Trampoline in the making...
Cuckoo!
We have a descent sized garden surrounding our summerhouse.
Perfect size for a trampoline the kids told us.
Knowing how much time they ( mostly Bella) spend outdoor everyday on the trampoline back in the US we thought it was a good idea to get one here too.
Because we only have bikes, balls and the beach for them otherwise...
Poor kids 😝
When it was time to assemble it the whole family (at least the ones being here with us) was involved.
It could be everything from genius speculations, assembling, advising and resting underneath it, to three changes of dresses to, in Bella's world, match the different stages of progress and then finally the jumping.
Teamwork as its finest:)
Happy kids are happy parents:)
Tjingeling
Summernights and cousins
Cuckoo!
Im back!
My blog did not want me to log in so have not been able to document our living.😜
Meanwhile life has continued.
The sun has replaced the grey days and is warming up our cold souls.
The kids cousins are dropping in one after another and is shaking up our lazy days.
And the summer nights are just magical.
The usual evening ice cream tastes best on the pier:)
Bella has by the way arranged for a new family constellation.
Her big cousin in the middle of the photo expressed his will of having a little sister.
She immediately offered her service and was accepted:)
So now I have five kids suddenly and my sister three.
We share everything us sisters.
Yes, we are not suffering at all.
Freedom, sunshine and family.
Thats a lot to be grateful for.
Tonight my last sister with her kids are arriving and then my whole family ( except two of my kids) is here to share the beauty of our days.
Tjingeling
Fika time
Cuckoo!
When the weather is cold and not so summery the need for a "fika" ( a coffee and something sweet like a cinnamon bun) gets bigger.
And if you then find a cozy place with homemade organic goodies, blankets to wrap your cold body in and a couple of sisters and parents, then the grey day immediately becomes brighter.
Instead of the sun rays we keep us warm just by being together, sharing the days and smiles.
Some of us needs to spice it up with a little bit of drama too but when its only about a dramatic pose I can take that:)
I do think it's about time the sun and the warmth arrive though.
I mean how many cinnamon or cardamom buns could you actually have!?
Tjingeling
Family portrait...
Cuckoo!
They are here!!!
The first professional portraits we have ever taken as a family.
Those hours we spent in that photo studio I mentioned a while ago, this is the result:
My beautiful sons!
When I look at these photos I realize how grown up they are...
'And how old that makes me:)
And my stunning daughters who both also have that inner beauty one can hint even in the pictures.
The photographer did a good job in trying to catch the essence of my kids personalities
I can definitely see a thinker, a happy-go-lucky, one ambitious and one dreamer...
And of course we have a reflection of that media world we are living...:)
Yup, here we are!
As seen from the eye of a professional photographer!
Tjingeling
'The day after yesterday...
Cuckoo!
Today i had the opportunity to spend some almost-alone-time with my dear hubby before he also left to work a couple of more weeks before coming back.
It was only Bella who joined us and we kind of just enjoyed the beautiful weather, had lunch at another of my favorite places ( hotel Saltsjöbaden) here at my summer paradise, went for a bike ride along the beach and finished off with an ice cream.
Its amazing how much quality time you can squeeze in in a couple of hours not doing anything particular, just being together sharing the day.
I can not think of a better way to spend the day after yesterday ( when almost everyone who was here for the weekend left) with the best company I know.
A sunny day with sunshine in my heart.
Did I mention earlier how lucky I feel?!
Tjingeling
Mother's Day is happy day
Cuckoo!
I feel so lucky and so grateful!
Departing from a place with the purpose of guiding you into the world of well-being, arriving back to your kids and home and right into true love and feel-good feeling, that I must say is to double the effect.
To be greeted by roses, a jar full of beautiful words describing why my kids (read Olivia) love me and hugs, that made the whole weekend end in sunshine.
The love from the kids and your own family takes you to another dimension that nothing else can compare with and I can honestly say I'm the luckiest mom in the universe. There might be a few other moms out there in the world telling themselves the same though but it does not take away any of the special happy emotions that are spreading out all through my blood system :)
Yup, I could not have asked for a better ending of such a great weekend.
Tjingeling
Movie Sunday!
Cuckoo!
Ok i fell for the peer pressure.
I have never been a fan of space movies, war on another planet or spaceship.
But since this was a family thing I had to swallow that disliking and go watch the new Star Wars movie.
We all look like we are coming from another planet though but I did not feel more "at home" anyway:)
I so remember why I don't like these movies. It was sleepy, not really a story behind and too dark and busy ( specially the fighting). My eyes did not know what moving part to follow...
