Christmas shopping

I do the Christmas present shopping. Actually, I do ALL present shopping... for every birthday-other holiday-other kid birthday- good report card- every other event that we may encounter during the year. I guess that it was on the mother contract and I just didn't read the fine print ;) Andreas is very talented because he swoops in at the last second, just as the WRAPPED (not by him, just saying!) present is being handed over, and says "A present.... from PAPPA!" and then he sits there trying to figure out what is in the package. Guess this part is in the father contract... and he negotiated the better deal ;)

Happy Wednesday! xox

My unexpected Christmas present

An unexpected Christmas present arrived for me....... 6 degree C weather and MELTING SNOW!! I am so excited! It also rained (which I love as well) but I can appreciate that not everyone is such a fan...... The wind is warm, green is coming back and being outside actually feels good :) I am aware that this is a small break but it is a well appreciated one!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I am debating going out for Boxing Day but am not sure if I am brave enough ;) xox

December 1: gift success :)

Considering that this advent calendar (ie: pakke kalendar) is new, I am always a bit worried that the boys would change their mind and decide that this was a bad idea.... Anyway, day #1 and they LOVED it. Alexander and Nicklas got mini Christmas Lego sets and Oliver got a set of matching headband and wristbands (OK... I have NO idea why he loves these things so much but he always tries to steal Alexander's). Better still, they are a BATMAN headband and wristbands. So, after opening his present, he wanted to wear them all evening long... and bedtime...... and for daycare this morning ;)

I am just hoping that this "early success" lasts... ;)

Here is our fashion king, Oliver, sporting his new headband ;) Gotta love him!!! Andreas took this picture and I think that he peed himself laughing for at least an hour.....

Happy 1st Advent!

Just when I thought that things couldn't become crazier, they did.... but I'll save that story/stories for another time...

For now, I just want to wish everyone a very happy 1st advent! This year, we decided to follow a more Swedish tradition where small gifts are given every day (from December 1 - 24) and on Christmas (ie: December 24), a "special" gift is given. The gifts can be a new book, small toy, gift card for small amount, fun school supplies, candy.... I thought that it could be fun to do something new and introduce the boys to a bit more of their family traditions and culture. Anyway, flash forward to last night when I was up to 1:30 in the morning, wrapping 24 small gifts for each boy. Just to save you the math: THAT WAS 72 FREAKING GIFTS TO WRAP!!! I started off wrapping each gift with a bow, tag and careful/thoughtful presentation. By the time I hit December 18, the wrapping consisted mostly of tape and tissue paper ;) Andreas deserted me somewhere around, hmmmm, maybe DECEMBER 2???!!!! The rest of the evening was me, the cats trying to undo any sort of wrapping that I did, a bottle of beer (OK... multiple bottles of beer) and 72 small packets.

Would I do it again? Actually, yes :) The boys, hesitant at first because they weren't sure if this "new" tradition was a rip off or a good thing, really appreciated seeing all the small gifts. It makes the house a bit more festive. Andreas bought the boys a small tree for their room so we will be decorating it this afternoon. The big tree is next weekend...

Hope you all have a great day xox

That was a lot of wrapping!!!

Nicka's part of the table top

I didn't notice it before but there is even a little Alexander peaking out :)

The plant is left over from our usual home decor and not a really crappy kid present ;)