Kitty’s Place

My fellow went back to work this morning. The kidlet wanted to go with him. His reason was that when pappa went back to work they were going to hit him, so the kidlet had to go to stop them from hitting pappa. Wherever do kids come up with these ideas? *laugh*

We had a quiet week here. I slept in till 1 pm one day, something I haven’t done in forever. We grocery shopped and puttered about here. Friday the kidlet and I went to a birthday party. His friend David turned 3 and there was a party at his house. There were 6 kids there and they had lots of fun. We ate lunch there as well. LL and I had gone shopping on Thursday for a gift and he picked out the present and the card all by himself. It was a truck and trailer that had two cars on the trailer. I worked really hard at convincing him that he could not tell David what was in the gift, so he would be surprised. It worked and he never said a word about the contents of the gift until it was open. I was very proud of him, since I know he was dying to tell it was a truck. *smile*

The kidlet is getting spoiled. On Wednesday when we grocery shopped, his dad bought him a doctor kit. Thursday I got him new socks with helicopters on them and a toy crane. Then we stopped at a flea market on Saturday morning and he got a Playskool “polaroid” camera. He spotted it long before we got to that table and asked his dad if he could try it. When he pushed the button and picture popped out, he was sold. *laugh* So after traveling about and seeing many other toys, he picked to go back and get the camera. I sometimes feel guilty when we get him all these things but then we have days like Sunday, when we go shopping and see other kids screaming and throwing tantrums because their parents say no and I look at the kidlet who never carries on when we tell him he can’t have something and think, perhaps we are just teaching him to be more selective …. yeah, that sounds better than spoiling him rotten. *laugh*

We went to Månkarbo on Saturday. I was totally amazed at how much was done on the sauna. It is close to completion. My fellow worked with his dad over the weekend and they got very much done on the bathroom as well. Good thing too, since the kidlet decided on Saturday afternoon to lock the outhouse door from the outside while I was in it. Since I tend to claustrophobia to start with and then have a terror of spiders as well, the outhouse has always been difficult for me. After the locked in and yelling for him to come and let me out incident, I have been unable to close the door fully. *laugh*

Sunday we went shopping. My fellow’s mom, his sister, the kidlet and myself went to Valbo Köpcentrum. I didn’t realize just how close they were to Gävle. It took 45 minutes to get there. I got two pairs of pants and a t-shirt for the kidlet. A new wallet and shoes for my fellow. Didn’t see anything I liked for myself as far as clothes (well I did get underwear and stockings *laugh*). I did pick up a lot of little things at another place we went that had lots of discounted stuff. We got some fridge magnets, a cloth measuring tape, a cake tester, garlic press, small paper folding fan for the kidlet to have in the back of the car and I got some crossword books for me, dilbert books for my fellow and a horse magazine for the kidlet. It was a fun day but it was some hot traveling in the car. When we got back to Månkarbo, it was 30 C outside. Luckily there is always a great breeze there.

Today we have to go and buy my fellow a new knapsack and I will see if the dress I want is still in the shop at Eurostop. We have laundry time at 1730 so it will be a full evening too.

So Sunday we left Sköldinge and headed for Lysekil. It was noon when we left and after a short stop in Katrineholm for gas and to buy breakfast supplies we were on the way. It was a 7 hour trip .. whew! We stopped at Dinners at Gotene and ate around 1630. Of course we had water, pop and cookies as well as lollipops to keep the kidlet fed and watered. *laugh* He really is the best little traveler, he rides along and gabs non stop but never really fusses at all. When we got to the cottage we unloaded the cars and settled in. It was a lovely spot. We were about 7 minutes drive from town. The cottage had 3 bedrooms, kitchen, dining area, large living room, deck on the back and a big yard. There was a play area with swings, slide and sandbox out back. There was also a building right out the back door that houses the indoor pool and sauna. It also had a laundry room and the boat supplies. So once we were unpacked, we went for a swim and a sauna and then called it a night. It was the first of many 2300 bedtimes for the kidlet. We walked the dog after settling the kidlet and discovered the sheep and horses that live behind where the cottages lie. They were fun to watch during the week.

Monday we drove in to Lysekil. What a pretty town it is! We walked about and looked in shops. We sat at an outdoor cafe and ate ice cream. Then we went back to the cottage and grilled marinated salmon and marinated pork chops for dinner. We did the swim and sauna thing again. The kidlet loved both. He was leery of staying long in the pool but would sit on the edge between times and kick and babble. *laugh*

Tuesday we went to the beach. We had asked at the tourist info place for a beach that was sandy and kid friendly .. as in not cliffs to climb up and down to get to the water. The one they suggested we looked at Monday. It was a beach smaller than our living room and the small area of sand was reachable only by scaling what would seem like Mt. Everest to a kid. The one we went to Tuesday was farther away but it was a real beach. *laugh* The sea was cold and salty and the sun was brutal. I slathered the kidlet with sunscreen twice in the 3 hours we were there and he escaped unscathed. Ibo and I however burned and are now peeling like crazy. It was lots of fun though. We went in to town afterwards and bought fresh crab and crayfish for dinner. That was such a treat. We went out for a half hour boat trip. The kidlet was not sure if he liked it until we were docked, then he wanted to go again. *laugh* Again it was a late night for the kidlet after our swim and sauna. He was exhausted and I spoke up when plans were being made for spending Wednesday at some kids playland. I pointed out that he was just little and really needed to catch up on sleep and relax for a day.

Wednesday we didn’t go anywhere in the day. Well, let me amend that. We stayed at the cottage, Ibo’s parents went for a walk and took my son, who was supposed to be having a day of rest. Apparently he was a real trooper as they trudged up hills and cliffs. His grandmother did say that he was so tired when they got back and came over to the pool (where we swimming), that his little legs were wobbly and kept buckling. I didn’t say anything but I thought that perhaps if they had asked first, I could have vetoed the walk that he really did not need. He came in to the pool area and slipped and fell. He was inconsolable (read that as exhausted) and I suggested that perhaps he was also hungry and could have the hot dogs we bought the day before. So he went back to the cottage with farmor and I showered and went back as well. He ate one and half hot dogs and then I got him to lie down for a nap. When his dad came back from the pool he got up and ate another half a hot dog. Then the two of us had an afternoon nap. We got up around 1800 and went in to town for dinner at a chinese restaurant. The food was ok, not great. The waitress who brought our food was dense. She came and laid out plates then came back with the food and couldn’t decide where to put it. While standing looking like she was clueless, she poured sauce all over the kidlet. Luckily for him, the food was only lukewarm so he didn’t get burned. No one really seemed to care when we pointed it out to them either. When we came back to the cottage it was late and we went to bed.

Thursday it rained. We went in to Lysekil to Havets Hus, an aquarium. Ibo’s parents went to Törp (I think that is what it was called) to some big shopping centre since they have been to the aquarium before. The line to get in was really long but the kidlet had fun since he had his Bamse umbrella. What is it about kids and umbrellas? The aquarium was nice, fairly typical but it was fun to show the kidlet different kinds of fish. When we were through and in the gift shop he picked out his souvenir. A postcard of Lysekil showing the little tour train that went around the town. He so wanted to go on the train. As we left the aquarium, the train pulled up and there was room for us on it, so he got his wish. It went around until it arrived at the very parking lot we had left the car in. The kidlet was just amazed by that. The train took us right to pappa’s car! We stopped for some groceries on the way back to the cottage and had pasta and meat sauce for dinner. Then we swam and played ball in the pool, followed by a sauna. The kidlet fell asleep on the couch drinking his juice after we got home.

Friday was an overcast day with periods of rain. We did laundry and Ibo’s parents and sister went in to shop. The kidlet went along. We again grilled marinated salmon and marinated ribs for dinner. I could learn to love eating this way all the time. *laugh* We had a swim and sauna before bed.

Saturday we went in to town and shopped some. We bought a really pretty clock that was a piece of shale, painted. It had a lighthouse on it. We came back to the cottage and had an afternoon swim. Then we packed everything we could pack ahead of time, had dinner and then had another swim and sauna. The kidlet was loathe to leave since every night his dad stayed in the pool with after we left and the kidlet didn’t think it was fair that Alexandra got to stay in the pool and he didn’t. Little matter that she is 15 and he is 3. *laugh* So his dad told him to go back and get pj’s on and then get out the chips and dip and they would be back soon. It was close to an hour and a half later that they finally came back and by then the kidlet had fallen asleep on the couch, waiting and asking when daddy was coming. He was so much asleep he didn’t even wake up when his dad did come in to the bedroom to see him.

We were up at 0800 and ate, packed and cleaned the cottage by 1000. We took the ferry (called Gullbritt) on the return trip and it saved us an hour. The kidlet thought the “car boat” was just too cool. He keeps asking when we can go on one again. The trip back to Sköldinge was uneventful. It was overcast and rainy at times, but that meant it was cooler to travel at least. We got to Sköldinge about 1645. We had been invited to come and spend the night on the way back so we could celebrate their birthdays. We had a lovely dinner and great cake. The kidlet and his dad were asleep a bit after 2100, I followed after Beck was over.

