Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Home with a sick kid...

Not too sick anymore, actually, but I'm home nevertheless. When I got home from work yesterday afternoon, Johan was complaining that he had a headache and then about five minutes later he started throwing up. He was sick most of the afternoon and evening, so we decided that it was best that he stayed home today. I'm here with him until about 1:00, then I have to go in to work for planning meetings that last all afternoon and into the evening, so Gaute will come home and take over for me.

I took a picture of Johan this morning in front of our plum tree which is in full bloom. Granny, this is the tree you bought for us when you were here in 1994. Believe it or not, this huge thing started life in a flower pot on our balcony! I love it - love having fruit trees that bloom! And produce actual fruit that we can eat. Didn't have many fruit trees in Ketchum...



I'm also posting a picture of Anders from last week. They had "English Day" at school. The 5th graders had a whole day in which they spoke English all day and did English-type things. They had to wear something resembling a British school uniform to school, they played badminton, listened to the Beatles, and other cool stuff. I think they had a really good time, and Anders was excited about it, despite the fact that he looks seriously depressed in this picture.



Tomorrow afternoon, Espen's leaving for a football tournament in Denmark. He's really excited! There are 5 parents going with the team, but Gaute and I are not among them, which I think is an added bonus for Espen. They're taking a ferry to Denmark, and staying in an apartment hotel down there. I think they'll have a blast!!

Monday, May 18, 2009

He Won!

Saturday night we all stayed up until 12:30 to see the final tally of the Eurovision Song Contest - and Alexander Rybak won with a record amount of votes! Big excitement!

And oh so much fun to have to get up a few hours later, get our party clothes on and hurry up to the kids' school by 7:45. Luckily, the weather was gorgeous yesterday, and we had a nice day. We were all really worn out last night, though...

Saturday, May 16, 2009

May

Tomorrow is the 17th of May...Duh...But the reason that is important is that it is Norway's national holiday. So tomorrow we break out the Norwegian flags, get dressed up and celebrate! Should be fun - the day starts with a parade from the kids' school and then brunch at Gaute's parents' house. Gaute's brother, Sindre, and his kids are visiting, so it will be a bigger event than usual. I hope the weather is okay, we just had a big rain shower, but hopefully all of the clouds will be gone by tomorrow. I'm pretty sure the weather will be better than last year, regardless, since it was SNOWING on the 17th of May last year.

Tonight is the finale of the European Song Contest (see this blog post). Big excitement...Sindre and family are coming over tonight. We're going to barbecue (apparently in the rain...) and then settle down to watch the big event.

I came across this article and this article, and I have to say that I'm happy I live in the first place. I just wish the rest of my family did, too.

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Looking forward to the weekend!

Woohhh...another week almost over. It's been a busy week, filled with football. Gaute has, thankfully, been home this week, otherwise I think I might have gone crazy. I've had busy days at work, and the kids have had lots of football games and practices (as well as one orienteering training for Anders). Last night, Anders and Espen were playing games at the same time, on fields right next to each other. Both of their teams won, and they did really well. Anders was named man of the match by his coach, and Espen was given one star by his coach (for each game, the best player gets 3 stars, next best two stars, and third best one star). He got one star for his last game, and was named man of the match for the game before that. Anders and Espen are playing very good football these days, and it's really fun to watch their games!

There has been some very exciting football on TV these days, too. Espen and I have been glued to the TV watching the Champions League quarter finals and semi-finals. So much fun!!! Soccer mom...

Saturday, May 02, 2009

The last few days

I dumped the pictures on my camera onto my computer, and this is what turned up...

A lovely self-portrait...


The boys (+ Johan's best friend) at the Fram museum (Fridtjof Nansen's boat which was frozen in the Artic ice for 3 years) last Sunday


Espen and his friend last night on their way to spending the night at his friend's house. Espen had an "eccentric" outfit on...


Two guys on their way to an orienteering race this morning. The cute kid is my son. Not sure who the tall one with the goofy smile is...

Friday, May 01, 2009

Labor Day

Yes, today is Labor Day in Norway. No school or work (although those go hand in hand for me), and the sun is shining brightly. It's a beautiful day - the first shorts day we've had this year. It's a fantastic day - and I would love it even more if I didn't have really bad hay fever. I never had allergies in the good old days, but they started in about 3 or 4 years ago and keep getting worse every year. Today there is pollen everywhere, and I can't stay out for many minutes without my eyes and nose going crazy. My whole face feels swollen. I took a Clarityn, but it's not doing much for me...

Gaute was in Stockholm again this week. He got back yesterday afternoon, just in time to pick up the keys to the new apartment we bought. It's done from their side - now it's our turn to finish it up. We need to paint it, put in hardwood flooring and the kitchen. All stuff we've done many times before...We might pay to get some help this time, though. Gaute doesn't have quite as much free time as he did before, and neither do I!

It's Friday, so I have a pizza dough rising on the counter. Should be ready in a few minutes, then it's time to roll out the dough, cover it with lots of good stuff and stick it in the oven. I LOVE pizza - luckily, everyone else in the family does, too!