Wednesday 31 October 2012

To do Halloween

Maya has half-term and is off school this week. Luckily her grandmother is at hand as we are working. We're not really celebrating Halloween but will light a few candles and admire the pumpkin in it's full glory (as we didn't bother to carve it...). And for the readers, a few Halloween photos of the Adams family...Enjoy!

Saturday 27 October 2012

To enjoy London

They say that the best things in life are free and something I really appreciate (but not often enough) are the museums in London. Today we visited the V&A (Victoria and Albert) to check out the jewels, costumes and dresses. We brought a packed lunch too - almost free.

Friday 26 October 2012

To lighten it up

It's dark, it's cold, it's Halloween (soon) and as I have a penchant for candles - probably to do with being Swedish - it means candles and tealights galore.


To be a little bit homesick




I grew up on an island and even though I'm probably more of a city girl, I really do miss the countryside, the fresh air and my close family. Perhaps it's a part of getting a bit older, and havinga a family of my own. Needless to say my childhood differs quite a lot from our daughter's who is currently spending her childhood in London, and even more so compared to my grandmother who grew up on this farm (pictures from www.svenskfast.se). I'm still dreaming of running a little cafe and a shop here, perhaps arrange events of some sort - and now it's up for sale again. I have played the lottery, of course!

On the other hand, from the age of 15 all I wanted was to move to Stockholm, or Paris, or London (and I have lived in all three cities since); and I'm glad that our daughter gets to grow up in, let's say, in a more multicultural environment. The island has certainly got a lot of history and culture, but can't really claim it was multicultural, at least when I grew up. There are of course pros and cons to everything and everywhere; I always try to see the positive side of things - however, at the moment, looking at those pictures - the life on the island has got lots of pros....

Tuesday 23 October 2012

To be a little star

Proud parents tonight as M was described as a "a little star" by the teacher, and as a role model for other children in her class. I know it's only reception but it seems as she's had a good start to what is going to be many years to come...It hasn't been all easy making new friends but she seems to have overcome that hurdle.

Well worth a treat in front of the old church, still in use, and where her afterschool club is.

Monday 22 October 2012

To be delayed...

Waiting and waiting at Belfast airport, which was all I saw today. Who said work trips are glam?! Flight was delayed in the morning, and now, due to fog at Gatwick - delayed again. Hope I get home in time for the bed time story and to give the pressie I bought at the airport - a unicorn (not a real one I hasten to add, think they are hard to come by even in Belfast...) - Maya loves unicorns, and mermaids of course...

Even I treated myself: a lovely Irish angora scarf and a mascara. Probably some kind of angora in the latter too as something is in there to make the eye lashes look longer. Perhaps I won't look so tired tomorrow.

To shop till you drop...

...and all for our little girl (even though i managed to buy around 15533 candles and Christmas lights in Clas Ohlson - never let a Swede living abroad in on her own there...) as she needed winter boots. And a few other bits and pieces... M&S is also dangerous!

Sunday 21 October 2012

To do Crystal Palace

Another walk in the park, a visit to the museum and a pub lunch - before saying goodbye to our friends.

Saturday 20 October 2012

To be with friends

Had a lovely day with our Swedish friends visiting all the way from Birmingham. We spent some time in Crystal Palace park, checking out the dinos, the rabbits and the chicks. Then several hours were spent "Princessing" whilst the big girls were catching up, in Swedish, over a nice Portuguese wine :-)

Friday 19 October 2012

To go to school

Maya likes going to her new school and despite it being a new environment and having to make new friends there hasn't been a single tear. Apparently she tells other children to stop crying as their mums will pick them up soon! Her new school used to be a Jewish orphanage - I do like a bit of history!

Thursday 18 October 2012

To be creative

When I picked up Maya from her afterschool club today they were having fun - she seems really happy there and it's a small group which means they all get lots of attention. Always feel a bit guilty about not being able to pick her up straight from school but I'm not alone - it's just the way it is for many working parents. And not sure I would allow finger painting at home....

Tuesday 16 October 2012

To relax

Cucumber and Cinderella - Maya's way of relaxing after a long day at school.

Monday 15 October 2012

To like or not to like

One of Maya's favourite things to eat is ready made Heinz Spaghetti Hoops....Ooops. We only bought it the other week as she saw it in the supermarket and said she gets it at the Afterschool club (fritids) and really really likes it - oh well, as a "treat" on a stressful and grey Monday evening why not! I have to admit I had a close relationship with Heinz Tomato soup for many years so it's probably in the genes...

To go by bus

Maya prefers to go by bus so she can sit on the upper deck and of course at the front. And who doesn't enjoy the view from a London double decker!

Sunday 14 October 2012

To go Downton

After a hectic, and fun, day it's time to relax in front of one of my highlights of the week - Downton Abbey - can't be missed!

To have a Birthday party

So, my first blog post is going to be about Maya's birthday party! Quite suitable, a birthday and the "birth" of my blog.

The theme of the party -Mermaids and Pirates, as Maya's favourite is Ariel, the Little Mermaid. As she's just started a new school we decided to only invite some old friends from the nursery and nursery school: Rudi - who she's known since she was 5 months, Lani - since nursery, Precious, and brother and sister Sid and Lola since nursery school (Kingswood).

Maya's favourite part of the party was the "fishing game" (fiskedamm) - a classic Swedish "game" where you get to "catch" your party bags. And Sid said it was the best goodie bag ever! I guess we can feel proud. We served pizza and cake, and of course lots of sweeties!