It's begining to look a lot like Christmas

The last of November. Tomorrow is Christmas countdown starting and it really shows in the city. There are lights everywhere and two huge Christmas trees.
This week is my new hardcore work-out week ;) I have to get routines with my work-out cause I've been really lazy ;) So after I walked the kids to school I went for a run. It was good and it was nice to get going again.
The kids where really tired this morning and I had to wake them up for the first time. They were really exhausted after the weekend. Actually I had a lot of energy and was all sunshiny!
After my power run I went to the bank and got help with a paper that I didn't understand. It was kind of easy but the bank mans have to have something to do ;)
Then I went to Starbucks and sat there for like an hour and wrote my Christmas cards, watched people and just enjoyed myself. I also bought a advent calender for myself and I can't wait until I get to open the first number ;)
I picked up the kids and we had a quite afternoon with games, story reading and watching the house cleaner ;) She was a bit late but it was OK. She was so sweet, she left a Christmas card and a gift for the family. And when I got upstairs there was one for me too! Oh, and she noticed that I've coloured my hair...maybe kind of scary? ;)
I didn't have dinner with the family cause I wanted to try a new class at the gym. well it's not new but I have never been to it before. It's called ZUMBA and it's so much fun!! It's like Latino dancing mixed with aerobic. Shake it baby! Oh, it was crazy and I love it. The instructor was awesome but sadly she is off the whole December, but I'll keep going cause I want to be better on my hip rolling ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Great Wolf Day 2

OMG, I'm soo tired! I woke up at like 7 or something and I couldn't go back to sleep even though I needed it. I made my bed, that had been hard and had a strange angle, and continued to read my book. "Den inre kresten", a Swedish detective novel.
The other guys got out at 9 and we went down to the breakfast. Also an buffet and I loved this one too ;)
After breakfast, Jonas, the kids and Henrik and Agnes went to the pools again but I didn't feel like it and nor did Lotta, Jennie and the twins.
We couldn't go back to the room cause we had to check out at 11 so we hang out in the lobby. It was really cosy sitting by the HUGE open fire and I red my book. We had a Coffey, we walked around and played some games in the game room. It was nice and I almost fall a sleep in the sofa ;) I was also so cold. I don't understand why they couldn't turn up the heat. Not nice at all!
When the fishes came back from the pools (after 3 hours!) we went to a outlet mall that was nearby and had lunch at McDonald's. It was good to get some energy after this exhausting weekend. Then we looked in the stores at the outlet. I didn't buy anything cause I spent all my money this Friday ;)
The we went home and I fell a sleep almost immediately in the car. Now I'm in my bed and updated myself cause I've been without a computer for three days ;) I'm waiting for Desperate Housewives, two weeks since last time. exciting ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Great Wolf!

This morning (Saturday) started early!! I had to leave from Anna's place at like 8:30 so I just woke up at 8:15, said goodbye and drove home (maybe not in the best condition but it was OK) I was so tired but the reason was that today we were going to Grate Wolf. A waterpark resort in Grand Mound where we were gonna celebrate Thanksgiving for two days.
We left at 10 and met up Stendahl's at the road. It took around 1,5 hours to get there and I tried to sleep but it's hard with two excited kids in the car ;)
The place was amazing! The view that welcomed u was awesome, it's huge! And the lobby was wonderful now with Christmas decoration so direct when u got on there was a giant Christmas three. Oh, I want Christmas!
We didn't get our rooms until 4 but after we had had lunch we went to the pools. It was so cool. There was a huge water playground where u could play with water, there were enormous slides, a wave pool, hot tubs and so much more.
It felt weird to put on the swimsuit after so long time but it was so much fun to play in the water. It was me, all the kids and all the parents. Not so much eye candy ;)
The slides were awesome. They had one called "The tornado" U sat on a raft, there could be 4 people at the same time, and U went down a dark tunnel to finally end up in a giant cone where U just went all over the place. It was hilarious!
We stayed in the water for maybe 4 hours so everybody looked like raisins. We went directly to dinner and we had buffet ;) I love that! I mean, eat at much as U want and they have like everything. I was really full when we left and I think the kids were happy as well with the dessert table ;)
The kids were really tire (me too actually) so they went to bed and fall a sleep as soon as we came back to the room.
The room was beautiful and it felt like a cabin with furniture out of tree and an open fire. Really cosy!
When the kids were a sleep, the adult start the video game ;) We played Mario Cart on the WII that Jonas had brought. It was fun but I was really tired and happy when they went to bed, at 12!!! Cause I slept at the sofa so I couldn't go to bed before them. But it was OK and even though the sofa was a bit hard I slept like a rock. I guess I could have fallen a sleep anywhere at that point ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Black Friday Shopping & Blacklight Graffiti Party

