The Circus Comes To Town

Enzo and I went to Circus Maximum. They were in town for only two days and we saw the flyers around the city and were eager to go. I don't recall ever going to a circus as a kid, however, my mom said I did. Anywho, I was excited to go with Enzo and see the action.

However, it didn't dawn on me until we arrived...the animals. How do they treat the animals? Are they nice to the animals? And what are zebras doing in Sweden? They can't like it here? Etc... I became a little unsure if a circus was/is actually a good thing. It's entertainment but at whose cost. Is it a circus minus the animals...I think so. But who knows...

We had a good time. It was a bit late, it didn't start until 7pm and wasn't over until 9:15pm. I was T.I.R.E.D by the time it was over and so was a little boy but we enjoyed ourselves. I think it would have sufficed with an hour show.

Ready to go to the circus.

Waiting in line.

Camel and pony riding for the kids. But my kid was so not interested...as usual.

Here's a video of crazy motorcyclists going around and around in the ball cage. First it was one, then two and lastly three of them in there at the same time. I only videoed when it was two but that was crazy enough. And to top it off a girl was standing in the middle, inside there, at one point. CRAZY!

And While They Were Gone...

... we just chilled! I was and still am actually in dire need of one on one time with myself. So, I had no agenda for Aleksander and I while Mattias and Enzo was out on their date. I had jokinly said to Mattias it would be great if you could take Aleksander with you but then that would defeat the whole purpose of the two of them having a date.
Aleksander was home with me. We just hung and took it easy...very chill. After a while the monkey got restless so we went out for a bit.

Reaching in to get his "tutte".
He got it.

No more tutte, mommy took it... but this box is more fun anyway.

Especially when I try to eat it.

A Date With Pappa

A couple of weeks ago, the first Saturday in August, Enzo and Mattias had a date. Enzo was due for some one on one time, so he got a full day alone with is Pappa. They went pedal boating... Enzo has been wanting to do this all summer long. Actually he has been wanting to do it since last summer when we went...when I was a week a way from my due date. He was stoked about going pedal boating. Then they went to the movies to see Cars 2. And there they got the works. They sat in what they call "extra chairs" meaning, the chairs had more of everything. More leg room, bigger chairs etc. Mattias enjoyed the chairs, I don't think it mattered so much for Enzo. Then they got popcorn, drinks, and candy. After the movie they went to eat "linner" lunch/dinner... McDonald's of course. And then they went to fika and after that they came home. Enzo was on a high! It was an exciting and fun-filled day for him. Both of them thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Enzo excited for his date with Pappa.

Pedal boating

In the theater, drinking from his Lightning McQueen cup.

Ready for the movie to start...has his 3D glasses on.

A movie clip from them pedal boating.

Mamma's Boy Wants To Be Like Pappa!

Enzo's new phase is to be like Pappa. He wanted to cut off all his hair so it would be like Pappas. So, we cut his hair. I told him it wouldn't be exactly like Pappa's but it could be short like Pappas. He was fine with that. If Pappa is wearing a hat, Enzo wants to wear a hat, so they can be twins...he says.

Enzo hasn't really gotten into sports yet. Of course he likes to kick the ball, occassionally, but he is not a big fan of sports yet. Or who knows, he may never be. Nonetheless, he will gladly wear his "Zlatan uniform" aka Milan uniform because he knows it makes his Pappa proud!

I am happy that he wants to be like his Pappa. His Pappa is a great man. And more than Enzo realizes he is alreadly a lot like his Pappa.

He looks like his Pappa, more than he looks like me anyway. His mannerisms is more like his Pappa; he doesn't like to get messy while eating, he needs to be given ample time to warm up to new environments and new people aka shy. He likes to follow the rules, as much as kids can, and expects other people to follow the rules too. He is very creative when it comes to building and drawing...that talent is definitely from his Pappa. His body form is a lot like his Pappa..right now anyway. He is a crazy sleeper like his Pappa, sitting up at times in his sleep and saying weird things. Mattias is notorious for this. He wants to have tools like his Pappa and help him build. He pretty much wants to do whatever Mattias is doing...be his little assistant.

They are so much alike I think that is why they bump heads a lot. My boys!

Enzo wearing his Milan uniform.

With his short haircut. This picture was taken at the Malmo City Horse Show. That was a fun afternoon.

This May Gross You Out!

Enzo gets tonsil stones...I think that's what they are called. I used to call them "food boxes"...I couldn't come up with anything better. I know, GROSS! They come from the back of his throat, in the pocket of the tonsils. He gets them in phases. He can go a period with nothing to all of a sudden getting them daily. He hacks them up, and usually then wants me to dispose of it. YUCK!
Well, the latest was this gigantic one. I'm not even sure how the heck it got there. Anyway, I had to take a picture...mostly because I wanted to text Mattias about it while he was at work but now I am sharing it here too. But this is for the kids so he can read all about this when he gets bigger.
What I have read on Google is that there isn't anything you can do about it...it's supposedly normal, at least not abnormal. I think you can request getting your tonsils taken out but that may be an extreme measure. I asked the dentist last time he was there if it was normal. She then asked if he gets a lot of sore throats or infections in his throat...Nope, not at all! But she didn't seem too concerned at all. But now after this big one, I think I may press the issue a little more.

There it is besides a CHERRY tomato...that is not a full size tomato.

Disgustingly impressive...right?!

Rub A Dub, Where's The Tub?!

This is what bath time looks like at our house. Unfortunately we do not have a bath tub. Total bummer for both the kids and for us! Well, the kids have this collapsable tub that we bought for Enzo two years ago. Now they are both sitting in there, together. Aleksander would ideally like to bathe in the tiny tub alone but Enzo always feels inclined to take a bath when he sees Aleksander bathing. I think it's cute to see them in there together so I usually always allow it.
I am sure if the tub was bigger Aleksander wouldn't mind.

