Really, it is mostly the usual stuff with some special things thrown in...
I recently went on guided tour of the History of Stavanger. A lady named Terri Ann, who is also an expat here, was our tour guide. It was fun to learn more about Stavanger and it was neat to see the city in a new way! Brendan (and me and Spencer) are now the proud renters of a trombone...yes, that is the instrument Brendan will be learning to play in 5th grade band! Pictures will be included soon... As I mentioned before, I have also started horse riding lessons! After 3 lessons, our group of ladies is really getting the hang of it! My horse's name is Bopee and he is a nice horse to ride, although he is a bit stubborn when it comes to slowing down or stopping. He loves to trot and yesterday, we almost made it to a cantor!
Both kids had their 'Share in Our Learning' day at school and I was able to spend a bit of time with each in the classroom seeing some of the things they do. I am also still helping out during math time once or twice a week in Brendan's class. The other major thing going on is book orders. Another mom, Laura and I are in charge of that this year and it has gotten off to a rocky start. But, we have finally managed to get the catalogs in and distributed (with several delays and problems)...now to get the orders actually placed before the fall break (and our trip to Italy!)
The really great thing since the last blog...my mom visited for us for a week! She arrived in town on Thursday, September 22 and flew out this morning, September 29. It was a quick week, but we managed to squeeze in a lot of sightseeing along with soccer, horse-riding, school and church commitments, etc. The weather was pretty decent and we really only had two really rainy days. So, we were able to work around that pretty well! Only one little problem...her bag didn't make it..., but luckily, it arrived later in the day Thursday and we picked it up before dinner! So the moment she stepped off the plane, I was dragging her around! From the airport, I drove her to see Sola Stranden and Tananger Harbor and then that evening, we took mom to eat at N.B. Sorensen's in downtown. We all enjoyed a delicious dinner and mom had her first taste of Norwegian salmon!
On Friday, I took mom out to Byrkjedal to the candle factory store. We stopped at a couple places (Frafjord, Manafossen) along the way and despite a bit of fog and rain, she was thrilled with the stunning views! We also enjoyed lunch at the restaurant there and drove home by the Gloppedalsura scree. We had a couple friends over for dinner and we enjoyed visiting.
Saturday, after the kids' soccer games, Brendan took off for a birthday party and the rest of us made several stops including the Iron Age Farm, Ullandhaug Tower, and Tungenes Fyr. It was a bit overcast and windy, but it wasn't raining, so we called it good and enjoyed the day!
Sunday morning we were busy with church things...well, Spencer, really. He was leading music AND did filled in doing the sermon. I think mom enjoyed hearing her son-in-law play guitar, sing and preach :) After church, we headed off to do the ONE thing the kids insisted on...Trollskogen! We had a nice walk/hike through the troll forest and mom was again, amazed by the landscape and views...(I have been telling her for a year how beautiful it is here!) After Trollskogen, we headed into downtown for a walk through Gamle Stavanger with stops at the Maritime Museum and the Canning Museum (another of the kids' favorites.) Mom offered to stay with the kids in the evening, so Spencer and I had an unexpected and fun date night - drinks and appetizers then a movie :)
Monday morning turned out very rainy, so an indoor activity was the order of the day...and what trip to Stavanger is complete without a stop at the Oil Museum! So, we managed to stay mostly dry (it was actually a hard rain for Stavanger that day...) and mom had her lessons about Norway and the oil industry! After the museum, we headed over to Ostehuset for a yummy lunch where a friend joined us for a chat. The weather cleared by the afternoon, so we took a quick walk over to the Stavanger Domkirke so I could show mom the inside of the cathedral. Then it was back home to meet the kids after school.
One of the great things is mom was able to see the kids in all their activities - so Monday, she enjoyed watching Kyla at her horse riding lesson.
We awoke Tuesday to clear and beautiful skies, much to my delight! The one thing I know my mom really wanted to do was a fjord cruise, and today was the day! We scored big with a great day and the weather held out for us. It was chilly up on the top of that boat cruise, but you know we stuck it out! I will admit, we did come inside for the quick trip back though :)
Wednesday was, unfortunately, a bust on the sightseeing. I had to take care of some of that book order stuff I mentioned earlier and then I had horse riding lessons (see picture up top :), but we squeezed in a quick stop at Three Swords. We made up for it a little bit by going out to eat one last time. Kids' choice, Phileas Fog. We enjoyed a great dinner - mom had fisksuppe, another Norwegian favorite :) Then, it was home to get her packed up and enjoy a last evening with the kids.
So in addition to a great visit, Mom did dishes, helped with homework, folded clothes, vacuumed, and babysat too :) Yea for moms! It was nice to have an extra set of hands even if it was only for a week!
So, things to look forward to...Spencer and I have a date night this Saturday (thank you Sabrina!) for the Stavanger celebration of Oktoberfest and then, a week from this Saturday, we leave for our week in ROME!!!!
What can I say...I LOVE Norway (and Europe!)
Cheers!