I think what I miss in the movie is the kern. A genuine feeling of a strong story.
Ok it had positive parts too of course, some funny moments, cool special effects and some love but It never reached my heart.
Still I love spending time with my family and if it takes a Star Wars movie, popcorn and soda to do that I just take a deep breath and join with a smile.
Maybe some grunting also:)
Tjingeling
Hiking in Harriman park
Cuckoo!
The weekend has passed in the speed of hertz!
I don't know what's going on but time seems to fly...
The girls, me and Ajax did try to catch the beautiful days though and went one day to Harriman park for a hike.
Up up and up...
Bella and Olivia were jumping like mounting goats on the rocks and did not seem bothered by the elevation at all unlike their parents who was puffing and panting all the way up.
It was totally worth it though and the reward was breathtaking.
The sun, the blue sky and the colours together with the physical challenge, the beauty and the company made this whole experience almost magical. At some spots I was kind of expect ion small trolls and elves to peek out and greet us:)
Im saying it once again, our world is so beautiful!
Tjingeling
My family
Cuckoo!
I think I have told you before how much I love my family!
We fight, we argue, we bang the doors.
We sing out loud in the car, we dance in the kitchen and we dream together.
We get disappointed, we tease and we cry.
We understand, we support and we encourage.
We love, we laugh, we listen.
And we eat chocolate:)
It's not easy to gather eveyone together nowadays but yesterday we made it!
We headed out for a late lunch to kick off the new school year starting this week.
Future plans, wishes and dreams were discussed while good food was indulged.
What a perfect ending of the summer and new start of the year.
My family!
My nutty family!
Im so grateful!
Tjingeling
Fun on a pier
Cuckoo!
Kids are done here!
They just want to go home!
Sometimes there is a crack though in their complaints, fights or heavily sighing.
A crack where positive energy is peeking out.
And joy and playfulness.
Some wind, sun and the sea seemed to be the recipe for bringing out all that happy craziness:)
They were dancing, jumping and posing on that pier for ages...
Max and dad, we really missed you out there!
As I always say: we have to catch the moments!
And so I did!
I enjoyed, laughed and let my heart overflow with all that love again.
Sometimes it is only wonderful to be a mom!
Tjing tjing
Jansro home and garden
Cuckoo!
I've told you before but this area down here in Sweden is full of cosy places to get a coffe and a bun ( fika) at and to enjoy or buy things for the garden or home.
Almost always surrounded by stunning nature and a peaceful atmosphere they invite you to take a brake from your normal schedule and just sit down and breathe.
Although, don't bring your bored daughters to a place where calmness rules!
For some reason at that very moment I was very disappointed that that thing for flowers to climb on ( brain freeze, can't remember the name) was not more of a cage. With lock!
I love places like this!
Who would know that such a pretty place was waiting for you at the end of that road?!
The serenity and all the love the owners put in to make it nice is really noticeable and gives you a warm feeling in your tummy.
And if I then can add the most delicious and fluffy cinnamon bun into that warm feeling too my day is saved!
So were my daughters!
Tjingeling
A special visitor
Cuckoo!
I am so grateful I am surrounded by so many beautiful, wonderful, supportive and uplifting people!
Especially when i was feeling a bit low and down this weekend this beautiful woman shows up like the sun in a cloudy sky and wipes away all bad energy and makes me smile!
How wonderful is not that?!
This is the mom in the family I worked in as an aupair when I was young and who became my second family since then.
Many years, moves, countries,and kids later they are still there for me. ( and of course I for them too)
The daughter in the family also came to visit a couple of weeks ago.
Only for a few hours but worth a lifetime.
A friendship that has grown into my heart and is now part of my pulse...
Love love love these people!
Warm, wise and wonderful!
Thanks Inger ( and Lisa) you really made my day!
Tjingeling
A swedish midsummer!
Cuckoo!
This year's midsummer celebration fulfilled all preconceptions about the swedish summer feast.
Cold, rainy and more rain.
But still so traditional, so swedish and so wonderful.
Parents, cousins, sister, dancing around the Maypole, rain and wet clothes but good moods, smiles and happy times in a beautiful mix.
The arrangement for every year is always full of hope of good weather and every year I feel sorry for the people arranging because most of the people leaves when the first drops start to fall.
And the organisers are left with strawberry cakes, hotdogs and abandoned musicians...
