Dad Camp

We dropped Lina off at the airport today and for the next week Hammie and I will be living in the dirt, eating raw meat with our hands, working on cars, and doing other manly stuff. That's right, Dad camp. Without Lina to keep tabs on us there is no end to the trouble we'll get into. Hammie is already prepared as a recent spill left her with a mouth full of asphalt and a gnarly scab on her face. It'll maker her look tough when we walk into the biker bars.

Hopefully this week will be great for everyone but we'll certainly miss Lina. And all that stuff about being dirty and reckless is mostly untrue as Hammie is pretty responsible and fully capable of keeping her dad in line.

Here's a couple shots from the airport.

Hammie with some face wounds offering flowers

Hammie and Lina get some last cuddles before the week long separation

Bye bye! We'll miss you

American Girl

It only took a week in the USA for Hammie to embrace the goodness that is American. Despite being exposed to communist propaganda over the past few months she has managed to thrown off the shackles of socialism and rally around the stars and stripes. From here on out it is fast food, firearms, and freedom. Hammie is hoping to join the ranks of the obese and drive a Hummer to conservative political rallies. God Bless America.

Oh say can you see........

Laundry Day

Being productive around the house is considerably more difficult with a 1 year old. Certain things are almost impossible (like keeping the apartment floor free of Hammie toys) and other take considerably longer than they should. Which brings us to "laundry day".

Those that know me probably realize that if left to my own devices laundry would be an infrequent event. Barely having enough clothes to fill a machine coupled with the fact I wear the same thing everyday (sometimes for over a week) means that I don't have to do laundry very often. Of course now I've got a little girl and a princess with way higher standards than me. There is now plenty to wash and fortunately Hammie loves to help.

Laundry is incredibly enjoyable with my little girl as she insists on shorting the clothes at every stage of the process. Piles get rearranged, clothes get put in and out of the machine and nothing gets hung in the drying room without Hammie's approval.

When laundry day is finally over I start to wish that I had more dirty clothes to clean. Fortunately that is a wish quickly granted by a certain 1 year old with an affinity for dirt and messy eating. Life is good.

After careful inspection Hammie hands newly washed clothes to dad.

Large items pose a problem for my little girl but she is adamant about taking them by herself

Until Hammie is taller dad will have to do the hanging.

Making sure everything is in order

Helping out

Hammie met a new addition to the world and extended a hand, imparting her expert knowledge about on subjects from the best foods to how to walk. She is looking forward to being a roll-model.

Mushrooms

We try not to encourage Hammie to eat random things she finds in the forest. Of course that has become increasingly difficult as we are constantly sampling the wonderful treats the Swedish forest has to offer. We've been hitting the berries pretty hard (blueberries are still tops) but now we are getting into mushroom season. Our most recent handpicked indulgence was some Chanterelle mushrooms so we now have to keep a close watch on our little mushroom hunter as she doesn't seem to be a discerning expert of the field.

Hammie inspects her find

Hammie is excited about her delicious Karl Johan mushroom

Kicking back on the ride home

Hangin' with da Boys

I realize that Hammie will eventually attract the attention of teenage boys that will follow her around and compete for her attention. I'm already preparing for the day when I'll screen dates while simultaneously cleaning a shiny gun.
Fortunately for me I will have considerable backup to fight off the droves of suitors as Hammie is collecting a large number of "uncles" to help intimidate and threaten every pimple nosed male that comes within a mile of my little girl.

This last weekend a few "uncles" showered Hammie with attention and planned various torturing techniques that could be put to use in about 12 years.

Anders, Peter and Lars make for pretty good body guards

New Wheels

Moffe, Tina, Ida and Anna payed us a visit here in Gothenburg and held an impromptu birthday bash for Hammie since this is the first time seeing her since her big day. Her cake was of course blueberry and I'm pretty sure blowing out the candle (which she did herself) made her wish come true as she was soon behind a new set of wheels. Hammie is not spoiled, doesn't everyone get double birthdays and a ride at age one.

Hammie blows out the candle on her cake

A thorough inspection of any vehicle is important before hoping behind the wheel.

Ready to go cruising