Karin's Life in America

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is finally here! It was hard for the girls to wait. But we finally made it. Even the Seattle rain took a break and we had a beautiful sunny day. In den evening we had a nice dinner and afterwards there were presents. The girls were very happy with their booty. They wanted to play with whatever the other one was interested in, but we managed to avoid too many tears. Now they are in bed. We put out some cookies and milk for Santa and some carrots for the reindeer. Now we can only hope, that Santa will bring something.

The week before Christmas

I can not believe that today is Christmas Eve. So here is a recap of our last week. Last Sunday Marlene was chosen to be part of the St. Lucia Procession in church. (For all who don't know, we attend a Swedish/Scandinavian Lutheran Church. ) Marlene was very proud to be an attendant to St. Lucia. It was very hard for Amelia to see her sister in a white gown and herself not being allowed to be part of it, too. Over all Amelia did very well in church; it was her first time since the baptism. Usually she stays home, when Marlene and I go.
On Monday my mother arrived to spent the holidays with us. We managed to go downtown and see the lights. The city of Seattle is always doing a great job, lighting up downtown. We rode the carousel and we saw the gingerbread houses at the Sheraton. I have to say, that this year the houses were not as nice as other years. Somehow they are getting further and further away from the actual concept of a house.
On Friday we had the singalong at Marlene's school. It was fun to see everyone and sing Christmas and Hanuka songs. Unfortunately it has been raining for several days straight and we were not able to leave the house. That put a strain on the kids and everyone has been going crazy, since the mall was not an option, a couple days before Christmas. We spent the time inside - when we were not trying to kill each other - by making cookies and doing art projects.
The sun was finally shining again today and so we were able to release the caged animals. We had fun on a long walk to Meadowbrook Pond and Annie's Playground.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Candycane Lane

This week was filled with more events and celebrations. On Thursday we went to Swanson's Nursery to see the reindeer. Unfortunately my camera was out of juice and so we have only one not so good picture of the visit. Afterwards we went to Tor and Jess' house for soup night. Every Thursday they make a huge (truly tremendous) pot of soup and everyone is invited, open house style. We don't make it very often, but when we do, it is very special to us. Thanks Tor and Jess!
On Friday we had dinner with the girls. We used to dance together, and then we ate and danced, and for several years now, we just meet for dinner. We also had a White Elephant Exchange the Bjorklund way (you give something you already have in your house). After cheese fondue, we exchanged the gifts and topped everything with a chocolate fondue.
Today Marlene and I went to see "Enchanted" while a friend watched Amelia. It was fun to see a movie in the cinema for a change. The movie was good. They had a nice idea and they ran with it. It could have gone so wrong. I think since Shrek they are really trying to make movies that appeal to children and have a whole other level for adults.
Tonight the girls and I went to Candy cane Lane. Candy cane Lane exists since the 50s. It is a small street with beautiful brick houses just north of the University Village. Every Christmas they decorate all the houses. It is a true event, the cars line up to drive through it and people walk through by the dozen. Apparently USA Today calls it one of the 10 best Holiday things to do in the US! Santa was there, too and the kids just loved it.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Holiday Celebrations

Well, it is the Holiday Season and we already attended several celebrations. On Thursday Amelia finished her first session of preschool. We had a little gift exchange, which, given the age of the kids, ended in a lot of tears. Amelia took her present, threw it away and yelled " I don't want it, I want my present". I guess at this age the concept of exchange is very difficult. She did not understand why some one got her gift and she got something else.
On Saturday we had the Nikolausfeier at the German Language School. Marlene's class performed a song on stage. You can see the video above . Afterwards Nikolaus rewarded all the children with a little treat and then it was time for coffee and cookies. Marlene was lucky, she won a gingerbread house in the raffle.
Since Jason left on Monday for a month in Egypt his mother was visiting for an extended weekend and the girls got an early Christmas with presents from San Jose. From the grandparents both girls got an American Girls doll. Marlene got Kristen and Amelia got a Bitty Baby (for those of you, who don't know, what an American Girl Doll is, well in short, it is a whole industry. But it started as books about girls in America during different times. The books are great and highly educational and very empowering to girls, so much, that some conservative organizations have been fighting against them, because they teach girls too much freedom and thinking (!). And now there are dolls, clothes, movies etc. Kristen - Marlene's doll - is a Swedish immigrant girl, who came with her parents in the 1850s and settled in Wisconsin.)

Monday, December 03, 2007

Snow in Seattle

It seems to become a tradition that it snows the week after Thanksgiving here in Seattle. The weather people promised a snowstorm for Saturday, so the girls were waiting all day. when the sun came out around midday I was kind of relieved because i had a lot to do that day. But sure enough at 1pm it started to snow. Marlene was outside within minutes. And then it started to come really down; huge flakes, that covered the ground really fast. The girls had a blast playing in the (wet) snow. Luckily it never got below 34 F, so it never froze and by 10pm that night everything was gone.