Except for us and a few more families with enthusiastic kids that are fighting the weather gods:)
When we looked like drenched seals we left too though...
Something better was calling...
The traditional midsummer food with eggs, herrings, baked salmon, summer salad and meatballs.
And a few more thing...
Like ice cream, meringues, whipped cream and warm raspberry sauce.
A day with swedish traditions shared with my swedish family.
Love love love!!!
Tjingeling
Grateful
Cuckoo!
Its funny how the world itself seems completely ignorant or unaware of what's going on with either individuals or even countries.
Like it does not mean anything...
The sun is shining, the flowers are still in bloom and there is still a day and a night.
While my own little world has turned up side down there is no change in the big picture.
Weird!!!
Anyway, my in laws and I felt that we might as well enjoy life whole we can and went to visit an iris garden!
A fragrant, colourful and so so beautiful experience.
The peek in the blooming was apparently last Monday so today some of the irises looked a little sad but that just reflected my emotions so I did not mind.
It was still incredibly beautiful with that mix of different irises in different colours just trying to over shine each other's beauty.
It actually felt ,contrary to what I wrote in the beginning, like nature was paying some respect while encouraging...
So a Friday surrounded by love, family and flowers is not that bad to be honest.
Grateful that the world offers small pearls like this and grateful that I'm able to appreciate it!
happy Friday
tjingeling
Monday at the Boathouse
Cuckoo!
Some days are just better than usual!
Our Monday in the city was like that.
When all the smiles on the photos actually was coming from the heart...
The sun continued to shine also on the Monday so what was better than taking our visitors to the Boathouse in Central Park for a nice lunch?!
Although the water was green of pollen it did not take away the beauty of that place.
Always crowded and only "ok" food but just sitting on that open veranda just next to the lake in the middle of New York makes it so desirable and totally worth the effort.
And being surrounded by two handsome young men only enhanced the positive impression of this day.
What you can see here is only the top of an iceberg, if you could dig deeper you would find their beautiful hearts too...
My daughters are the same, beautiful inside and out.
Am I not so lucky?!?!
Three generations...
In Central Park ,New York, USA!
This picture is unique!
It almost never happens that everyone is gathered like this, at this side of the world.
Yes a very unusually happy day with kindness, togetherness and family as the main ingredients.
A Monday that went straight into my little chamber in my heart where I collect love:)
Tjingeling
A morning walk in Central Park!
Cuckoo!
I forgot to show you picture from our beautiful walk in the park the morning before one of our guided art tours.
A perfect start to a wonderful anniversary day!
As I said before: i will ever never get tired of that skyline.
And Central Park itself it such an oasis in that concrete jungle.
Like a jewel it just lays there in the middle of the city and attracts everyone and all kinds.
Green, lush and welcoming it just invites you to stroll, jog, bike or rollerblade or even only to sit in the grass enjoying your day.
No pressure what so ever just an encouraging feeling of freedom to do whatever suits you in that moment in that park.
A picture from our room taken just when it was getting dark and the city dressed up in jewels and gold.
Wrapped in a friendly veil that just gave a little hint of what to find underneath...
And this was the view in the morning that made us take the decision to take advantage of that green lung.
Oh I love New York!
And my husband!
In that order...😜
Tjingeling
Cougar pride day!
Cuckoo!
A wonderful weekend in the sign of the spring has passed!
A never-ending source of dedicated parents from the school had on the Saturday arranged for the annual Cougar Pride day.
A fun-filled day, for especially the lower grades at the school, that covered everything from face painting, cookie decorating, flower making and duck tape bracelets to human bowling, bouncing castles and karaoke.
And if you got hungry or wanted to get high on sugar there were plenty of opportunities to satisfy those needs too:)
The most important and exciting "activity" for Bella was to be able to enter the stage in the auditorium dressed as a star and sing songs that made her feel like a superstar...
Proudly contributing to her star feeling was her mom that acted like the biggest fan standing right beneath the scene singing along, taking picture and cheering:)
Meanwhile Olivia was hanging out with her friends who were there doing nothing but people watching and Alex just came along to say hi to his pals that were working at the stations there and then left...
Max chose to watch different sport games with his friends instead and hubby was travelling.
To Bella that did not matter at all!
She considered it "her" day and she told me later that she had the best day ever!
I don't think the participating schoolparents could have asked for better ratings!!!
Sunday now and we just got back from a wonderful burger place where we filled up our tummies with burgers, truffle fries and milk shakes.
No need to eat anything more till next weekend:))
tjingeling
