Having fun with Play dough

Since we been having a really cold and rainy weekend we were forced to stay inside a lot so we got some play dough for Bella to play with. She really liked it and ....well mom and dad really like it too. We spend good time creating all kinds of things and we're very proud of them. OK maybe we don't have a future in sculpting but we make art. 

A family who cooks together, stays together

We sure hope so because we do cook a lot together. Bella is at that age when she loves helping out and if mom is doing something on the counter or at the stove  she comes running saying "want to see what mamma is doing". Nothing can keep this curious Georga away. When we where in Sweden we found a apron for Bella so now she can help out and stay clean just like mom.

Mom and Bella ready to make breakfast

Bella showing off her new kitchen outfit

Cuddling time, Syren family style

We have really gotten into making popcorn from scratch but never liked the mess it left behind. Now it's lot easier since I gave James a popcorn machine as a early Father's day present. Bella loved making popcorn and she stands on a chair doing her part; dropping the kernel's into the machine and then we watches as it pops. We like to cuddle together all three of us on our bed, eating popcorn. 

I want to pick!!!!!!!!

Oh how I love living with a toddler who is exploring her own body. Her new this...picking her nose and she does it over and over and over, well you get the idea. I keep telling her no and yesterday was no different except she got really mad a yelled at us "I WANT TO PICK" on top of her lungs. OK we get the message, pick away and hopefully next week she will move on.

Home Sweet Home

Ahhh, we love traveling but we do love coming home and sleeping in our own beds again. No one is happier than Isabella. The first thing she did after we got home was checking all her toys and then Mimi. 

We  returned home on Saturday night and had an interesting journey back including almost missing our flight in London, James and Bella getting lost and forcing us to go through security for the 3rd time that day, people complaining about Bella's DVD player and a lost car. Everything got resolved but at 10pm on Saturday we all finally had crashed in our beds.  Sunday (mother's day)Bella woke up announcing she wanted a pancake from Josh and Melissa at Naked Cafe. We got there so promptly that it was  30 minutes before they actually open the restaurant. But thanks to Josh we got coffee and fruit while we waited for the chef to fire up the grill. o mother's day we spend unpacking and cleaning up. 

London and Baby Amelie

On our way home from Stockholm, we stopped in London for a few days to see Sheena and Miles... best friends we made while living in London.

Just 4 months ago they had their first baby, Amelie. We had so much fun catching up and playing with Amelie and with Isabella. Isabella was so curious, caring and nurturing with Amelie.

Sheena and Miles live in Richmond, one of the lovelies area of London. While we had some unfortunate weather that didn't allow us to do some of the things we had hoped to do during the day (like visit the world famous Kew Gardens which are in Richmond) we had a really fun time.

Sheena, Miles and Amelie with Isabella and I ... just after we arrived. Parents looking a bit tired, but their doing great!

You can't help but smile when you hold a baby!

Singing with Amelie

Isabella immediately bonded with Sheena and wanted to help take care of Amelie. Amelie was taking a nap and Isabella got to go in to help wake we up

Isabella giving Amelie a massage. She wants to stay and be Amelie's personal masseuse.

Of course, we played some hearts... Sheena rocked... we must re-match soon!

OK... yeah we went to Starbucks in Richmond... despite their being lots of cute French and Italian style-cafes. It was pouring rain and we wanted some warm drinks and they had soy milk to help those of us dairy challenged folks.

Lucky us... the rain stopped, the sun came out... and so we had a beautiful afternoon along the river that runs through Richmond (self portrait)

Our toes... its just a thing we do :-)

Baby ducks... Isabella was so excited until the momma and papa duck start getting too comfortable with her.

And what sort of afternoon would it be if we didn't have a nice Guinness at the pub in the afternoon Isabella with apple juice, toasting mom.

We moved inside to eat because it was still a little cold. What a spread! (and another Guiness of course!)

Bella loves her veggies and loved the fact she could come along to the pub (until 6pm that is).

