Sweden: Gothenburg Day 1

 Today we explored a little bit of Gothenburg as we also adjusted to the time change. I was so thankful for a room at the airport hotel when we arrived, but in the morning, I was anxious to get going. We were all up early, and we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before picking up our rental car. Then we drove to our hotel in Gothenburg and dropped off our bags before walking to Universeum, a children’s museum near the local amusement park. I was honestly underwhelmed by the museum, but some of the younger kids really enjoyed it, and it kept everyone busy and awake. Their exhibits included an Amazonian rainforest, a human body exhibit, a space exhibit, and a math exhibit. Joy certainly got a kick out of it all, as she ran around, exploring everything. 

After we left the museum, we headed back to the hotel to check in. Of course, we stopped for our first mjukglass of the trip while walking back. 

After checking in, we relaxed until dinner, when we walked to a restaurant that promised plankstek, a meal many of us had waited years to eat again. Unfortunately, the potatoes contained some sort of nut ingredient, and K and AJ had to choose a different menu item. 

After dinner, we walked back to our hotel to get ready for an early bedtime. It had been a long day, and everyone was exhausted from jet lag and all the walking.

AJ's Ninth Birthday

AJ turned nine this week. All week long, he eyed his growing stash of presents and begged to open just one early. We finally agreed to allow him to open one present on his birthday eve, but this was due to the fact that his little brother had already spoiled the surprised and told him what it was. 

For his birthday dinner, AJ chose to visit a hibachi restaurant over the weekend. It was fun to see S laughing and reacting to the experience of fire and culinary acrobatics, and AJ seemed content as well.

His actual birthday was filled with school, a trip to a trampoline park, and an evening celebration.

On his birthday evening, we ate dinner, devoured cake (he chose Boston cream pie this year), opened presents, and the kids watched Lady and the Tramp. It was much more relaxing than hosting a party of his friends and ensuring everyone was entertained and happy. 

AJ read The Lord of the Rings books this past year, and he was thrilled to receive a Frodo costume, complete with Sting, for his birthday. His other presents included a fluorescent yellow shirt and sweatshirt (which he loves), footed pajamas, an electric toothbrush, a green light-saber, and the fourth book in a series he is reading.  

At the end of the day, I had one happy boy. Success.

On AJ Growing Up

This week, we enjoyed the privilege of celebrating AJ's ninth birthday. Every year I experience the same sentiments on each of my children's birthdays -- disbelief and denial. As I look back over the years, my heart fills with a bittersweet happiness as I remember the joys we have experienced and the hardships we have overcome.

AJ has grown so much this year, not only in body, but also in internal strength and maturity. He really is not my little boy anymore. He still struggles with wanting to complete his schoolwork, but he has shown the ability to focus and complete his assignments when it is necessary to really buckle down (and when properly motivated). He has also demonstrated great spiritual growth and understanding in our discussions at home. He really has a heart for others, and he prays every night that the people in Iraq would stop getting killed. He really floored me when he also prayed that those who are doing the killing would come to know Jesus. He recognized that as a need for everyone involved with no prompting from me.

This year, AJ has also had the privilege to start to go hunting with Daddy. He went on his first pheasant hunt (which is no small feat considering his fear of dogs), and he is spending his birthday weekend elk hunting in the mountains.

My little boy is gone.

Nine years. That is half of eighteen. My years with him at home are half-way over. I know my job is to work myself out of a job. If my kids are living at home in their twenties, I failed in some capacity. But those first nine years passed so quickly.

I love this kid dearly, and I can't wait to see what the next nine years hold. I hope that I will be able to release him when the time comes. But I know I am a sap, and I will only be able to hold that excited smile long enough for him to turn away and walk into adulthood.

Mountains in Autumn

Sunrise

This weekend, we drove into the mountains to see if we could capture some of the fall colors in some photographs with the kids. Fall is my favorite time of year, and I wanted to snap some pictures of the beauty of creation as well as my sweet children. After deciding the local foliage was past its prime, we headed out on a spontaneous trip into the mountains. The morning after we arrived, I was blown away by the breathtaking beauty that surrounded us. The sun rising over the mountaintops cast an orange hue on the already-gorgeous fall colors.