We didn't go night shopping, me and Kadda. Her Thanksgiving party got late and I got tired. Instead I went with Anna and Hanna today (Friday) We went to North Bend to the outdoor outlet. There is a lot of stores and it took maybe 4 hours. It was fun and not as much people I thought it would be. During the black Friday the stores have the biggest sales ever and most of them open at midnight. i didn't think the prices were really low but they were better than usual ;)
I bought a sweater, t-shirt, shirt and a dressing gown. We ate at an Mongolian restaurant and that was really cool. First u picked your own food in a bowl, like noodles, vegetables, meat and sauce. Then u gave it to the chef and he put it on a giant wok pan. Both fun and good!
After North Bend we went back to Seattle and to University District for some more shopping ;)
Tonight was a new "Elliotte Party". He's an American guy who has parties like once a month. I was there at the Halloween party and this time it was a Blacklight Graffiti Party. This meant that u had to have a white shirt on u cause there would be blacklights in the apartment that would make u glow! Then at the party everyone was suppose to write, paint or whatever on the shirts.
So for the night I bought a light blue pair of jeans and just a regular white t-shirt. We had a preparty at Hanna's place and there were me, Hanna, Anna, Linn and Partick. It was really fun and Partick was the driver so I could have some "Tea" ;)
When we came to the party there were a lot of people and it felt better this time and not so awkward cause now I knew some people and it was easier to mingle. The place was really cool with the lights and all the white. We had already started to paint on our shirts at Hanna's place but as soon as we entered people started to write. The first one was a drunk American who was adopted and had a Swedish last name. He got so excited over that I was Swedish and could pronounce his last name ;) Sjodin ;)
There were so many cool people and I met a lot of new ones and talked and had a lot of fun. There were actually more people then at the Halloween party so it was really crowded. I loved it ;)
We left at like 2:30 cause the party was dying and we were hungry. So we went to McDonald's and also had to look for Hanna and Linn to give them their jackets.
I slept at Anna's place cause I had to drive to her earlier and couldn't take the car back home cause of my tea consumption ;) It was really nice and cosy and we talked in her BIG American bed before we fall a sleep at like 4 ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Thanksgiving!

I'm so excited, my first and probably last Thanksgiving is now!!
I'm thankful for my family, friends, my chance to be here and experience Thanksgiving and of course NEW MOON ;)
The weather has been awful with a grey sky and of course rain. I went to Kadda's place in the morning (or like at 12 ;)) and we exchanged pictures from our events. Then we went to Ramona's place, who is alone now for four weeks cause her host family is in India. We made lunch, pasta with a spinach inside and tomato sauce. Topped with Parmesan...jummie. For dessert, like an apple pie and vanilla ice cream. Good!
We also saw their messy house. OMG I can't understand how they can live like that, but then I'm a organization freak ;) There were things everywhere and so dirty, well it;s not my house ;)
Ramona is also picking up her boyfriend today! I hope we get to meet him this time, he seems nice. On Wednesday she is going to New York to stay with him. It so cool, they met in New York during her first year as an au pair. He is also one and he's from France!
I drove home Kadda and her host dad is so cool. They were preparing for the dinner tonight and he asked me if I liked steak or if I was as weird as Kadda ;) I like him!
When I got home there was no one there but I past Jonas and Filip with the car at Starbucks so I guessed they were there. I took the time to watch the last V episode. I really like it and it's too bad it's only once a week. Which reminds me, I've two episodes of Grey's to watch as well ;)
I went downstairs at like 5:30 and the Stendahl's was here. I played with the kids. I love their kids, they so cute. Me and Axel built a LEGO tower, all the way to the roof. Then we played that my butterflies were dangerous and that we had to hide in the closet to survive ;)
Then it was dinnertime. TURKEY!!! So cool and so big! To that we had mashed potatoes, beans, stuffing and some sweet thing I don't remember the name of. It was good but it's not that I want to have it every day. We all sat together at a long table and it was really nice. Filip had a large turkey leg that he chewed on and it was really sweet ;)
After dinner the kids played around for a while before they were so tired that it only ended up with tears and then they went to bed.
When all the kids were finally sleeping, all the adults could start the fun with the puzzle! We sat five people around the new started Christmas puzzle and tried to find the right pieces. It's really fun and I think we can go on the whole night.
They will probably play some Mario Party on the WII but I'm really tired.
Tomorrow is the Black Friday, which means big sales like everywhere and I'll probably go to Issaqua if not Katharina wants to go before she starts working. U see the malls opens at midnight! It's a crazy sale and u have to be careful that u are not killed in the rush. Someone was last year ;) Well, I promise to be careful, and I'm looking forward to fight about the sweaters with some old lady ;)

