I wasn't going to write anything today but I had such a lovely day that I thought I'd share some nice pics of the lady and what fun we had today!  It was a whopping 14 degrees so we didn't need any coats and Tilly finally got to wear her new pink chinos. 
We headed off to the City Library for story time in English which was very disappointing and Tilly very loudly shared that with everyone! 
Anyway went to Vasaparken to enjoy the sun.  It was packed!  I stood in a queue for a coffee and a teeny tiny sandwich for about 20 minutes and paid 73SEK!  City living eh?!  Every time I am at a park in the city, I really appreciate where I live.  No queues for the swings or anything else and you get to say hi to other mums and kids you know.  Much better! 
Husby has gone to Malmö for the weekend and I'm cooking oxtail over a glass of red for my moms arrival tomorrow.  Lets pray for more sun tomorrow too.

Fun Friday....

What a great day we had today!  Woke up a little earlier than usual, but the whole family was in a great mood so it was nice.  Pappa went off to work and Tilly and I had a fun time at home planting some basil and thyme (will post pics when something starts happening).  We did almost every puzzle in the house, chased each other around, danced a bit and then ate a nice lunch.  Tilly has a huge appetite - probably a backlash from yesterday.  Then we set off outside with the lady sporting her new blue coat.  She loves it! 
She was exhausted so fell asleep in the pram and I went into Södermalm and looked in some shops and then had a leisurely latte.  When Tilly woke up I surprised her with news that we were going to the cinema.  Even though it was a sunny day, I knew she would love it and Alfons was showing, which is one of her favs.  She was delighted and sat in awe the whole 40 minutes!  After that we headed to the park, where we bumped into my lovely Greek friends and their kids.  So that was a fun surprise for everyone!  Came home and made some ready made gnocchi which was rather disappointing but we ate the brocolli and bacon which accompanied it!!  In no time it was bath time and Tilly spent most of the time drawing - look at this masterpiece! I see a clown kinda face - what do you see?
 Now I'm having a glass of red and gonna chillax until husby comes home later.  Looking forward to the weekend ahead as I have a dinner at home tomorrow and on Sunday my mom comes for a few days, so its all go! 
Have a great weekend and take care of each other x

The day from Hell....

Today started off really positive and smoothly with Tilly waking up happy and having a bottle (which was the only food she could have until her scheduled time at 12:30).  We made it to the hospital and she enjoyed all the fun toys and books they have there.  But she did not enjoy all the other stuff like not eating or putting the drip in, or showering and washing her hair with special soap.  She eventually fell asleep which took her mind off the hunger.  After waiting past our scheduled time, they told us things would be delayed and just when we were ready, they came back and said it had to be cancelled due to an emergency!  We are welcome back the first week of June!  I can't believe this has happened in Sweden.  Taxes are so high, perfection is a pre-requisite in every area but really hospitals are the same in every country.  No money and bad organisation.  She ate like a horse at least and got ice-cream, chocolate and a present all in one day for being such a trooper!  Now husby is doing his civil duty and writing a big letter to the hospital supervisors and hoping for better practise for others next time.  Emergencies are understandable but for something so routine like this with scheduled times there should be separate doctors taking care of those patients. Anyway trying not to get too worked up over it all - looking at it like a sign that today was not the right day :)  Mostly I was glad to have my lovely man there for support and help, and couldn't have done it without him x

 

So far this week....

It has been a busy week so far, so far I have been to two interviews (trying to find my new perfect job), made a few very important contacts, enjoyed the good weather with Tilly and husby, met two friends for lunch and planned my moms upcoming visit.  Tomorrow Tilly goes into hospital to have a little operation on her thumb (she has trigger thumb) which we are not looking forward to because she can't eat anything for 6 hours before and will be under local anaesthetic.  She will have a little cast put on her arm for a few weeks.  So tomorrow will be one of those 'band aid' days when you just need to close your eyes and rip it off and then it will be over!  Wish us luck!

Tummy bug...

I was hoping to write about our wonderfully romantic dinner out last night, but instead I'm writing about how sick husby and I have been.  It started on Thursday when Tilly was not so well but it passed over the next day.  Then late Friday night I suddenly felt weird - then it started!  I was toilet bound for the rest of the night and just when I felt well enough to go to bed, husby started to feel weird.  Needless to say we were complete right offs for Saturday and luckily Tilly was due to stay at her grandparents for the night.  So instead of our 5 course tasting menu with accompaning wine at SMAK, we sat on the couch grunting and groaning watching telly.  Anyway both of us are much better and got to sleep until 9am, so it was not a waste.  Now we are off to collect our girl and I cannot wait! 

Seems like this new book is causing some commotion at the moment - just read this article in The Local.
I can't really decide if I agree with it totally, but I do have the view that disciplining children and setting boundaries allows them to feel secure and to know what to expect.  Which helps make things like eating out, going to the supermarket, sleep time and socialising that bit easier.  In Sweden discipline doesn't seem to be a priority and I don't know any Swedes who give their children consequences for their bad behavior, that only comes from my non-Swedish friends!  And manners, well don't get me started!  Whatever your view, it makes for a good read me thinks!

Messy..

This is what Tilly's room looked like after her play date today.  It is never like this when its just her playing.  She is very neat and tidy and puts everything back after she is done.  I'd say borderline OCD.  I say thank goodness, cos tidying all this up every evening would not be fun!

Snowy Saturday...

Woke up rather tired today, because husby came home at 1:00am and we talked until almost 3:00am.  It was wonderful to see him after 5 days - and many kisses were exchanged!  Also woke up to a completely shocking sight outside - LOADS of snow!  It was like January again and lasted the whole day, so we decided not to bother going out at all.  We stayed in and read and did puzzles and later Tilly's cousin came over for a bit of playing and lunch.  When Tilly was having her nap, I went to the supermarket and the snow had melted that it was like walking through a shallow lake - Yuk!  Later we went over to the neighbours to play with their kids whom she has taken a shine to, which was fun and came home for yummy cottage pie for dinner.  Now we are about to watch a DVD,  and have some wine.  Looking forward to a fun day tomorrow at the neighbours kids party, and catching up with my friend Anna.

Things Changed...

I didn't end up going to the cinema yesterday.  I decided to stay home and do some things around the house instead.  I sorted out things on the computer, wrote some emails to old friends, sorted out my huge magazine library, organised the pantry and made a little memory book of our trip to Lanzarote for Tilly - she loves looking at photos! 

So it was an eventful day none-the-less.  I also hired two DVD's - The King's Speech and The Social Network (which I have seen already).  It was lovely!  And made it even more exciting when Tilly finally got home from Farmor and Farfar with a little drawing for us.  Anyway now I am sitting enjoying a glass of wine, about to watch Masterchef the Professionals and waiting anxiously for my husband to return from Kiev.....Hurry! 

Have a great weekend and if you are need some inspiration, check out this little dude and his arcade!

xxx

 
 
 
 

Finally I'm doing this....

After about 3 years of toying with the idea of a blog, I have got my act together!  However I still have to learn how to use the page properly, so apologies in advance!
Today I have a free day, which means Tilly is getting collected by her grandparents.  This means I can do whatever I want until 18:00 - very luxurious! So today I am sorting things out on the computer, cleaning around the house and soon I will go to the cinema to see Hotel Marigold.  It will probably be me and alot of old people, but hey, I'll be old too someday. 
I'll let you know how it was.....