Monday we left around noon and had a leisurely trip home. The kidlet was homesick for our apartment. He was thrilled to be home again. So were the cat and dog. We unpacked and relaxed. I read back 2 weeks worth of lj, so I am up to date on everyone here, even though there was no time to comment. Now we have one week left to relax. *smile*

We headed out of here about noon on the 8th and arrived in Sköldinge at Jonas and Tina’s place about 1430. It was an uneventful trip and the weather was lovely. The cat was not too thrilled but he has become a fairly good traveler since his move to Sweden. *laugh* We unpacked the car, then we made a trip in to Kristineholm for groceries. For the first couple of hours the cat was scared and hid under a couch, but he eventually relaxed and made himself at home. He even started going outside while we were there, something he has never done before.

Tuesday we vacuumed the car and then decided to wash it completely. So Jonas and Tina decided to do theirs as well. Ours was so full of dog and cat hair that Ibo had a bit of a reaction Monday night, so the vacuuming was a necessity. After we were done we made a trip around Katrineholm, went to some secondhand shops and then to ON/OFF. We grilled salmon for dinner and the guys played with the PS2, since we brought it along. I got two lovely old serving plates and a copy of The Mammoth Hunters in swedish at one of the secondhand places. Also shopped for postcards.

Wednesday we were up early and drove to Eskilstuna for a day at Parken Zoo. It was a really nice zoo and they had a little train tour you could take to see it. The kidlet really wanted to do that but we said we would walk and get to see the animals up closer. There were lots of lions and tigers and other big cats as well as some lovely birds. We saw the seals being fed and the kidlet thought that was cool. There were a few play areas with big slides and such that LL played at as well. Then about the time he was flagging and ready to go, we came across a place where there were small cars that kids could drive around a little compound. He kept feeding the little blue car with 10 SEK coins and finally a tractor became available for him to drive too. That perked him right up again and from there we went to the children’s zoo. He became our tour guide at that point, pointing out with a wave of his hand that “these are trees” and “these are rabbits”. He got the tree part right but the rabbits were really little pigs. The funniest was when we came to a crossroads and he stood and held his hand palm out and said “stop, watch for cars here”. There were a lot of interactive displays for the kids and the kidlet really loved that part. Also one of the peacocks decided to join us at that point and followed us for the rest of our time in the kiddy zoo. On our way out there was a woman on stage with a bunch of trained pets that she had doing tricks. We decided to eat at a MAX since it was a long trip home and he got an ice cream cone shaped water pistol there.

Thursday was a relaxing day. We all slept in and then the guys played with the playstation. I did postcards. Tina read. We went in to Katrineholm and rented movies later in the day.

Friday we went to Nykvarn. There is a place there called Lådbilslandet. For the kidlet it was the best part of the entire two weeks away. There were 3 driving areas for kids. The first had every type of vehicle imaginable, cars, small trucks, big trucks, buses, firetrucks, rescue vehicles etc and they were all just the right size for a 3 year old to drive. The second has racecars and the third had tractors. We started out at the big area and after waiting in line forever we were next. However, it was time to stop all the cars and refuel them, so we had to wait a bit longer. The kidlet picked out a firetruck as the one he wanted to drive. Another little kid about his age butted into the line in front of us and was without parents. So when they raised the chain, he dashed in first. The man at the gate asked where his parents were so they could hold his ticket but no one came forward. So the kidlet went off and headed toward his firetruck. For some reason though one of the workers put him into the passenger seat of a small truck with the rude butt in kid at the wheel. You can just imagine the look on his little face. A dream come true place where he could drive finally and someone else was getting to. Ibo called the man in charge over and pointed out that his son wanted to drive, it was pointless to have paid so he could ride around with a stranger. They stopped the little truck and gave Llywellyn his own. He was ecstatic, even if it wasn’t the firetruck. After 15 or so minutes, he was waved in told to park his truck. He was not happy and stood there looking at the man, who told him to go find his parents. *laugh* Our next line was for the race cars. Again there was a long wait and finally he was in his little blue car and driving. At one point he drove off the road and Jonas, who was on the opposite side of the track, helped him back on. He said “tack min Jonas” and headed off again. As he was coming around a bend, he tipped his cap to the group of parents waiting and promptly ran off the road again. *laugh* He did entertain the crowd. From there we went back to the big area and this time he drove a recycling truck. He was much more confident and really did well staying on the roads and turning to different streets as directed by the workers there. When his turn was up he was so disgusted he stood with his hands on his hips until the worker turned him to face us and said go and find your mom and dad. *grin* We went to the tractors then and he drove them twice. There was a girl working there and he flirted with her … yes, my 3 year old was flirting. *laugh* He would tip his cap to her as he passed where she was sitting and if she wasn’t paying attention, he would wait and then wave at her. It was hilarious. On the way out he handed in his ticket and in exchange got a “drivers license”. I will fill it in and have it laminated for him. We were done early there and then went to shop at SIBA. We got a force feedback steering wheel for the PS2 and Jonas and Tina got an X-box. We went in to Rusta as well and got the kidlet his own fishing pole. McDonalds was across the road so we had dinner there. It was the best ever day a kid could dream of. *laugh*

