Kitty’s Place

I have been reading lots of year end reviews and goals for the coming year. I won’t be doing either here though. We have had a good year, been happy and lived life one day at a time with smiles and lots of “I love you’s”. It is my hope to continue living in this manner in 2005. *laugh*

We have had another quiet day. Slept in, picked up, vacuumed, finished shopping. Ibo’s mom is coming here for new years, which will be very nice. Just at the moment we are being shushed because the Prime Minister is speaking at a press conference and of course my fellow is quite interested. *laugh*

Happy New Year to all!

Yesterday was a quiet day, Ibo worked from home, I did some housework, LL played.

We went to Ibo’s parents in the afternoon and took over some things that will go to the apartment they bought in Egypt. Farfar is flying over to check things out since the company they bought from is furnishing the place. He is taking over some appliances and such as well this trip.

After farmor was finished work, we all went to Rotebro to shop. First stop was the toy store where we saw lots of fun stuff but didn’t buy anything. Next we stopped at an appliance store and got a new electric kettle and a new iron. Because of after christmas sales we got both for the price of the iron presale. Then we checked out a few electronics stores since we are going to get the kidlet a tv for his room. We are just comparison shopping at this point.

The kidlet had a nightmare and crawled into bed with us about 3 am. I had a hard time getting back to sleep and woke at 0800 with a migraine. So after making my fellows breakfast I went back to bed and slept until 1230. When I woke again, the headache was gone, yay! I needed to grocery shop and the kidlet and I headed for Eurostop on the bus. We had planned on having Ibo pick us up but the roads were horrid, icy as anything. So we decided to half the shopping today and half tomorrow, so we could take the bus home. By the time we got back the roads were even worse, so I am glad we didn’t make Ibo come out in that weather. When we got back here I took an old suitcase out to the garbage and it was treacherous just walking that 100 or so metres.

LL just put his little artificial tree up in his room so we need to go and see what a great job he has done decorating it. *smile*

This morning I was loathe to get up when the alarm rang. My fellow told me to go back to sleep so I did just that and didn’t wake up until 1030 when my two favourite fellows brought me breakfast in bed. Ibo is working from home this week and it has been a nice treat having him here in the day.

After breakfast and a bit of tv watching, LL and I decided to make a trip into the city and see the NK christmas windows display. So we caught the 1300 train to the city, walked to NK, saw the windows, which as always were absolutely lovely. The first year I took him I just did not have enough swedish to read the little story in each window, but now I can and he really enjoyed it. I wanted to go to Gallerian and show him the lovely tree they had there but he had this idea in his head that he wanted to eat at Burger King. We went to the one at Sergels Torg but it was packed so full that the line was spilling out onto the sidewalk. I suggested we go to the one at Central Station but first we should stop at the Pocket Shop. I saw a new Jonathan Kellerman book a couple weeks ago and thought I would buy it if they had it in stock. Well, they had it but instead we bought the kidlet 3 books. *laugh* They had a “buy 3, pay for 2″ sale on kids books and there were two books in a series he has that were available, so we got him 3 books he wanted for the price of my Kellerman novel and I don’t mind at all. I think it is lovely that he has a love of books and reading and want to foster that.

We stopped at BK and he got a kids meal, while I got a burger and onion rings. It was really crowded at Central Station today, but that is certainly to be expected this time of year. We caught the 1520 train home and after a quick stop at the grocery store, got home at 1630. We played Monopoly Junior while the dough for pizza was rising and pappa and I lost. We did not cry like LL does when he loses though. *laugh*

After the kidlet was settled in bed, I made tea and we had it in our new mugs that came in our stockings from “Canada Santa”. LL got Pooh, Ibo got Eeyore and I got Tigger. My fellow took Susan out and I am now totally relaxed and thinking about how lucky I am. *smile*

Totally not from today but something I was thinking about, LL got a letter from Santa last week. I think Aunt Maud sent his address and he got a letter from Santa at the North Pole, HOH OHO. When we got home from Sköldinge there was a letter here for him from Tomten. So lucky boy he is, he is known to both swedish and canadian Santa and gets gifts from both. This must be one of the biggest advantages of growing up in a binational household. *laugh*

I have uploaded some pics and am testing to see if anyone can see them. *laugh* So if you can, please let me know.

