Chris's birthday is October 31 (known to most people as Halloween). We haven't ever really gotten into Halloween partly because, well it's his birthday and partly because I've never been a huge Halloween fan anyway. So, it's been nice living here when that time of year comes around and not having to worry about tons of kids dressing up in strange costumes, ringing your doorbell every 30 seconds, trying to get their pillow cases full of candy. But at the same time, it feels strange (having grown up with pumpkins and ghosts 21 years of my life) when October 31 does come around to just let it slip by with no decorations or costumes or scary stories or anything. So, in the spirit of Halloween, Chris and I started this little tradition where we buy a pumpkin every year and carve it. We save the seeds and roast them and then use the rest of the pumpkin (because they don't have pumpkin in a can here) to make delicious pumpkin muffins. It's been a tradition two years running now and the third time round always makes traditions official somehow, so I was excited about doing it this year. Especially since Samuel would be old enough to be with and help scoop out all the insides and everything. We talked about it a couple days before Halloween and had even found a pattern of a penguin that Samuel was excited about. However, you can imagine our disappointment when we went to 3 different stores a couple days before Halloween and then 2 more the day before to find that no one had any pumpkins!!! We've kept looking all this week, but to no avail. I was so distraught and sad to think that this year we won't be able to carve our pumpkin (or make pumpkin muffins!) And poor Samuel kept saying that he wanted his penguin pumpkin. It's moments like this that make me realize all over again that we do not live in the US of A.

Having fun with our web camera on our computer :)

(You gotta click on them to get the full effect)

Too bad kids don't know about day-light savings...

So, this morning bright and early at 5:15 our dear Samuel came running in telling us he was "all done sleeping". After about 10 minutes of trying to convince him it was still too early and it was dark outside, he finally gave in and crawled into bed between Chris and I. Relieved, I was all ready to enjoy another hour of sleep, when I heard Sofia in her room getting up...augghhh! I sleepily (and not so happily) went in, picked her up, and got her a bottle. I naively thought I could just sneak back into our bedroom and have her drink it while laying next to me and then have her drift off into a deep sleep...didn't quite work. After she was done, she was wide awake and ready to play. Samuel quickly jumped on the opportunity and got directly and turned on the light. It's Sunday today and we usually start of the morning with The Testaments movie (the only sunday movie we have), so in one last desperate hope to get another 20 minutes of shut-eye, I dragged both kids out onto the couch, brought out the blankets, popped in the movie and snuggled in. But, that lasted a total of 10 minutes before Samuel was hungry and Sofia needed a diaper change. I gave up and started making pancakes at 5:45 am!

Frustratingly enough, Chris and I stayed up an extra hour last night because when 11:00 rolled around, we thought, "hey, it's only 10:00!"

Super Saturday

Our Saturday: Today Chris had to be gone all day with church stuff and work, so I decided to make a day of it and head into town with the kids. Our first stop: the library. Samuel loves going to the library. He's getting more and more into reading books (which he hasn't always loved), so it's fun to head down and just sit in the couch and read with him (while Sofia crawls around and organized all the books she can get her hands on).

While we were at the library we ran into our neighbors who have a daughter 6 months younger than Samuel, Ida. Ida and Samuel really get along great, so they had a grand ol' time looking through books together until we all headed down to the mall to meet...yes, ladies and gents...Bob the Builder (Byggare Bob in Swedish). Yep that right, Bob the Builder himself along with some of his tractors and working machines came to the mall and we got to meet them in person. Talk about exciting!!! We had talked about it all morning, and Samuel could barely wait to leave our apt. but when it actually came time to meeting him, Samuel became a little skeptical and wouldn't let me put him down (hence carrying two children in the above picture) :). But, afterwards he thought it was pretty cool that we got to meet Bob the Builder and kept saying "Bob the Builder talked to Samuel".

After Bob the Builder we headed to the gym, so mommy could get a little exercise. They have a baby-sitting room and it was all decked-out Halloween-ish (which was a complete shock to see since Swedes don't really celebrate Halloween...I had completely forgotten that it's only 4 days away). They had face-painting there, and games and candy (I had to tell the personnel that Samuel doesn't eat candy, so they quickly replaced it with a banana and he never knew the difference...what would I do in the States during Halloween...?!) So I dropped the kids off, went to the treadmill, came back an hour and a half later and my Samuel had turned into a Tiger! This is the second time he's gotten his face painted and he LOVES it. He really becomes that animal and it's cool to see his little imaginative brain at work.

After the gym, we finally topped off the day by eating out at Mc-y-D's (which is always a treat). We walked home and the last picture is the result of a great Saturday (notice the hat). After getting home, I let him stay there in the stroller and he slept for about an hour sitting up like that! It's days like today that I love being a mom!

Chris's grandmother (mormor) past away last week and we're having a funeral for her tomorrow (Wednesday). Chris's mom asked me to make the all-too-famous "Lion House Rolls". I've never attempted them before and in desperation called my mom for the recipe and instructions. This is how they turned out...not too shabby if I do say so myself. I am quite proud. Looks like I'm more of a "Domestic Dora" (Jean Alder) than I thought I was. :)

Check out my Slide Show!

This slideshow starts with me in the hospital the day Samuel was born and ends with just last week. The idea is to give you an updated picture of our life and to let you see how our family has grown/changed. Enjoy!

Samuel wanted to see if Mr. Potatoe-Head's earrings fit Sofia

I love it when Samuel makes Sofia laugh

Aunt Heidi would be proud :)

Taken last May

Samuel-first school picture-2 months shy of his 3rd birthday

What a cutie!

These are our two beautiful chidren. As you can see, Samuel's not so much into posing for the camera. (In fact, I think he purposely DOESN'T smile). But, curiously, he always wants to see the pictures after they're taken and is into playing "photographer". Sofia on the other hand smiles as soon as someone looks at her. Both are great kids though and I LOVE being their mom!

Newcomers

So, we finally bit the bullet and jumped on the band-wagon and have now created our very own blog introducing the Christoffer and Mary Malm family. YEA!!! (This feeling reminds me of how I felt when the first Harry Potter book came out. I totally refused to read them becuase EVERYONE was reading them. I let it go about a year, finally broke down and have been a die-hard Harry fan ever since.)

Anyway, it'll be fun adding new pictures and movies and thoughts and whatnots on here every now and then to keep the family and friends updated. So, sit back, grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy!