Cool music for a warm night

I heard this song on the radio. It has been a long time since I last heard it! So cool... I am a big fan of Serge Gainsbourg so here it is..... enjoy!

Lego theme for the boys' room?

Well, Lightning McQueen, I am sorry but I think that we need to give the boys' room a face lift. Lightning has been the theme since we first moved in here so time for a change! Since Lego seems to be the favourite toy of the decade, it seems to be safe to use that as a new theme for the space.
I want to use lots of bright colours, pick up some great handmade posters from Etsy and reuse some of the existing pictures that they have already in the room (collage, maybe?). Over the summer, I'll plan on spending a day or two painting the room- the boys can choose the colours- and getting it fixed up. I'm also thinking of some Lego sculptures from Alexander, aka Lego Master, in a place of honour :)

Here are some Etsy posters that I have been eyeing..... :)

DesignDifferent

KeepCalmShop

posterguy

ilovedoodle

BlueprintPosters

Feeling hot, hot, hot :)

** Disclosure: I am NOT complaining... I still remember winter!

Today and the next 3 days are expected to be in the 30degree C ++ range. While I am enjoying the heat, it makes it a bit difficult to get up and go ;) Yesterday was busy (playing soccer games, coaching soccer games and birthday parties) and today will be even busier (playing soccer games, coaching soccer games and more birthday parties).

I have figured out that Oliver already knows how to push my buttons ;) I used to think that I was a bit obsessive/compulsive about dirt, dust and garbage smells. This kid is me X 1000. He will obsess over the *smallest* spot on the carpet, one that I had never even noticed. The smell of a CLEAN garbage bag bothers him... I am in trouble!

Happy Sunday to you all :)

What are you looking at? ;)

Mr. Blue Face

A long time ago....

.... in a galaxy far, far away (well, actually, it isn't a galaxy but a country- Denmark), Andreas and I ended up together. It was kind of a joke that I went all the way to Denmark and ended up with a Swede ;) This is a picture of us, when I was living in my kind-of-odd flat on Aarhusgade in Østerbro. Obviously it was very early in our relationship and definitely before kids ;) We looked so young and not-tired...wow, imagine that!

At the pool....

It was very hot today so the cool water was a lifesaver! Happy weekend to all :)

Ahhhh... TGIF :)

Juggling...

This summer, I am working from home AND the boys are with me. Summer camp is pretty expensive and, frankly, the boys really wanted to have some time "off". The deal is that, every morning, they will do their swimming lessons at a local pool. This will give me the chance to catch up on my work reading. In the afternoons, while it is hot out anyway, the boys can unwind with their tablets, work on reading/math or play quietly outside. I can then get some more stuff done. When I need to go into work, Andreas can do a similar shift. Anyway, that was the theory. Today, we put it into practice and it actually kind of works. The only thing that put a stick in the spokes was the Germany vs USA football game and that was my fault ;)
Tonight the big boys play soccer so I am hoping that this will equal an early night for them all! Have a great rest of the day :)

PS: Tomorrow, Marmar Copenhagen is having a BIG sale in their online shop! I plan on making a visit :)

Hanging at the pool...

Buddies

Chilling out.... Go, Germany!

June 25....

.... is my birthday! I turned 44... when the heck did THAT happen? In my head, I am seriously still 25. OK, maybe 27, but no more than that ;)
I had a great day with the boys. We hung out and I got lots of hugs and kisses :) Later, Andreas and I took the boys swimming and we came home to have cake. Quiet but cosy... My big treat is an upcoming visit to the hair salon!! Can't wait!
Hope you all had a great day! I did :)

The boys playing nicely together in our backyard! Now THAT is a great birthday present :)

Bonne St. Jean

Today, June 24, is the Québec national holiday. So, in the spirit of the day, here is a little bit of Coeur de Pirate (aka Béatrice Martin) singing a sweet song in French. Good night to all :)

What to do on a rainy day...

Unfortunately for the boys, on their first day of summer holidays, it is raining... so we are taking it easy at home. Oliver has decided that banging his remote control car into his bum is the best thing to do when you are stuck at home in rainy weather. Alexander is watching football with Andreas and Nicklas is trying out new worlds on Minecraft (that is for another blog post). I am spending this morning making some earrings (both for me and others)! Easy to do and they look pretty good, if I have to say so myself ;) Add a cup of coffee and, voila, mother therapy day!
Have a good one!

Oldies but goodies...

I have an old friend that I managed to catch up with on Skype today. You know the type of old friend that, after 5 minutes of catching up, it feels that you just saw them the other day (even if it has been weeks). I met O in 2001 and he has had a big place in my heart ever since. He knew me before I moved to Denmark. He knew me before Andreas. He knew me before the boys. He knew me before I had finished my PhD. He knew me when I had less grey hair. He decided that Andreas was perfect for me. He was one of the first to meet my newborn baby boy. He helped Andreas and I move into our first flat in Denmark. He has welcomed us into his flat when we visited Denmark. He has approved of my blog. He has been my friend. Tak min ven! Jeg elsker dig!

Boy, we looked half decent when we were young ;)

Last day of school :)

Today was the last day of school for the big boys. They are SO happy for their upcoming summer holiday! It was not just them, though. You could really tell that everyone was getting into summer holiday mood: there was almost no traffic, no cars in the parking lot, lots of people in the coffee shop and a nice, relaxed vibe in the air. I took advantage of the last day of school to go into work and get organized for my shift to working from home. We're all home now, catching up on all the World Cup games so good evening to all :)

Andreas' pride and joy

On the last day of school... these are very happy boys!

Oliver, not really wanting me to take a picture of him ;)

Ahh... a much needed double espresso allongé....

