An active but slow day

Today (Saturday) Anna came to my place early and we went out for a run. Did U hear that? We went out running on a Saturday morning ;) We were out for about half an hour but it was already so warm that we considered jumping in the water instead, but we made it all the way home and then we walked to the beach.
Anna wanted to have a spot in the shade and I asked her how old she was cause I, the youth one, wanted to be in the sun to get as much tanned as possible. But after a while I had to crawl to the shade as well cause it was too hot. ;)
We spend 2 hours there and during this time we agreed that there is a lot, and maybe only, fit people here in Kirkland, and everyone looks good. Or it can also be that the not fit persons don't come to the beach ;) I'm not complaining cause this means a lot of hot, half naked guys to look at and that's fine with me ;)
While we were at the beach, Lotta had picked up the rest of the family at the airport so I got a big hug from Sofia when I stepped in through the door. The kids looked so different but I don't know why. Maybe cause they were tanned and had their hair shorter but sth was it.
Helena, the kids cousin, also came with them and is gonna stay almost 4 weeks here. She's really nice and looks exactly as her mum ;) Apparently she and Sofia plays really well together so I don't think it'll be any problem. I'm just sad that my vacation is no has ended.
I finished the cake for Anna and now I can't longer come to her au pair BBQ cause I had promised Hanna to drive her to the airport. So I showered and got dressed and then went to her house to see if I could help with sth. I went through her drawers one last time to make sure she didn't forget anything. Her host dad had to carry the bags up from the basement and to the car cause they were HEAVY!!! OMG, I wonder how much overweight she needs to pay ;)
There were some road work so the freeway was closed for one part so there was a detour that was long, confusing and the traffic was awful. Luckily we manage to get to the airport in time and I was sad saying goodbye to her cause it feels so weird that her stay here is over and that makes me think about how soon my year is over. It's just so unreal. Me and Hanna live really close in Sweden so we'll meet again but what about all the other cool people I got to know here? It's gonna be hard.
On my way back home, I stopped by at IKEA and bought some candy. Dajm chocolate, Bilar and liquorice fishes...jum jum!
The traffic was even worse on the way back and I think over all it took me 2 hours to get to the airport and back, it usually takes between 40 min and an hour. So I was not so happy about that I had to spend 2 hours in the car while the family was at the beach but whatever.
Tonight, Elliott had one of his parties but M changed her mind in the very last minute and I couldn't take the Saab cause of the battery and Anna had other plans so we had no car.
I grabbed a blanket and my book and went to the park. I sat down under a tree and had a really cozy time reading while a light breeze cooled me off. Thank U!
Back home, I was on my computer and had some dinner when Anna called and said that her plans had been cancelled so we could go to the party. I was mentally getting ready for bed but changed that and got ready for party instead.
There was not so much people but the ones who were there were cool and I had a great evening talking with my friends. We went home pretty early though cause Anna was not really in a mood, kind of slow. All this day I've been feeling a bit off and slow, don't really know why. Maybe it's the heat or maybe the fact that the kids came home today and my three weeks of no responsibility came to an end ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Goodbye Hanna