Saturday Ibo’s family arrived to spend the night. We spent the day playing with the new “boy’s toys” … X-box and car racing on the PS2 with the new steering wheel. We packed everything in preparation of an early start Sunday, for Lysekil. It really was the most lovely week. I feel so at home with Tina and Jonas and they love the kidlet so much. Since Ibo and Jonas grew up together they are more like brothers than nephew and uncle, it was a relaxing fun time for Ibo as well. They are the most relaxed, gracious hosts anyone could want.

Stay tuned for part two. *smile*

We have sunshine at last. After a week of rain and cold weather, summer has returned. *smile*

We have had a quiet week. Not done anything I wanted to, but I guess that is what vacation is all about. *laugh* Tuesday afternoon we went out for a bit and it rained like the dickens all the time we were out.

Wednesday we had to grocery shop. On the way home from the store at 1630, my fellow said “so what about that idea of having my family to dinner?” (I mentioned he might want to call and invite them on Tuesday). I said sure, call them. So when we got home I took some extra salmon fillets out to thaw and cleaned up for company. It was basically dishes and the picking up of toys that needed doing. As I was finishing the dishes I asked my fellow if the living room needed vacuuming and his reply was “well it is kind of hairy” *laugh* I was really hoping for a “yeah but I will do it honey” kind of reply. We had a very nice dinner, I baked salmon I had marinated in a hot seafood sauce and also bbq’d ribs that I bought pre marinated. Added rice, sliced fresh veggies, bread and cheese. For dessert I did a blueberry pie and made the vanilla sauce that is what they add to pie here.

Thursday was a quiet day for us but a busy one for the kidlet. He went swimming at the local pool with farfar. This is the first time he has been swimming and he loved it. No fear at all. He played with the kids swimming in the small pool and did some swimming with farfar in the big pool. They were there for 2 1/2 hours. He came home about 2000 and since he had napped at his grandparents he was not tired at all. So we made Rice Krispie squares. My fellow’s mom called around 2100 and talked to him, then he put me on the phone. She said that the men were going to go to work on the sauna on Friday and we women would stay here and shop since the weather was still not going to be nice. She said the kidlet could stay with us, since it would be easier if the men could work without worrying what he was in to. I asked if she had talked to my fellow about all this and she said yes, he said she had to get the ok from me. So I said ok and then handed the phone back to him at her request. We were in the kitchen when he hung up and he called the kidlet in to the living room to tell him that “mom said you can’t go to Månkarbo” whereupon the kidlet burst into tears. I was some upset. I said that it wasn’t logical to take him out there and my fellow said he wanted to go and I was denying him that. So I said do what you want and was in the worst ever mood all night. Friday morning I was still not talking to him and it broke my heart when he left and the kidlet stood at the door with tears running down his face. So I took him to McDonalds and then we shopped for goodies. Then we went to his grandparents and spent the rest of the day. We went clothes shopping for a bit and then went out to the plant store. It was a nice day. My fellow got home around 2230 and I was cooled down by then.

Saturday we did nothing at all. The kidlet went off to his grandparents in the afternoon, to spend the night. My fellow napped from about 1700 to 1900. I had marinated then baked pork tenderloin and did broccoli in cheese sauce. (it was horrid .. never believe a package that claims to make great cheddar cheese sauce *laugh*) Of course when the food was ready, he was sleeping. So I ate and then I went and curled up with him and the laptop about 1930. I do remember he woke me once to see if I had eaten but the next real conscious thought I had was when I looked at the clock at about 0600. I went back to sleep until 0900 and feel the most rested I have been in months. The kidlet came home about 1230 and we have been sorting clothes to go into suitcases, since we will leave in the morning for Sköldinge. I am not sure if we will stay the whole week there or come back before our trip to Lysekil. So I am sorting and packing for 2 weeks away. I booked laundry time for this evening so I can wash the remaining clothes as well as the bathing suits and summer stuff we haven’t worn yet this year. Will bake banana muffins and chocolate chip cookies to take with us as well.

