We asked him what he thought about living in Sweden.  His first response, "I don't understand why people don't say hi to each other on the street."  He went on to say that in Texas, everyone says hi to one another, even strangers.  He told us that he just can't stop doing it... so he continues to say hi to people on the streets and nobody says it back to him.  We laughed so hard when he was talking because he is spot on.  Now I don't feel as bad about getting annoyed at this because this nine year old boy feels the exact same way.

Speaking of annoyed, Steve finally hit his breaking point.  It took him a bit longer than me... but he's now getting so annoyed at the rudeness, the lack of courtesy, and mostly for the non confrontational attitude that everyone here has.  Things are happening with soccer that don't make any sense, yet nobody will stand up to the "powers that be" and say anything.  So..the "loud" American is having to do all the dirty work.  We will make our mark here... one way or another.  hehehehehe

I'll end with a funny story... guess which child of mine did this.

The other day my cleaning ladies were here and they called me into the half bath that is the size of a very small closet.  She pointed up where there were strange white things sticking to the ceiling.  She told me she couldn't get them down, but that they were not there last week.  I looked at her in complete confusion and she started laughing.  She said, one of your boys has been throwing wet, toilet paper balls on the ceiling, and they are stuck now.  Hmmmm  can anyone guess which one of my sneaky little rascals did that?  By the way, he completely confessed and wondered why I was not happy with his art!

this picture might give you a hint

I did not get Christmas cards out this year.  So MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!  I can't wait to write my next blog after returning from the states and seeing all my family and friends.

Our First Holiday in Sweden

Chase's party, last week, was a fun time for all…. until the stomach bug snuck in and attacked all of the little ones.  Sunday evening Smith woke up sick and slept the entire day on Monday.  Chase, however, never did get sick, so he went to school only to find his ENTIRE class (all of which was at his party) out sick.  Ms. Jeanna and Chase enjoyed a nice day together and Chase was even allowed to hang out in the Pre-K class for some of the day.  Poor Smitty stayed home for two days but by Tuesday evening, was running around the apartment with his brothers.  I, however, did not have the same luck as Chase, and I was in bed all day on Tuesday.  I was very thankful that Steve was able to rearrange some things at work in order to take the boys to and from school, and make all the meals for the family that day.  What a good hubby and daddy!
Wednesday morning everyone was back to school, I felt a lot better, so I spent the day disinfecting the apartment and doing loads and loads of laundry.  It's always fun doing laundry at my house…. If I decide to use the dryer, it takes two hours to finish, and therefore I can't do another wash until the the dryer stops.   Even after the two hours, the clothes are still wet, and have to be hung to dry.  If you came to my house on Wednesday, you would have seen sheets and blankets hanging from all of the doors, drying.  You would have also seen drying racks in bedrooms and in our living room with clothes hanging to dry.
Clothes here in Sweden take a beating!  Everyone warned me that it's very dirty here in Stockholm and that most of the shoes and boots would only last one season because of the wear and tear.  I half believed this when I heard it, thinking that I won't let my shoes get that dirty.  How wrong I was.   There is dirt and gravel everywhere, along with a lot of dust.  The boys shoes and pants come home each day completely black.   I have never experienced anything like this in my life.  I am now the master of stain removal though.  Three boys in Stockholm is training me well.  Our foyer, the hallway when you first walk in to our apartment, always has gravel and dust on the floor and mat.  I vacuum this area once a day and by 5:00pm, it looks as though I haven't vacuumed in a week.  I'm slowly learning to let this go as well.  Mainly because the snow hasn't even hit yet…. it's going to get a lot worse.  Breathe in and out Andrea… it will be okay.  

