Day Three: Parade and Party!

Frukost (Breakfast)

Finally had reached jet-lag correction.  Waking up at a respectable vacation hour: 8ish.  Had another yummy breakfast and trekked into town to meet family and watch the Häsar parade (Horse parade).

Rest in "Gammal Stad" (old town)

I am always falling in love with  Eksjö when we come here.  It is a wonderful town.  Just the right mix of modern and country-life.  It is a good size for a irregular visitor, like myself.  I know that when I get lost, when going for my run (as I did today) that I will soon turn a corner and find a familiar place or face.

Sofia and Lovisa parade watchers

I can report an official fika (snack) break at a local bakery too.  After the parade we made a stop at the newly remodeled Princess Konditori. Our favorite bread store has had a modern facelift.  The pastry is yummy as always.  (This is why I must continue to run!!)  After the parade, we continued our walk through town.  The kids got to get their "lordagsgodis" (Saturday candy), which would have been the best part of the day except THEN we had an instant party when Farmor Karin, Uncle Ola, Annette, Olivia, Lovisa, Ludvig, and Uncle Joakim showed up with dinner! Awesome!  Thanks, Ola and Karin for the tastee Greek food!    

Party people

Wonderful/crazy playground

I should never have trouble getting my kids to sleep at night.  They are super active!  In between all the parades and parties we had a stop at the "best playground" (according to Elliot). And we made a short drive out to the countryside to visit friends and borrow golf clubs, but all the kids cared about was their trampoline. Even with bellys full of candy they sleep without a peep. Whew....

Any trampoline is a good trampoline!

Day Two: Farfar Jan and Fishing

itty-bity baby frog

Odd made excellent "swedish-style" snadwitches

Almost since we decided that we would make the trip to 

Lunch in Jan's Kitchen

Eksjö, the kids have been looking forward to visiting Farfar's (Odd's dad) house in the woods.  They have visions of playing in the backwoods, roasting hot dogs over the bonfire, fishing in the lake, hunting for frogs and snails; basically all kinds of good dirty fun.

Well, on our first trip out today it was cold and rainy. Snails and frogs were found in plenty, we even got a bit of fishing accomplished, breaking in Jan's new fishing rod.  (Thanks, Jan!)  

We look forward to roasting hot dogs, maybe swimming in the lake and visiting with Farfar's girlfriend on our next visit.

Fishing on the lake behind Jan's house

Fun in the swinging chair.

Day One: Easing into Eksjö life.

Woken at 12:14 am, 2 something am, 5 something and finally at 8:20, day one "officially" begins. It is a good thing that I think my kids are cute!?  Jet leg seems to have had some interesting effects in them.  One hour they are dragging with impending exhaustion and the next hour they seem to be on kiddie speed, bouncing off the walls and threatening to brake their grandmothers figurines.

On mornings like this it is a blessing that they are old enough to enjoy watching Sponge Bob speak Swedish for an hour while Mommy and Daddy paste our fried brains together with strong Swedish coffee.

In the 14 years that Odd and I have been a couple, we seem to always do the same uniquely Swedish things within the first 48 hours of landing in the land of the Three Crowns.

 1. visit family (obviously)
 2. eat a Swedish pizza
 3. go to a lake/or swimming pool

4. Eat ice cream (trust me Swedish ice cream is special)**
5. Get fika (coffee and cakes) at Lennarts Bakery

As of this minute we are only missing the bakery trip! 

aftermath of pizza dinner! 

We had pizza from one of our Eksjö favorites, Via Vennito Pizzeria. And we made it to the food store. (Always a fun trip.)

A food store is a easy way to find fun and unique things about a different country. In Sweden, I love the various types of sour milk (fil mjölk), herring (sill), fruit soups and drink concentrates (saft).  therefore fun things to find in a European food store.)

We haven't been to a bakery yet (it HAS only been one day) but Odd got us some skånetoppar. These are basically airy chocolate dipped marshmallow fluff on a thin cookie wafer. (A definite diet buster!)  

diet buster covered in chocolate

How to eat in ...one

   ...make that two bites!

 Tomorrow's plans include biking to Farfar Jan's (Odd's dad) and maybe fishing! 

Travels and other tribulations

When all is said and done, for my kids travel is mostly about two things: food and games!
That would normally be totally cool with me but we are actually talking about airport/airline food and unlimited access to handheld game player and/or onboard games. 

As a former frequent traveler, I am completely perplexed but I can hardly gripe with these little innocent happiness's.  (I mean look hope happy Sofia is to get a Dunkin Donuts at Dulles or how needlessly guilty Elliot looks to be "caught" playing his DSi. (HeeeHeee, must keep him on his guard!)

All in all is was an easy trip.  I really think we have managed to find the least painful travel plan for going to Sweden with young ones.  Basically, get there as fast as possible, bring low expectations, snacks and (age appropriate) activities.     A good pair of headphones was magic this trip.  And as expected SAS Airlines is totally and completely awesome.  They still gives good freebies for the kids, plus great kids meals and MAJOR bonus they didn't charge for the gin and tonic or wine with dinner! 

This may have also helped make the trip a breeze!

Once we hit the ground in Copenhagen it was the battle to keep the eye open and the attitudes light.  It is so nice to say to everyone..."now lets just hoop on the train and will be with the Stalebrink clan before you know it!"  That train is directly (really) under the airport.  A short cat nap starting as we traveled from Denmark to Sweden and magic.... we are there!  (I love the X2000.)

OK.  Made it to Nassjo.  Meet my fabulous sister in law at the train station and in 25 short minutes we are being welcomed at our new Eksjo address for the next few weeks.  My (also fabulous) mother in law is there to welcome us with lunch in the oven and midsummer napkins on the table!  LOVE IT!

Now if we can just stay awake and avoid the jet lag that it quickly consuming my children. 

Quick...LETS GO TO THE LAKE! 
Phew....my computer is telling me it is 2:22 back in Hershey!  It is 8:22 here and I think I am the only one still awake! 
They better not wake me up at 3am wanting breakfast!?

Off Across the Pond!

Some stress! Some Don't!

We leave tomorrow for Eksjo, Sweden. It has been 3 years since I have been there. That also means that it has been 3 years that we have leaved in Hershey! Crazy. Now I am THAT person....ooohhh how time fly's!

Now we fly to Sweden!

Kids getting in to the chocolate making business at Chocolate World

I can do this on my iPhone!!

Will this work?? How do I add pictures from my phone??