Last Days in Sweden

Our last couple of days in Sweden were busy... we saw Molly and Olivia the night before we left for London. Olivia is just 6 months younger than Isabella. Last summer when we all visited, the age difference was such that they didn't play together much. But this time, they became quick friends.

Here is Olivia peaking out from her "special house"

Isabella practicing for her upcoming summer tour with The Rolling Stones

Drawing together...

Molly, Olivia, Isabella and Fredrica... we really miss living so far away!

Ansi is feeling better... Isabella is so happy

Isabella loves trying on Johan's reading glasses

Posing for the camera

We have a favorite cafe in Södermalm Stockholm is called Cafe String. The decor is so ecclectic... with tables and chair posited in the window areas... a old motor cycle ... ever table was different chairs... some modern others old and torn up.

Isabella carefully following the Swedish ice hockey team. She wasn't allowed to stay up to watch the end of the game the previous night... Sweden makes it to the final of the Hocky World Championships but loses to Canada.

Isabella is learning to make funny faces... and yes that is hot chocolate all over her mouth

Old torn up chairs sitting in the window at Cafe String

It was a cold day so we had a warm jacket on Isabella. She had many admirers... some parents asked us where we got such a nice jacket... Thanks Joseph Ansanelli! This was a gift to Isabella about a year ago... it is beautifully hand stitched.

We also met Leffe (Jessica's dad) to hand off some essential from America

Our favorite playground in Södermalm Stockholm... just a few blocks from where we used to live. We walked by this play ground a hundred times when we lived here and never really noticed is much... funny how you don't see the things you aren't looking for in life.

Fredrica was born in Gränna Jönköping... this is the famous home of "Polkagrisar" which are special hard candies. On some of the shops they will make the candies right in front of you. Isabella was just fasciated and watched through the glass for a full 10 min, we finally had to pull her away to go!

Polkagrisar

Playmates

The Aquarium at Skansen

Today was rainy... so a perfect day to go see the 'Aquarium' at Skansen. I put it in quotes because it is so much more than an aquarium. To get into the aquarium, you pass through a monkey exhibit where you actually go inside... and can play with some rather friendly and fun monkeys. I don't think I've ever seen Isabella so mesmerized!

The monkey exibit

They really are so playful!

A whole bunch of them lined up on this railing and this guy on the end was really checking us out

Isabella really liked this one

Most of they guys were just sleeping away, trying to keep warm. "hey stop snoring you in the back".

"What you didn't bring a cinnamon bun for me??? Tourists!!!"

This is a second monkey enclosure. You cannot go into this one because these guys are really animated and playful "Who are you calling monkey?"

These guys are used to kids watching them all day... and they really put on a show and have some fun

A children's rainforest... they could just walk in an explore

Exploring the rain forest... simple, but exotic and really fun!

A scary looking crocodile (he is alive by the way).

And yes... there is a proper acquarium too!

What a huge clam shell

Exploring

Thais is one excited little girl

At the exit there is a Boa Constrictor that you can pet. Why would you want to do this... Well our fearless daughter was interested enough to do it (so daddy had to also!) Mommy!!! Not so fearless but did look at it and did a quick poke and run.

Trains... coming and going in central stockholm. City hall is in the distance beyond the water

Train Ride to Saltsjöbaden

We discovered Isabella loved trains a couple of weekends ago in San Diego. So we had to find an excuse to take Isabella on a train ride. Saltsjöbaden was the perfect place to go, a favorite of ours just a 30 min train ride the the center of the city.

Leaving the station... in anticipation

The scenery is beautiful the whole way out

Saltsjöbaden, like so many Swedish towns is along the water. It seems like everyone owns a boat

Isabella just loves picking flowers!

There is a beautiful hotel here... perhaps one day we will stay here on a special anniversary!

Relaxing on the dock of the bay

We walked the entire pier... I loved this view of the hotel

At the end of the pier

We watched a family put up the sail on their boat getting ready for some saling. The name of the boat was 'Isabelle'

We had a wonderful lunch at a favorite cafe that is a a yoga studio

And Isabella's new favorite... more hot chocolate!