We are home and relaxing.

Tuesday the 21st was LL last day of school and there was a christmas pageant planned. We got to the school just before 1500. Just after all parents got coats and boots off, it was announced we would be going out to the other building (the cafeteria), so we had to get all bundled up again. We went over and “bought” christmas crafts our kids had made. There were little piggy banks placed on the tables and each child had their name on the things they had made. Parents paid what they wanted to donate to the class fund. We bought a plant holder the kidlet made from berries and branches, a star of david made from reeds and an oil painting he did of the woods. Then we all went back to the main building where there were bags of clothes that they had cleaned up and sorted earlier in the day. Parents retrieved everything they kids had left at school over the past few months. Then there was a tipspromenad (scavenger hunt is the closest I can translate). Out in the woods were questions hanging from trees and bushes with reflectors hanging with them. Since it was 1630 and dark, we had to go out with flashlights to find the questions. The teachers had requested the older kids bring flashlights with them but very specifically said the little kids didn’t need them. So when less than a third of the older kids remembered, it became evident there was a lack of lights for us. We were maybe 60 kids and adults and there were 12 flashlights. We broke into groups and went out and had fun. *laugh*

We headed back into the school after the tipspromenad and ate julgröt(rice porridge). The kids ran wild until we were instructed that the older kids were to take their parents outside while the younger kids were to get dressed for their part of the pageant. But first we had to move the furniture so the scene could be set up. We who had “mice” to get ready, went off to a room and got the kids changed into their costumes. Then we painted their noses and whiskers on. Ibo did the painting for LL and one of the other kids. Then they acted out Mössens julafton (Mice’s christmas?). It was really cute and I needn’t have fretted about my lack of sewing skills, his costume was just as good as the other kids. *laugh* After that the older kids sang a number of christmas songs and then we headed home.

We packed up the car as soon as we got home and headed out to Sköldinge. We got there about 2100 and unpacked the car, then Ibo and Jonas (his uncle) went and got pizza. After we ate we sorted out sleeping spots and went to bed.

Wednesday the 22nd we had a quiet day. Ibo worked from home at his uncle’s place and then we went in to Katrineholm and did a bit of shopping after Jonas and Ibo were done work. When we got back Jonas’ girlfriend Eva was at the house and shortly after Ibo’s parents and sister arrived. We had dinner and a quiet evening.

Thursday the 23rd we headed out to get a christmas tree. There was Jonas, Eva, Ibo, LL and myself. The roads were glare ice and at one point we got stuck and just were spinning tires on the ice. We did get to the farm where Jonas’ co-worker lives and where we were picking out the tree. We got one there two years ago and that time we drove into the woods but it was not feasible to do the same this time with all the ice, so instead his friend got out the tractor with a flat trailer behind it and we sat on it and got a ride out to the trees. It was bumpy and scary and LL loved it. *laugh* After looking over a number of trees LL agreed on which we should have and then he and Jonas and Ibo cut it down. It was huge, at least 10 feet, maybe even 12. Then it got loaded onto the trailer and we hopped on around it and went back to the car. Once we got home, LL and I went into Katrineholm with Eva while the guys got the tree into the house and anchored to the wall and ceiling so the cats would not topple it. After dinner we decorated it and it was lovely.

Friday the 24th we were up early. I got the sweet potatoes cooking, made the pumpkin pies and then got the turkey into the oven. Eva went and picked up her parents and sister and they arrived about 1300. We had julgröt and all chatted a bit. Then we got food organized and at 1530 we all sat down to watch the disney christmas special. We had christmas dinner about 1700 and then we watched the last part of the julkalendar show. At 1845 Tomten arrived and handed out gifts to all. Then when he left we handed out the rest of the gifts and everyone opened theirs. It was a lovely christmas and everyone got many special gifts.

Saturday the 25th was a bit of a tough day. Even after 4 christmases here, I miss having christmas on the 25th and I miss being able to spend the day with my family. But I did phone and talk to all of them, my brothers, my sister, Aunt Maud, my grandparents and I even got to talk to Aunt Pearl who was at my grandparents. So it was a nice relaxing day and I did get to share it with my family.