Miss U all and Happy Thanksgiving!
Love Sandra

Thank U Ingvar Kamprad

Today was the last day with work for this week! Hurray!
It started off with a trip to "Safelite" that put in a new car window for me. It took like 1,5 h so I had time to write some more Christmas cards.
It turned out really well but you can still see where they tried to bend up the door. The mechanic did as good he could by bending it back and I think it's good. It sucks that we have to pay for what some other jerk did. Oh, why should it happen to just us? Why?
When I picked up the kids we went directly to.....IKEA!!!! That's one of my favourite place and I needed to go there again cause I'm feeling that the home sickness are sneaking up on me.
We started with a lunch of Swedish meet balls, mashed potatoes and cranberry jam of course ;) It was super good and for dessert the kids had ice cream and I had a almond cake.
Then I dropped the kids off at the playroom and then I was off in to the jungle of plates, paintings, lamps, food etc. Oh, I really love it here and I could just walk for hours and get inspired to create my own room/apartment/house. But i just had one hour before I had to pick up the kids so I hurried to pick up the things on my list. It was mostly food like gingerbread, gingerbread dough, mulled wine (glogg) meet balls and other Swedish food. I also bought "Julknacke" (special hard bread for Christmas) and "Julmust" (Christmas soft drink) ohhhh I'm in heaven.
For me I bough the two things I've been longing for: Marabou Chocolate with Daim and real salty licorice fish....I'm in bed now guzzling ;)
After an hour I got the kids and we went to pay and then it was 40 minutes in the car which never is good with my kids. They don't like going in car and the only thing they amuse themselves with is to fight each other. It's been a really though day and I'm all exhausted. I had to send Sofia to her room today cause she didn't listen to me. Sometimes I don't know what to do with them but the next time they are adorable. But I guess they are just kids.
I hope that I can sleep tomorrow cause I need to catch up with the sleep I lost this weekend. And tomorrow is Thanksgiving as well and I'm really exited.

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

ps. my candy and how happy they make me ds

From now on, buses

The kids had play dates today (Tuesday) and it's absolutely wonderful. Sofia was with Isabelle and Julian at their place and I had Filip and James here. The kids were off at 12 today as well so it was nice to be able to have some time by myself while the boys were playing upstairs. I had time to start to write my Christmas cards and to make it a little bit more Christmasy, I listened ti Swedish Christmas carols! Oh, I love it.
Directly after dinner I went to Seattle to exchange a sweater at Urban Outfits (which I discovered also is located in Stockholm, JIPPIE!!!) that I bought in Canada. I couldn't close the zipper.
Cause of the car's status, I went by bus and I must say that I now know the entire system ;) Almost. I first went to Seattle from Kirkland, and I've recently discovered a bus stop really close to my house. Then I took a bus from Seattle to Bellevue, cause of the Starbucks meeting. I've never before went with this bus and it took me like 15 minutes to figure out from where it was going and on which time. I also had to run for it cause it was already there when I got down the right stairs. But I made it ;) And then I rode the bus back home from Starbucks.
I don't mind taking the bus. In fact I like it more than car cause you don't have to worry about parking and you are not responsible in traffic. And today I also found out how to make a play list on the Ipod ;) Maybe a bit late but that's why the buses are great, you have time for so much more ;)

Miss U all!
Love sandra

ps. Me and Sofia made a Happy Thanksgiving banderole today ds.

Spoiled with work

I can honestly say that I'm spoiled with my work hours. I'm usually just working maybe 4,5 hour a day but today I worked 8 hours! I know that not even that is much for some people but it was for me. The kids get out of school at 12 Monday-Wednesday cause of teacher conference and Thanksgiving. And it was hard to not be able to do my regular things in the morning (like sleep or go to the gym ;)) and also to come up with things to so for 6 h with the kids. But we did a lot of different things and I'm impressed with those other au pairs who are working like 10 h every day!
I was also really tired after the trip and cause of my tooth so I made the kids watch a movie so I could have a quite time for me.
Jonas and Lotta were at teacher conferece for the kids this morning and both Filip and Sofia did great in school. But Sofia have some issue with talking too much ;) Not really a surprise cause she's on 24 to 7 ;)
We finally finished the New York Puzzle that we've been struggling with for over a week now. Jippie!
I got a postcard from my grandmother today and it made me really happy. I'm glad that I'm not forgotten over here!

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Vancouver!

