Svenska Tomten och IKEA

We did our traditional Dallas trip for the SWEA Lucia celebration this weekend. Parting with tradition we did NOT participate in the Lucia performance. Elina remembered the performance as looooong. Well, she and Isak both had a change of heart when they saw everyone dressed up, of course. And this year, the children entered later in the program and were allowed to sit down on the steps of the stage after their songs were over. Smart!! The choir sang beautifully and I loved it. The choir members berated (lovingly) for not supporting them. Next year, for sure!

The kids did get to see Tomten (Santa Claus), the Swedish one that they have seen before. Anja told him she wanted a Rapunzel doll and exactly what Elina chatted about I don't know. They all know Santa is a friendly myth, but enjoyed seeing him none-the-less.

 A little reluctant at first...

 Too old to want to sit on his lap.

 Not scared.

 "Let me tell you..."

Svenska barn med svensk tomte.

Our friends The Jores from Norway came with us - Sissel and Torbjørn, and their kids Jørgen and Frida who are Isak and Elinaæs age, respectively. When they first moved here and we met them 18 months ago, the kids spoke Swedish/Norwegian with each other. But noe they always speak English. Isak has learned some Norwegian from the parents though, and often copy Torbjørn saying, "Ja, det er riktig!" He so wishes he could speak more Norwegian, but what little he does say he pronounces flawlessly.

We ate at IKEA according to tradition and then the Fishers did some serious shopping.

 Where is Julia?? (She refused to eat)

 Anja låg i påsen hela tiden. 

Elina hämtade lite leksaker (som vi inte köpte).

 Männen i familjen körde de tunga lassen.

Och Julia vägrade släppa kudden. Den ligger i hennes säng nu...

On the way home everyone played with silly putty.