Norway Day 6

We had planned to go to the beach today. But it was cold and drizzly. So we built a fire...

Hester's Christmas tree was still on the balcony waiting to be disposed of. Andreas supervised the boys while they burned the tree, tiny branch by tiny branch, in their fireplace. It was a good lesson for the boys...seeing how fast dry needles would blaze up and burn. The boys were entertained for a couple hours with the fire, Hester got her balconies cleaned off, and we enjoyed a nice day all together.

Did you know that Andreas plays the ukelele? Well he does. And he sings. He does both very well. Hazel was thoroughly entertained and danced while Andreas played and sang for her.

Norway Day 5

Last night, an alarm went off around 2 am. I thought it was the neighbor's car alarm. I heard someone get up, run down the stairs and after a few minutes, the alarm ceased, and the neighbor returned home. Turns out, the alarm was actually a building alarm. Someone was burglarizing the apartment on the top floor! (There are only 3 floors and 7 apartments in Hester's building) and the running down the stairs was actually the burglar leaving the building. They didn't catch him. Anyway, the lady upstairs said we should probably keep the windows closed. Apparently the burglar climbed up the scaffolding that is outside the building and went in through a window. Fortunately for us, the windows in Hester's apartment that are on the side of the building with scaffolding are all painted shut. Couldn't open those if we wanted to without breaking the glass.

In other exciting news: we went to the park to play. I love city parks. Much different than the suburban parks in my neighborhood.

Here, there are so many people just enjoying being outdoors. Playing, reading, sun bathing, riding bikes and skateboards, sleeping. Just using the park and loving the outdoors. In my park it's usually just moms trying to wear out their kids before naptime. I don't think I've ever seen a mom laying out in the sun in her bikini while her baby sleeps in the stroller. Or couples making out on a blanket (only see that around college campuses).

Anyway, the park was nearly empty since it was about 8 pm and kind of drizzly. But we played and had fun anyway.

Then we walked to the corner store to get stuff for dinner: homemade pizza and went home to watch the World Cup game between England and Algeria.

This is my favorite part about true vacations (as opposed to trips): just hanging out, doing whatever, no schedule or concrete plans, and everyone is happy. Sight seeing is fun too...but not always relaxing. We're trying to do a bit of both.

Norway Day 4

Today we walked to Bygdoy to see some of the museums there. It was a lovely day for a walk; at least I thought so. The kids weren't convinced. But we made it there eventually...it's only 5 km. (I think the kids were convinced it was 5 miles. )

We first visited the Viking Ships Museum. Very informative. A bit underwhelming for Isaac ("We walked all this way for this?!") But Hazel really liked it. The Viking boats were in amazingly good condition.

Next we walked to the Kon-Tiki Museum. This museum is dedicated to the man who tested the theory that cultures from the "old world" had contact with the "new world" by building historically accurate sailing vessels to cross the oceans. The first trip was a papyrus boat that sailed from Morroco to the Bahamas.

Seriously, that looks like it should have sunk by the end of the first day!

The second was a balsa wood raft (A RAFT!) that sailed across the Pacific Ocean from South America to Polynesia. Pretty amazing feats.

While in Polynesia, the scientists had another Easter Island Statue commisioned to prove that they were built by men and were walked (wiggled side to side using ropes and pulleys) to the other side of the island. Kind of impressive too.

Lastly we visited the Polar Fram museum. This place highlighted polar adventurer Paul Amundson who made it first to the South Pole. Also talked about the ships that first broke through the northern passages. The center of this museum is the ship that spent 3 years stuck in the ice in the north.

The kids were able to climb around on it and see what life was like for these men. (kind of small).

The museums are right near the harbor. There were workers actually building a boat right before us. We went down to the docks and saw urchins and sea stars in the water! I didn't think that star fish lived this far north in such cold water.

Finally it was time to go home. We took the bus home. Even I wasn't really excited about the 5 km walk back home, especially with 4 tired children.

Maybe we'll take it easy tomorrow. The jet lag and all day/all night sun shining are messing up everyone's circadian rhythms. I'm good with a book at the park in the beautiful Norwegian summer.

Norway Day 3

I had thought to go see a couple museums on Bygdoy today. But all that changed when we accidentally slept in...until 3:00 PM. I don't think I've ever slept that long in my life. Going to sleep when it's light, waking up when it's light...can't tell what time of day it is. Anyway, waking up in the late afternoon kind of makes it hard to go do much when most things close by 5pm. So after Hester came home we walked to check out the King's palace. There are lovely gardens all around. And ceremonial guards. But I don't things the guns are particularly ceremonial...maybe. Anyway, at least we got out of the house.

I love it here.

Norway Days 1 & 2

We made it to Norway! Despite a delayed flight, which led to a missed connecting flight to Oslo, we finally arrived on Monday. We spent a low key day with Hester and Andreas - sleeping mostly. (Who can sleep on an airplane anyway?)

Here we are in front of Hester's building.

Our first outing was to Frogner Park, down the street.

It is an awesome park. Beautiful and green. Lots of spaces to picnic, play, or lay in the sun.

This park is also the home of the statue collections by Gustav Vigeland. They are all nude (which Aspen was embarrassed by) and a bit wierd. But supposed to depict the circle of life.

They lead up a broad stair and promenade to this pillar of bodies.

Lots of fountains too.

The kids' favorite parts of the park? the fountains

and the playground.

It's going to be a fabulous vacation.