Sweden, Part 2.

I’m entering my second week here in Sweden. We have settled into the annex/guesthouse at Susanna’s parent’s house in Sävsjöström, Sweden.

On Saturday we took a pretty easy day and enjoyed the nice weather. In the morning, Susanna, Izzy and I did the short loop down the lake to the cabin and back up the road.Susanna’s mom, Charlotte, and I took a longer (5km) walk through the woods in the afternoon, passing an old tar-production pit on the walk. That afternoon we went to Susanna’s sister’s house for dinner, and for me to setup Minecraft for Isabella’s cousin on the laptop. This will hopefully allow them to play and talk online when we return to the US.

Sunday we went to an Allsång (sing-along) in Åseda to watch Susanna’s uncle, Johan, sing. An Allsång is a concert where the audience members are encouraged to sing along with the songs, and although I didn’t recognize any of the Swedish songs, there were a few in English that I had heard before. It was a fun afternoon and Susanna’s extended family was there. We finished the evening with dinner at a Thai restaurant in town and took Izzy’s cousins (Olle and Ebbe) back with us to spend the night.

Allsång at Åseda Folkets Park

Olle and Ebbe stayed with us on Monday. Susanna’s parents watched all three grandchildren for the day, so Susanna and I had the chance to go out together for some sightseeing. We visited the oldest fully wooden church in Sweden, Granhults Kyrka, and had lunch back in Åseda at a very nice cafe, Linas Butik & Café. We then went home and enjoyed a quiet (as quiet as possible with 3 kids) afternoon.

Granhults Kyrka

Dan and I took a walk around his property before dinner. We have always taken a walk though his woods when I’m here. Some day I’ll be able to easily tell the difference between the tall (pine tree) and gran (fir tree), but not today. We walked through woods with 100-year old trees and woods that he and Rebecka planted not too many years ago. He pointed out possible building sites with a view of the lake, and we talked about Susanna and I possibly buying a plot of land for a summer home from him. I think we have agreed on a spot across the road from his house and up the hill a bit, and will look at 3-4 hectares. This is part of Susanna and my plan for my retirement – a move to Sweden after Izzy finishes 8th grade in the US. We shall see about the land – there is still a bunch of years before I can retire and we need to think about it for a year or two before we buy land.

Enjoying a coffee along the lake in the morning before Izzy and Susanna get up.

Today, Susanna, Izzy and Susanna’s mom took the train to Stockholm. They are going to a music festival tomorrow. Izzy’s favorite artist, Alessandra Mele, is playing. Izzy is fanatical about Alessandra, who represented Norway in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest with the song, “Queen of Kings.” Everyone in our household has heard that song way too many times.

I took the day to drive to Kalmar and walk around the town at my own pace and take pictures. The weather was partially overcast which made for great lighting for pictures. I returned home mid-afternoon and enjoyed a ride down the lake and back with Dan on his boat.

Kalmar Slott
Kalmar Slott
Kalmar Slott
Kalmar Slott
Sunset along the lake

Spring Break Trip (DC – Day 2)

Today we took a walk around the monuments and ended early afternoon to give everyone a chance to rest and the kids a chance to play in the pool. We started by getting off the blue line at Arlington and walking across the Arlington Memorial Bridge to the Lincoln Memorial. From there we went by the Korean War Memorial and the MLK Memorial. We again ate lunch from a lunch truck, passed by the White House, stopped for coffee and finished up at McPherson Square Metrorail Station for the trip back to the hotel. Izzy is having the time of her life with Apuuli.

Selfie with Izzy at the Lincoln Memorial
Group picture at the Lincoln Memorial (Dad was still wandering through the exhibit downstairs). Susanna, Izzy, and me with Barbara and Apuuli.
Izzy and Apuuli at the Lincoln Memorial.
Izzy on the Arlington Memorial Bridge.
At the Lincoln Memorial.
Playing on the Arlington Memorial Bridge.

Spring Break Trip (DC – Day 1)

Today we enjoyed a leisurely start, eating breakfast (Izzy eating 2 breakfasts) at the hotel and heading into the city to visit the Museum of Natural History. The museum was a hit for the kids, with the favorites being the T-rex fossil (eating a Triceratops), the mummies in the Egypt section, and the crystals and gems sections. We had lunch and a subsequent ice-cream snack at the food trucks that were outside the museum.

After the museum, we attempted to walk to the White House to get a look, but were overtaken by events. The Easter Egg Roll had the entire area blocked off, and some problem in the subway kept us from taking the blue line back to our car. After careful consultation with the oracle called Google, we were able to find a bus route that took us back to our car.

