Yard Work and Wheelbarrow Rides

This weekend we spent some time doing some much needed yard work. Sonja just loved it because every time we delivered a pile of leaves to the leaf-pile she got a wheelbarrow ride. It was fun to watch her get so excited and "all smiles" when we'd wheel her around. But every time we took her out to dump the leaves she would start screaming. Since we would then put her back into the wheelbarrow after we dumped the leaves I figured after a couple of trips she'd get it and wouldn't scream when we took her out. No such luck, after at least a dozen trips, she still cried when we took her out. I guess some things are harder to grasp than others!




Linnea has been in a mood lately and doesn't like to have her picture taken. So there aren't any pictures to post of her, just the one where she is holding her Doodle pad in front of her face. That is when we were at the yummy pizza place down the street on Saturday night. I really wanted to get a picture of her because I cut about 3 inches off of her hair and it looks really cute (just like her friend Eleanor she says). Maybe I'll get a shot of it this week.



So, the other morning I was up and could her Linnea whimpering in her room. After a little while I went in and asked her what was wrong. She said "I don't have any makeup." Whimper, whimper. "All I have is chap stick and that really isn't real makeup. I want lipstick and the stuff that you put on eyelashes." I had to try very hard to hold in the laughter. It is so funny because if you know me, I rarely where any makeup at all. I don't know where she gets it from.

Here is Sonja checking out the happenings outside. I don't know what's cuter, the chubby cheeks or the chubby tummy!



The little sneak getting into her favorite hiding spot!

E85, A Few Steps, Drafting, Hiking, Sightseeing, Puking and Sandcastles

Last week was an exciting week. First I put E85 (ethanol) in the car instead of regular gas. I wasn't really paying attention. Actually I was distracted by making sure I wasn't putting diesel in and watching the kids in the car. Turns out, it's not too big of a deal, we didn't have to siphon it out or anything, just need to put more gas in as soon as possible. Doesn't help me feel like less of a dummy though!

Sonja has been cruising along holding on to hands like crazy now and even took a few, very cautious, steps. They were more like sideways shuffle steps but still very exciting. She's also been busy stacking blocks and copying big sister, especially at the dinner table. Sometimes they get into this endless feedback loop where one starts something like shaking her head, the other follows suit and then the other one copies and on and on. It is pretty fun for all of us.



On our drive on Saturday Linnea was doodling with her magna-doodle and showed me a picture of her hair brush she had drawn (the top one in the photo). I said that it was very good and could she draw me a picture of the brush as if she were looking at it from the side (not other prompting) and then she drew the one on the bottom. Pretty good for a 3 1/2 year old I think. But then again, she's got some engineering genes.



On Saturday we went out for a hike at some trails around a castle (in Torup). It was a lot of fun and we were glad to have our jogger/trailer stroller. We had packed a picnic lunch and actually got to eat it outside because it was nice and warm, in the 40s.












We hadn't mentioned this before, but on every Saturday road trip that we've taken since being in Sweden, Sonja pukes in the car. Our little girl takes after her Mom and her Dad and gets car sick easily, especially on winding, country roads. We first thought it would get better once we switched her car seat around, but that didn't seem to help. Now at least we know when it is coming and can stop the car and minimize the damage! Linnea on the other hand keeps thinking she's going to catch the car sickness. Here they are before this weekend's puking event.



And here we are at the beach. A little cold but at least you can still build sandcastles and collect rocks!

Sonja's Party

Sonja's birthday was a lot of fun! Linnea and I made carrot cake for the exciting event.

Linnea took this picture of me filling a cupcake.



Here is Linnea filling up some more cupcakes.



The birthday turned out to be an all day affair! In the morning Sonja had her birthday breakfast.



In the afternoon we went to Mom's group at church and we sang "Happy Birthday" to her there and played with balloons.

For dinner, I made spaghetti with meatballs and Linnea made fruit salad. Then after dinner we wore party hats and had blowers, we sang again, had cake and ice cream, and then opened presents. Needless to say, the girls were pretty hyped up last night. But it was a good thing, it was all in all a very fun day!
















Sonja was a little bewildered by all of the excitement and attention, but she really seemed to enjoy her first birthday.

Today we went to Öppen Förskola again and had a great time. There were 3 other 3 year old girls there for Linnea to play with. One who speaks Swedish but can understand English because her father speaks to her in English (he is Swedish but wants her to learn English), one who speaks French but can understand English and the other who speaks English and Swedish. The little girl who speaks Swedish and English just moved here with her family from Australia in January and will be staying in Sweden for a year. Sound familiar? I exchanged information with her mom and we are going to get together sometime soon to play and watch "The Wiggles".
In addition to all the little girls, there was also a mom and 1 year old son who are from Austria and speak German! A very international place!

Sonja Turns 1 Today!

Today is Sonja's birthday! We are all very excited that she is turning one. I just can't believe it's been a year already. Linnea thinks that now she should be able to walk and has now graduated to a "walking baby". Tonight we will have a birthday dinner (spaghetti and meatballs) and carrot cake and ice cream for dessert. She already had her birthday breakfast this morning. Cottage cheese, avocado, knackebrod, banana and grapes. All her favorites, yum!
I will post pictures of the event later on. For now, here are some pictures from last week! Enjoy!