September Update!!

Wow, this is quite amazing, three blog entries in less than a week. I am darn proud of myself. Excuse the dating, I changed the publishing date to when it should have actually been published and not when it was actually published (ie today's date). Just thought it would be easier to find and for the kids to look back on. Have to have some order around here.
Ok, here comes September in pictures and with captions, of course. September was a beautiful month, summer was extended all the way through October pretty much. Sure can't complain.

 

 

 Indoor and outdoor play! Aren't they just adorable!

 

 

 Aleksander being silly. He thought he was so cute with those clamps in his hair.

I ran a 10K called IForm Race, here in Malmo. It was a good race. I hadn't trained much at all prior to the race. Had ran once in 8 days or something like that. Had planned to just chat and take it easy, I was running with some other people. But after about 2Km into the race I felt really good in my legs and wanted to pick up the pace. So, I did. It was fun and had my little munchkins to look forward to at two different points during the race. They make it that much better -  what a difference it makes having people cheering you on! 

At this point I had about 3km left.  

 Like I mentioned in the beginning of the post, September was beautiful, as you can see.

 The boys were out on a walk with Mattias while I was at work or maybe I was at school. Can't remember.

Mulleloppet (A race for kids, 600m)



 Enzo and Aleksander participated in the race. Aleksander was overdue for a nap so when it was his turn to run he was not interested at all. Poor thing. And Enzo was just jogging along, and people kept passing him, and he wondered why, and then Mattias told him that he could run as fast as he could. That's when he picked up the pace and started passing people. He was tired when he got to the finish line. I liked seeing him exhausted, physically. That might have been the first time I have seen him physically tired. He did it all to get a medal at the end - he was so excited for that especially since he saw that Mattias and I had gotten medals after we ran the Half Marathon, so he wanted his own.

 The had different heats for different ages. Enzo wanted Mattias to go along for support.

 Aleksander was so tired and cranky...I tried to get him to run in the beginning, not interested, so I gave him a piggy-back the majority of the way. The last 15yds Enzo and I held his hand and got him to jog across the finish line!

 This was a pic I took on one of my early morning runs. Beautiful. I would also lay on the dock and do situps and pushups. Not too bad!

 I think Enzo has inherited Mattias artistic gene. He sat one day and drew these angry birds. One by looking at the stuffed animal and one by looking at a picture of it. I was very impressed! His future seems bright! ;)

Skogsmulle

Enzo started skogsmulle. It's an activity where you go out into the nature, about 7 times a term. The kids are out there for 4hrs together with 3-4 leaders who have planned different nature inspired activities while they are out there. They eat lunch and snack out there as well. The activity is on, rain or shine or snow for that matter. 

 This activity was, the kids had to see if they could find these different insects on the card.

 We even had one trip where it was focused on the different mushrooms you can find out in the nature. Which ones are dangerous and which ones are edible. Enzo really enjoyed that one and was insistent on bringing home a bunch of soggy stinky mushrooms to show Mattias. I obliged.

 

 

 And in order for Enzo to want to participate in Skogsmulle, since it's without the parents, I volunteered to be a leader. Yes, you read right. I am a leader for the nature class. I had to do a leadership course, consistnig of 3 full days, 1 full day out in the nature learning about everything from maps and compasses, to setting up wind protection and tying different types of knots to making food on a storm kitchen. I felt inspired and I learned a lot.

 

Enzo Loses A Tooth Or Two...

June 21st Enzo lost his first tooth. . His buddy Melwin had lost his first tooth about a month ago. Enzo was disappointed that he didn't have any loose teeth nor had he lost a tooth. So that evening after we had been with Melwin when he lost his tooth I began to inspect his mouth for loose teeth. And sure enough he had two loose teeth. But they were semi-loose.

The weeks passed with frequent check-ins on the teeth. And they eventually became wiggly. Then one day we were at Västra Hamnen, climbing the rocks, just him and I and I offered him an apple to snack on. And sure enough, first bite and tooth was off. Blood was coming and the tears began to flow. Enzo was scared, not because it hurted but because he saw blood and for him that means something isn't quite right and probably should be hurting...aka he doesn't like the sight of blood which he somehow inherited from his father. How can something like that be passed through genes?! Anyway, I was elated! Thrilled, really! Was proud of my baby! He was slowly quickly turning into a big boy. I couldn't stop smiling ...ear to ear, picture it. After about 2-3 minutes, Enzo realized that this blood wasn't a bad thing and that it was actually an exciting thing, a milestone. He became super excited. Immediately called his Pappa to share the news.