Our vacation plans have changed. *laugh* On the weekend we went to Månkarbo and my fellow helped his dad with the building of the sauna/bathroom. He is converting an old storage shed behind the cottage. Once they have it done, cottage life will be even more appealing (that outhouse is not my idea of fun at all *laugh*). It was the strangest weekend, with rain, sunshine, rain and sun together and lots of cool wind. So while the fellows worked out in the shed, we stayed in and read, chatted, played with the kidlet.

We came home Sunday night and my fellow told me that he is just exhausted and really wasn’t looking forward to traveling all the way up to Haparanda. I know that he has been stressed with the upheaval at his job, since the company was bought out, even though he never talks about it. So I said fine, it is his family we were going to visit, not mine and I can always take the train and go to see Beverly on my own (with kidlet of course). So we are going to stay home and make some day trips as well as possibly doing the cruise to Helsinki. We will still go to Lysekil for a week but it is half the distance and no stopping a night, traveling, stopping another night … we will drive down and spend the week in one place. We will also spend some time in Sköldinge with J&T, which is something I really wanted to do.

Yesterday they slept in some, had a nice leisurely breakfast in bed. I was up at 0630 to go and do laundry. *laugh* We went out in the afternoon and picked up the computer. Apparently after a week of testing, they still don’t know why it shuts off spontaneously. This has been an ongoing problem since we bought it in July 2001. Things got a bit heated in the exchange when the fellow at the store said his only suggestion was to add a second fan and we would have to pay for it. My fellow said he would pay half even though the machine is under a year old. The computer fellow said no, we would pay all. So we took the computer and my fellow had him write up an agreement saying that we could return it if this happens again within the next 6 months. From there we went to Väsby Centrum and shopped some. The kidlet got a frisbee and a little fishing pole set, with pole, fish and net. The magnet on the lure fell off in the car so it required late night repairs here. *laugh* Then we went and bought flavoured coffee and teas. From there we went to ON/OFF but they didn’t have anything exciting. Headed for InfraCity and Siba, only to discover they had had a fire and were closed. We popped into Computer City and while we were there, the fellow from the computer store called and asked if we would bring it back so he could install the extra fan, no charge. We stopped and got some ice tea and then took the computer back. On the way back my fellow asked my opinion on the server. We need a new one and he had been going to have them build it, but he was a bit hesitant since we have had problems with the computer we purchased there. I said I prefer small businesses when dealing with computers and that even though the machine has been a pain, they have been quick to look at it and do the work on it when it has died on us. We took it back and both men were less stressed. The second fan was installed and a request for a server quote made.

Our next stop was Arlanda and Sky City. We went there for sushi. First though I spent time looking in a shop at english books and magazines while the fellows watched airplanes taxiing around. Didn’t find anything appealing though. After ordering our food, my fellow took the kidlet upstairs to McDonalds and got him a happy meal. *laugh* So we sat and relaxed over sushi. The kidlet needed chopsticks for his fries and wanted to try our food. I knew he would like it, since he is a real fan of fish and rice (and our child *laugh*). He was happier with his cheeseburger though. It was well past bedtime when we got home with the kidlet but my fellow returned his mom’s phone call and they said they were dropping over. So we had visitors, I made coffee and put some frozen danishes into the oven. The kidle
t showed off his new toys and played. Then just before 10 pm, he came and asked if he could have a bath .. pleeease. I was surprised but his dad asked why and then it made sense. He wanted to take his fishing pole to the tub. *laugh* We explained it needed to be fixed, our visitors went off and the kidlet went to bed. Mom fixed his new toy and then went off to bed as well. My fellow stayed up installing OpenBSD on the laptop and I haven’t a clue when he called it a night. So our first official day of vacation was a fun one.

As I type this, the kidlet is fishing in the bathroom sink. *laugh* We both slept until almost 1000 and pappa is still sleeping. I think we are going to go and look at some stuff to go with the fishing rod my fellow bought me last fall. It has been forever since I got to fish and we will be able to do it when we are in Lysekil. Will ask him to call and see if we can book this 4 day cruise to Helsinki as well.