Idyllic island in Stockholm's archipelago

Seven and a bit years ago, Brendan and I received a wedding gift from close family friends, Maryanne and Hans. It was to spend a few days on their island. Finally, we made it!

No electricity, no running water. Complete peacefulness and such beauty. Take a look for yourselves. (If the slideshow stalls, click on the X in top right hand corner.)

The Big Smoke

Brendan arrived in Stockholm on 1st August and we spent a couple of days there exploring the city. Little did we know another 50,000 people had also arrived to participate in the EuroPride Parade! We put the girls to bed and checked out the Absolut ice bar in our hotel. We filled the days with touristy explorations on boat and bus. Stockholm is very beautiful city, especially the Old Town.Isabelle is listening in English, Samantha in Swedish, and Matilda decides to follow the Russian tour. It's all good.

Next stop... Vaxjo

On the 18th July we drove north to Vaxjo to visit my cousin and her family. We were greeted with a warm welcome as always and the girls were ecstatic about the horses, dogs, cat, and second-cousins (Erik & Edvin) to play with. The rain didn't put us off one bit. Ahh, just to be outdoors in fresh air.Then we house/horse/cat-sat for a week in glorious sunshine. It was daylight from 5am to 9pm, so long summer days outdoors.

Licorice ice cream!!

Berry crazy! Yum!

Upon my cousin's return we spent a few more wonderful days on their beautiful property before driving up to Stockholm to pick Brendan up.

Svensk Sommar... underbart!

It all started on 13th July. The girls and I flew to Stockholm, and eventually (7 hours later... hot tip: always book train tickets in advance!) caught the train to Hassleholm. Stayed with my uncle and aunt in Hastveda, which is kind of like my second childhood home. The girls were like wild horses released in the forest. Lots of wild berry picking was involved.

A couple of visits to my mormor (grandmother).

Dancing with Agneta and cuddles with Johnny. It is lovely with family.

Isabelle and Matilda's favourite playmate... my cousin Anneli.

Birthday Brunch

Daddy and his girls. (Doha Corniche in the background.)
Birthday cake surprise thanks to the Four Seasons staff.

The powers of chocolate are truly wonderful!

Happy 3rd Birthday Matilda!!

Banana cake in bed. What a great start to the day!
Thanks for your card, I love it.
Wow, a mini-Barbie, and it's Rapunzel too, my favourite... Thanks Aunty Julia!

Now, we're getting ready for a brunch at the Four Seasons Hotel. This is gonna be a great day!

Sprinkler Fun

Nothing beats running around in the garden under the sprinklers!!

My early birthday present from Mormor & Kong Kong

I'm the Belle of the Ball. Tack sa mycket!

Leftover Birthday Cake

I ate the gingerbread man's head! So good!

More summer holiday fun

The girls had fun at Ray's Reef today with some school friends, followed by yum lunch at Chilli's. Now, we're just waiting to pick Mormor up at the airport!

It's my party!

" Daddy, open this now please."
My big sisters - Ruby, Elsie, Isabelle, Jamie, Zoe
Food, mmmmmmm

The Daddies and their babies. In order, Dave with Ruby, Thomas with Storm, and Paul with Blythe. Cute.

Party preparations

Helping Mummy with all the baking... at least she doesn't have to do as many dishes!

Summer Sleepovers

Yesterday, Isabelle slept over the Jamie's house. They went to Nails for manicures, went to the cinema to see Kung Fu Panda, and ate pizza before falling asleep at 9pm.


Today, I picked them up and took them to lunch at Johnny Rockets, Heely-ing around Carrefour, swimming at the compound pool, and cooked spag bol for dinner. Matilda was delighted to have not just one big sis, but two! The girls fell asleep in front of Alvin & the Chipmunks. I wonder what fun we'll get up to tomorrow??

Making a mess at home!

Now that I'm on summer holidays Mum lets me make lots of mess at home! (I'm missing my big sister a lot - she had a sleepover at her BF Jamie's house last night.)

Matilda's last nursery day

Finally, I am on summer holiday too! Thanks for all the fun, Apple Tree Nursery!

Can we have a movie night tonight?

The girls camp out under Isabelle's desk and watch Bee Movie on the world's smallest DVD player. Daddy's watching something boring downstairs and Mamma's doing her assignment. We gotta stick together!

Isabelle the teacher

OK, school's out for me, but I'm teaching my sister to read.

Goodbye Year One!

Today was Isabelle's last day in year one. This is her teacher, Miss Allen.

She took home a fantastic school report - once again, we are super proud! She has made some great friends, and we look forward to seeing them all after the summer break.

Meet our newest pets!

Tortoises Stegosaurus (Isabelle's) and Elephant (Matilda's) arrived yesterday.
Matilda spent the whole day reading them books, singing for them, talking to them, and showing them pictures. Hmmm... I think she misses our dog.