USA 2012 -- week 1

My lovely family (a.k.a., the 14-year old, the 11-year old and the 4-year old, along with their dad who is a.k.a. my wonderful husband) and I have just spent three incredible weeks in the US. As most of us are US citizens, and as we view it as "home" and all of us have close ties with and thousands of memories from the US, these visits to the US are warming, fun and exciting.

We have so many memories to share from those three weeks that I thought I'd break the trip up into thirds and present you with a week at a time. Wouldn't want to overwhelm you, after all.

After an unexpectedly chaotic trip which started with a cancelled direct flight from Stockholm to Chicago, which was replaced with a jaunt to London, followed by another -- delayed -- jaunt to Boston, where we were forced to spend the night and found out a bag had been lost, we finally arrived in Chicago a day late but none the worse off, really. 

After a quick stop at my parent's house, we headed out to visit the eye doctor (don't ask -- long story and something of a tradition) and then up to my parents' summer home. We were very busy there at the summer home, where we spent countless hours lounging in the baking (hot, hot, hot!) shade, watching the kids play in the river, where they seemed to have the most fun playing in the gunk on the bottom... as you can see from Luke's face.

We celebrated the 4th of July here, which in a rare turn of events was not marked by the usual community-sponsored fireworks because of the drought, with all grass being replaced by dry straw. We were privileged, however, to be able to watch fireworks down on the waterfront courtesy of the area's neighbors.

Matthew and the gunk.... Don't ask me why the kids thought this stuff was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Out to eat... One of our many meals together.

Mom and Nico feeding the ducklings. They would come right up to you if they thought you had food. Absolutely adorable.

Matt and Luke with their early evening catch. I suppose that Luke will be posting photos of bigger fish in the coming days, as he's joining his grandpa in Canada for his first-ever "real" fishing trip.

What would vacation be without the Internet? Note that I am the only one not online!

We also spent a day at Great America, most of it at the water park... Despite the 105-degree heat, we stayed cool and had a blast!

Well, Matt doesn't look like he's having a blast, but he did... I promise!

In the evening, Nico and I rode some of the four-year-old-friendly rides while Steen and the big boys took on the stomach-dropping stuff and my parents took it easy.

In addition to the summer house and Great America, we were happy to celebrate my cousin Rosemary's 50th birthday together with family and new friends. Thanks for having us, Rosemary!

Steen, Grandpa and my Aunt Ruth.

The water-balloon fight at the party -- perhaps a greater attraction than the cake?

We also had the pleasure of attending a minor-league baseball game. It was so much fun and Luke got to serve as bat boy for three innings, care of his sweet Aunt Kathi.

Mom, Luke and Grandpa -- ready for the game.

Dad, Tim and Steen -- think they'll catch a fly ball?

The men in my life -- four generations.

Nico enjoyed the bouncy towers and slides!

Waiting for the game to start....

Luke running for the bat, or maybe to give the ump a baseball?

My sweet niece Samantha!!!! (she's here now -- so happy to have her visiting!)

Me and one of my all-time favorite guys.

The game was followed by the biggest watergun fight in the world.... even my mom got into the action.

So that was week one -- watch for the next installment!

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!