Our First Birthday Celebration in Sweden

Since I've been living here,  I have the luxury of dropping all three boys off at school in the morning and picking them all up at the SAME time in the afternoon.  I'm sure Steve wonders what I do with all of my "free" time, but the hours go by and I never seem to have tons of extra time.   Mondays are usually my errands and straighten the house days.  Coming off of the weekend where we're all home and making a mess and eating more food than we do during the week, it's nice to look forward to Monday as a "catch up" day.  I almost always restock my fridge on Mondays.  I'll bring my grocery cart with me as I drop the boys at school because my grocery store is in the train station on my way back home.  In the U.S., the grocery shopping would take me anywhere from 30-60 minutes (this includes driving time).  Here in Stockholm, it takes me closer to two hours.  I have become more efficient with packing my food on the line, but somehow I always manage to buy more than I can carry in just my cart.  So… there I am, lugging three extra bags home along with my heavy cart.  It is, and probably always will be, the most dreaded task of my week.  I will visit the grocery store at least three more times in the week, but usually only carrying home a few bags at a time.  Tuesdays and Thursdays are very busy, but my two favorite days of the week.  After I drop the boys at school, Michelle, Lori and I meet at the gym downstairs and do a circuit workout.  On Tuesdays, I immediately go to tennis following the workout and play for two hours.  By the time I get home, there's time for a quick shower and dinner preparation before I run out the door to pick up the boys from school.  Jake has practice on Tuesday nights, so we'll run home, sometimes get a few minutes of homework done (we walk in the door at 4:00 and have to leave for practice at 4:45), then race out the door and head to practice.  Poor Chase hates Tuesdays.  He's so exhausted after a full day of school and doesn't get any downtime before dinner, shower and then bed.  Thursdays I'll work out, then have a few hours for errands, before heading to tennis from 12:00-2:00.  From there I'll run home, catch a shower, and head to school.  Thursdays, I allow the boys to stay and play so we usually don't get home until 5:00 or 5:30.  The weather is taking another turn and since it's completely dark at 3:30, I'm soooooo cold by the time we leave at 5:00.  My toes were hurting so badly on Friday, they were completely numb by the time I got home.  Yes, fun times lie ahead for me and all the moms as we stand and chat after school.  The kids are not fazed by the cold, Smith often times is playing in his long sleeve shirt minus the jacket.   If I dare say that we are not staying to play, I will get the cold shoulder from all three boys the entire way home.  I'm in a lose lose situation… so I might as well stay and let them burn off some energy.  Christmas present idea…. wool socks.  Wednesdays  I volunteer in Smith's class for an hour where I am finally using my Reading Certification again.  I am tutoring those students that are a bit behind in reading English.  I didn't realize how much I miss teaching until I started working with these kids.  I'm going to start volunteering more hours a week. The teacher and I are trying to figure out a schedule that works well for everyone.    I am also volunteering in the other classrooms each week, but I don't have a set schedule like I do with Ms. Nalli.  Fridays are nice days as well…. I catch up on housework, laundry, and projects around the house…. then I get to have lunch or Fika with my girls Tatiana and Veronica.  My actual "work day" begins at 4:00 and ends around 9:00.  This time of the evening in any household with children is usually the crazy time.  Between, homework, soccer practice, dinner, showers, bedtime routine and often times Skyping with family and friends…. it tends to make for a very busy evening.  So for those of you that were wondering how I spend my time here in Sweden, there's a peak into my day to day life.
Yesterday, I was talking to some moms in Smith's class about walking verse driving.  These moms were born and raised in Europe and they couldn't believe it when I told them that I never walked places in America.  We drove everywhere.  I now think about how far Shakerag Elementary was from my house, and it never even crossed my mind to walk there.  Now I walk that distance ten times over each day.  I will say that the area we lived in, Johns Creek, does not make it easy to walk.  There are not many walking trails or sidewalks that encourage people to walk instead of drive.

As in Atlanta, tennis is now a huge part of my week again.  I love my club and the women are very welcoming.  We play with, or against, different women each week.  To quote one of the ladies on my team, "all you have to do is show up, be friendly, and play tennis."  I can do all of those things!  Linda, our director/coach takes care of all the details.  There is a nice restaurant in the club, where many eat after the matches or practice.  I was officially invited to join the lunch group, so I guess I did my part of "being friendly".  I'm one of the girls now.  heehehee
Speaking of one of the girls, my partner last week was 82 years old.  At first I was hesitant.  Well, she she showed me.  Besides being one of the sweetest women I have ever met, she was awesome.  I am not saying awesome for an 82 year old…. no.. she was AWESOME for a 40 year old.  She moved around that court better than most women I've played with and she hit the ball just as hard or harder than anyone I've ever played with.  I can't even imagine how good she was in her prime!  That generation, here in Stockholm,  is in pnemominal shape.  It is so impressive.  I see the elderly walking, running, lifting weights in the gym, and playing sports regularly. They look great and obviously feel great!  I can only hope I am like them when I'm in my 80's.  This past Thursday, I started learning some Swedish words while on the court.  They are all very patient with me as I try to repeat what they are saying.  Often times, I don't know the score because I can't understand, but when they remember, they will say it in English for me.  One lady kept talking to me in Swedish because she thought I understood some.  I finally told her I understand nothing and can't speak a word… she cracked up and apologized for not knowing.  She spoke English the rest of the match.

And now for the big news of the week.  My baby turned 4 on Wednesday.  We have been partying ever since!  Wednesday morning I read to Chase's class during Library time.  I came back in the afternoon with donuts for the class to celebrate his special day.  He wanted me to make chocolate chip cookies, but considering one can't find chocolate chips here in Stockholm, that was not a possibility.  He chose donuts instead.  The class sang happy birthday in both English and Swedish.

My cutie with his birthday crown

Chase and his small class

After school, Chase's buddies Maria and Pedro joined us for a little playtime at our house.  Chase loved showing them around his playroom.  The celebration continued that evening where we had tacos for dinner, Chase's favorite.  Luckily, when we moved here, I brought one chocolate cake mix with me from the U.S.  Cake mixes, not to be found here in Stockholm.  

Smith and Chase munching on tacos

Make a wish

Chase's favorite cake

As moms, we seem to have this sense of when our children need a little extra love or attention.  The weeks have been flying by and between school work, soccer, and Steve's work load, we haven't had quality family time.  So, I planned Family Fun Night.  I spent the afternoon setting  up the apartment with different stations of FUN.  When Steve came home from work, we walked down the street for some pizza and then headed back to our house to begin.  We read the rules and started our stations.  We spent our time building Legos, putting together puzzles, drawing pictures, competing in games and playstation, and concluded the evening with the Basketball Shootout.  We all had a great time together and it was nice to have some good 'ol fashion fun without cell phone and computer distractions.

Chase placed higher than I did in the shootout

Chase and Daddy built this together… thanks Lori

Smith and Mom colored and drew pictures

The boys all built this castle

Lego building time

Earlier that day, Smith and I spent our afternoon at his Masquerade Party.  The 2nd grade started a new unit called Celebrations.  They decided to open up with a Masquerade party.  During Art, they each made masks and costumes to wear.  Each student prepared a special presentation during the party.  Smith's group created a poem and read it to the entire group.  A fabulous feast was prepared by parents and students.  Various activities such as games, dancing, socializing, and poetry were all part of this wonderful party.  The teachers kept reminding the students that celebrations were fun, where people feel happy.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the good sportsmanship during the games. Throughout the day, students were smiling and having a great time.  Like I've said many times, these students learn by experience, not just from books.

Ms. Nalli explaining the next event

Smith and his group sharing their poem

Smith and his buddies

musical chairs fun

the girls did some dancing while the boys watched

boys refused to dance with the girls

Speaking of learning through experience, the 4th grade is studying a new unit, Our Active Planet.  Earlier in the week, a note was sent home informing parents to send in various items needed to make a survival kit for a natural disaster.  On Friday, the students were to carry on about their day until the mock disaster struck.  There was an announcement for all 4th graders to immediately report to their "disaster safety center"where each student was to take on their new role.  The individual roles were handed out prior to the disaster.  Jake was the middle son of a family caught in a horrible tornado.  He told me that during the disaster he was hurt badly and the family, along with the others at the center, had to use their kit to help him.  There were a number of other events that took place during this two hour span of survival.  What an amazing way to teach these kids not only how to react in a disaster, but also to sympathize with those around the world that have experienced such horror.  