Okey, this is gonna be a long story!
On Friday I first picked up Kadda then Ramona and Emilie to start our first trip to Vancouver! Unfortunately the other Emilie couldn't come cause she had been sick. I felt so sorry for her, I mean we've been looking forward for this trip a while now.
We left direct after work and it took like 2,5 hours to get to Vancouver. It was a good way and no problem at the border. Jippie! I've got a Canada stamp in my passport ;)
It was hard to find a parking lot at the hostel but after a while we parked in a parking garage.
The hostel was a bit scabby. We had booked a room for 8 people and when we came up to the room, three people were already sleeping. Sure it was like 11:30 but still. It was hard to try to be quite and i think we woke them up, but if they chose to stay in a room with other people they have to count on that.
We quickly freshened us up and went downstairs where there was a bar and we had our first drink!! SOO GOOD! Hahah...I had a Malibu with coke ;) But they are better home
We stayed there until they closed and then we went out on the streets. We walked a bit and then we came to a club called the Shine. It was OK. The music was not that good and we got a bartender that was no bartender, but he was cute ;) Of course there were some tequilas and also some Jager Bomb ;) I had a great time ;)
When they closed Ramona went back to the Hostel but the rest of us were not tired so we walked and had a lot of fun. Suddenly, Emilie was not longer with us. Me and Kadda got panic and didn't know what to do. She was behind us but the next minute she was gone. We got really scared and tried to call Ramona (we didn't have Emilie's number) but she didn't answer. Then we got a message from Ramona that said that Emilie was at the Hostel. We were so relieved but didn't understand why she had not told us?
We went back home to bed. The beds were a bit stiff but i slept good anyway.
On Saturday we had our sightseeing day. The rain was pouring down and it was worse than Seattle ;) Our breakfast was a muffin and a cup of tea. It was on the hostel and in a cute cafe next to the hostel.
We walked down the big shopping streets and looked in different stores. We went to the library, that has the shape like Colosseum. We needed to look up some stuff on the Internet and there we could use it for free cause we were visitors.
I don't think we found the best parts of the city and the weather also made the city look dirty and trashy. But some parts were funny, like when Kadda's umbrella broke ;0
We saw the clock that counts down the time until the Olympic Games. It was 111 days, 3 hours, 43 minutes and counting seconds ;)
After like 6 hours we went back to the hostel. Tired and wet we went directly to bed and took a power nap ;) Well maybe not a nap cause we slept for 2 hours ;)
While we were in bed I heard the other women that also stayed in the room. She was surprised that we were in bed. We who had been drinking all last night and that we know should "Drink, drink, drink" ;)
Our dinner for the Saturday night was Noodle soup with a tuna salad. And to drink, an Australian red wine. Couldn't be better ;) We sat in the common kitchen/TV room and it was a perfect dinner.
We got dressed and I had to act hairdresser for Ramona and Kadda. Because I had to help them, it took a little longer time for me to get ready. The others got a bit frustrated but i mean, art takes time ;)
Today as well we went to the bar downstairs and started up with some drinks. We had some problem with our credit card. We couldn't get cash from the ATMs. So frustrating, and we needed it for the entrance. Stupid Bank of America.
After a while we went back up to our room to drink the rest of the wine but we still had the problem with everyone else sleeping. Then we came up with the greatest idea, we had our party in the laundry room ;) We brought the wine, sweets and Kadda's Ipod player. It was so much fun. Unfortunately we didn't have enough alcohol ;)
We went to the street where all the clubs were. We went to a line with a lot of people and asked the guys in front of us if it was any good. They said it was the best and apparently they were Swedish ;) They were nice and it seemed to be a great night. Well, we waited, and waited, waited and....waited. After 1,5 hour and almost no movement we were really upset. So cold, wet and with sored feet we left. Instead we went to Burger King and ate our depression. We got a cab and went back to the hostel. Everyone had a bad mood and just wanted to go to bed. And so we did ;)
We had to check out at 11 in the morning so no long sleep at all. We had our breakfast and then went to the car. I was afraid that something would have happened but when we got there it seemed OK. Until we came to the other side! Someone had smashed the window on the passenger seat and tried to brake in to the car. Got dammed! I was so tired. I mean with so many obstacles already and then this! A security guard came and he said that his colleague had seen it last night at like 3 am, but he didn't see it when it happen. He said that we had been lucky cause the criminals had probably been interrupted cause they hadn't steel anything. Usually they take everything in the cars. Well if they have these problems often, why not install some cameras and put some more security. I mean we payed a lot of money and we chose the parking garage cause we thought it was safer than the street. I just feel so bad. We called the police and I made a rapport. Ramona went to the hostel and got some ducked tape and garbage bag that we put over the hole. Cause it was Sunday no mechanics were open so we had to drive all the way home with no window and I couldn't see out the passenger side. Ramona had to tell me if it was clear from the backseat ;)
When we got to the border this time we had to waut a bit longer and we made joke about there would probably be something wrong here as well cause of our luck this far. But the only thing was that we didn't have stamps on our paper and we had to go inside and get them. But the officers that worked there were so nice and funny. There were in the end four of them who ended up at our counter and flirted with us ;) It was a great stay at the border and I hope they are working the next time we go there ;)
I didn't got any good impression of Vancouver from this trip but the next time will rock ;)
When I got home we baked "Lussekatter" and they were so good. Christmas is coming!

Miss you all!
Love Sandra.

New Moon

Oh my god! Today was movie premiere of the second movie of the Twilight Saga, New Moon. Me, Kadda and Emilie had tickets for the midnight premiere! When we bought them they told us that the first people usually stands in the line at like 2 pm ;) Unfortunately we couldn't come so early so we went at like 8. But there weren't so many people and we got a pretty good spot. We had to wait in line for like 5 hours!! We sat on the floor most of the time and my leg and back really hurt. But what wouldn't U do for Edward ;) There were mostly girls (and young ones of course ;)) and many had a hand made t-shirt with different types of print. For example: Team Jacob, Mrs Edward Cullen, Twilight etc. Many had their pyjamas on and of course the UGG boots. They are really popular here, don't really understand why.
We entertained ourselves by reading magazines, playing on Emilie's IPhone and watched all the different people. We also had some chips and MnM's to feast on ;)
It was a long wait and when it was like 11 some VIP people came out from the cinema. They had already seen the movie! So unfair, I mean how can they show the movie at 9 when the premiere is at 12? They thought it was really funny to take pictures of us who were still waiting to see the film.
At like 11:40 they let us in and everyone was running ;) We got pretty good seats. It was a bit too close to the screen but OK. Then we bought some popcorn and drink of course.
When the movie started everyone was screaming and that continued during the film. ;) Oh, I loved it! They are so HOT!!! And there were a lot of scenes without any shirt ;)
It was so good and we are gonna go and watch it again, whit out the hysterical crowd ;)
It was a fun experience, to go to a premiere but I'm disappointed that U guys back in Sweden got to see it before me :( Here I come to the US thinking now I can see every movie before everyone. But no, the premiere is on the same day! Brilliant!
I also realised that I'm gonna experience everything the last. Like new years eve. We are like last on earth who gets 12. Bummer ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