We definitely long for a bigger place, with a dishwasher, washer and dryer and yes, a bath tub. In due time the right place will come along...we hope!!!

An Unexpected Morning Swim

I think I have mentioned in a previous post, that we often go on long morning walks. Usually embark on this when Mattias is also available in the morning.

Well, on one particular morning as we are strolling down the West Harbour and we start doing some plyometrics I suggested that we take a dip in the water. Well, this didn't come about solely on it's own. I am quite convinced that it was seeing other people going for a dip that it enticed me to want to give it a try. I have always wanted to try those winter baths you take here but have never done it. It's probably that I start with a summer bath, right?

So, I suggested it and Mattias gladly agreed. I think he thought I was partially kidding at first. But I wasn't. I stripped down to my underwear and sports bra and got in the water. It was cold but you quickly adapted. I could have stayed in all morning. Crazy, I know.

Then Mattias got in. He started hyperventilating because he thought it was too cold. What kind of Swede is he? Swede's live for this stuff, right?

Nonetheless, we enjoyed it thoroughly. The kids enjoyed watching. And after that time we vowed to do it as often as possible. And our biggest hope is, that we find a big enough, yet affordable apt at the West Harbour, that way we can go for a dip whenever we want.

Smiling after my morning dip.

Going in. Slowly but surely.

Mattias going back in. He initially went in in just his underwear but when he put his shorts back on they got wet in all the right places...in otherwards it looked like he had peed his pants. So he decided to go back in with his shorts on, that way they were completely wet and not just in some areas. He's looking down like, " should I really do this again". Mattias taking a little swim.

Folkets Park And The Wading Pool

We went to Folkets Park and met up with our goddaughter Liv and her mother Maria, well and a friend of theirs was there too. We played for a couple of hours in the wading pool and then at the playground.

As most people know, Enzo doesn't take lightly to water so he had decided that he was going to lean over the edge and scoop up any water he was going to play with that day. Ridiculous. At one point he loss grip of his bucket and wanted me to retrieve it. After trying to encourage him to just get in. That the water wasn't deep. I decided to pick him up and put him in the water. He freaked momentarily and then he realized that there was nothing to be afraid of. I swear those swimming lessons he had as a baby has scarred him.

The water was pretty cold so Aleksander wasn't too thrilled but once he adjusted to temp he thought it was ok. Enzo never went under water or even lied down in the water but it was a huge step forward for him to just be in there playing around.

Aleksander and Ville (Maria's friend's son)

Enzo and our goddaughter Liv.

Liv

Turning Torso

One day the kids and I went down to the beach to meet up with The Svensson's. Have a picnic and enjoy what we thought was going to be nice weather. And it was during the time I was there. Well, it was pretty cloudy as you can see but the wind was blowing the clouds right on through and bringing some bad weather with it.

After a couple of hours I headed home to put Aleksander down for a nap and I noticed the dark clouds coming in. Enzo stayed at the park with Dan and Maria. But not too long after they were calling me to pick them up as the heavens had opened up and poured down on them.

Anywho, I thought the Turning Torso looked quite cool being partially covered in clouds that day.

Little Rascals

These boys keep me busy. Or maybe I keep them busy which then keeps me busy. Not sure which one it is. But we try to stay busy and when we are at home doing "nothing" they are always up to something. Well, correction...Aleksander is usually off doing his own thing; flipping through books, unloading the bookshelf, going through toys etc and Enzo is usually trying to disturb the peace. When did he become so wild?! He is chasing Aleksander, annoying him, playing with him, hurting him, you name it. Sometimes I truly believe that Enzo wants to play with him but Aleksander doesn't know how to play and therefore Enzo gets frustrated. Aleksander does however like when Enzo chases him but it always usually escalates a bit further than Aleksander would like; usually with Enzo screaming at him or roaring, or as he calls it "burping at him"and then puling his legs or knocking him down. Poor guy...if he's not deaf at the end of it all, I'll be amazed! It sounds so cliché but Aleksander is going to get Enzo back big time one day, I just know it.

It's actually quite funny how different the boys are but yet how similar they are to Mattias and I. Enzo is JUST LIKE his father. He resembles Mattias the most, slim face, his eyes and brow. A lot of his ways are like Mattias; needs time to warm up to new people or environments, is very creative/artistic, loves following rules...for the most part, etc but then his energy level is like me. He needs to stay busy or he gets easily bored. My mom says that was me. She always had to have me in some sort of activity. That is so Enzo, I have my work cut out for me.

And then there is Aleksander. He is very chill. Usually crawls off to another room if there is a lot of people and noise going on in one room. Likes sitting by himself and looking through stuff BUT he has the attitude like his mother. Determined, stubborn, impatient, outgoing, social, independet (he thinks) etc.

It's quite the packaging our guys have. It's a little wake up call as well to the kind of people we are and maybe they show us sides of ourselves that we don't like so much or vice versa.

Silly boy. If nothing else our boys have humor!...thanks to their crazy parents! :)

The End!

Buried Alive

We were at the playground one day and I was reminiscing with Mattias about the day I buried Nate in the sand, from the waste down that is (he was a baby at the time, younger than Aleksander). We were in South Carolina...gosh, for the life of me I can't remember the name of the beach. It was a FUN place though.
First we buried each others hands and then we decided to bury Aleksander...he gladly participated. He loves sand. We tried to get Enzo to let us bury him but he wasn't too fond of the idea.

Wanna Ride