Off again

Tomorrow we head off for vacation no 2. This time we're going to Skåne with friends, more specifically to Haväng. Really looking forward to getting there but not really to the drive there. 7 hrs at least..

Photos

of our trip to England can now be found here

Almost over

Since last time we have been taking it a bit easier but still managed to do a few things.

We've celebrated Juliet and Oliver's 15th anniversary.

We had a lovely day at the beach one day. Elias loved playing with the stones and running around in the water. David and I actually did have a little swim as well!

We've also been back to see grandad John one more time and we went to the miniature railway in Eastbourne with Juliet and Finley. On the weekend David and I went to a Sikh wedding and left the children with Auntie Juliet and Grandma. The wedding was spectacular and we really enjoyed our first night off together since the arrival of Elias.

We've borrowed a "bouncer" which Alice really likes a lot.

Yesterday we went to the Seven Sister's country park. David lived in the park for 7 years when he was a little boy.

First we had a picnick in the Friston forest...

... and then we walked down to the beach. Elias did really well and almost walked the whole way there (on the way back he got to sit in the pram)

And now we need to start packing because tomorrow evening we're flying back. Sad but true...

And what about the kids?

Alice has been very easy and sunny while we've been here and a few people have said they will take her with them if they get the chance ;-) She is very strong on her front and this week she has started to try to get up on her hands and knees. It is amazing to watch her try. She is so focused and can do it for quite a while before she gets annoyed.

In center Parks she really enjoyed swimming in the pools. I did a few "baby swimming" exercises that we learned with Elias and she loved it (he hated it at the same age). I felt a bit guilty when I realized how much she loved swimming because I didn't really know. I guess it is a "second baby thing"; not quite taking the time to find out all these things. Oh well, at least we know now!

On Tuesday Alice got a bit snotty and yesterday she had a pretty bad evening. Hopefully it was because of the slight cold she has or else her sunny phase has come to an end and "storm clouds are gathering"... (David thinks she has entered the stage of relationships)

Elias has started to speak more and more English this week and I just feel proud and amazed at what he can do. He is really trying hard, bless him. He has seemed very tired in the evenings and maybe that has to do with the language (I remember being exhausted in the evenings when I was in Germany). I think he has enjoyed most of the trip so far but he does talk about the "pink house" now and again so maybe he is a bit homesick sometimes. Both here at grandma Joyce and in Center Parks he has fallen out of bed a few times but without waking up. That's one good thing about carpets I guess; it softens the fall a little bit...

In Center Parks Elias loved the swimming pools and especially going down one of the slides. I think both Dave and I were a bit surprised that he did it. It took him a while to build up the courage but once he did it we could hardly drag him away from it.

Half time

We can't believe we've already been here for 2 weeks. Only 2 weeks left! Up until now we have been pretty busy though so no wonder time has flown.

We arrived pretty late Wednesday night after a pretty ok flight. Alice was a bit upset for a while but there were plenty of other kids screaming more ;-)

On Thursday we went round to Auntie Juliet's for lunch.
On Friday we went down to the beach (unfortunatelly we didn't take any pics)On Saturday we drove to Cardiff and went to a Christening on Sunday. Don't we all look nice!
Monday was spent driving back from Cardiff and in the evening I was allowed to go to a Pilates class with Joyce.
We saw grandad John, Jennie, Jo, Lizzie and Owen on Tuesday. Elias did a grand job watering their flowers!
On Wednesday we went to Drusillas Zoo. It was really good! Elias especially liked to go on a ride with Thomas the tank engine...
Elias has enjoyed breakfast in the garden.

Friday-Monday we spent in Center Parks with 3 other families. It was great fun. Elias went to a soccer school class which he thought was ok. He was probably a bit on the young side especially since his English isn't really as good as his Swedish yet. But we had fun watching them all. Quite a few drama queens in the making! Elias (and Alice) loved the pools and loved going down the slide.
Tuesday we went to Middle Farm which Elias loved!