The kids found each other right away, and my two were so excited to get to play with a little friend. Here they played hairdresser:
Saturday, 11 July 2009
The 2nd cousin
We had a short visit today by the kids' 2nd cousin Irmeli, her Dad (my cousin, who is visiting his mum over the weekend) and Grandma (my Auntie).
The kids found each other right away, and my two were so excited to get to play with a little friend. Here they played hairdresser:
The kids found each other right away, and my two were so excited to get to play with a little friend. Here they played hairdresser:
Believe it or not!
Believe it or not...
... but I didn't just dress up for this photo, I was actually out r u n n i n g today! Yes, first day of vacation, and just before 6 pm (it's light for long here!) I decided I would try out my new jogging shoes.
I was "only" out for just over 20 minutes, but I did run all the way and covered over 3 km! I was so impressed by myself!
It really is so much nicer to run outside, on a desert country road, in the fresh, cool air - to on a tread mill in a gym... So lovely!
... but I didn't just dress up for this photo, I was actually out r u n n i n g today! Yes, first day of vacation, and just before 6 pm (it's light for long here!) I decided I would try out my new jogging shoes.
I was "only" out for just over 20 minutes, but I did run all the way and covered over 3 km! I was so impressed by myself!
It really is so much nicer to run outside, on a desert country road, in the fresh, cool air - to on a tread mill in a gym... So lovely!
Friday, 10 July 2009
32 1/2 hours
We set a new record the past two days, our trip this time took 32 1/2 hours from door to door... It really wasn't that bad, even though it sounds very long of course. It's all about just taking it one bit at a time. It's all that wait that is killing, and that last short flight, when you are aaalmost there. Otherwise, the kids were as good as gold.
To my surprise, they woke up at 04 am this morning though (the early daylight doesn't help!) so today will probably be a bit of a slow day. It's grey, cold and rainy outside too, so a good day for inside fun.
To my surprise, they woke up at 04 am this morning though (the early daylight doesn't help!) so today will probably be a bit of a slow day. It's grey, cold and rainy outside too, so a good day for inside fun.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
28 hours and counting...
Mobile modems are lovely things, I'm sitting in my parents motor home on the road somewhere on our way to their house - and blogging!
We have been traveling now for 28 hours, but there is still many miles to go, and at least four more hours...
We have done our three airplane rides (8hrs20+7hrs15+2hrs), our 4 hr transit in Heathrow, our tiny little train ride, and at least now we are in Sviden. Just not quite where we are supposed to be just yet...
*Yawn*
We have been traveling now for 28 hours, but there is still many miles to go, and at least four more hours...
We have done our three airplane rides (8hrs20+7hrs15+2hrs), our 4 hr transit in Heathrow, our tiny little train ride, and at least now we are in Sviden. Just not quite where we are supposed to be just yet...
*Yawn*
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Goodbye Alligators!
Now Lucas is done with his last day of school for this year too. He got a book, and a DVD with all the photos from his year in Reception as a present; and a big cuddle with his teacher, Mrs Williamson.
She has been fantastic, it's a real shame they have to change teachers every year...
Next year our big boy is starting Year 1! He's already looking forward to that!
She has been fantastic, it's a real shame they have to change teachers every year...
Next year our big boy is starting Year 1! He's already looking forward to that!
Goodbye Unicorn!
Linnea is home from her last day at school for this year, her last day at the Kindy Unicorn class.
She didn't seem to understand quite the concept of this 'last', but for me it was a bit sad. Another year gone, another page to turn...
Outside the class room they had displayed some "before-and-after" photos of the kids. The before photos were taken last year when they came to get familiarized with their new class, and just look at how much Linnea has changed!
She didn't seem to understand quite the concept of this 'last', but for me it was a bit sad. Another year gone, another page to turn...
Outside the class room they had displayed some "before-and-after" photos of the kids. The before photos were taken last year when they came to get familiarized with their new class, and just look at how much Linnea has changed!
