Minnesota State Fair

Minnesota State Fair is here and yesterday we went there so that I could have my very first experience of a true American state fair.

It was a beautiful day, sunny and not too hot. But, the crowd was a bit overwhelming. Just look at all these people!

We were hungry so first we headed for the food (and there is lots of it at the State Fair!). We had hamburger and fried chicken wrap for lunch. Then we went to a French Crepes café for dessert.

Wow, just look at that! Strawberry and cream crepe!

I really enjoyed it!

This is how happy I look after eating a few bites!

We also took a look at how they make deep fried candy bars. We didn't try it though. Mom and dad thought it sounded too weird.

We headed to the area where they had a cow competition. I had a lot of space to myself in the seating area. I climbed up and down from one row to another. Fun (at least for me...mom and dad were quite worried I would fall and tried to make me stay in one seat....easier said than done, he, he....).

Some cows are getting prizes.

The sheep were also quite fun to take a look at.

Look at the cute little lamb. I said; bäääääää!

The little ducklings were adorable! I really wanted to go in and pet them, but it was not allowed. I did get to pet a little white rabbit and that was really fun!

We went on a carousel too! It was so exiting! Round and around we went....

We were getting tired after spending a few hours at the Fair. On the way to the car we bought corn on the cob from a street stand.

Mmmmm, corn with butter and salt. Love it!!

Mom and I went on a giant slide. It was great! I wanted to go again, but the line was too long so one time had to do. At least I can look back at this little movie that dad took and remember how fun it was.

August week of work and fun

Thursday the 20th of Aug; the summer is slowly approaching it's end. On mom's (run-) way to work she is wearing: napkin front blouse (hi, hi) from aunt Sara, 10 year old pants (still looks good), shoes from Nine West and turquoise butterfly pin (used to be grandma's). Gold bag by Devi Kroell. I'm wearing all Target + Crocs. Jacket from Jeannie and Jack. Rabbit from aunt Annika and uncle Göran. Yeah, my kanin! The best accessory ever!

Thursday afternoon; I'm goofing around with dad in the sofa after getting home from the lake. We went to the playground there and I went on the slide many, many times.

Friday the 21st of Aug. Mom says: yeah, casual dress day at Target! Top from H&M and skinny jeans from aunt Sara. Elsie says: yeah, 2 rabbits, what can better complete my outfit?

Friday afternoon: I'm drawing. Look at the fun colors and exited strokes! The weather is not so good today so we are staying indoors. This week a big storm hit down town. Mom saw big pieces of debris and branches fly by her window on the 27th floor!

Yeah, in action drawing with both hands!

Saturday the 22nd of Aug; mom went out to brunch with her mom friends. Dad went to Mc Donalds for breakfast and I went to sleep. We went shopping and quickly stopped by home to get everything we needed to go to the lake. The weather is great. I had the time to play by my easel for a while.

I brought my bucket, watering can and other things I needed for playing at the beach.

I had a lot of fun playing in the water!

Mom and I played a lot too!

After a long stint in the water I was hungry and we ate the food we had brought with us.

The sun was slowly going down as we left the beach. I was tired but sad to leave since it had been such a fun day.

My adventures this week

On Monday the 10th of Aug. mom ventured the crazy idea of taking photos of me and her every morning (and evening if possible) to document each day and what we do during a regular week. It also happened to be teachers appreciation week at my daycare so then she could document that too (she is way too ambitious if  you ask me). If you knew how hurried every morning is in our house and how we almost throw ourselves out of  the door to get mommy to work in time every morning you would know why this was not a good idea. Needless to say, by the time we got to my daycare and had handed off the flowers to one of my teachers mom was already late for work (well, I told you so, didn't I?). No time for pictures of the beautiful flowers we gave the teachers (They are hiding behind us on the photo if you are curious).

 Tuesday morning, the 11th of Aug. Mom smiling and I'm game too since I got to have my pacifier.

Tuesday evening; it was so beautiful out so we went up to the roof and we brought my easel so that I could paint a painting for my teacher to give her later on in the week.