The kids headed to the pool as soon as we got to the hotel, and we ate take-out for dinner.

Izzy enjoying the Natural History Museum.
Izzy's favorite exhibit in the museum.
The favorite exhibit!
Susanna enjoying a coffee with a little photobomb by Izzy.
Susanna enjoying a coffee with a little photobomb by Izzy.

Boston for the weekend

Will at the Museum of Science in Boston, MA

This weekend Will and I headed to Boston for a short trip. He had wanted to visit the Museum of Science and maSantarpio’s Pizzake a weekend out of the trip.

The plan was to head out when we woke up on Saturday morning and visit the museum. We didn’t have a fixed schedule, but a few ideas of where we could go. We woke up to a warm and humid Connecticut morning hinting at a hot and unpleasant day to walk around a city. However, the weather in Boston was perfect. Warm with a breeze pushing away the humidity by the time we got there.

We said our goodbyes to a crying Izzy, put on a Malcom Gladwell podcast (that Will tolerated) and headed north. Our first stop was a used bookstore near the Boston Commons, the Brattle Book Shop. We found parking a few blocks away (weekend parking after most of the universities are done for the year is not too bad). Will picked up a Shakespeare play for a friend, and I just wandered around the store for a while.

On the way back to the car we grabbed lunch at Jacob Wirth Restaurant prior to driving over the the Museum of Science. We spent a few hours wandering around the museum. One could easily spend an entire day at the museum. But with ADHD, we tended to bounce around a bit. We did find good seats for the lightning show and finished up early afternoon.

After checking into the hotel, we caught a late afternoon showing of “Deadpool 2” and then had dinner at Santarpio’s Pizza. I laughed so hard during the movie that I cried, though the language would make a submarine sailor proud. Pizza was perfect. I know the thin crust isn’t Will’s favorite, but I love it.

The walk around the hotel. Chelsea, MA

Sunday morning was cold and wet. At least the rain held off until we were driving home. After breakfast I went for a short walk around the hotel, but quickly decided that a short sleeve shirt was under-dressed. Plus the neighborhood wasn’t the most scenic for walking.

We drove to Harvard Square to wander around and find another bookstore. The used bookstore we had planned to visit wasn’t open, so we wandered around the Harvard Coop bookstore where Will picked up the next two books in the series he is reading. We stopped by the Curious George store and got Izzy another stuffed animal (not like she needs any though).

We grabbed a light lunch and extra bagels at a Brueggers Bagels and headed out of the city to our final stop – Mindtrek VR in Marlborough, MA. We signed up for an hour-long game. The setup and game were pretty cool. We strapped on the VR gear and wandered around a large room. We had a team of five. The first game was defending against zombies and the second was walking through a space station shooting robots. The virtual reality was pretty cool – there were walks across virtual catwalks high in the air. I don’t like heights, so they were a little scary.  Even though I was really walking on a flat concrete floor, it seemed way up in the air. Will and I certainly weren’t the best shooters on our team, but we had fun and it was a lot of work. I broke into a sweat just walking around the virtual world (and my few hundred feet of space in the real world).

 

 

Pictures from Sweden (Part 2)

A quick upload while waiting in Kastrup for our flight to Oslo (and then home). Note to self: the WiFi at CPH is very good for a free connection.

More pictures of the lake from Dan's cabin.
More pictures of the lake from Dan’s cabin.

Kronobergs slott (castle), Sweden.
Kronobergs slott (castle), Sweden.

Will on the walkway to Kronobergs slott near Växjö in Småland, Sweden. The ruins are located on an island in lake Helgasjön,  Will, Susanna and I went to the ruins while Ben went fishing with Dan.
Will on the walkway to Kronobergs slott near Växjö in Småland, Sweden. The ruins are located on an island in lake Helgasjön. Will, Susanna and I went to the ruins while Ben went fishing with Dan.

 

Pictures from Sweden (Part 1)

On Friday, the boys and I took the train from Copenhagen to Alvesta, Sweden. We had to switch trains twice – our original train from Copenhagen was cancelled and we had to pass through an ID check at Kastrup Airport before crossing the border into Sweden. It was a little stressful to have to figure out where to go, but at least the people at the information desk spoke English.

In Copenhagen central station, we met a French family on their way to Stockholm that spoke little English and no Swedish. They stuck with us for the train swaps at Kastrup and again at Malmo.  Their daughter sat next to Will on the train ride from Copenhagen to Kastrup, thinking he was older. She was shocked when he said he was 13. She was 18. Of course, it embarrasses Will when I tell the story. But his new haircut makes him look older.