End of the year presents
Today will be the kids' last day of school, since we are off tonight.
I've prepared some little gifts for the teachers, as a thank you for all the work they have done with my children this year.
Lucas' two teachers and Linnea's teacher will each get a specially scrapped card with a $50 voucher for a bag in it, and also small, personal notes of thank you - and some photos of Lucas/Linnea:
All the (five!) teachers assistants in Linnea's class will each get a body mist from the Bodyshop, that I've wrapped in tulle and decorated with a home made tag:
I hope they will like it!
I've prepared some little gifts for the teachers, as a thank you for all the work they have done with my children this year.
Lucas' two teachers and Linnea's teacher will each get a specially scrapped card with a $50 voucher for a bag in it, and also small, personal notes of thank you - and some photos of Lucas/Linnea:
All the (five!) teachers assistants in Linnea's class will each get a body mist from the Bodyshop, that I've wrapped in tulle and decorated with a home made tag:
I hope they will like it!
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Travel plan
Ok, so we are off to Scandiland very soon. The travel plan (if someone have missed that we are coming and actually would like to meet up) looks a bit like this:
Boel & kids in Skara from the 9-25 July.
Boel in Stockholm, by herself, 15-18 July.
Whole family in Copenhagen 25-28 July.
Family in Billund/Legoland/Kolding 28 Jul-1 Aug.
Family in Sjaellands Odde 1-3 Aug.
In rental car, passing through Malmö, Lund, Helsingborg, (Falkenberg?) & Vinslöv 3-7 Aug.
Nyköping 7-9 Aug.
Whole family in Skara 9-18 Aug.
Nathan back in Brunei 20 Aug.
Boel & kids leave 22 Aug. Back in Brunei on the 24th.
Then we have a whole week here to acclimatise back to Brunei life, before school starts again on the 31st of August.
Boel & kids in Skara from the 9-25 July.
Boel in Stockholm, by herself, 15-18 July.
Whole family in Copenhagen 25-28 July.
Family in Billund/Legoland/Kolding 28 Jul-1 Aug.
Family in Sjaellands Odde 1-3 Aug.
In rental car, passing through Malmö, Lund, Helsingborg, (Falkenberg?) & Vinslöv 3-7 Aug.
Nyköping 7-9 Aug.
Whole family in Skara 9-18 Aug.
Nathan back in Brunei 20 Aug.
Boel & kids leave 22 Aug. Back in Brunei on the 24th.
Then we have a whole week here to acclimatise back to Brunei life, before school starts again on the 31st of August.
Monday, 6 July 2009
School reports
We got the kids' school reports today. Although they are still so young, it's nice to read that they are doing well of course, even though there are no pressure really, yet.
The school report consists of comments from their teacher, and any other teacher they might have (they have specific Chinese, Swimming, ICT and Music teachers). It covers these different parts:
* Communication, Language and Literacy
* Creative Development
* Knowledge and Understanding of the World
* Mathematical Development
* Personal, Social and Emotional Development
* Physical Development
Both reports were excellent!
We could for example read that "Linnea is a curious and inquisitive member of the class"... "Linnea can swim a few meters and retrieve items off the bottom of the pool"... "Linnea has great imagination and takes her play seriously! She has many friends and is well liked by her peers"... "Linnea is sociable and caring"... etc.
We could read about Lucas, amongst many other things, that "Lucas is a pleasure to teach, he is an able and active student"... "Lucas shows a wonderful interest in objects and events"... "Lucas has made very good progress in all areas of maths. A huge effort"... "Lucas is a talented sports person with excellent stamina"... "Lucas can swim 10 m freestyle as well as star float on his back for 10 seconds and do a seated dive"... "Lucas has grown greatly this year in maturity and independence"... "Lucas is a pleasant and well motivated pupil who clearly gains much from school and gives much in return"... etc.
Well done kids!
