Ten!

Today, Oliver turns 10 years old! No more "single digit" kids in our house anymore!

Since we cannot have a real party to celebrate him (at least not yet), we put up decorations on our front yard last night after he went to bed. It was a fun surprise for him this morning. This afternoon, he will have the chance to wave at one of his friends with the same birthday and we will have his requested dinner and cake.

Sorry, Oli, that this birthday is a bit "on hold" but we will celebrate your special day the best we can. We love you xox

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday depending on what you celebrate! Yesterday evening and brunch today were family get-togethers and, now, we are home again and relaxing over a dinner of leftovers. Andreas and I went on a post-too-much-food walk with the dogs so we could take a look at all the lights that decorate our neighbours' homes. So bright and festive! Tomorrow we might venture out to the mall but that will totally depend on how much coffee I have in the morning... and how badly the boys actually want to go out. I have to say how much I appreciate not having to go out ;) That is my best Christmas present ;)

xox to you all!

Winding down 2018

On a scale of 1 to 10, 2018 rated as a definite "Meh". It is not like anything bad happened... it was just the kind of year that makes you glad that it is soon over. 2018, to me, was like stepping in dog poop: it won't kill you but a pain in the ass none-the-less ;) I will be glad to move on to 2019... and cleaner shoes ;)

Happy winding down 2018! May the last few weeks of the year be on the upswing xox

Celebration

Today was my last day of making school lunches for the year. Enough reason to celebrate 😉

Hallelujah 😉

Last day of school!

Today, hallelujah, was the last time for this school year that I had to fill up lunch boxes :) No joke... I did a happy dance ;) Today was also the last time for this school year that I had to pull out school clothes (or, for today, a reasonable facsimilie). The boys have school colours that they have to wear (red, blue and white) but they still try to argue with me ;) As I pulled the clothes out of the laundry pile, I also did a little happy dance... :)
The boys have an early dismissal today so we are going out for brunch to celebrate (heck, who doesn't like pancakes at random times of the day?). Tomorrow, we are all officially on holidays. I am doing a happy dance... all day long!

Have a good one! xox

Number 700!

This is my 700th blog post! Considering that I am not a "real" blogger, was never able to keep a diary and I feel like I am going crazy half most of the time,  I am very happy to be celebrating this milestone.

Thanks for being a part of my chaotic, boy-filled life xox

If it weren't for these boys, I wouldn't be outnumbered ;)

Woo hoo!

Happy New Year!

From our crazy family to yours, all the very best wishes for 2017. May your new year be filled with love and laughter (and wine is good too)! Thanks for reading along with us and sharing in our day to day... xox

Apparently, this is our family, according to the boys (l to r: Alexander, Oliver, Andreas, me and Nicklas). Random cat ;) Thanks to the Lego Shop for not kicking us out during the making of this photo ;)

Second advent!

There was lots to celebrate this second of advent: it is our (meaning Andreas and me) 12th wedding anniversary; Alexander did a good job at his first real indoor swim meet; we put up our Christmas tree and there was minimum fighting; I am almost finished writing my final exam (the actual exam that others will write); I am up to 653 blog posts (!) and the second of advent itself!

I will further celebrate by moving bed time up by 30 minutes ;) They all seem tired so I am sure that they won't even notice ;)

Happy 2nd advent... and wishing you all a great week ahead xox

Help in progress....

The finished product <3

Happy first of advent!

Just stopping by to wish you all a very happy first of advent! The boys had a long weekend so I thought that there would be more time to get things done but, as usual, that concept didn't quite work out for me ;) I did manage to wrap the advent presents... whew! Again, I went with the 4 presents (one for each advent), rather than the totally crazy 24 little gifts that I tried a few years back (to witness my insanity see here ;) I also prioritized a trip to a local European shop to pick up some advent cookies/candies/chocolates... I say that it was for the boys but, honestly, I had a craving ;) Now, we are finishing homework and starting to get organized for the week ahead. Wishing you all a good evening xox

Here are some glimpses of the weekend:

Super cool elf dude ;)

Folding laundry is always better with wine ;)

Oliver's dragon artwork

Slow cooker Sunday :)

A real November sky

Advent presents

Advent goodies :)

The boys with their first of advent presents on ;)

The best pajama ever ;)

First soccer game

I am not sure if I already mentioned it here (heck, I cannot remember anything these days... just trying to embrace it ;) ) but Alexander made his high school soccer team. We are excited for him because it is a good way to meet new friends, participate in sports and become an active part of his school community. Since he has both practices and games after school, it is also a good way to keep him from coming home and heading to the video game dungeon (ie: our basement). Another bonus is that, on game days, the boys have to dress up for school. Today, Alexander was so excited to put on his favourite pink shirt and his dress pants (... and his running shoes but we won't get into that) to celebrate his first soccer game with his high school team. The only thing that I am sorry about is that I can't get out of work early enough to see it :( Maybe next time...

Good luck, boys!

Wishing them a great game and the rest of you a good day!

Canada Day Craziness

Yesterday, July 1st, was Canada Day. As with Sweden's National Day (June 6), you can display your very patriotic feelings by hanging out with friends, drinking beer and, in our case, eating cotton candy and jumping on bouncy castles ;) Pretty darn patriotic Canadian, if you ask me ;) The bouncy castle festivities were cut short because of a massive rain storm but that did not limit the hanging out with friends bit. We went to the W family house for further Canada Day celebrations that included bubbly wine and chips. Alexander and Nicklas ended up sleeping over at their house and, I am sure, continuing the party (poor mother W!).

Besides Canada Day, July 1 marked the first day of my holidays........ ahhhhhh! :)

Wishing you all a great (and relaxing) weekend! xox

Nothing like boys and cotton candy :)

Lesson: boys will pose if you bribe them with sugar ;)

Friends :)

Bouncy castle party!

Happy Canada Day!

The festivities get a big thumbs up from the Swede ;)

Happy Fathers' Day

Andreas' day started with lots of homemade cards, craft gifts and love. Happy Fathers' Day to Andreas and all the fathers- or those that fill that role- out there!

Wishing you all a great day! xox

A moment of silence

Yesterday, it just happened. I didn't plan for it but it happened anyway. I was shocked and bewildered by it. I was not quite sure how to handle the situation. I felt like a fish out of water... but I enjoyed it... maybe, I could even get used to it ;) Without planning, I found myself- get this- alone at home!!!! Oliver was away at a friend's house and Andreas went to the gym. Alexander and Nicklas were outside, playing with neighbourhood boys, and I was home alone :) Wow!
Honestly, I didn't even realize until I was on the phone with my friend, who was surprise at the no-noise background status at our house. When she suggested that I have enjoy a cup of coffee by myself, I looked around and realized that- heck!- I actually could. So I did ;) Then, as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone again......

Happy Sunday! xox

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I put the boys in green to celebrate the day.... only to forget and wear pink myself ;)  I blame mother brain! Maybe I can find a green eyeliner in my bag ;)

Have a very happy St. Patrick's Day! Find something to celebrate xox

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Yes, Alexander made that face on purpose. He is losing patience for my blogging photos ;)