On Saturday, we had Isabella’s christening – Susanna posted pictures on Isabella’s website.

Sunday was an easy day. We cleaned up from the celebration and the boys took it easy.

Monday we went to Kosta and got fish pedicures and ate lunch. After lunch we took a guided tour of the glass blowing factory. In the evening, Susanna’s sister, Rebecka, took the train back to her home, and we headed out to Susanna’s Dad, Dan’s, cabin which is near Sävsjöström, Sweden on Alstern Lake. The boys and I were going to camp out for the night, but after dinner Will felt sick, so Will and I came home while Ben camped out with Dan.

This morning, Will, Susanna and I went back to the cabin and joined Ben and Dan for breakfast. Breakfast was followed by checking out Dan’s harvester, and Ben rode along while Dan took down a few trees. We spent this afternoon taking it easy and playing kubb while the boys took turns trying to figure out the antique (1960s) moped.

Susanna keeping warm next to the sauna at the cabin on the lake.
Susanna keeping warm next to the sauna at the cabin on the lake.

Enjoying the brisk Swedish evening on Alstern Lake, Sweden.
Enjoying the brisk Swedish evening on Alstern Lake, Sweden.

A low camera angle and short (8-inch) wall make Will look like a giant at Herråkra Church, Sweden
A low camera angle and short (8-inch) wall make Will look like a giant at
Herråkra Church, Sweden

Will and Ben watching the glass blowers work at Kosta, Sweden.
Will and Ben watching the glass blowers work at Kosta, Sweden.

Will taking alone time to carve points on sticks at the cabin on the lake.
Will taking alone time to carve points on sticks at the cabin on the lake.

Pictures from Sweden

Susanna and her dad by his camp on the lake.
Susanna and her dad by his camp on the lake.

Susanna's sister, Sofia, setting up flowers at the church the day before her wedding.
Susanna’s sister, Sofia, setting up flowers at the church the day before her wedding.

Susanna, beautiful as always, ready for Sofia's wedding (and of course, 4 months pregnant).
Susanna, beautiful as always, ready for Sofia’s wedding (and of course, 4 months pregnant). Sofia had to fix Susanna’s hair the day before the wedding after declaring that the hair cut she got here before the trip looked like a 5-year-old had cut it. Rebecka added that she thought that Susanna had cut it herself. Both honest as only sisters can be.

Sweden_Grandparents
Hanging out with Susanna’s grandmothers (Ruth and Kerstin) in traditional dresses (Värendsdräkt) from their region in Sweden. Time for the reception and drinking to begin.

More Pictures from St. Louis

I’ve been a little slow to finish posting the pictures from St. Louis. We have had a busy 10 days since we got back from our vacation. Now I need another vacation.

Benjamin exploring the roof of the City Museum. Yes, that is a bus hanging over the edge of the roof. It reminded me that I don't really like heights.
Benjamin exploring the roof of the City Museum. Yes, that is a bus hanging over the edge of the roof. It reminded me that I don’t really like heights.

Susanna and Benjamin resting before our tour of Cathedral Cavern.
Susanna and Benjamin resting before our tour of Cathedral Cavern.

Susanna enjoying the City Museum, St. Louis. Beautiful as always.
Susanna enjoying the City Museum, St. Louis. Beautiful as always.

Summer Trips – Pictures from St. Louis

Susanna, the boys, and I are taking a little over a week to drive to St. Louis and visit family. We spent a couple of days in the Ozarks camping in a huge cabin (so not really camping). We spent two days floating on the rivers down there, and even toured a cave (Cathedral Cave). Today we went to the City Museum for the morning, and tonight we will watch fireworks in Webster Groves.  Here are some pictures from the trip so far:

Ben and Brady taking a break at the City Museum
Ben and Brady taking a break at the City Museum

Susanna and my dad at the entrance to the Cathedral Cave.
Susanna and my dad at the entrance to the Cathedral Cave.

Climbing at the City Museum, St. Louis.
Climbing at the City Museum, St. Louis.

The Curtis boys at the City Museum, St. Louis.
The Curtis boys at the City Museum, St. Louis.

Exploring the City Museum, St. Louis.
Exploring the City Museum, St. Louis.

Will and Ben in motion (as always). City Museum,St. Louis.
Will and Ben in motion (as always). City Museum,St. Louis.