The kids just wanted to get outside and play, but they grudgingly cooperated with their camera-obsessed mother and posed for a few shots. I was not happy with my results, but I realize that I need to learn more and practice with my camera. Perhaps I can salvage some of the better ones with editing.

All set to go

After our photo session, we hopped on ATV's and rode around the paths and trails. Then the kids wanted to fish. They successfully hooked a few trout, which always results in excited smiles. Then it was time to head home. We packed up and rolled out of there in time to attend their Sunday evening activities.

It was so nice to get away. Spending an evening away from laundry and the constant beckoning of housework provided a much-needed break for this weary mom. Put that evening in the mountains in autumn, and you get one happy girl.

  

Handsome AJ

K and H

Miss A was not happy, but she tried

Timo and H with his fish. He didn't want to touch it.

Proud of her catch

Little S

Minivans and Minivacations

Getting everyone to look at the camera is next to impossible

My wonderful sister-in-law came to visit us for a couple of days this week, and we decided to take advantage of her presence and do a little sight-seeing. We still needed to finish some schoolwork, but we eased up on the workload and took full advantage of the beautiful fall afternoons.

The first day, we visited a local candy shop where they make perfectly lovely toffee, brittle, and chocolates. The store serves ice cream and coffee as well, and the production floor is visible from a counter in the showroom. We ordered the kids ice cream and sent them to watch the day's production while we ordered our hot beverages. I was hoping they would be making toffee since that is fun to watch, but they were finishing up some carmel corn and then took a break. That was somewhat disappointing, but we perused the shelves and found some delicious treasures to purchase.

Little cutie

The following day, we drove up to the top of the Monument for an afternoon of hiking. We chose an easy trail that even S could enjoy. When we completed the hike, the kids turned in their booklets to earn their Junior Ranger Badges. H had not filled all his information out, but the lady was really kind and went through it orally with him.
My sweet SIL left Wednesday morning after being mauled my my kids crying, "Don't go! Don't go!" My heart echoed my kids' cries, but I knew she needed to depart. I hope to see her again before too long, but, for now, the memories will have to do.

AJ's Party

AJ wanted a small birthday party at home this year, so we invited a couple of his friends over on Sunday afternoon and kept it simple.

We started the party with Lego-building contests, followed by pin-the-football-on-Peyton. Then we sugared up the kids with chocolate cake and ice cream before they ran outside to play. This was perfect since it gave them a chance to run off the sugar high, and I was able to sweep up the chocolate cake from the floor.

AJ said he enjoyed his party. That means success in my book.

A Quick trip to Ouray

The kids have been working on presentations about ancient inventions for their co-op history class. I think this is a great opportunity for them to practice research and writing a speech. For their topics, K chose glass blowing, and AJ chose water clocks. There are no local glass-blowing facilities, so we drove to Ouray for a quick trip to interview the glass-blower who lives and works there.

Upon arriving, we found the glass place and unloaded our crew to visit Sam, the local artist. He was kind to take time out of his day for us, but I got the feeling that he did not expect K to know or understand as much as she did about glass-blowing. He answered her questions, but I think that we both were a little disappointed that he did not offer her more in-depth information. It was still a successful trip in that she gained some interviewing experience as a form of research, though.

After the glass store, we walked to Mouse's Chocolates, a local chocolate, coffee, and ice cream place that is known for its tasty treats. The kids enjoyed hot chocolate and milkshakes, and I devoured my "hippie bar", a scrumptious blend of dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and coconut.
Walking back to the car, I spotted a cute crocheted sweater that I needed. Timo took the boys while I shopped with the girls. Then we met again a few stores down. AJ wanted to go into a mining store to see if they had pickaxes. Not that he needed one. He just wanted to see one. They did, and they were about as tall as S. We left them all there, loaded up in the car, and drove to Box Canyon. We intended to do some hiking, but rain cut our climb short. I did manage to get photos of the kids, though.

AJ photobombing K

K photobombing AJ

A hanging out in the backpack

Deep crevice

That's a long way down

Sweet AJ

Beautiful K

Cutie Pie

A little waterfall

My gorgeous girl

A rare photo of me, courtesy of K

I almost didn't get a photo of S

This photo doesn't do justice to the beauty of the area

I hope to return to Ouray sometime in the future. I would like to finish hiking around, and there is always room for more chocolate.