We made it through Thanksgiving, not being in America…. and now I'm really looking forward to Christmas.  I've been debating whether to decorate my apartment because we're leaving on December 14th.  As most do, I absolutely LOVE decorating for Christmas.  I not only love the way it looks when we're finished, but I love the act of doing it.  I blast my Christmas music and spend the day arranging and rearranging until it looks perfect in my eyes.  Even though I have tons and tons of decorations, I can't resist buying more and more each December.  So, to not be doing that this year, feels very weird.  But, it seems pointless to spend that much time shopping and then decorating the apartment for only two weeks.  Then we'll come home from our trip only to have to pack it all up and find room to store it in our tiny space.
The Christmas decor here is very different than what we have at home, but I do like it.  It's a softer look, lots of greys and whites, with a touch of red.  Tomte, Swedish Santas, are everywhere.  Who knows… maybe Tomte will show up in America this year.  So, I've just now decided, as I'm writing this, that I will put my little wreathe on the door,

play only Christmas music throughout the house, and wait until next year to have an apartment full of Christmas decor.  We plan on spending Christmas in Sweden in 2014.  Here's your invitation…. come join us!  :)

Tomte

Stockholm is beginning to light up and the beautiful, festive feel can be found.  Here are a few pictures that my friends Lori and Nancy captured on one of their outings.

Sunset at 3:30pm

Lori carrying her Christmas tree home

Florist window on Karlbergvagen

Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), Steve and I had to get our personal id cards made.  Remember all the nightmare stories about the personal numbers when we first moved here?  This is the final step in the process.  We had to take our identification numbers (equivalent to Social Security number in U.S.), along with passport, and proof of payment from our bank, to Södermalm, so we could get our actual id cards made.  As I mentioned before, there aren't checks, money orders, or cashier checks like we have in America.  Instead, we deposit money directly into a company, or a personal bank account, and that's how payment is issued.  Since nothing having to do with our personal numbers has gone smoothly since the day we arrived in Sweden, we weren't expecting anything different today. We walked out the door, certain we had all the paperwork needed. Steve looked at me and said, you realize something is going to go wrong today right?  "Of course" was my reply.  We arrived, picked a number, sat down, and waited about 10 minutes until we were called to the window.  "Receipt from the bank please".  Steve looked at me and I looked at him waiting for the other to pull out the paperwork that was still sitting on the printer in our office.  Thankfully, it was Thanksgiving that day, and someone was looking over us, because they had proof of payment in their computer and let us slide on that one. Thirty minutes later, pictures were taken, paperwork was filed, and we were out the door.  Two weeks from now we should receive a notice that the cards are ready and we'll head back to the office and pick them up.  We will finally be OFFICIAL here in Sweden.  Our very first endeavor without a hiccup.  Wow!
We headed to lunch where I ate the most delicious vegetable soup I've ever had.  Yes, I know, I was shocked too!  After lunch, we visited the travel agent who is planning our February trip to Barcelona and then France where we'll hit the slopes for a few days.  Travel agents, or at least this one, are very different from what we're used to.  I'm used to sitting with them while they find deals, suggest locations, offer advice, and generally know more than me about vacationing.  From my experience, I knew quite a bit more than he did about this particular vacation, and as we walked out, we wondered why we aren't booking this trip on our own.  We will see what "deal" he comes back with, but it seems that we will figure it out ourselves.

As we walked around on Thursday, both Steve and I felt sad that we were here, instead of with our family, eating turkey, watching football (well, Steve was mostly sad about that), drinking wine (that was my sorrow) and enjoying time with those that we love.  The boys were in school and we were eating soup and greek pita wraps instead.  It was freezing that day.  The temperature didn't show how cold it really was though.  I think it finally hit 32°F, which is cold, but not as cold as it felt.  The wind that day was brutal making it feel closer to 20°F.  I actually woke up that morning to the howling winds outside.  That evening we went to Copperfields and had a little Thanksgiving celebration of our own.

