Swedish Midsummer -- the only sign of summer?

Friday was a national holiday here in Sweden -- and, for most Swedes, one of the most important ones. 

Midsummer.

After seven years in Sweden, Midsummer has become an important celebration in our little family too. Each year, we look forward to it as the first true sign that summer has begun (despite the name "Midsummer", it's actually the beginning of summer... don't quite know why). We also look forward to spending the day together with some of our closest friends, who have been so generous year after year as to include us in their own Midsummer celebration.

Most years we go out to a local celebration early in the afternoon. This  year we decided to get there in an environmentally friendly way!

We watched the dancing around the Midsummer pole. Our children refused to participate. For some reason, dancing around a pole and singing songs is embarrassing when you're 11... or 4! So we hung out on the grass instead.

 Here we have Steen and my great friend Eva in deep conversation... probably discussing the fact that the sun is actually shining and we are, for once, not wearing jackets!

Here we have beautiful Ida, whom we met together with many other friends at the park.

 Luke and Ida's mom, my good friend Charlotte, hanging out. For some reason, Luke sure does look bored. Think he's looking forward to the late-teen years when he can do this kind of thing with his friends instead.

After a few hours at the park, we have a tradition. We all head back to Eva and Steve's house and enjoy a wonderful, fresh, summery Midsummer meal. The food at this meal is very traditional -- it includes herring of all kinds, cheese quiche, hard-boiled eggs with caviar....

Strawberries....

And, of course, newly harvested potatoes.

Oh, almost forgot. Schnaps! Have to have schnaps! (I stuck to cold beer, but don't tell anyone.)

The food was heavenly, as was the company.

 The sun setting at 11:45 on Midsummer Eve. One GREAT thing about Sweden! (we haven't seen the sun, really, since!)

Nico, Luke and I also had the privilege of working as guinea-pig caretakers for our good friends, Helena and Anders, over the weekend. What a thrill this was for Nico, who barely got out of bed each morning before begging to go and check on them! "They might be hungry, mommy, and they need some loving!"

Busy, busy, busy

The past few weeks have been quite busy for all of us... the spring always seems to bring tons of activities, with everything ranging from end-of-school parties to birthday celebrations by the handfuls to  almost every national holiday in the Swedish calendar. 

Somehow we've been managing it thus far and have now officially made it to the boys' summer break... but not before we were busy with a few other things.

First up was a day trip to the butterfly park, complete with a picnic and running in the sun...

For some reason, the butterfly park includes some fish, turtles, chickens and other curious creatures.

A beautiful rainforest flower.

And, of course, butterflies. They were hard to catch on film!

A few weeks later, Jesper, our neighbor Anders and Steen were ready to face their challenge of the year -- the Stockholm marathon! All three completed the race in well under the required time... this despite the temperature of 4 degrees Celcius, pouring rain and storm-force winds. I am impressed with their stamina and determination! As for me, frankly, the idea of running for 5 hours (at least... probably 7 for me!) is in itself exhausting... so I ran the runners' hot dog stand together with Matthew's class.

We were also lucky enough to celebrate Jesper's birthday while he, Susanne and Lauritz were here... Here the men are making us something good to eat.

And here we have Lauritz and Spiderman escaping from a travel bed.

The shoes that carried my man from the start to the finish line.

Jesper's birthday dinner.

This week both Matthew and Lucas finished school. Matthew is now officially a 9th grader. Sadly, his school doesn't allow parents to attend the end-of-year ceremonies, so I have no photos to offer you. I can say, though, that I am shocked to be the mother of a 9th grader. Seems like just yesterday I was starting high school myself. As we are still in Sweden, Matthew will continue in his current school. The Swedish high school system (gymnasium) covers 10th through 12th grade. At the moment, Matthew is planning on attending a science (pre-med) gymnasium.

Lucas had a big week -- he graduated from 5th grade and, after six years at this school (including kindergarten), had to wish his good friends and classmates goodbye. Needless to say, it was a difficult day for him, filled with conflicting emotions.

The school yard prior to the end of year ceremony.

As he is leaving the school, Lucas was asked to carry the flag. He was incredibly proud.. and so was I.

The class had made a book for each of the four children who are leaving the class. Each page was written by a student. In Lucas's book, these pages were filled with happy memories and kind words from his classmates. He read it in the corner, trying to cover his emotions. Here he is hugging one of his best friends, who is also leaving the class and received a similar book.

Every year the boys and I head out for a celebratory lunch. The restaurant is always the same, as it offers an all-you-can-eat ice cream bar. Heaven for these guys!

Nico's pre-school also held their summer party this week. This party started with the children entertaining us with a series of Swedish songs. The wreaths on their heads are typical of the Swedish midsummer wreaths... As you can see, Nico goes to the "red" classroom. Wreath and tie-dyed t-shirt are made by Nico himself.

So summer is here... two boys out of school with plenty of activities to keep them busy -- climbing camp, confirmation camp, fishing trips with grandpa and vacation in the US. Here's to SUMMER!