this kid still loves trains

Jakob's wooden train set is by far the largest kids' article we moved with us to Sweden. It's not the biggest collection, but respectable none the less. It seems no matter how long the trains have been put away Jake comes right back to them like when it was all brand new.

One thing that is beneficial - at least from a writer's perspective - is the formation of his own narrative voice. If you've watched any Thomas the Tank Engine videos, the plot is charted along by distinct narrators - Ringo Starr and Alec Baldwin to name a few. If you sneak up on the boys when they are playing sometimes you can catch the narrative that goes along with. If you publicly acknowledge it it quickly goes back into its turtle shell.

Uncle Dwight might recognize the now green and red train shed. Still the centerpiece of any layout.

phonecall for Sam

We were out the other day and the phone rang at the house and mormor answered. A little girl from daycare called to talk to Sam (!). I am not sure I am ready for this....We are still trying to figure out who this girl is since Sam does not disclose much from what is going on at daycare.

too cool for school

This is outside the farmhouse up in northern Sweden.

fun in åsele

pictures

he built this city

Jake got this Tonka computer game as a gift before we left. Turns out Sam likes it too. This is a building Sam built on his own. What is funny and something you can't tell with a still shot is that Sam covered it with blinking neon lights. It looks like a Las Vegas strip pancake house. Again, all on his own.

this one's going to give you a crick in your neck

sorry, can't turn it. kids put on an improptu play for us.

cats

Keith and Erin have three cats that our boys loved to chase while we were there. I bet they are glad to get their house back and not have those noisy little people around. Could not get a shot of Maggie, the secret third cat that really does exist.



This is Jake (the cat).
This is Luke.

ms. kitty

Mon and the boys got a chance to drop by and see our old cat Kitty.

Sam gives Kitty (now Ms. Kitty) snacks and toys that we brought with us from Sweden.

cool in the pool

midsommar kusinar & kompisar

During the midsommar weekend it was Hannah's second birthday. She and all the cousins got to have cake and candy to celebrate.

Cousins and friends over too.

That's good goodis!

last day of school

It was my (Jakob) last day of school the other day. We put up a musical we put together that had to do with numbers.






Then we got together in the classroom and got presents and had koolaid and cinnamon rolls. My teachers got presents too.

Next year I will have a new teacher but miss Stina and miss Pia will be right next door.

birthday?

Jake drew this picture today. I think he is looking forward to turning seven (in November....). Favorite cake is chocolate.

bathtub divers

Forgotten Spain picture warning: Without realizing it, morfar gave our guys a job and a memory to boot. Morfar has almond trees and a large supply of nuts he probably doesn't know what to do with.

We were outside playing one day and morfar dropped a big bag of almonds and two hammers and walked away. I'm not sure he said a word.

Pretty steadily for the next hour or so Dad, Jake and Sam worked on pounding almonds out of their husks.
Turns out Sammy liked to eat them more than hit them.

And Jake was great with the hammer.

Morfar gave us a small sack of almonds to take home.

All I want

Before. Eww...

After. Very relieved to finally have it out.

best buds

Well, most of the time at least....they played great together at morfar's house. Pooh also came with to Spain.

ouch!!

Mommy told me not to put my hand on the hot stove but then I could not help it, I did anyway. Wow, did that hurt!!! I screamed and screamed. They put lots of water on my hand and then we went to visit the doctor. I got blisters on my fingers but they wrapped my whole hand, except my thumb. I will not touch that stove again!
I figured out that I now have six fingers that you can see, five on one hand and one on the other.
The doctor said my fingers will be fine in 2-3 weeks and mommy wonders how I will keep my bandage clean.

one good snowfall

Okay, nobody's keeping score but we got one good snowfall here in the Stockholm region this winter. That's a lot less than they talked about in the brochure before we came. I think the lack of snow caught everyone by surprise. Warmest winter in 100 years. Next winter we are hoping to take Mon's northern Sweden relatives up on their invitation for skiing. Anyone want to come along? While you're thinking it over enjoy a couple sledding photos Mon took of Jakob. She couldn't get Sam out of the house.