New Skills

The girls both had great days. Ellie had a wonderful report from school.  The teachers say her Swedish is really improving and she has started to respond to Swedish with some sentences instead of a mix of English and Swedish words.  Kerstin learned to get from her hands and knees back to a sitting position.  She likes to show off for Daddy when he comes home. 

Kerstin is 7 months old

Kerstin is 7 months old today.  She is growing up so fast.  She is babbling up a storm.  Her favorite sounds are da da and na na.   She can get up on her hands and knees and move one hand forward but hasn’t figured out how to move her knees yet.  However, she is an expert backer.  Now instead of just pushing herself backwards, she has learned how to pivot on her stomach and get where she wants to go.  Kerstin isn’t a fan of food yet.  She started eating a little bit of zucchini over the weekend but about 5 bites is all she wants.   

UN Day at SIS

After dropping Ellie off at school, Kerstin and I went to Stockholm International School for their celebration off UN day.  All of the students grouped by country and wore the traditional dress of their country.  Over 50 countries were represented.  I loved seeing all of the traditional outfits.  After parading around the park in front of the school, they went inside and had an assembly where each of the grades performed songs and poems. 

*pictures video to follow if David can figure out what is wrong with my SD card

Lidingö

This weekend we headed out to Lidingö with the Pike family.  Lidingö is one of the islands of the inner archipelago. The Pikes had found a great deal on a Swedish/American buffet.  The restaurant was on the water and had a nice view.  The kids had a great time climbing on some yard art before eating.  The food was really good.  The had a great mix of Swedish breakfast sandwiches, cheeses, salads, waffles, mini cheeseburgers, bacon, sausage, eggs, mac and cheese and more.  We all left with a full tummy.  There were rumors of an American store nearby so we set off to find it.  A commuter train and two buses later we found a residential house.  Another bus ride later we found the actual store.  It was closed but we were able to peer in the windows and see such treats as poptarts, nerds and American style pancake mix.  Most of the things we have seen at other stores but it is part café so maybe we will have to come back for lunch one day. 

Ellie Photography

I needed to go to IKEA and Ellie wanted to go along so we made it our Friday outing.  As we made our way to the IKEA bus, Ellie “practiced” her photography.  For Ellie IKEA is a great place to explore.  We were able to get what we needed, have a yummy lunch and get back in time for playtime at the park. 

Ellie wearing elephant



Ellie's photo of Mommy wearing Kerstin

Metro Art

Ikea "dance stage"

Vocabulary

Today a thick envelope came in the mail for Ellie.  When David handed her the envelope, Ellie asked, “Is it for me?”  David said, “Well it is addressed to you.”   Ellie was so excited and ran off it open it.  A few minutes later she came into the room and said, “Daddy, I can find the dress!”  She was so confused.   What a hard way to learn a vocabulary word.

 

Inca Exhibit of Gold Treasures

We rode the bus out to Skeppsholmen to visit the Inca exhibit of gold treasures.  The exhibit was displayed in the subterranean Secret Rock Galleries, the former naval base of the Swedish Navy.  The tunnels have only recently been open to the public.  The exhibit was amazing with beautiful gold jewelry, crowns and decorations.  Overall it was an informative exhibit.