ps. Vancouver here we come ds

Puzzle is fun!

Today (Wednesday) I didn't have to work in the morning cause Lotta switched with me and took the kids to school cause she wanted to work-out in the evening. But off course I was not allowed to sleep anyway, woke up at 7 and couldn't fall back to sleep.
At 10 I went to Emilie's place to have a planning meeting for our Vancouver trip! I'm so excited and we looked at things to do and what we should bring and so on. Me and my friends always have those kind of meetings before a trip. I love them! Organize!
For lunch today I had my delicious left overs from yesterday at Cheesecake factory ;) Jummie!
The kids were off at 2 and today was actually good weather so we went to a park. A new one I haven't been to and it was awesome. It was a huge tree castle where u could play hide and seek, climb and do a lot of cool stuff. There were a swing that went round and round. Filip spun me on it and I almost vomited ;)
Sadly it started to rain and we had to go home. I can't wait until spring when we can go there all days.
We had dinner and watched TV and after the kids were in bed Emilie came. From now on she's my new hairdresser. She is amazing! First she coloured my hair. I really needed to cover my outgrowth. Then she cut my bangs and it was so good. I'm so satisfied and it feels good not to have to hide the hair in a hat ;) I always like the smell of the hair after it has been coloured, and it's also so soft.
Later came Ramona as well. The plan was that she also should colour her hair but she had forgot the colour. Instead we started puzzle. Me and Filip had started earlier with a New York puzzle. It's really hard cause it has a lot of blue pieces and there is no picture ;) But I've learned that puzzle is a lot more fun than u think. We really got stuck with it and they didn't left until after midnight ;) we had a great time talking and laughing and when I come back to Sweden we definitely have to have some puzzle nights!

Miss U all!
Love Sandra!

Goodbye Sofia!

Today (Tuesday), I went to the gym to do my SET class that's a Body Pump work out and really exhausting ;) You feel really good after an hour with the instructor ;)
I didn't do anything special during the day, just watched friends and had lunch.
In the evening I was invited to a goodbye dinner for a Swedish au pair who's leaving on Saturday. Her name is Sofia and she was friends with Erik, the au pair before me and also my friend since childhood. I have only met Sofia once before, at the Bombershoot festival. It's hard to meet when U have so much going on and I mean U have your closets friends U hang out with. But I was really glad that she invited me.
The dinner was held on "The Cheesecake Factory" in downtown. A wonderful place with so good food and off course, Cheesecake ;)
We were about 15 Swedish people and one Norwegian (I didn't even knew there were so many swedes here ;)) I only knew Sofia and one more girl, Amy. But they were all really nice and I had a lot of fun. I was a bit worried before I got there cause it felt a bit weird going to a goodbye party for a girl I barely know. But I'm so glad I went. I got her a deck of cards with the slogan "Smile at the rain" ;) So she won't forget rainy Seattle ;)
I got my first doggy bag as well ;) It's so cool, it doesn't matter how little you left at the plate, they always ask if U want it in a box to go ;) So I've got a great lunch tomorrow.
I took the bus today cause I don't really like going by car to Seattle. Don't know why but I like the bus more. So I was home at like 12! I went straight to bed!
This morning I also had a wonderful conversation with my three best friends. We were as goofy as we can be and I had a good time laughing and talking to them. They are forever my La Familia...Love ya!!

Miss U all!
Love Sandra!

Christmas feeling and some American ideas

A new week and I feel it has started out good. Tonight it was a bit stormy outside but I slept better then last night anyway. Sofia woke me up at 3 cause there had been a small accident that easy was fixed with some towels ;)
I send the kids to school and I went to the gym with a new and strong attitude, this week I really gonna make an effort and try to start my new, healthier life ;) I spend one hour at the treadmill and I felt really good after that.
Lotta came back from Las Vegas today so I picked her up at the airport. It was a bit scary to drive cause it rained a lot. And it has been raining all day, not so fun.
Lotta wanted to pick up the kids and also spend some time with them so after I picked up Agnes I was off ;) I spend the next two hours in my bed ;)
Filip got the things we sold for Judy Foster, and we delivered to the buyers. Only was four house to go to and the rest was for us, he sold 18 items ;) I bought a calender, notes, Christmas paper and some candy ;)
Today when I was on my way to the gym I thought about some things that are really American. I'm gonna tell U two things I have noticed and reacted on. First: the leaf blows (donno if that's the word but u know what I mean) The Americans are crazy about that. Every day I see someone trying to get all the leaves of the street, even when it rains. I mean common. And the trees haven't dropped all their leaves yet.
The second thing is very annoying. The public restrooms. They are so stupid build that it's funny. It's always a big opening between the door and the wall so U can see right in, even when the door is closed. It's also a big opening between the wall and the door. It's not very private, and not so nice. But if U have to go U have to go.
Now I'm field with Christmas spirit and I can't wait until it comes. We are listening to Christmas carols and eating clementines! I love it.