Today (Friday) Anna picked me up in the morning to go to the zoo with Slater's summer school. We took the two older once as well cause one of them was going as a helper to the class while the other one also wanted to come. But at the zoo, the two older went with the class while we walked with Slater a bit after them, he's a bit slow so it takes a while. We also got lost from the class but then we just walked by ourselves until Anna got her phone and rang to Lance and we met them at the playground.
The zoo is great cause even if it was really hot, U can enjoy it cause there is a lot of trees that gives U shade and U can rest whenever U want. We saw a lot of animals but they were all sleepy cause it was so hot, so they weren't so active ;) My favourites are the penguins, I like how they walk and then they look so gracious in the water.
Anna drove me home and I took a nap cause I was exhausted, maybe cause of the heat but it took a lot of energy at the zoo cause of all the kids. Even though they weren't my responsibility I was like tense and always checking them. Now I also understand what Anna has been talking about one of her kids being awful. I always liked him cause he's nice and happy when I come, but at the zoo he was like doing whatever he felt like. He kicked at the fence, threw rocks at ducks and just acted like a jerk. OMG, I just wanted to leave him at the monkeys ;)
I made the strawberry cake for tomorrow and I couldn't get the cake to ferment this time either so I could cut it in to two and then there was a thin layer still in the bottom of the baking tin that I put as the top ;) Whatever!
I went down to Kirkland and the pearl store and made a bracelet to Hanna as a goodbye present from all of the girls. She was leaving for Sweden tomorrow and tonight we were gonna have a goodbye dinner at Cheesecake. So I took a quick shower and got dressed before I hurried down to the bus to Bellevue. I was the first one there so I asked for a table and soon Hanna came there, and then the girls dropped in after a while. It was me, Hanna, Ramona, Kadda, M, Anna and two other girls I don't remember the name of. We got a table outside and it was really nice. Hanna also got a balloon from us with the text: "You will be missed" Unfortunately she dropped it so it flew away :(
The dinner was as always great and I was so full when I left. I had the fresh grilled salmon and it was delicious! I also had a tropical smoothie that was jummie!
We went to the mall and some of us had a frozen yogurt and then we just sat there and talked.
Anna had been invited to a party, from a old guy in the grocery store!!, so we went there to check it out. But we saw some older people coming out so we felt like it was a bit too mature party for us. We went to the beach to see if there were some people hanging out but we couldn't find any. It felt weird cause first we had been in a party mood and now when there weren't any, it felt like we got a hangover immediately. Just weird! ;) Instead we went home, a nice Friday night ;)
I skyped for about an hour with Anna and Elin from home and it was really nice cause it was a while since we did. I miss them so much and I can't wait until I'll see them again.

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Twilight evening

Today (Thursday) the neighbours woke us up with a damn jackhammer, at 8!! Is that really necessary? Common!
It was already really hot in the morning and i would have liked to jump in the pool but I went home, don't remember why ;)
Anna had invited me to her au pair meeting on Saturday that was a BBQ and U were supposed to bring your favourite dish from your country. Anna asked if I could make a strawberry cake again and of course I said yes. Her wish is my command ;)
I went to QFC and bought the ingredients and also rented New Moon for tonight. When I got home I ate lunch and did some laundry before I took my stuff and went to the beach here in Kirkland.
There were really a lot of people and so many hot guys!! OMG! Everyone is so fit here and looks good...me like!!
I found a spot on the grass and put down my blanket and started to celebrate the sun ;) I cooled off in the water a couple of times and that was really nice. I didn't think it was possible to swim in the lake but it is! There's just a lot of seaweed so it's kind of gross.
Anna said that she was gonna come with Slater after his nap but there were so many people that they didn't find a parking spot. She went back home but M joined me instead with her kids. I was happy that I didn't have to be alone anymore and her kids are so cute. I got to take Julie out in the water and she loved it. When I took her out of the water she was: "Again, again!" ;) Alex was a bit afraid and didn't want to be in the water.
After about an hour I helped M take the kids to the car and she drove me home cause I needed to make dinner. Tonight me, Lotta and Anna was gonna have a girl night with movies. We were gonna watch Twilight and New Moon, Lotta has never seen them or read the books so now it was definitely time to get her involved in the Vampire hype ;)
Anna came around 7 and we stared with Twilight and to that we had some ice cream, that melted really fast cause it was so hot!!
Even though I've seen both movies before I always get really excited and emotional ;) Go Edward!! ;)
Lotta enjoyed the evening and liked the movies but I don't know if she was more Edward or Jacob, I'll try to get her to the vampire side ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Sleepover

Today (Wednesday) I slept long and woke up just in time for the other semi final, Spain-Germany. I expected a great game but was a bit disappointed. Spain won so I'm happy but there was not so much action. Now I can tease those cocky Germans I hang out with ;)
Of course I drove to Anna's place and surprised everyone...not ;) Instead of going to the beach today, we stayed at their pool. It's only about one meter of water but that's just enough to cool of in. We played with Slater who used us as horses and slashed water on us ;)
After a couple of hours in the sun, we all were kind of tired so we went inside. I had to return a movie so I went to Blockbuster and also rented Twilight for our Vampire evening tomorrow with Lotta.
I went back to Anna's and just did nothing until she was off. We went to a Mexican fast food place in Bellevue where we got some nice burritos and then we walked to Bellevue Downtown park to see if there were some cool people.
It was so nice!! The sun was setting but it was still warm, there were a lot of people hanging out or playing Frisbee or volleyball. There were also a lot of dogs who smelled our food and came to see if we dropped sth. One actually stole some from Anna's plate when she looked away ;)
We did some language practise, she spoke German and I Swedish and that was a lot of fun. We also decided that when I visit Anna in Germany, there will be only German and when she comes to me, only Swedish. I wonder who will survive best ;)
I slept at her place today, for the first time!!! I was really excited but her room was so warm, I nearly panicked. But the windows were open and we had a very thin blanket.
The view from her window is amazing. I know I might have said it before but it's like a drawing. We watched the sun set behind the mountains and saw Seattle with all the lights. So cool!
We watched two episodes of Happy Town before we said goodnight and that series is getting really weird. It's good but there is just so much going on with everyone. But I like it!!

