Missing My Girls

I'm several days into my annual winter escape to the States and I'm missing my girls terribly.  Fortunately there is Skype but it will certainly be a long month. 

 My girls rocking 'staches and showing their guns

I'm a little jealous that Hammie can grow a better mustache than me

Waffles

Waffles are pretty popular with our little family and we try to treat ourselves once every couple weeks.  Our last waffle feast was shared with friends and Hammie demonstrated how one should eat a waffle.

 Open mouth....

 insert waffle.

 Hammie likes her waffles with jam and whipped cream

Ingelin needed no help in waffle eating as she proudly displays her next morsel.  

Winter is Coming

The trees have shed all their leaves and we are enjoying some splendid fall weather.  Unfortunately we know winter is just around the corner, whether we like it or not.

Hammie carefully selects a single leaf from the thousands available.  

Hammie and Mira

A little over a week ago Hammie was reunited with one of her friends that we haven't seen for awhile.  Mira and Hammie had a fun-packed day of mushroom gathering, swinging, BBQ, and cats.  Good times. 

 Mira and Hammie take a ride on a cool swing

 You don't find as many mushrooms on the road but it's way easier for little legs to walk

A cool mushroom we found.  This one is not for eating

 Mira takes a ride with her mom Klara

 Michael shows the girls how to BBQ

Good friends know how to share

Cats provide tons of enjoyment

A Couple Aunties

Hammie hanging with two of her aunties this September in Colorado

Happy Halloween!

They had a Halloween party at Hammie's day care and she went as the cutest pumpkin ever.  

Happy Halloween from Hammie and her parents 

 A hug from a pumpkin?  Yes please

 Pumpkins need hugs too

Back in Sweden

Our little family is now back in Sweden.  It was a great trip and we are already missing our friends and family in the USA.  We'll spend the next few days trying to get our jet-lag under control and thinking of things we can't get in Sweden.

Hammie takes a bite of her first Twinkie.  Mmmmmmmm, tastes like freedom

My father (aka Don, the Don, Dad, Fart-fart, Doc, Donk, the Man, the Myth, the Legend......) teaches Hammie there is more to life than just Twinkies, there are also Ding-dongs, Ho-hos and a variety of other Hostess products 

Hammie and Tio Toe-Toe

Antonio joined our little family for a week.  Hammie took pretty good care of him and dubbed him Toe-Toe.

 Hanging in the dirt

 Hammie teaches Antonio how to be a hourse

Enjoying refreshing beverages

The Cutest Little Pie Baker

We spent our first week State side in Pie Town hanging with friends and family.  Hammie decided if she was going to be in Pie Town she would take it seriously and took some pie baking lessons from Farmor.  With a little help Hammie baked her first pie (blueberry of course) and next year she might might enter one in the baking contest.  Here's a couple pictures of the worlds cutest pie baker.

 Hammie learns to "crimp" the crust

 Attention to detail

 Putting in the blueberry filling

My mother the pie baking queen with her new protege 

Hammie and Dut-Dut

It has been great for Hammie to have her very own playmate.  I think Dut-Dut is the new favorite and it will be a rude awakening when she leaves and Hammie is back to hanging with her dad.

 Hammie riding her favorite horse

Hammie shows Dut-Dut how one should pretend to be a puppy

Dancing in the Streets

It's always a party when Hammie is in charge and nothing livens the mood like spontaneous street dancing.  

It all starts with a little twirl for two

But street dances are always better when others join in

Hammie leads Dut-dut, Mormor and Mom in a dance circle

And the crowd loves it

Aunt Dut-Dut

Autumn came to Sweden to visit Hammie for a couple weeks.  It is great to have Aunt Dut-Dut, and Hammie loves giving her personalized tours around Gothenburg.  The tours don't go very fast, require that you occasionally carry the tour-guide, and must allow for a one hour nap in the middle of the day, but you're guaranteed to have a good time.  

 Hammie guides Autumn down a busy Gothenburg street

Just in case you have a hard time seeing the tiny tour-guide Hammie carries a balloon to help you stay on track

A Big Fall

Last week Lina and I were given a pretty awesome surprise.  Håkan presented us with a cards that informed us we would be skydiving the following morning.  I was psyched and after Lina harnessed her apprehension so was she.  Hammie didn't really know what was going out but after Lina came down from her jump Hammie was very concerned that her mother had "fallen".  Hammie didn't however seem the least bit concerned that her dad did the same. 

 Lina gets geared up

 Tobias ensures Lina everything will be ok

 Hammie hasn't yet realized what is going to happen

 Lina just before liftoff 

Who you calling a sucker?

Hammie got to try her first lollipop this summer and it's safe to say it was a big hit.  The lulling effect was incredible as Hammie simply sat down and barely moved until the entire sucker was gone.  We generally deprive Hammie of candy but it was a special time to share with her friends.  And now if I ever need 15-20 minutes of partial silence (sucking noises being the only audible sound) I know how to get it.

 Good stuff!

Hammie and her friends Mira and Miriam enjoying a sweet summer

Hammie Update: Two years old and life is good

On July 25^th Hammie doubled in age.  Despite my earlier reluctance to have a party for a two year old I realized nothing I could say or do can keep grandparents from pampering their only grandchild.  So it goes.  Hammie once again was the honored guest at two different parties, each with presents and strawberry cake.  The cakes were delicious and I've decided as long as I get some strawberry cake Hammie can have as many parties as she wants.

We’ve heard stories of “terrible twos” but it’s hard to imagine the word terrible or any of its synonyms being applied to our little girl.  Mood swings can happen, the worst of which are complete with face-to-the-floor wailing, but they are short lived and do little more than provide chuckles for her loving parents.  Yes, I think it’s ok to laugh at your kids sometimes.

Talking is Hammie's new favorite thing as scarcely a minute goes by without a comment or question, intelligible or not.  She deftly navigates between Swedish and English and it’s safe to say that folks in the States better brush up on their Swedish if they don’t want a frustrated little girl repeating the simplest of phrases in a progressively louder voice until eventual breakdown.  Guessing works well and I’ve gotten pretty good at it as everyday brings new words that are not quite pronounced properly or best described as Swenglish. 

The potty-training that went so well in February has taken a serious setback as the folks at daycare (we call it dagis here in Sweden) don’t have the manpower to follow Hammie around and tune into her bowl movements.  With dagis closed for July we’ve taken strides forward once again but I fear it’ll be back to square one with the return to dagis.  She is beginning to get the hang of it and certainly understands the concept so we’ll see what happens.

One of the perks of Hammie being older is she now has an added independence and I don’t feel like I need to have my eye on her every minute.  If she needs help she will tell me and she will often entertain herself for long periods.  Of course Hammie’s every improving mobility is literally taking her to new heights and a lack of supervision has ever growing consequences.   I’d like to think Hammie processes decent risk analysis but it is better to not leave things to chance, and she is after all my daughter.  I have my eye on her every other minute.

All in all things are moving forward as they should and I still contend that we have the greatest kid ever.   Hammie can’t wait to see all her fans and show all her new skills/tricks. For those in the USA, Hammie will be making an appearance State-side in September. 

Big hugs from the cutest 2-year old ever.

 Officially Two

 Hammie better not get used to cakes or her dad is going to gain 20 pounds

Presents

Flower Girl

Another picture from Midsommer

Glad Midsommar

Happy Midsummer!!

Check out this link and scroll down for another picture of Hammie that a local reporter took.

What's that on my Belly?

One day Hammie came back from daycare with some body-art.

 Check out my belly!

 Hammie points out that her belly now has eyes

The belly-art was so cute we left it for 3 days before bath time washed it away