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

ps. Lotta bought some gene modified grapes, they are huge ;) Sofia got a new princess dress from Vegas. She's really pretty. Filip got a monkey as a stuffed animal and I got chocolate ;) ds

Magical Sunday!

Today was Ramona's "Magical Sunday", her birthday present from us. Well, maybe not a really planned one but we had a nice day in Seattle.
In the morning I drove the kids to the Swedish school and I can say that I hate driving in Seattle...aarrrgghhh!! I always turn wrong, even though I have the GPS...hmm. And the kids were like: "We don't recognize the street. We are gonna be late!" It didn't help. Finally I found the place and I could leave the kids for the day. After the school they both went home with a friend so I had the day off :)
I went back home and watched the end on "Men who hates women" (It was so loong that I was too tired to watch it all yesterday) It was OK, but the book was better. I also watched the second episode of V, I really like it.
Then I picked up Anna and we went to Seattle where we met up with the other guys. We went to Theo Chocolate which is a chocolate factory. Unfortunately the tour they have in the factory was full but we could eat as much chocolate we wanted of the samples ;) It was soooo good ;) Finally some real chocolate. I bought one with peppermint and one with gingerbread flavour. Really Christmasie ;)
Then there was a market close to the factory and also a indoor antique market. So cool! There were so many nice things like jewellery, books, clothes etc. I really like these kind of things, but I didn't buy anything.
We had lunch in a organic market. I just had an apple and four satsumas...mmmm...they reminds me so much of Christmas...we usually eat a ton of them ;)
Then the girls continued to Pike Place Market but me and Anna couldn't find a parking lot so we went to an antique store (where they had really cool uniforms) and then she came with me to pick up Filip and then I drove her home.
I made dinner and then I picked up Sofia. Now are we watching Tom and Jerry and soon they are going to bed.
Tomorrow Lotta is coming and I'm picking her up at the airport. Then I'm off!! I'm gonna sleep ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

ps. "Don't panic, it's organic" ;) My new phrase. A seller at the market said that about his chokolate. Was really funny ;) ds

Single mum!

Hahaha...it really feels like I'm a single mum with my own house. I have two kids in bed and I'm spending a Saturday night alone ;) I hope not this is my future!
But the kids have been great and I'm not at all complaining, it's just funny.
We drove Lotta and Jonas early to the airport so that we could eat breakfast there before their flight. They are now in Las Vegas and trying to win a fortune ;) at the same time they are visiting some Swedish friends that are here on vacation.
So it was kind of sad this morning and Sofia was really upset that he mum was leaving. But it was OK as soon we came to the car. It was actually at the car the first disaster, I hadn't got the car key from Jonas!!! We hurried back and I tried to call him but he didn't answer. Nor did Lotta...aarrgghh!! Panic! But then I tried Jonas again, and he answered...pfew! I got the key and we could go home. Or not home cause Sofia had a birthday party to go to. It was a girl in her class and it was held at Skate King! So me and Filip also went and skated. It was so cute to watch all the kids. Many were really good and I was impressed! Sofia struggled a bit but then it was good there was a side to hold on to ;)
There were pizza, ice cream, cake etc a lot of sugar ;) After the party we went to a place called Sky high sport in Bellevue. Really cool! They had a hall full of bounce mats where the kids could do almost what ever they wanted. a good way of getting all the sugar off their bodies ;) They were so awesome. Both even did vaults and wasn't afraid at all. That's more than I do on our big mat back in Sweden ;)
We went home and spent our time with LEGO, colouring etc. Me and Sofia went to the store to get some breakfast for tomorrow.
We also had time to bake, and together we made some delicious coconut cookies. Jummie!
We ate some noodle soup and left overs (maybe a shy Saturday night meal but it was great ;)) We watched "Meet the Robinson's" and it's still great. We saw it yesterday but it's so funny that I could see it over and over again. That's me!! ;)
Today was the Soccer Gala for my community back in Sweden. A big party that I really, really wanted to go to. Hmmm....instead I'm stuck in a foreign country thousands miles away ;) "What is a bale at the people's park in Gotene. It will probably dreary, boring, and...and...wonderful" ahhh ;)
Now the kids are sleeping and I hop they have sweet dreams about our day!
The single mum are in the sofa and are soon gonna watch "Men who hates women" in Danish ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Friday the 13!!

Oh, this could be a bad day! But this far nothing bad has happened. It's been a typical Friday with yoga, climbing and soon a movie. I finished my book, it was good. At the climbing there were not so many people cause they are preparing for the competition tomorrow so the most walls were under construction. But my eye candies were there ;) You know the Swedish girl I met there another Friday, her husband was there. And also the instructor and some other workers....I didn't have a boring moment ;)
I'm a bit nervous about the weekend. I'm having the kids alone while Lotta and Jonas are betting in Vegas ;) I hope the win a lot and Lotta is talking about taking ALL their money and go for red...why not? ;) Well me and the kids have a lot going on here at home so I don't think it will be any problem, and I've got many people to call if there shoul be anything.
I have to go downstairs and get ready for some movies!

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

GA o PP

Thursday that didn't was that exciting ;) I went back to sleep after I left the kids at school ;) I'm decided to start my new healthy life next week ;) with more work out and less junk food. Let's see how that goes ;)
I've soon finished my book and it's really exciting and I'm taking every opportunity to read ;) Like today when I was at the dentist (again) with Soifa, I read like two chapters ;) I saw that Lotta and Jonas have the movie! i hope we'll see it tomorrow. It's the Man who hates women, by Stieg Larsson, a Swedish author.
Tonight I went to Emilie's house and watched Grey's and the beginning of PP cause it's always so late so I went home earlier. Emilie had baked cup cakes and finally I got to taste Farrera Roache (not sure about the spelling ;)) but it was like heaven! A chocolate candy with hazelnut and nougat...mmmm
Well, that's how exciting my day has been!

Miss you all!
Love Sandra

Veterans day!

Today (Wednesday) it's Veterans day, which I think means that we should honor and congratulate old soldiers and mariner? I'm not really shore but the kids were off from school anyway. Yesterday they also wore clothes with the colour red, white and blue and they sang some songs about the flag and stuff.
So me and the kids had a whole day together, and we had planed (or I ;)) a field trip to the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. We took it pretty cool in the morning, watching some TV and had our breakfast. We left so that we arrived little after 10 and first we had to wait in the line cause there were many people who wanted to go inside. The center is a place with different exhibits and shows about science. For example there was one section about dinosaurs, one about insects and one about experiment. It was really cool and there were a lot of things for the kids to go round and look and try. Hopefully they learned something ;) In the insects area they had a butterfly room where you could go inside and watch the butterflies fly around you. It was cool but a bit scary. I didn't want them to land on me and I was afraid that I would step on them. But they were beautiful.
They also had this big IMAX cinemas, which is a huge screen and the sound is amazing. It feels like you are practical in the movie. We saw A Christmas Carol in
3D with Jim Carey. It was good, I like the story but it was a bit scary for the kids. Fortunately they understood it was all a dream and not real. And the end is happy so I don't think they took any damage ;)
After the movie we went home for a late lunch and then directly to the mall to get Filip some new Jeans. His old ones are to short and he looks like he works at Microsoft ;) At least that's what my host mum tells me!
When we were in Bellevue I can swear that I saw Fredrik Ljungberg, I think ;) He was standing at a crosswalk when I turned and I almost hit a car in front of me cause I couldn't stop looking ;) From now on I'll hand in Bellevue every day ;)
We found three pair of pants and I'm really proud of Filip cause he was the one who picked out them. Well I chose like 5 pairs and he could pick the ones he liked. ;) Then the kids got a frosty at Wendy's cause Sofia had earned a free Frosty at school. We went home and did some home work, played with cards and prepared dinner.
Instead of dinner, I went to the gym cause I thought that I needed to do an hour on the tread mill since it's been a while since I've been there. I had to leave almost immediately I entered the gym. There were so many people that I couldn't find a single machine for me. Instead, I went to Starbucks and red my book ;)
I wrapped all my Christmas present so now I just have to think how I'll pack them and if I have to send anyone...hmm
I ended the evening by watching Jonas when he played Halo on his new XBOX. Really fascinating ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAMONA!!!

Sweet 21! Today one lucky person in the gang turned 21!! Congrats Ramona and take it easy with the magic potion ;)
We gave her a card with a rainbow pony on, and we had written her a story that in the end said that we are gonna have a magical Sunday this week ;) i can't tell U what we are doing but it's gonna be fun.
Today I finally got the last Christmas present for home, now I just have to wrap them and then I maybe can go back to my more healthy life with the gym and proper lunch. ;)
It's also been raining almost all day and I was thinking of buying an umbrella. I was glad I didn't cause when me and Sofia looked after some gloves in the garage, I found two!! So I told my host parents that I'm gonna use one of them, even though no real Seattle resident wear one ;)
Starbucks was OK, but I was so tired. Me and Kadda (I had to pick her up cause she couldn't do the drivers test cause there was some paper that wasn't updated!! Typical!) sat by ourselves and just watched the other au pairs ;) We don't wanna make new friends ;) And also maybe cause they sat on the hard, wooden chairs while we choose the soft armchairs ;)
Also today Sofia and Filip played really well together. Well they moved their bed so now it's in the center of the room, but they did it together! without any arguing, I was so happy!! ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra.

Cluster meeting, game and Christmas shooping!