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Summer is here!!

Today (Tuesday) I actually went to the gym in the morning ;) Right now the visits are not that frequently but whatever, it's summer ;) I was there about one hour before I walked home, took a shower, made lunch and watched Holland play against Uruguay in the first Semi final. They won with 3-2 and I was cheering for them so I'm happy!
I went to Anna's place and it was really hot and sunny so we were outside by their pool under a parasol, zipping on a fresh, fruity smoothie ;) Me and Jay, one of her kids, read Swedish girl's magazines which was really fun ;)
When Slater woke up from his nap, we all went to Medina Beach park where Emilie and her kids were already playing in the water. It was very tempting to go in the water but I just put my feet in and then we just laid on the beach, tanning. Almost as good as on Hawaii except that Anna couldn't relax since she had two kids with her.
The funniest thing was that there were 4 lifeguards on duty, guarding the small beach with maybe 10 kids or sth. We felt really safe but I wonder who pays for them. Bill? ;)
We spend some hours there and when we got home, Anna had only half an hour left to work which was nice. She made dinner for the boys while I was on the computer and then we went for a walk with Ace, the boxer they have. It was so nice cause it was still warm and this is not even the hottest day of the week so I'm really glad that the summer is here!!
We drove to Bellevue Downtown Park where they now have started with outdoor movies. There was a huge screen and U just put your chair or blanket wherever U wanted and just enjoyed a late summer nigh movie! Today it was Cloudy with a chance of meatballs. It's really sweet and funny and we had a nice and cozy evening.
Tonight Anna had left me so I had to sleep alone, I was a bit scared but I did good ;)
Today I was extra glad cause earlier this week I couldn't find my camera charger and I was so pissed cause I didn't think I had forgot it on Hawaii but I had looked everywhere in my room. I asked Kadda and Anna if they might have accidentally got it home but no. But today, when I was at Anna's, she found it!! So funny! She didn't know how but I don't care, now I don't need to buy a new camera!!!
Funniest of the day: Anna: "Justin Beiberlake" hahahah

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Inglourious bastard

Today (Monday) I waved Anna goodbye when she went off to work to bring home the money for our household ;) I wanted to go to bed again but I had to clean up from the party yesterday since Lotta was coming home today.
I picked her up at the airport and I had to wait a while cause I was early, but it was OK cause there were a lot of soldiers to watch ;)
Lotta was tanned and she told me that the weather in Sweden is great and their vacation had been great. I really envy them for being home and met their family and friends but soon it's my turn.
Now it was only Lotta who came home, Jonas and the kids will be here on Saturday so I still have one week without kids. Nice ;)
Back home, I made lunch and Lotta was really tired considering the 9 hours time difference, but it was only 2 here so she didn't want to go to bed yet. Instead she went to the mall to stay awake ;)
I called back home cause I didn't talk to them since before Hawaii. It was really nice and we talked for 1,5 h and about everything. The kitten had been home now since yesterday and they changed the name from Nisse to Chabo, a bit better ;) I told them about Hawaii and they told me about their midsummer celebration. Now I could finally give them the date when they need to pick me up at the airport ;) Feels so weird that U now can write it down...hahah but I wont do it here. If u wanna know, check with mum and dad.
I took a nap for about 2 hours before I went out in the sun and red some Swedish magazines that Lotta had brought. Our crown princess is now married so I could read and look at pictures which was nice since I didn't follow it at all. There were a lot of nice dresses and it's just such a cool collision since the groom is not royal.
Lotta went to bed early and I updated my blog until my honey came home from work ;) We walked down to Kirkland and bought a frozen yogurt and went to the Marina Park. There weren't so many people but the weather had been better than during the day so it was really nice to watch the sun set behind Seattle.
We walked to the baseball field to see if there was a game and this time it wasn't a break as i usually is when we want to watch, so we stayed for a little while but then it got cold. We went to the Redbox in QFC and rented the movie Inglorious bastards with Brad Pitt. It's about a group that kills Nazis in France during the war. It was a very weird movie and really grotesque. They showed a little bit too much when they killed people, not my favourite movie but it had it's comical parts ;)
The movie was long so it was late when we finally got to bed but it's OK for me since I don't have to work ;) I think it might be hard when the kids are back and I need to be up around 9, but we take that fight next week ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Happy Birthday M and America