Tooth number two fell out a week later but this one needed a little help as it was barely hanging on and completely irritating him. So I took a napkin and began to grab it and it just fell out. It just needed a little nudge or maybe a bite of an apple to help it fall out...

The crazy thing is that his big boy teeth had already began to sprout up so the void is already filled with new "grown-up" teeth.

Hanging at Västra Hamnen (West Harbour)

We love hanging at Västra Hamnen. Sometimes we think we should have moved to that area instead of Ribersborg. However, it doesn't matter since they are practically neighbors, the two areas flow into each other...share the same water and the open fields flow from one area to the next. It's one in the same pretty much. But what classifies Västra Hamnen is it's unique architecture, an area compacted with a variety of homes (apartments, condos, townhouses/duplexes (don't really know the difference between these two) and a few houses) as well as the Turning Torso not to mention, more upscale stores and restaurants, which = tourist attraction. Ribersborg, on the otherhand, where we live is, more chill, not a constant stream of tourist, older buildings with a lot of charm, stable, a mixture of retirees and young families...it's calm and safe. We like both areas a lot and truthfully we have the best of both worlds...we live in Ribersborg and can walk across the fields (our backyard) to Västra Hamnen whenever we want. Life is good!! 

Enzo loves climbing the rocks. He can spend a whole day here, climbing, dipping his feet in the water, eating some yummy Italian ice cream and then climbing some more. It was on these very rocks he lost his first tooth. Post to follow. 

Sweden's National Day

June 6th is Sweden's National Day! And since I love sweets and so does Enzo, I may add, I find excuses to bake. Enzo was thrilled! We took a box cake because it is simple enough for him to whip up himself with a little supervision. Of course the cake had to have the Swedish colors, so we dyed the batter! Enzo says he likes to bake but I know the truth, he likes to dip into the batter, like the spatula, and eat the finished product, all the good stuff that comes along with baking. 

 All ready for the oven! Yum!!!

The Last Bit Of January

Where does the time go??? It seems like there are never enough hours in the day. Today, when I was talking to a classmate and he was going on about different things he's found/discovered, an example; our course books online (meaning no need to buy) and a bunch of other things...I had to ask him, "how many hours do your days have?...sounds like you have 48hrs in one day where I only have 10." I realized the significant difference...no kids! He has no kids. I have two and trying to be a super mom all the time leaves me with not many hours to do other things that I would like to do but don't really prioritize. This blog being one of those low prioritized items lately, although I am hoping to make photo books out of the blog for the kids...one day! I just need a few months to only focus on composing them.

Anyhoo, here is a catch up of what has been going on in our life lately...

The temperatures dropped here about 3 weeks ago, leaving us with minus weather. Meaning my boys have spent lots of time inside lately (more than lately) because I haven't been wanting to go out and freeze. So, they have turned into mini tv junkies...well, not really. You know I wouldn't let that happen...but there has been daily tv watching...yikes! Aren't they just the cutest. That little guy loves his big bro and wants to do whatever Enzo does. Love them to pieces!

On one of the cold days I forced us to go out on walk and get some fresh air. We walked down to the water. It was freezing. It had not snowed yet in Malmö...the snow Enzo is standing on is the snow from the ice skating rink that they dump out. So, you can only imagine how excited he was when he spotted small mountains of snow. Of course, I obliged and stayed with him for a while in the FREEZING cold so he could enjoy some snow and ice fun. Mattias and Aleksander continued back home. Let me just say, we warned Enzo several times about the temperature outside but he was insistent on only wearing his winter crocs and GAP hoodie...staples in his wardrobe. And being as stubborn as his mother, he never admitted if he was cold.

What is wrong with this picture?? No, it's not Aleksander's chunky butt...it's those other two who are playing on the iPhone. Enzo, truly doesn't have that much of an interest (yet) for video games and such but from time to time he plays...Mattias on the other hand is quite the addict.

He loves getting into water. Usually when I am making dinner and all he wants to do is be in my arms, I can usually distract him by putting him at the kitchen sink (next to me cooking) and turn the water on. He can keep himself busy there for a good 15min or so.

Here's a video of Aleksander grocery shopping. I can remember so clearly when Enzo first started pushing those small carts around. There goes time again...flying by!

January 10th = Happy 5th Birthday Enzo!!!!

My baby, my big boy has grown up and turned 5!! It's crazy! It breaks my heart when I look at him, how big he has gotten, how developed his speech/language is, his ideas etc. It hurts! It hurts to watch him grow up at times, to know that there is no going back. We gotta get it right the first time because this is his time. We are shaping and molding and believing that he will turn into a great human being!
I look into those eyes and can't help but to touch and kiss him all the time...don't want his innocence, his preciousness to fade. I want to hold every memory in my head forever but as I have learned these past 5 years, it's impossible to remember everything.
Why do we have kids again? Should it hurt to let them grow up and fly away? (I am totally balling now) *SOB* *SOB*
5 COOL things about this COOL guy:
1. He likes to share, even if it's his last bite of his favorite cookie/candy...he'll let you have some.
2. He's gentle and caring... he always wants to rescue animals/things/people who are in danger.
3. He is sensitive...can cry quite easily, he gets that from his mother.
4. He has a great memory and he cares... he would make the best boyfriend, I swear. He recognizes a new hairdo and comments. Let's you know if you smell good or if you are wearing a ncie outfit and remembers to ask how something went. Not to mention giving flowers, just cause. He likes to do things that he knows people would appreciate. So grown up!!
5. He is creative and imaginative.

Pre-birthday party

On January 6th Ing-Marie was having a Winter Party at her house and suggested that we have a little celebration there for Enzo's birthday...it would allow for his Karlskrona family to celebrate him. And not only that she offered to make and arrange everything! Awesome!!!!...especially since I had a lot of studying to do for an exam the following week.

M and his mom chatting it up.

M decorating for Enzo's little shin-dig.

The boys all ready! Aleksander just watching the big boys!

Enzo had a major melt down.

It usually takes him a while to warm up to his cousins since it's not everyday or every month for that matter that he sees them. And usually when they do see each other it's for a few hours during a day once every 3 months, about. Not so often. Anywho...being that he felt a bit vulnerable he did not want them to sing or make him the center of attention. The mean mom that I am was like, "of course we will sing, it's your birthday, that's what we do". The melt down only became worse. So, we decided, after a few comments about it being his birthday and that he should decide, there was no singing. He got to eat his cake and drink his juice. But doesn't he get that crying most definitely brings unwanted attention?? And of course after everyone had left, he told me that he thought it was a great party and he had so much fun!! Weirdo!

All the yummy goods that Farmor baked/prepared.

Enzo got some great gifts and a ton of money. He got a helmet just like Aleksander's, which he was hoping for.

January 10th...the actual birthday!

For his birthday breakfast he wanted lemon muffins. DONE! and for dinner he wanted chicken nuggets (no surprise there) DONE!

Here he is pretending he was sleeping as we come in singing Happy Birthday!

Holding up his homemade lemon muffin. The recipe was so simple yet the muffin was so delish! He couldn't keep his eyes open because the flash was so bright.

A happy 5 yr old, who actually turned out to be sick/high fever on his birthday!

I had to study all day so Enzo got to spend the day with his Pappa. It wasn't really how we had planned the day but since I had so much studying to do and he was sick that's how the day turned out. But I think he was pleased nonetheless.

The birthday topper was getting a package from Grandma that wasn't expected to arrive until the end of the week. Enzo suddenly was hoping to get Finn McMissile Spy Attack (from Cars 2) for Christmas. Which he didn't get since we didn't know about this until last minute. However, we told him he could ask for it for his birthday. And he did. Grandma sent it but didn't expect it to arrive until that Friday (his birthday was on a Tuesday). Literally seconds after he was done opening his presents there's ring at the door. And it was the mailman delivering a package at the crack of dawn (not sure it was even 8am yet). Enzo was ecstatic! I think we caught it on video. I'll have to try and upload it later. Needless to say, it was Finn McMissile and Enzo entertained himself with him all day long.

An activity package from Auntie Carmen and Uncle Al. He got busy on that right away. He has turned into a good colorer and writer.

Aleksander giving Enzo some birthday love.

Enzo's Birthday Party!

So, Enzo had a party for his school friends and a couple friends from outside of school. He has been set at having his party at Leo's Lekland (indoor play place) ever since he went there for a party last fall. So, we were stuck. He couldn't wait for the day of his party.
It was kind of nice having them do all the work. The party package included, unlimited play time, party in a designated room, Enzo chose the Star Wars room, hot dogs, juice and cake for all the kids plus the birthday boy gets to go on a treasure hunt.

In the party room.

l to r: Holden, Olivia, Era, August and Emme

l to r: Gustav, Axel, Markus and Samuel

And Melwin, his buddy, was there. Melwin wanted to have a try at the birthday seat together with Enzo.

Aleksander helped Enzo out on his treasure hunt!

They had crazy big slides and lots of things for the kids to go wild on! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves but we won't be doing that next year. Mostly because the kids are so spread out that he barely knows who's there.

Five! Fem! Cinco! 5!