Packing the Bags

I am packing, and thinking about packing. And going to the store, and to the doctor and all those last minute errands before a 7 week trip with three kids. I used to never get the so called travel-fever, but these days I do. It must be the three little passengers that are doing it.

To the delight of those of you cannot come with us to the stunning land of deep green forests and clear blue lakes: Keep checking here and I will update so you can feel like you too were with us.

In the meantime, a video clip that I am actually in. Very boring, though.


Walking home from the Medieval Fair from Victoria Akselsen on Vimeo.

Soccer Time

The local Mormon Soccer experience. An incredible volunteer achievement. Isak's very first time playing soccer. Ever. Elina was too young, sadly. How do you explain that she is "too little" when she can clearly see that she is a head taller than many of the kids that were playing? (She missed the cut-off by 2 months.) The curse of being tall. I promised her next time we would kick a ball just she and I beside the field.

Praise to my Parents

For so many reasons, my parents deserve praise. Too many to list here. But specifically, and with regards to a recent entry, I have a NEW CAMERA. Hence I can post a picture taken yesterday of Isak and Elina. They came out looking like this after a period of play in their room. The Brave Knight and the Fair Maiden, with, eh, Ye Auld sunglasses and, uh, Ye Auld Turtle Dress... Inspired, perhaps, by the Medieval Fair this weekend?

Did You Cut Your Hair?

Elina a year ago

...is a phrase that needs to be officially deleted from the English language. Instead it should say: Did you have your hair cut by someone? Or better yet: Did you have someone professional or someone else who knows how to properly cut hair cut your hair? (Just to make no room for misunderstandings)

It is phrases like "Did you cut your hair?" being tossed about carelessly by adults that causes children to think that they probably should cut their hair, since every time they have had a haircut people ask them if THEY CUT THEIR HAIR.

Parents: In the future when some one asks your child if they cut their hair, it is your duty to interrupt and say: "No, absolutely not! Little Johnny/Jane is not allowed to cut their own hair. In fact we, his mom and dad, do not even cut our own hair. _____ (fill in the blank) cut Johnny's/Jane's hair."

Elina cut her hair yesterday. Five inches on the side of her head, above her ear. This comes only two months after Isak had a go on the opposite side and left a half inch tuft on the top of her head right at the middle part. (The portrait in a post below shows the "after" look)

I know, I know it is only hair. And I try not to emphasize looks too much with our kids, especially the girls. It sickens me how much attention is paid to looks in our society. Focusing on being cute and well-dressed gives kids a lop sided sense of self worth and the world, and they will be far too inclined to plunge into depression in life whenever they don't look as they think they ought. So I focus on other things to compliment, the things that matter: kindness, smarts, patience, selflessness, hard work, creativity, humor, talents etc.

That said: Elina has the most gorgeous hair on planet earth. Perfect ringlets that are golden and shimmering. And the more windblown they are the more beautiful they become. She is the only one I know who can go out in the Oklahoma wind and look even better for it. But I am not mourning the loss of her hair solely because of its beauty.

Elina has since age 6 months twirled and pulled on her hair at the sides. She does it absentmindedly, sort of, but manages to get a chunk daily. It is called trichotillomania. She also fits the term trichofagia since 6 months of age, which I am told she will outgrow, but in the meantime it is a huge concern. The fact that her hair two months ago was LONG on the sides was such an amazing accomplishment. Curly hair takes four times as long to grow long since it spirals on its way. And when it is being pulled out routinely it obviously takes even longer to grow. But the longer it is the less she pulls on it because we can braid it, pull it up and it is generally not as "pullable" Elina-style.

I totally lost my cool when I discovered Elina with my sewing scissors (I sewed a Princess Leia dress for Elina yesterday) and found blond lock after blond lock littered on the floor, along with chunks from Annia's head (she has a few choice bald spots now).

Elina cried when I had to trim several inches off the back of her hair and round off a new hair style. "Don't cut very much, Mamma!" she pleaded. "I am cutting as little as I can! But why did you cut your hair so much if you don't want short hair?" "Because I am a little child! And I don't understand anything."

Hear that sound?

It is the sound of rejoicing in scattered places across the globe at the following news:

As the technological wonder that I have become, I am happy to announce the following link which allows for longer videos than this blog seems capable to handle. Henceforth, when I have videos longer than a minute they will be posted on my Vimeo site. Yes, that's right. Go ahead and join in the cheers. Those of you who have been checking daily, even hourly, for more footage of a certain trio will be at least temporarily satisfied. This first glimpse was shot on a cold March 5, same day as the tire swing video, below. Isak was still tired from the flu. HERE.

No thanks are necessary. Your happiness is enough for me.

Elina's 4th Birthday Party

The last few days leading up to Elina's party we had the following scenario: all three of our cars broken (but we're down to only two thanks to Mark), a backed up sewer line, a broken clothes washer and on the morning of the party (30 minutes prior) I ran an errand in a borrowed car (mind you, our own were not working) and I got a ticket! Mark was roto-rooting the sewer line at 8 pm the night before the party. I'll spare you further details. I frosted the cake at 11 pm to the sound of much evil critiquing of my "Hello Kitty" artwork. I let Mark have a go on the pink cake I had just frosted. Please comment on which Hello Kitty you think was best, the brown one or the pink. Thank you!

Birthday Morning

Elina turns four today and her wish came true. A pony baby! She's been thanking me all morning long.

A Walk in the Park

I just arrived in the Age of Technology and figured out that I can upload videos! Who would have thought? Actually, I was not aware my camera even had the video function, with sound and all! Very embarrassing to have discovered this so recently. Time to invite my parents to this site and join the ranks of moms who without restraint publish every minute detail of their children's daily routine. I should place a boredom warning to anyone entering this site that does not happen to have emotional investment in our kids.

Isak seemed to have recovered from the flu yesterday by spending the day pestering Elina and practicing combat moves with his new LIGHTSABER. They both wanted to go to the park, but the walk proved long and by the time this footage was shot he was spent (as you can see).

Enjoy!

The Trio

Possibly the best kids in the world. Isak five and a half, Elina almost four, Annia ten months.

Sweden 2008: April 17 - June 5

I booked the tickets yesterday and I can already nearly breathe the Swedish air. I haven't been home for 2,5 years, less five days, when we fly out. Mark will come too, April 30th - May 21st. His longest vacation on record. His only vacation in two years. He SO deserves it.

I plan lots of walking through the forests. Forest is everywhere and as a child I went on hour long exploration walks alone with the dog, searching for old forgotten paths and checking up on my friends the trees and rocks. No Poison Ivy, no Poison Oak. No venomous anything, really. Just trek on out, but wear rubber boots in spring. I can't wait to have the kids experience that which I took entirely for granted when I grew up.

Here's what you would see as you fly in, if you were to come with me. This seemed so unremarkable and boring to me as I grew up. Absence has made me appreciate it. Other Sweden pictures below.