SUNDAY: Today I had a cluster meeting with my Au Pair group. It was at 1 at Skate King, you know, the roller skate rink. I met up with Emilie and Kadda at McDonald's in Bellevue to have Lunch before we went to the meeting. When we arrived it was only Catherine (my area director) and another girl there. We aren't that many au pairs in my area now, but Catherine told us there will arrive several in December and January. It will be more fun on these meetings if we are more people. Today we were 8 I think, but it was still fun. It was a bit easier than last time and I didn't fell at all! If we continue to go there we'll be pro when we get home ;) We skated for like 2 hours maybe and then I had to go to my soccer game in Seatac (it's where the airport is) I got some support this time. Kadda and Emilie were nice and wanted to cheer on me. Unfortunately it was an embarrassing game :( I don't know the score, stopped counting at like 5-0. And I was so angry at my self, I missed like three chances, one was open with the goalie. I get so frustrated cause I know I can do better. But the other team was really good. Had a lot of younger players and I think it's hard to play with a team that not practice together. I have to remember it's just for fun, and I can't be that competitive as I am. I've promised my self that I'm playing here to bring back my motivation and my self esteem for soccer, so I stop blocking my self cause I try to over think the game. This game there was a daughter to one of the players that also played, Annie, and she was really good and it was fun to play with her cause I got good passes and we really found each other on the field. I think (and hope) she'll be at the winter team as well.
We went back home and I almost fell asleep in the car cause I was so tired after the game and my legs hurt! I need more than just one game now and then, my body gets a shock every time! I can't move!!!

MONDAY: Today it's been crazy! I've spent most of the day in the car driving here and there. First after I left the kids at school, I went to Redmond and picked up Kadda. We went to Target and I looked fore some Christmas stuff and we also wanted to find something for someone special for tomorrow ;) (I'll tell U tomorrow)
Then we went to Emilie's house and fixed something and played with the kids. Really cute! She has got twins at 13 months. A girl and a boy! They were sleeping when we arrived but Kadda woke them up ;) I think babies are cute but I'm glad I'm not in her situation. I mean, they can't talk, can't almost do anything. i would be bored really quickly. But I can go to her house now and then to get my monthly dose of babies ;)
Then I dropped Kadda of at her house (so glad that she has the driving test tomorrow, then I don't have to always drive her ;)) I went to SEARS and then to Fred Meyer to get some more Christmas stuff. I need to get all my Christmas gifts ready before this weekend cause I can send them with a Swedish family that is here on vacation. And Lotta and Jonas are gonna meet them this weekend so I'm a bit stressed, but it's so much fun. I want to buy everyone so much things, but I promise U mum, i won't ;)
When I got back here to Kirkland I went to a special store and made some special presents for some special persons. Sorry I can't tell U cause then I'll ruin the surprise! But I can promise U that it was awesome ;)
Direct after that I just went quickly home, to the restroom, put my things in my room and then I went to Agnes. I took a way over McDonald's and got my lunch for the day and I just found that they have my favourite: Chicken Wrap!!!! My and Caroline's favourite (a girl I worked with at McDonald's) So two of those and one vanilla shake was my healthy lunch for my healthy day! ;)
I took the kids for a walk cause Filip had to find some different rocks for a homework. Fortunately it'd stop raining so we could be outside for like an hour. We had to pick up Lotta from work cause Jonas had to work late.
Today was also the breaking up party with Filip's soccer team. And it was in Zeke's Pizza here in Kirkland. It was cool cause everyone ordered pizza so there were a lot of food and the kids were so crazy with a lot of energy and Christmas stuff and also I'm feeling a bit bad after this day with no work out, unhealthy food and I topped that with a cup of tea and three different kind of cookies ;) But hey, U only live once right ;)
I also wanna say that Sofia called me a star today, that made me warm inside!

Miss you all!
Love Sandra

Saturday night = Work night

This week I have woken up so tired and even though I slept until 10 today I was all dizzy But you can't sleep all day, right Kadda? ;)
I went to Bellevue mall with Kadda and Emilie cause I wanted to start getting Christmas gifts for my family back home in Sweden. I think it's so hard cause I wanna get some real good to like make up for me not being with them this year. I hope this will be good. Macy's has a pure Christmas store with a lot of decorations for the trees and it's so beautiful. I almost started crying in there cause I really like Christmas and I just got a sudden home feeling ;) But I bought some nice stuff for you back home ;) I won't tell!!
I had to go home early cause I'm working tonight. Lotta and Jonas are out with Linda and her husband so I have 4 kids here. It has been OK. We ate noodle soup and then watched Scooby Doo and ate candy ;) Now they are in bed and I hope they are sleeping!! Sofia was so excited so it was a bit hard to get her to stay calm in bed.
Now I'm watching the Prince and Me, a really cute movie and then I'll see if the new episode of V is available on the Internet. Hope your Saturday night is just a bit more exciting than mine ;)

I'll just end with a joke from Kadda: "Why is it always red at the traffic lights here?" "Cause it's Bel RED road" Hahah....we have the same humor ;)

Miss you all!
Love Sandra