The school report consists of comments from their teacher, and any other teacher they might have (they have specific Chinese, Swimming, ICT and Music teachers). It covers these different parts:
* Communication, Language and Literacy
* Creative Development
* Knowledge and Understanding of the World
* Mathematical Development
* Personal, Social and Emotional Development
* Physical Development
Both reports were excellent!
We could for example read that "Linnea is a curious and inquisitive member of the class"... "Linnea can swim a few meters and retrieve items off the bottom of the pool"... "Linnea has great imagination and takes her play seriously! She has many friends and is well liked by her peers"... "Linnea is sociable and caring"... etc.
We could read about Lucas, amongst many other things, that "Lucas is a pleasure to teach, he is an able and active student"... "Lucas shows a wonderful interest in objects and events"... "Lucas has made very good progress in all areas of maths. A huge effort"... "Lucas is a talented sports person with excellent stamina"... "Lucas can swim 10 m freestyle as well as star float on his back for 10 seconds and do a seated dive"... "Lucas has grown greatly this year in maturity and independence"... "Lucas is a pleasant and well motivated pupil who clearly gains much from school and gives much in return"... etc.
Well done kids!
All clear!
School was re-opened today (yay!) but it seemed slightly empty, many parents had chosen to keep their children home, also for this last week of school.
The school are doing their part in preventing further spreading of the flu though, they screened everybody upon entering the premises this morning. You got a little orange sticker to show that you were fever-free:
Here is our little friend Charlie, getting the all clear:
Edit: There had only been 8 (out of 25) children in school, in Linnea's class today!
The school are doing their part in preventing further spreading of the flu though, they screened everybody upon entering the premises this morning. You got a little orange sticker to show that you were fever-free:
Here is our little friend Charlie, getting the all clear:
Edit: There had only been 8 (out of 25) children in school, in Linnea's class today!
Sunday, 5 July 2009
A day in the sun
We have spent the whole day out in the sun today, at the Yacht Club. Even though you might not believe me, when I say the day actually started like this:
We were first on the scene today up there, since Nathan was biking up there and we met up for breakfast. It was pouring down for about an hour (kids of course swam anyway) but then it cleared up and was beautiful blue skies for the rest of the day.
There was a lot going on there this morning, one little boy had his birthday party (that Lucas crashed...), one family had a goodbye-get-together - and we had cake at our friend Andrew's birthday brunch, since he will be turning 50 (... or how much was it again?) while away on summer holiday.
Normally I don't like it when there is so many people, because it's hard to keep track of the kids - but today it was actually really nice.
Now we have had pizza (like every Sunday!) and I'm already as good as packed and ready for our trip. School is on tomorrow (jippie!) and only three sleeps to go!
We were first on the scene today up there, since Nathan was biking up there and we met up for breakfast. It was pouring down for about an hour (kids of course swam anyway) but then it cleared up and was beautiful blue skies for the rest of the day.
There was a lot going on there this morning, one little boy had his birthday party (that Lucas crashed...), one family had a goodbye-get-together - and we had cake at our friend Andrew's birthday brunch, since he will be turning 50 (... or how much was it again?) while away on summer holiday.
Normally I don't like it when there is so many people, because it's hard to keep track of the kids - but today it was actually really nice.
Now we have had pizza (like every Sunday!) and I'm already as good as packed and ready for our trip. School is on tomorrow (jippie!) and only three sleeps to go!
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Extreme precaution?
We've passed the 100 mark here in Brunei now - yes, over 100 recorded cases of the H1N1 flu!! Compare that with Sweden that has only 76 registered cases, and then consider that Sweden has over 9 million inhabitants, Brunei only 380 000...
I must admit, I feel people are panicking a bit. Today we were out and about doing some jobs, and upon entering one store, we got given face masks!
Lucas was the only one putting his to use though:
Apparently face masks are flying off the shelves around the country, and the Ministry of Health are having crisis meeting after crisis meeting about what to do in the worst case scenario etc.
I just hope there will be school this last week of term, of the simple reason that I would like the kids to get a chance to say goodbye to their friends and teachers for the summer.