The partying did not stop on Friday.  Saturday we had Chase's party with his friends at PlayLand Stockholm.  The best way to describe this, for my Atlanta friends, a very small Catch Air.  It was the perfect size for this age though and Chase had a great time.  I learned quickly,  a custom here, or maybe around the world other than America, is for both parents to attend children's' birthday parties.  I was pleasantly surprised to have eight moms and six dads stay for the party.  The venue provided tea and coffee for the adults, along with our own section to sit and chat and enjoy Fika.  It ended up being fun for Steve and I, as well as Chase.  We loved meeting new parents and also chatting with the friends we already knew.  

some of the parents chatting

The moms from Chase's pre K class

As we were leaving, we ran into an American/Swedish couple.  We talked to them for about 20 minutes as we were walking out the door, and exchanged phone numbers.  We are in process of planning a night out with them as well.  I love meeting new friends!

Party room before the kiddos showed up

Chase's awesome cake

Chase and Chloe waiting on their  hotdogs

Most of the party goers

He actually loved sitting on his throne

All the soccer balls were edible

After the party, Steve and I were starving so we took Chase and Smith to go eat.  We have passed Copperfields over 100 times in our travels since we've lived here.  It's directly next store to Daglivs (grocery store).  Both Steve and I always thought it was a dive bar.  Steve was online searching for a restaurant close by that was kid friendly for us to go eat, and Copperfields came up in the search.  To both of our surprise, it's a fully organic restaurant, and not a dive bar at all!  We walked there and couldn't believe how big it was inside.  The food was awesome and the service was great!  What a nice surprise, less than a few blocks from our apartment.  You're probably wondering why Jake didn't join us.  He had his first sleepover in Sweden.  He slept at Liam's house (Åsa and Jimmy is the couple that we went out with a few weekends back).  Jake and Liam have become great friends!  They made gingerbread cookies that night.

This weekend we had the privilege of seeing  the SUN.  This has been rare these days in Stockholm.  Each day it has been overcast, rainy and chilly.  To see the sun, even for a few short hours, does change our mood a great deal.  Saturday, the high was mid 30's and I decided to brave it and go for a run.  I purchased running pants that are lined, so it actually felt great to run in the cold air.  I discovered a new trail and had an awesome experience.  Steve was brave enough to do the same after I returned.  Just when I thought I was actually going to make it this winter, I had an entirely different experience today.  The sun popped out again and I felt the need to take the boys out for a bit.  Steve and I bundled them up, threw on some "winter clothes" ourselves, and headed to the park.  Within 10 minutes I was freezing.  Steve felt the same way.  The wind kicked in a bit today and the temperature, when we left for the park, was barely 30 degrees.  My body was starting to hurt and I was really hoping that the boys were starting to feel it too, so we could go home.  Sure enough, Smith started complaining… and for Smith to say he's cold, it's really cold outside.  That child is NEVER cold! Steve left to pick up Jake from soccer, and the boys and I headed to the store for some milk and bananas.  As we were walking, we turned a corner which exposed us to the wind, head-on.  We were all so cold that our nose and cheeks were bright red and numb.  The thought of it getting 30 degrees colder than it was today, scared me beyond explanation!

Two random thoughts today…..

One, the cashier in the grocery store had the brightest blue hair I've ever seen.  Thank God that Smith and Chase were so preoccupied with their mini grocery cart that they never looked up at her.  I'm certain that would have been a scene that I would be talking about for years to come.  My children are a lot like Swedes… they stare a lot!!!!

My second thought…. this one is funny, and a perfect example of this new generation.  Oh how times have changed.  Jake's class is reading Bridge to Terabithia and he has comprehension questions and journal writing on each chapter.  One of the journal questions was, "If Janice and her friend were on Twitter, write what their tweets would have said after Janice's experience.

I'll end with this….

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends and family back home.  I have a definite emptiness this week as I remember the wonderful feeling of Thanksgiving.  We always spend Thanksgiving with Sandi and John, my fabulous in-laws, and our dear friends the Graves.  We will miss you all more than you know this year.  Thanksgiving is one of my very favorite holidays.  It's a time of thanks for all that we have and all that we have to look forward to.  It's a holiday that focuses on quality time with those that we love dearly. We can't forget the Macy's Day Parade either!   Enjoy every minute of this holiday, and all the  hours of preparation leading up to the big dinner.  We love you all!

I'm leaving you with a few photos from Thanksgiving over the years…...

Jen and I after tasting John's VERY strong drink

ff

Steve and Tracy Graves

 cousins

 Celebrating Chase's first birthday, Thanksgiving 2010

aaa

Two of the cooks

Zack, Sandi and John

Happy Thanksgiving America!!!