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!