I must admit, I feel people are panicking a bit. Today we were out and about doing some jobs, and upon entering one store, we got given face masks!
Lucas was the only one putting his to use though:
Apparently face masks are flying off the shelves around the country, and the Ministry of Health are having crisis meeting after crisis meeting about what to do in the worst case scenario etc.
I just hope there will be school this last week of term, of the simple reason that I would like the kids to get a chance to say goodbye to their friends and teachers for the summer.
Friday, 3 July 2009
Sleepovers
In an attempt to keep the kids busy and entertained during this week of no school, we have had numerous play dates and also two sleep overs at our house.
On Wednesday Malthe and Daniel came for a play, and Malthe stayed over for his first sleep over. Yesterday we took the Turner kids to the movies with us, and then they came back here for a sleepover too.
Hannah slept with Linnea and Ben with Lucas. Hannah fell asleep first, and after trying to wake her up a few times, Linnea gave up too and went to sleep.
Lucas read bedtime stories to Ben after having played a bit with the Bakugans they went too. They were all over the bed and each other, but we didn't hear a noise all night, they were sound asleep.
And when they woke up at 06 am this morning, it felt really good to have an amah..!
On Wednesday Malthe and Daniel came for a play, and Malthe stayed over for his first sleep over. Yesterday we took the Turner kids to the movies with us, and then they came back here for a sleepover too.
Hannah slept with Linnea and Ben with Lucas. Hannah fell asleep first, and after trying to wake her up a few times, Linnea gave up too and went to sleep.
Lucas read bedtime stories to Ben after having played a bit with the Bakugans they went too. They were all over the bed and each other, but we didn't hear a noise all night, they were sound asleep.
And when they woke up at 06 am this morning, it felt really good to have an amah..!
Incalculable
"Incalculable, ficke, capricious, unpredictable"... These were all words that came up the other day when I went to my dictionary looking for a word I didn't know in English. In Swedish we say oberäknelig, so I guess incalculable would be the closest equivalent to that.
As you might have guessed, all these words are describing Linnea at the moment. She is totally incalculable, it's impossible to keep up with her antics. It's like having a curious 1-1 1/2 year old in the house, or worse!!
Yesterday she took all our plasters (on two occasions, she didn't even learn from the first bollocking she got!) and stuck them onto herself, the sofa and everywhere around. As a punishment we pulled them off her, one after the other... and now we have no more plasters in the house.
She has drawn on the walls, she steals money (not only coins anymore, but bills as well) and anything else that might be interesting to her, totally random things usually.
You never know what she will be into next and even though we have told her a million times not to touch things that are not hers, and especially not to go into our office, that's her favourite hangout...
Aaaarrrghhh, trying times here at the moment!
As you might have guessed, all these words are describing Linnea at the moment. She is totally incalculable, it's impossible to keep up with her antics. It's like having a curious 1-1 1/2 year old in the house, or worse!!
Yesterday she took all our plasters (on two occasions, she didn't even learn from the first bollocking she got!) and stuck them onto herself, the sofa and everywhere around. As a punishment we pulled them off her, one after the other... and now we have no more plasters in the house.
She has drawn on the walls, she steals money (not only coins anymore, but bills as well) and anything else that might be interesting to her, totally random things usually.
You never know what she will be into next and even though we have told her a million times not to touch things that are not hers, and especially not to go into our office, that's her favourite hangout...
Aaaarrrghhh, trying times here at the moment!
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Slightly nervous
I can't help but becoming slightly nervous, when I read about how quickly the H1N1 influenza spreads here in Brunei at the moment. Today they recorded 24 new cases, in just one day; which brings the total up to 66, since the first case only ten days ago!
I'm nervous about one of us getting sick before our long trip. We are traveling through four airports on our way home, and I don't want to get stopped and quarantined somewhere...
Better keep washing those hands, over and over again!
I'm nervous about one of us getting sick before our long trip. We are traveling through four airports on our way home, and I don't want to get stopped and quarantined somewhere...
