Turning 20

Hello again! Long time, no see ;) Thought I would pop by in honour of Alexander's 20th birthday! I can hardly believe it. One day he was a little boy and the next a grown man! As he leaves the teen years and finishes his last year of college, we just want him to know how incredibly proud we are of him and who he has become.

We love you, baby boy!

A bit sentimental

Yesterday, I finally decided to tackle the boys' dressers... to get rid of all the "too small" stuff and organize the piles of clothes that could finally fit into the drawers. Alexander's decent hand me downs  (ie: still in one piece) went to Nicklas. Nicklas' decent hand me downs went to a bin, which will eventually make its way to Oliver. Oliver's hand me downs went to... ah.. hmm... a garbage bag intended for donation to some other family. OK.. now you are going to laugh at me... I felt a little sad packing up those bags. Yes, I was sad because I gave up a good chunk of my day which could have been devoted to tasks that I actually like to do (yes, I HATE organizing clothes!)... but I was also a little sad because those small, tiny school uniforms will no longer be worn in our family again. I found in Oliver's drawer a few pairs of pants that were left over from when Alexander was in kindergarten/grade 1. I don't think that those pants would fit Alexander's forearms anymore ;) There were tiny shirts that I clearly remember the boys wearing for school photos... and little t-shirts that were about as wide as they were long... and with little holes along the neck because both Nicklas and Alexander liked to chew on their collars. I also found all the pants that I had to sew up at the waist because Oliver was too skinny for them! Funny thing is that, when the boys were wearing these clothes, I remember thinking how big they were getting... May the next mother who dresses her children in these clothes think the same thing... and also get a little sentimental when it is her time to pass those clothes and memories along...

Happy Monday xox

Bags to give away... not the backpack because that contains Nicklas' school work... although he would probably LOVE to give that away ;) xox

Because life just wasn't noisy enough before ;)

Alexander chose to play trumpet for his school music class. I had suggested flute but he didn't take my request ;) Andreas gave him the idea of trumpet so I totally blame him. At least, he can actually get a noise that almost resembles trumpet out of it... problem is that, apparently, louder is better ;)

Happy Saturday evening! I plan on spending mine with a good pair of earplugs ;)

Growing up

Friday morning, Alexander asked if he could go to get his hair cut. He had decided that it was getting too long and wanted to do something about it. So, in a very logical way, he explained the situation to me and asked for help.

It sounds like not much of a big deal, right? For me, though, it was one of many steps in Alexander growing up. He has a definite character, sense of humour, sense of priorities, sense of fun, sense of himself that might just differ from mine.... and that is fine. Alexander will be turning 11 in a few weeks. He is in his last year of elementary school. He is on the verge of puberty. He is on the edge of becoming a man. Sometimes I can still see the baby that he once was... but lately, that image is less clear. In turn, though, I am enjoying the person that he is developing into. The one that I am very proud of....

In a way, because he is my first born, I feel that we are on a bit of an adventure together. He was my early experiences as a parent- the ones that are the most intense. Alexander welcomed 2 brothers into the family, and lived the change in our dynamics from a family of 3 to 5... and, thankfully, survived relatively unscathed ;) Don't get me wrong: I love my 3 boys equally but there is a special place in a mother's heart for her first.

Happy growing up, buddy xox

Before the haircut

The "after" shot ;)

Just, because, sometimes I like to remember :)

Lost tooth

Alexander, who has probably lost all of his baby teeth, has been able to make a mint off the toothfairy (trust me)! While he has been filling up his piggy bank, poor Nicklas has been anxiously pulling at his own teeth, trying to make them loose. Unfortunately for him, his teeth have been stubborn... and his piggy bank remains kind of empty.
Yesterday, there was a turn of events and Nicklas lost another tooth! The tooth fairy was sympathetic and left a little extra money, to make up for his frustrations ;) With his piggy bank a little bit fuller, and his mouth a little emptier, Nicka was excited to start the week!

Wishing you all a happy Monday! xox

Cool hair dude at the pool ;)

On Sundays, Oliver has swimming lessons. Last year, in the winter time, I tried to dry his hair before going outdoors. He HATED having his hair dried! He would freak out and pull away. So, big, thick hat it was!
Yesterday, I walked by the dryers and he made me stop. He WANTED to dry his hair. PLUS he wanted to check his hair in the mirror. We were surrounded by little girls who disliked having their hair dried but, no, my boy was so into it! Not surprising, considering that he is now a cool hair dude! Please send me sanity wishes for when he becomes a teen! ;)

Wishing you all a great week! xox

Hospital

Last Thursday, my mother finally had her heart surgery. It had been cancelled a few times because of holidays and emergency priorities so the wait had been stressful. She had been diagnosed as needing 6 bypasses (yes, 6. I didn't realize that they did so many at a time and recently found out that they usually don't) so we are all glad that it is over and that she is recovering well. A good sign of her return to health is that I am well aware that she would kill me for posting a picture of her here... so you get a picture of Alexander instead. I brought him to visit her and he was happy to pose in his "doctor" gear ;)

Happy week to all! xox

Dr. Alexander, reporting for duty ;)

On the way up to see my mother

School trip

Tomorrow, Alexander is going on a trip with school and he will be away until Friday! Part of me is very excited for him but the other part (the mother part) isn't so keen. Not that it won't be a good time- I am positive that it will- but it means that he is growing up and becoming more independent. He is part of my day to day and I miss his presence when he is not around. Sometimes I like the concept of my kids growing up but just not today ;)

Wishing Alexander and his buddies a great trip xox

All packed! You are welcome, Alexander ;)

The man and his masterpiece :)

Oliver made this lovely little flower for me. Sometimes, he is so delicious that I can eat him up :) These are the types of memories that I will keep with me as they grow up... and I find that it happens all too fast!
Good night to all xox

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 ;)

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 :)