If only they loved each other like this all the time

Speaking of waking up to howling winds…..  Because I was sick this week, and the temperatures did drop a bit from last week, it made me ponder on life here in Sweden, in the winter.  Not having a car, has been a bit of a struggle at times, but not having a car to jump into each morning as the temps are freezing, is quite a different struggle.  Regardless of my health, the temperature, the weather, I will be walking to school every morning.  Thankfully, Steve was able to take them this week while I was sick. Next time, I may not be that lucky.  It's usually difficult getting out of bed in the early morning regardless, but to hear the wind, to see the frost outside, and to feel sick, makes it that much harder.  I told my sister the other day on the phone, my new motto is never leave home without your hat, scarf and gloves.  

Since we're on the topic of cold, I will continue with my Friday adventures.  Lori, Tatiana, Veronica, and I met at Brasserie Tures for lunch before spending the day at the Mews, Royal Stables, Christmas Market.  We loved this restaurant, the atmosphere, and especially the food.

Tatianna, Veronica, Lori, Me

my lunch… check out the raw egg in the cucumber

After lunch, we visited the Christmas Market.  Christmas markets are very popular here.  It's where vendors set up their booths selling Swedish handcrafts and delicacies.  We were also able to stroll around the grounds of the Royal Mews Buildings.

Just before entering the grounds

The Royal Carriages

Veronica trying on  lamb's wool ear muffs

Pony rides were offered for the children

walking through the grounds 

I love these…. very common here

We spent over three hours outside, in temperatures around 24°F.  Even though I had my wool socks on, my toes were completely numb.  My fingers weren't doing any better.  It was time to walk back to school and pick up the kids.  Veronica was so cold, I thought she was going to cry.  She kept insisting that we walk into a store, only for a few minutes.  If we did that, we would've been late picking up the kids.  So, we kept on walking.  Finally, I saw her speed up and go running into a pet store.  Wondering what she was doing, we came to find out that she spotted fur insoles (Wooly wool insoles to be exact) for her shoes and decided she couldn't take another step until her toes were thawed out.  We all took a brief break and bought a pair of these very cozy… very warm, gifts from God!

 The workers in the store were laughing at us…. I"m sure they were thinking that we were in for a long winter if these temperatures were making our toes numb.  We managed to make it back to school on time.  The rest of the ladies headed home with their kiddos, but of course mine wanted to play.  Since Friday is a play day after school, I had to do my mommy duties and grin and bear it.  By the time we got home around 5:30, I was so cold that I wore my hat for the remainder of the night.  Even after changing my clothes and putting on three more layers of fleece, I couldn't get the cold out of my bones. Being outside for 5+ hours in sub 30° temperatures is not in my blood.

A good night's sleep warmed me right up and I woke up feeling brave enough to go for a run outdoors. Jake looked out the window and was convinced it snowed, however, it was only frost.  I bundled up and headed out the door for a nice, crisp run at the water.  It was very beautiful this morning with the sun rising over the water, the trail full of people, and a light frost covering the ground.  There were areas where I had to be very careful of the ice… I almost slipped twice.  

The rest of the day was spent in true "Thanksgiving" fashion…. lounging, watching t.v. and relaxing.  This was the day we were celebrating Thanksgiving with all of our American Xpat friends.  We rented out Saints Food and Drink for fifty of us to celebrate together.  They prepared a traditional Thanksgiving meal, full of turkey, ham, all the varieties of potatoes, green bean casserole, mac n cheese, pies and desserts.  The food was delicious… we were all pleasantly surprised that Swedes would know how to cook a truly traditional American meal.

The chef prior to carving

The boys and Will

Me, Lori, Claudette and Michelle

The boys LOVE Lily

Group shot of the restaurant

Clif, Creg and Steve 

waiting patiently for their turkey

Some of the kids walking to the bowling alley

After dinner, we all went bowling.  

Smith, Caden and Cody

Smitty and Anthony

Ryan helping the little ones bowl

Claudette and Chase

Chase and Chloe keeping score

Go Smitty!

It turned out to be a GREAT THANKSGIVING!  We are so blessed to have found a wonderful "family" in our Xpat community.