Today (Sunday) it's 4Th of July which means Emilie's birthday and the Independence Day of America! I was really excited for this day cause I've heard that it's such a big deal here.
Me and Anna were really tired when we woke up but we had to finish M's present so we couldn't stay in bed plus there was a parade in Kirkland we wanted to see. We were kind of stressed but we manage to get down in time to see the parade. There were a lot of people and a lot of American flags ;)
When the parade started, there were a lot of kids riding their bikes or walking or sitting in strollers, almost every kid in Kirkland were in the parade and it was cute but we were like: "Is this is?" We had expected sth more and bigger. But after 10 minutes with only kids, we walked back home cause we needed to get ready. (Later I got to know that the kids parade was just a pre parade to the real one. So we missed it ;) Whatever!!)
Our plans for today was to spend the day at Gasworks Park in Seattle where they have the biggest firework around and since we only get to experience this once we wanted the best ;)
Me and Anna packed the car, it looked like we were going camping cause we had chairs, blankets and sleeping bags with us ;) We picked up M and Emilie and then Kadda and I needed to fill up the car with gas and of course it didn't start after that. We took the charger but the car wouldn't start anyway!! Luckily for us we were at a gas station and a nice guy helped us to jump start the car with his car. I wonder what he must have thought, and he saw our trunk with all the equipment ;)
Emilie got her present, a scrapbook over the year and a Seattle sticker. It was from me, Anna, Kadda and Ramona and we had been working on it during the week. She loved it and it was just a great gift. I also want sth like that ;)
Before we went to Seattle, we stopped at Cheesecake Factory and bought some delicious cheesecakes to have at the park. I didn't want to shut down the car so I was driving around in the parking garage while the other bought the cakes ;)
It took us a while to find the right place to park but we got a great spot not too far from the park. We had to walk maybe 15 minutes but it was OK. There were a lot of people there, they open the park at noon and we came there around 3pm but we managed to get a pretty good spot in the middle of the hill facing Seattle. we put down our blankets and sat down and enjoyed our cheesecakes! The weather was nice when we came but after maybe 10 minutes, it started to rain. Of course!! But we took the sleeping bags and umbrellas and thought that it would go over soon, we were wrong. After half an hour maybe we gave up, it was too rainy and cold and it didn't look like it would get any better. We decided to go back to mu place and then watch the fireworks in Kirkland instead.
We stopped at QFC and bought some good drinks and then went to my place and ordered pizza ;) It was nice to get out of the wet clothes and to be inside. We played Twister and then we had some cultural exchange by some drinking games with dice and cards. That was fun but I just had water so I think it was more fun for the other girls ;)
At 9:30, we walked down to the waterfront in Kirkland where the fireworks would be. It was cold but it wasn't raining which was good. There were a lot of people but we walked down to the beach and took a seat where we could see out over the water. We sang the national anthem and waived with the flag, felt really patriotic ;)
The fireworks came from a huge boat out on the lake and it was amazing. There were a lot and they were beautiful! I'd heard that the Kirkland fireworks would be small but this was bigger then in my hometown on New Years ;) We could also see the shows from Seattle on the other side of the water and it was just great. I think this was the best place to be cause we could see everything. It lasted for maybe 20 minutes and then we started to walk home. We stopped on the way and talked to people we had seen earlier and it was just a great evening. I wonder when Sweden will be this big with celebrating the national day, probably never ;)
I drove the girls home and then me and my honey went back home and went to bed ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra