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!