Today we packed up and headed back to Märsta. It had snowed all day yesterday and there was a lot of fog on the way home but it was lovely and white and very christmasy. I unpacked the kidlet’s toys and games but the rest can wait until tomorrow. We had a game of Junior Monopoly after dinner and for the second day in a row, I lost. *laugh*

Merry Christmas to everyone reading here!

We are spending it with Ibo’s family and I have been basically computer free since the 21st. I have lots of things to journal when we get home. LL’s julavslutning, the christmas tree adventure, julafton and more. *laugh*

This morning after dropping the kidlet off at school I went in to Stockholm. I got the Elvis book for Ibo, in fact I got him both the first book and the new one, both signed by the author. Then I went to the toy store and got LL Monopoly Junior and the Ali Baba camel games he had on his list. From there I hopped the subway and went to Gray’s where I found pumpkin to make pies at christmas. I was home by noon, after stopping at the post office and picking up a book I ordered for LL. It is a book with 14 paper airplanes to cut out, paperclip/glue and then will fly. So christmas shopping is all done, food included. In a few minutes we are off to the christmas pageant and I am looking forward to seeing the kids do their thing. *laugh*

Friday I wanted to go to Stockholm and see the NK windows. LL had other ideas, he said it was too dark (it was very gloomy) and we should go when there was sun. Instead we wrapped gifts, did a bit of shopping and had a nice uneventful day.

Saturday my fellow took the kidlet to his parents and then went to help his dad with an errand. He called and asked if we should go and get a christmas tree so we went out in the rain and picked a tree. *laugh* We put it in the stand and then took the kidlet back to his grandparents where he spent the night. Ibo and I had a nice quiet evening at home.

Sunday we slept in some, I got out all the ornaments for the tree and my fellow’s family (with the kidlet in tow) came and had dinner with us. After dinner while the coffee was brewing we decorated the tree. It was fun.

This morning LL took his mouse costume to school and they had a dress rehearsal for tomorrow’s christmas pageant. I had planned to go in to the city when I picked him up at 1230 but instead, after a phone call from his teacher on Friday, I went with him to see where he will have fritids (after school care) on the days the kids do not stay at Rävsta. We saw all the rooms they can play in, the system for the kids to show which room they are in and met some of the staff. The other kids were so excited he is going to be starting fritids soon and were running around showing him all the cool stuff. *laugh* After we got home he wrapped his gifts and we had a quiet evening, played some board games and I got him settled in bed on time, even though he is really excited about tomorrow.

I will go in to the city tomorrow instead and pick up Ibo’s gift and hopefully one more for LL(Monopoly Junior which none of the local stores have in stock). The kids will stay at the school all day tomorrow so I have time to go and do the last of the shopping and get back in lots of time to go to his pageant.

Today I had the strangest phone call. My cell phone rang and I answered it with hello, the woman on the other end said in english “can you speak swedish?”. I was totally not expecting that and there was a long pause before I said yes. Then she said in english “Oh good!” and started speaking swedish. *laugh* It was someone from the pedagogue centre, calling about a speech teacher referral they had recieved for LL. Obviously it must have said somewhere in the referral that english was his home language. *laugh* I also recieved all my paperwork from CSN saying I have to activate my study grant claim when I start school next month.

The biggest excitement of the day was Pettson and Findus, who came to our home in the form of a christmas card from the lovely Liz. Thank you Liz!

We read the kidlet a bedtime story every night. For a couple weeks it was “Jonathan Cleaned Up Then He Heard a Sound” by Robert Munsch. The past week it has been “Winnie the Pooh”. Tonight he asked for “The Water Hole” by Graeme Base. Each page has a number and that corresponds to the animal pictured, 1 Rhino, 2 Tigers, 3 Toucans etc. and then at the end of the book it has the numbers and the name of the place where each of the animals comes from. Number 3 was South America and I said “the toucans come from South America” to which he replied “not two, threecans”. *laugh* When I explained that it was really their name “Toucan”, he laughed until he got the hiccups. Obviously he does pay attention. *laugh*

My fellow enjoys the Elvis strip that runs in the the Metro. I pick up the paper whenever I am at the train station, so he can read it. Today in Metro I read that there is a new Elvis book and the author will be doing book signings at Gallerian next week. So Monday as soon as the kidlet is done school we will be heading into Stockholm to get my fellow a cool christmas gift, his own signed copy. I am so excited about this. *laugh*