After the painting adventure I had color all over my body and we had to take a bath. Although I still don't like it (I told you about my recent fears of the bathtub didn't I?), I have to say the bubbles makes it pretty cool. Mom and I actually had a lot of fun. Just look at all that "skum" (=foam/bubbles)!

Wednesday morning. Mom tricked me to be in this picture too. I got to hold my rabbit and the blanket and I really don't want to take pictures at this point. Why are we not leaving already?

Thursday morning. This is the only semi-good picture dad was able to capture of me this morning outside my daycare. The other pictures of me (and mom) were not a pretty sight since I decided this really was not a good day to sit and smile to the camera (what a waste of time anyway when there are so many more interesting things to do!). Look at my painting though. Pretty cool, huh? My teacher Megan really liked it.

 

Thursday afternoon; we went to lake Calhoun and although a storm was coming into the city I had enough time by the lake to take a little dip in the water.

Yeah! I love going into the lake. No fear of water here, that's for sure (those bathtubs on the other hand....). After the bath it was time for a little snuggle with daddy.

Friday morning, we made it. This time my prop is a musical book. Say what you will about my mom, but she is rather inventive when it comes to distracting me. Mom got the top and jeans from my aunt Sara in Sweden and it became the perfect Friday outfit.

On Saturday the 15th of Aug. my daycare had arranged a Carnival. There were lots of fun things to do. Before I got started on the activities I had to say hi to my teacher Megan. She is great!

Throwing little sacks of sand in baskets. I neatly carried the sacks all the way to the baskets and placed them in. And then I got a cool price! Who said you have to throw the sacks? 

My friend Soren was there too. We had a lot of fun playing in the water.

Ah, what fun this was. Actually better than all the games they had arranged.

The fishing pond was fun. Look at the little shark I got. It's cute, but it says "Wrahhh"!

Sunday mid morning we went to the Farmers Market with our neighbors Ross, Joanna and Bella.

Here we are eating brunch. The breakfast burrito was tasty....

....and the corn was even yummier!

Here I am with Bella. 

We bought tomatoes, squash and new potatoes. Fun morning and great company!

My vacation adventure in Sweden!

I just returned from two weeks vacation in Sweden. I saw my cousins Ebba and Inez, my aunt Sara and uncle Steven and my grandmother in the south of Sweden. The trip overseas went really well. I slept most of the time so it was not as boring as I had expected. I know how to say airplane in Swedish; flygaget (....well, almost, that is). 

We arrived in Stockholm, but soon went down to see my grandmother in Smålandsstenar.

My grandmother was so happy to see me. I was a bit shy at first but I soon got very familiar with her place.

It had just been Inez's birthday so we celebrated again at grandma's place. Here she is getting some help from Ebba to open the presents. What could be in that fun box?

Wow, Converse shoes! I like them!

Ebba and I had so much fun playing. I could never imagine how great it is to have an older cousin! Here we are at grandma's kitchen table, drawing. I know Ebba was a bit annoyed that I broke a lot of her crayons, but she let me have them anyway. She is so sweet!

Ebba is really good at drawing. She can make princesses and trees and houses. And she can write! She even wrote my name! So impressive! She is only 5 after all.

Outside my grandma's place there is a little fish pond. Ebba and I loved to play there. Mommy was with us most of the time or Steven or Sara. Once I actually fell in, head first! Luckily mom was right behind me to pull me up.  I get a bit too adventurous sometimes.... 

Ebba and I did so much running! We ran outside grandma's place and at the playground just next door.

I really love Ebba! She is like a big sister. I learnt so much from her! Here we are at the green house outside my grandma's place.

At the playground next door there were so many fun things to do. We played there almost every day. Not really sure I can get out of this tunnel myself though. Mom, a bit of help please!

Going on the swings was a blast! 

Ebba can swing really high on her own!

Inez also likes to go on the swings.

We had a lot of visitors all week long. On Friday Annie visited. Of course she wanted to hold Inez in her lap. She is so cute nobody can resist her!