Better keep washing those hands, over and over again!
I have ordered good weather!!
But, what is this?!? I have ordered good weather for our vacation!
This was in my home town yesterday, no, no, no... I'm not having this!
A roof on a shopping mall caved in by the heavy rain, and cars getting stuck under a viaduct. You would think it's Brunei!!!
It better be sunny and nice in a weeks time!
This was in my home town yesterday, no, no, no... I'm not having this!
A roof on a shopping mall caved in by the heavy rain, and cars getting stuck under a viaduct. You would think it's Brunei!!!
It better be sunny and nice in a weeks time!
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Not impressed
The dogs are really not impressed at all about their cone hats they have to wear now for a whole week. They don't try to take them off or anything, but they are having a hard time getting used to them, bumping in to things and getting stuck between things...
At least today, they seemed a little bit chirpier than yesterday. Especially Jay seemed to be very affected after having been sedated and everything. Last night I was a bit worried about him, but today he was back to normal - albeit not impressed.
It's him here on the photo:
At least today, they seemed a little bit chirpier than yesterday. Especially Jay seemed to be very affected after having been sedated and everything. Last night I was a bit worried about him, but today he was back to normal - albeit not impressed.
It's him here on the photo:
Happy happy!
This is how happy you get when Grandma sends you new clothes:
We had a special delivery the other day. Granddad had left an All Blacks backpack in the RBA crew hotel in Auckland, and one of our friends picked it up there for us and brought it back. Super fast delivery, at no cost!
Really cool backpack, and it was full of goodies for all of us. New gear for the whole family, very much appreciated - thank you!
We had a special delivery the other day. Granddad had left an All Blacks backpack in the RBA crew hotel in Auckland, and one of our friends picked it up there for us and brought it back. Super fast delivery, at no cost!
Really cool backpack, and it was full of goodies for all of us. New gear for the whole family, very much appreciated - thank you!
Spidergirl
It's no secret that our dear Linnea is a bit of a tomboy. At the moment, her favourite "party trick" whenever we have someone here, is to dress up - as Spidergirl!
Here she is teaming up with Spiderbear:
Today, we even got a bit of wall climbing action!
Here she is teaming up with Spiderbear:
Today, we even got a bit of wall climbing action!
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Chilly!
Every now and then, not very often, you can get cold - even here in Brunei. To me, it has happened two nights in a row now!
Yesterday we went to the movies, and for some bizarre reason they always have the AC set on highest blow-out possible. It's horrendously cold in the movie theaters here.
First time we went, the friends who took us came in jeans, socks, shoes, fleece jackets and with duvets in their bags! I was laughing at them, until we got in to the theater... brrr... Now I'm normally always prepared from home too.
Yesterday though I couldn't be bothered changing to long trousers, and was counting on borrowing a blanket from the cinema. But since it was one of the first screenings of the new Transformers movie, it was more or less full - and they had run out of blankets!
I was shaking by the time we got home!
Tonight I did the hash in the pouring rain. Got soaked, and never really got my warmth back during shout-up or dinner - not until I got home to my warm shower.
So every now and then it happens, you feel cold, even in Brunei - but it's rare.
Yesterday we went to the movies, and for some bizarre reason they always have the AC set on highest blow-out possible. It's horrendously cold in the movie theaters here.
First time we went, the friends who took us came in jeans, socks, shoes, fleece jackets and with duvets in their bags! I was laughing at them, until we got in to the theater... brrr... Now I'm normally always prepared from home too.
Yesterday though I couldn't be bothered changing to long trousers, and was counting on borrowing a blanket from the cinema. But since it was one of the first screenings of the new Transformers movie, it was more or less full - and they had run out of blankets!
I was shaking by the time we got home!
Tonight I did the hash in the pouring rain. Got soaked, and never really got my warmth back during shout-up or dinner - not until I got home to my warm shower.
So every now and then it happens, you feel cold, even in Brunei - but it's rare.
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