Busy kids, flying helicopters, bellybutton temperatures, etc.

A little of this, a little of that, some photos to share.

Elin makes felt cupcakes with her new BFF, Winnie.

Viggo reads The Hobbit.

We've been sick, and here is Svea, checking the temperature of her bellybutton. I think that's where you can get the most accurate reading.

We hung up this photograph of birch trees that our incredibly talented brother-in-law Chris took. (When I say "we" hung it up, I mean, Nate hung it up. We had it framed . . . it weighs almost as much as Elin does now.) This picture of it does not come close to showing how awesome - or big - it really is. I guess you'll just have to come see it for yourself!

If you look at it closely, you might see Little Red Riding Hood peeking around a tree, or maybe some birds perched on the branches.

Well, maybe not quite. But the kids have enjoyed imagining who might be in the woods!

Elin and I play Playmobil.

Her most treasured Playmobil possessions are her guinea pigs.

She calls them "iggy pinks". Close enough.

Viggo got a RC helicopter from Uncle Mark for Christmas.

Nate also pulled out his own RC helicopter, so there's usually more than one flying around.

Elin has been the main victim and has been hit by them a couple times.

She's okay.

Here's a little movie with the helicopters.

And this one I just like because Elin is dressed up in the elephant costume and making bralooing noises.

How I killed a Twilight Ladybug.

This is what happened. Svea had an accident in bed the other night, and because I am super-efficient, I bundled up all her sheets and blankets and threw them directly into the washing machine. In the morning, I pulled out the laundry and there was her beloved Twilight Ladybug she got for Christmas. (It lights up and projects three different colors of stars on the ceiling.) Damp, but still intact. Nate said to take the batteries out and let it dry.

Well . . . I had accidentally washed and dried her (other beloved) Baby Betsy, a singing and light-up seahorse, some time ago. Apparently I have a real problem with stuff like this.

Baby Betsy survived and is still going strong. So I thought, Well, I'll just put the ladybug in the dryer! That method has worked before! I'm not sure if Nate meant for the bug to air dry or not, but I was thinking I knew the best way to take care of this situation, and better yet, Svea didn't even have to know her ladybug was put at risk.

I tossed the Twilight Ladybug into the dryer.

Bad idea.

As you can see, the dryer ripped up the fabric that was glued (I didn't realize it was glued . . . huh) to the shell, and a surprising amount of stuffing exploded onto everything in the dryer. The shell suffered lots of scratches, and altogether the Twilight Ladybug wasn't looking too good. There was a very sad Svea in this house.

$30 and 2 days later, a new {pink!} ladybug arrived in the mail.

It was promptly named Cherries.

And now we are poor.

The end.

Jack Frost, the library, Swedish Fish, etc.

We've been inside for tooooo looooong.

It was really frosty last weekend.

Mr. Frost was working overtime. On every single surface, Jack left nearly microscopic frosties. Beautiful.

They frost was so small, it looked like everything was covered in tiny white eyelashes. It was so pretty.

Unbelievable gorgeous, but completely useless to play in.

Alternative to playing outside in the freezing cold with no snow is going to the library. We found gigantic books there!

Svea brought her baby Cabbage Patch, Piper, with her last time. Complete with stroller. I always knew where she was amongst the shelves, because I could hear the rattling noise from the stroller.

These crayons printed on this huge page almost look real.

We love the library.

Viggo usually plays chess when we go, but on this day he joined the girls and I earlier than usual.

Svea had wear-your-pj's-to-preschool day this week. Complete with mukluks.

Yesterday morning got really exciting with a surprise package from a special friend! There were Swedish Fish!

We always watch an episode of "David the Gnome" on Saturday mornings. With the lovely addition of Swedish Fish to snack on, it made our routine even more fun!

We saved some for next week :) Tack!

The Choo Choo Chronicles.

We were on some errands the other evening and Elin heard a train. Right after I stopped taking this movie, she bellowed at Nate, "DWIVE TO IT, DADDY!"

The bunkhouse.

The other day Svea shared something that was on her mind.

She said, "Mommy, it's a good thing Daddy picked you to mawwy. If Daddy didn't mawwy you, you'd be awl awone and wivving in a bunkhouse."

So today, I am here to say I'm so thankful I was spared the life of a spinster in a bunkhouse. I would have been awl awone.