In my kitchen

For: hand wash, dish wash and ... veggie wash. For God knows from where our veggies come (probably China) and what they spray them with, but they do look nice and shiny. And usually never rot.

And heat is back. These days are so hot and sunny the only thing you want in the evening is a nice and cool shower. But what to do when the water is kept in a metal tank on the roof. Comes out boiling.

All family fun

Yesterday, we went for a bike tour along the river - a stone throw from our house and its pure countryside. The goal was the new climbing centre and needless to say, all family loved it.

Almost like Sweden. Almost.

One very, very good thing about Vietnam is that wherever you are - and actually especially when you need it - voluntary babysitters pop out from everywhere. A very kid friendly climbing place.

Mum and dad could go over to have fun on the big walls. One color at a time!

We'll be back!

Driving home from town

Although it is still August and summer, since we came back it hasnt been as unbearably hot as can be. The other day I drove home from town around lunchtime. Under every tree there seemed to be a group of people.

Lunch in the shadow around Truc Bach lake.

View from Xuan Dieu street. If you look up a little. And crop the huge amounts of garbage at the bottom of the picture.

Building blocks

In Sweden I think they are called Kapla sticks, and they are super expensive. Here, they are just little pieces of wood that you buy in a box and, as almost everything else, super cheap. No matter what, they are loads of fun.

Kai and Moe-chan, the only other Japanese left in his class. Yuuki left for the Phillipines in spring and Honomi just moved on to Singapore. On the other side, he's got two new Swedish class mates. First time ever.

Taking a break

In Hanoi, people live their lives on the streets. They socialize, work, eat, drink, sleep, raise their kids... As everywhere else, it is the women who work the hardest - but sometimes even they need a break.

Street vendor, just outside my door step.

Preparing bún chả for the lunch crowd.

Taking a break.

My boy?

Currently, Kai is totally fascinated by numbers. Several times a day, looking totally serious, he goes
"muuuuum ... eight plus three equals eleven"
"eh... yes"
"and nine minus four equals five"
"eh... yes"
And like that, he goes on. Today he made me do this, and was so thrilled he didn't even have time to go out with Keisuke. He will get over it, I guess?

Sweden - bye bye...

And, before we knew it, it was time to go back home to Hanoi again. Although kids where delighted to get back, I know they miss all the freedom tremendously. As always, a special thank you to "mormor" and "morfar" who hosted us. We'll be back!!

Bye bye mormor and morfar.

About to board the train to take us to Copenhagen airport - Kai just had to write something very important in his notebook...

Sweden - the friends

And, of course, even more important than breathing fresh air is seeing our friends. Touring the West Coast up and down in our little rented car, to see our friends, sneaking in to spend a day or a night here and there is one of the main reasons for the holidays. Thank you all for having us!

Fishing crayfish with Alma and Vilmer in Kungsbacka.

With Filippa and Kajsa in Göteborg. As good as cousins.

Kai and Theo looking for seals in Slottsskogen, Göteborg.

Nakamura family. Before taking off for their summer holidays - in Japan.

Hana, Kai and Wayra.

Kai, Aron, Tom, Adam, Hana, Samuel in Malmö.

Kids feeling totally at home, watching movies with Stella and David.

And, all these kids actually have parents; their mothers some of my very best friends. Just more fun to take pictures of kids I guess...

Sweden - the nature, the air...

Aaaaah... it is amazing what a releif it actually is. Crisp, fresh, dry, clean air. Places where you can run barefoot. Places without traffic. Places without people. What luxury.

The "blue berry forest" in Tvååker.

Early evening at Getterön, första vik, Varberg.

Petting animals at the local sheep farm.

A walk in Öströö bokskogar.

Learning more about nature... Linne probably?

My parents garden, like a part in itself. And evenings are endless.

Sweden!

Finally a few posts and picutres from our summer holidays. And, first things first: Tvååker. The tiny little village where my parents live and where I spent my childhood. Which is also the place where we spend most time, bicycling around, running important errands (basically, going to the grocery store, returing and getting new books from the library, going to the bank, the kiosk, to a playground, wherever) and - hanging out in my parents huge and wonderful garden.

The perfect library books reading spot. Of course, with ice lollie.

Theme of the summer: Biking.

And as soon as Hana got her pink helmet, she was ok, too. Although it was Kai's old bik and not a pink one with flowers on it. Later we added a pink basket.

"Helping" granddad clean the garden pond.

Visiting my grandma Märta. By bike, of course.

Kai, Otto, Elvin, Lara, Siri, Hana. Plenty of cousins at grandparents' yearly summer garden party.

Freedom!

Getting settled

Reconnecting with friends and hanging out in the neighbourhood, we've even had time for far away visitors. Tomorrow school starts again.

Theo, temporarily in town, visiting from East Timor.

Best friends ever - Hosea and Kai.

Home sweet home!

Well, we actually got back four days ago, but between unpacking, getting over jetlag, hanging out with kids all days (as school wont start until next week) there actually hasnt been that much time left over.

Hanging out in new home corner/art cafe.

While enjoying being at home again, we all miss the Swedish summer and all the light. More pics to come, not to worry.