I have never seen the parking lot so deserted before :)

A bit of green along the way to work

Yes, I have the worst Birkenstock tan on my feet :P

Quiet Sunday morning

One of my favourite things to do is showing up early for Sunday morning soccer. It gives me time to get ready, enjoy a Starbuck's iced coffee (the calories are OK because I am playing) and take a few quiet moments. Ahhhh..... Mothers out there- you know EXACTLY what I am talking about ;)

Wishing you all a happy week... last day of school tomorrow.... let the craziness begin ;)

Ahhh... good way to start the morning ;)

With the peonies, I wished there was a scent option to this blog. With my shoes... not so much!

Happy...

It is now early Saturday evening and our big plans are that we have no plans ;) All 3 boys had a soccer game today and Nicka is playing a second game tomorrow. I also played last night (that is why my last night's post was so late) and will possibly play for another 2 tomorrow...
Alexander had a great party sleep over last night- with very little sleep- and now all the boys, after being in the sun all day, are pretty knocked out :) We're having some home baked pizza and Andreas and I are enjoying a well-deserved beer. It is pretty quiet!
You know, it is really funny. When I was in my 20's and early 30's, a great weekend depended on how much action there was. Now, a great weekend depends on how much action there isn't. Happy weekend to you all :)

Sleep over party

Alexander had a sleep over party tonight. He was so excited to go... Imagine! A party that lasts until tomorrow! ;)
I have to say that I always am less excited. Alexander is at the age where he will be staying over at friends' houses more and more. It is a part of my son growing up. Maybe that is the part that I like less... I always miss him when he is not around. So what do I do? I just drive him.... and let him know that he can ALWAYS call me, if he wants to come home, and I will come to get him. No questions asked. I hope that he keeps that message in his head for the future:  he can always call me when he feels uncomfortable (or drunk or in a car with a drunk driver) and I will pick him up... no questions asked.
Thank goodness he is not a teenager yet! I don't think that I am ready for that one ;)

On our way to his friend's house... big boy in the front seat :)

Cool shades...

The boys are suddenly into sunglasses... and cool poses. Although I was tempted to try to look cool, it didn't really work so well ;) Good night to all xox

Another cool song!

Thought I would add this.... it is an oldie but a goodie. The band is Bran Van 3000 and from Montreal!

Full office

At work today, we had to empty my teaching lab because it is being renovated over the summer and fall semesters. A lot of the equipment was put into storage, but my office also ended up getting filled up :S  An old friend of mine, who I used to share an office with at my previous job, was hired on a temporary basis to help me teach a fall course. He will now be sharing my office again! It will be a very full little space but I am happy to have him around again.
This was one of my last days going in to work for the summer. I will be doing a lot of my course preparation work and manuscript writing from home. We decided not to put the boys in summer camp so they will be at home with me as of this coming Tuesday. I have to say that I am looking forward to spending time with them, without having to rush all the time. Ask me again 3 weeks later... maybe I will have changed my mind by then ;) It depends on how many fights I will have to break up!

Here are some pictures that I took on my way home from work today. There was lots of traffic, so I had lots of time for pictures ;) Hope you all have a nice evening!

Moving furniture seemed to be a part of today's theme ;)

My ideal kind of vehicle...

I just came back from Oliver's soccer practice. Although we had a technical practice (ie: it was run by a real, professional coach), I still feel that I would do better after 15 cups of coffee. That seems to be the speed needed to work with 11 4 year old boys ;) Anyway, looking back at some old pictures that I had collected over the years, I found this one. It is my perfect, ideal vehicle. I can drive anywhere AND get my 15 cups of coffee at the same time!!! I wish that I could remember where I got it from so I could give the photographer proper credit. In light of my lack of information, I can just say that it is an old photo that I did not take (duh!). Gevalia is a Swedish coffee (very good, by the way) and the truck is just pure brilliance!

Good night to all :)

I wonder if it is self serve.... ;)

Peony power

I LOVE peonies... even though Andreas thinks that they are an old woman flower ;) The ones that I have growing in our garden are opening up so I brought some into the house to enjoy! They are lovely and smell amazing.... wish there was a scent option for my blog today!

Sorry, Mr. Ant, but you are out of there! ;)

Some for tomorrow!

Ahhh.... :)

Smile... it is cake time!

Fathers' Day was celebrated with BBQ and cake. It was easier to get the boys to eat cake than to eat their dinner :( One boy thinks the food is too burnt, the other thinks that it is not burnt enough. Go figure! Anyway, at least the cake was a hit...
I am working from home today so I will try to come back later with a few more pictures. Have a great day!

Happy cake!

Happy Fathers' Day!

Wishing all fathers (and single mothers who are doing double duty) a very happy day! Andreas got some sweet cards from the boys and now they are all in the living room, watching World Cup Soccer. Apparently, it is cool to support Switzerland because they are wearing awesome cheese hats ;)

Enjoy the day!

Happy boys.... of all sizes :)

The best part of soccer...

.... is popsicle time :) Especially, when it is chocolate!

It was a pretty quiet day today as there was only one game in the late afternoon (Alexander). It was nice to catch up with the mothers at the field- both on our team and on the opposing ;) We rushed home to watch Soccer World Cup (England vs Italy). Let's just put it this way: the boys were happy with the result. Andreas and I, not so much ;)
I took the boys to the park this morning and Andreas surprised me by doing a good house clean. Tomorrow, Oliver, Nicklas and I are all playing and then we will do some brochettes on the BBQ in order to celebrate Fathers' Day.
I am making a cake now and the boys are excitedly getting their handmade cards ready to give to Andreas in the morning.
Good night to all!

Oliver and his favourite food :P

Nicka with his popsicle

Alexander nicely posing, even if he was mad at me... you think girls are tempermental?

Sorry, England. I had faith ;)