Norway Days 18 & 19

Since this is a week devoted to relaxing, not much exciting is happening. But it is quite relaxing.

The grocery stores here aren't super big, at least not here in the city. Probably different outside of town. It's quaint. Although, it does make me appreciate the abundance and variety of my HEB at home.

We have just be playing at the park, playing games at home, reading, watching TV and enjoying ourselves.

Us girls went downtown to do some shopping on Friday afternoon. We checked out the H&M - Aspen's only belt broke and she needed something to keep her pants up on her skinny body. And We had dinner at a little pizza place. We passed the Grand Hotel where Obama received his Nobel Peace Prize. I'll have to remember my camera next time.

It was quite the walk for Hazel, 40 minutes there, walked around for two hours, and another 40 minutes home. Plus we had walked a half mile to the park and back before that. She has become quite a trooper. When we first came to Norway, Hazel complained a lot about her feet hurting, or she was too tired to make it. But now she is a lot stronger and never complains. I'm very proud of her.

Norway day 17

This past week has been the "vacation" part of our vacation. We haven't really done any sight seeing, mostly just been hanging out. There has been a lot of reading, drawing, games, movies, cookies, and trips to the 7-11 for ice cream and treats. Actually, I haven't been doing the treats parts, just paying for them.

Remember my thirty seven goals? Well I am working on the no sugar for 37 days goal. I'm not sure why I chose to do this while on vacation. But it's probably a good thing, otherwise, my clothes might not fit anymore. Anyway, I've gone 18 days without dessert or candy. For me that's a mighty feat. Usually I can't make it a day. I guess I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it if I really wanted to. But usually, why would I want to miss out on so many delicious foods? Anyway, I'll have a week of my vacation left to indulge my sweet tooth after the 37 days are up. You can bet I'll be trying out Norway's sweets. As of today, I can only tell you that their fruit is pretty delicious. We eat a lot of it.

Hope everyone's summer is as relaxing as our's. Enjoy it!

Norway day 16

It rained most of the day today. So we spent it mostly indoors. It had finally stopped when Hester came home from work. So we walked to see her new apartment. Then picked up some pizza on the way home. Then we had a little party. I know...you all wish you were here. It was so exciting!
We had some staring contests.

Played some piggy back chicken.

Some great rounds of Twister...Hazel's new favorite game.

Then Hester started getting tired and it was time for bed. BTW it was about 10 pm when I took this picture. And it is still cloudy from the rainstorm. The sun still hasn't gone down. Still never going to get used to this.

Norway Day 15

For Family Home Evening we decided to have a barbeque at Frogner Park.
The Norwegians have this neat little idea for BBQing anywhere:

basically a disposable grill. Brickets in an aluminum pan with a little grill grid to go on top. They even have specially designated trash bins for the hot pans when you are done with them. Kind of handy when you want to eat warm food at the park. Much easier than bringing your own big grill or finding one available where you are at the park.

Norwegians eat their hotdogs in Lumpa bread. It's kind of like a potato tortilla. They usually also add potato salad to their dogs. (My kids aren't super fond of potato salad. So they skipped that part.) Pretty tasty.

Norway Day 14

If I could, I would either live in the country, with lots of room to roam, it's clean and quiet. Or I would love to live in a city. So while in Oslo, I feel like I am finally getting to try out this city living lifestyle.

I love being able to walk just about anywhere that I might need to go. It's only a few minutes. Longer distances are easily gotten to by bus or train. Bikes are good too.

Anyway, I love the little sidewalk cafes.

Daily I go to the grocery store for food for dinner. Have to go everyday for a couple reasons: 1) I can only carry so much while I am walking the 8 blocks home and 2) my kids eat A LOT. But I don't mind. It is fun. This way I just think about what I want to eat for dinner and then go to the store just for those things. Come home and fix it. I think that part of the reason this is working for us is that I really don't have much else to do by way of responsibilities. We're on vacation.

And it gets me out every day. Sometimes I find myself hermiting quite easily. If I'm not careful I stay indoors too much. But it is lovely here and we are enjoying our vacation.

Norway Day 13 at the beach

We have been trying to go to the beach for almost the whole time we've been here. Finally today it was warm enough and so we headed back to Bygdoy to play.

The kids had a fabulous time throwing rocks, finding shells, playing in the sand and tossing a frisbee.

The water was a little chilly. So no one really got all the way in the water. But everyone waded and built sand castles and found shells. Hester got a little nap. Andreas played with Hazel. The kids played some frisbee in the sand. It was just a lovely day at the beach. I think we'll do this again.

norway day 12

We went to the American Embassy today. To see where Hester works and meet her friends. (The highlight of the visit for the kids was finding giant paper clips and extra wide rubber bands. It sure doesn't take much to entertain them.)
We also went to pick up the hitchhiker bike that I shipped here for Hazel. We have been walking everywhere and I figured that though the older kids could ride the rental bikes just fine, Hazel would need something else. So I got this.
We got it home and Andreas put it together for us. (Thanks so much for his help!) And then we tried it out.

We didn't even make it to the end of the block. Hazel is too afraid to ride it. It kind of wobbles too much for her liking. And it is hard to turn corners on without really leaning to the side. Not good things for a little girl that is still getting used to training wheels on her bike at home.

So I think that this was probably an unwise purchase on my part. And I don't think Hazel will willing try this again. We're going to try again tomorrow...but I am doubtful. But on the bright side: I think I can sell it here and get back what I paid for it, including the double shipping costs. Even if I only get back the price of the bike, at least I won't have to get it back home and I'll get some of my money back.

I guess you win some and you lose some.