So, no excuses now.  Angus is off to dagis (dahgiss) which is day care essentially. He will be in three days a week (Tues, Wed, Thurs) and Oliver is well settled into skolan.

I would like to say that I have a ton of exciting things to report on since my last post in September, but it is surprising how day and weeks and months go by, without any really notable adventures!

So Oliver started school at the begining of Ocotber, the day after we moved into our permanent housing.  The poor kid was really needing a challenge in his days - and he got it!  His transition into swedish school was extremely smooth, he started in a "special" class with other children new to Sweden. This is basically just to get their chops down and begining to think in another language.  Also, there are children who have never experienced school before as there is a large refugee and immigrant population. I have been told that even the parents do not know how to read or write in their own languages before coming here.  Needless to say that Oliver flourished quickly and really embraced the language.  Only 4 months really and he now only spends one morning per week in his special class and is now in his regular class the rest of the time.  I am so proud of him and his ability to pick up a language so quickly.  I know, I know - you say "But Holly, all children pick up new things quickly, they are little sponges" and I say, but yeah, I am actually experiencing it with my won child and I am astounded!  I really know that we did a good thing by taking this opportunity.  I understand fully the desire to want more for our children than we had ourselves.  And I had it pretty good.

Oliver has made great friends quickly and everyone naturally lives in this area - so there is a lot of play happening out of school time out in the neighbourhood. The beauty of living here, is that Oliver has a very large range of places to play and has the run of several small parks near our home.  I don't have to go out with him - he is safe everywhere around here.  Imagine a time when we were just 7 years old and playing in our neighbourhoods and walking to and rom school on our own.  It was really hard for me to get used to, but now it feels natural.

One of many Oliver stories:
The school nurse met with me to talk about Oliver's immunizations and general health, etc.  The school has a pediatrician assigned to it. The school books an appointment for you to go and see this doctor where they do a more thorough "inspection". Oliver's appointment was for last week. The doctor was a wonderful man, asked lots of questions and spoke to me in English and Oliver in Swedish.  Oliver understood every word and responded appropriately to the questions about school and his life - IN SWEDISH. Remember this is only 4 months from starting to learn...the we were off to the lab to give samples (not the kind you like getting in the mail).  Oliver, who has historically been and amazing little man and not afraid to get blood work done, decided that it was all too much for him and was not happy to have his arm poked.  The nurse explained to him that there are special patches that he could put on his arm ahead of time that would numb his skin and then he wouldn't feel the needle at all.  Would he be interested? Yes, of course he would.  So, she put these patches on BOTH arms - just in case one did not work as well as the other and we waited for an hour to let the patches do their thing.  The nurse spoke entirely in Swedish with Oliver.  He understood EVERYTHING, yet again.  Proud momma moments, it was truly an amazing thing to be witness to.

Before Christmas, we spent most of our time getting settled into our new home and area.  Figuring out the best places for groceries, getting Oliver settled onto school and day to day living. A couple of trips to IKEA, and one trip at the beginning of October to a ridiculous outlet mall about 1 and a half hours drive from the city. This I did with some other ladies and absolutely no children. I wish I could convey to you in descriptive detail what it was like - but I can't. it is something like 5 football fields large, a few levels, everything you could image - like a Wallmart Supercentre times a bazillion or so.  Seeing is believing. People come from all over with their motorhomes,  camp for a week, shop EVERYDAY to load up said camper vans, etc and then go.  The deals are amazing - the lineups horrendous and there is absolutely NO WHERE to go to get away from carts and people.  After one day and only 5 hours at that I decided that I really didn't need to go back...ever. But, time is forgiving and I think we are planning another excursion again soon...sigh. Here is a link to the website - if you are brave enough...open it up in google Chrome and it will translate the page for you. 

                       http://www.gekas.se/shoppa/karta-varuhuset

We had a brilliant Christmas - very quiet, and had some friends for a bit of a post Christmas party on boxing day.  Next year, I think we will be better at understanding what Christmas is all about here - the Swedes really do do Christmas well. It was beautifully lit up everywhere.

We have had a quiet beginning to the new year as well.  I had signed up months ago to begin swedish classes but first had to get Angus into his daycare - so I could go to school.  He started on Thursday last week.  I wish I could say that I am happy for the time to myself before I start school - but really, I miss him!  I am sure I will get used to this alone time.  But for now, I pace and bake/cook and clean and watch the time.  I know he is having fun "playing" with his friends and new toys - but he is not with me! I am missing his cute little face and voice. I will say though, that I appreciate the time I do have with him all the more.  Such a precious little morsel :)

I don't know yet when I actually get to start my lessons - but it had better be soon!  I will be going nuts at home soon! I do have some great friends here now and we do go out as often as possible as we are mostly moms and stay at home wives/partners. I have more of a social life here than I ever had back in Canada.  I have joined a Professional Women's Group that meet once a month with a new topic, also a group of Electronic Arts ladies (mostly spouses) meets once a month for drinks/dinner or whatever we feel like doing. And then we are ofte meeting with other families and friends to do things like outdoor skating, park picnics, etc. Busy busy busy and yet - not.  It is all very calm and peaceful.  I could get used to this lifestyle.

Tim has been working away - he had plenty of time off at Christmas and also a week off last week while Oliver was on his "Sportlov" (winter break).  We had planned to go on a wee adventure out of the city - but wound up all getting quite ill.  Them's the breaks!

Otherwise we are all doing very well - I still don't know how to post pics - but I know most of you are on Facebook and have seen more than you want, likely!

Until next time!
puss och kramar (kisses and hugs!)