Board game geeks

No offense to the rest of the gang, but we might be considered board game geeks - especially at Easter time. Luckily we were reinforced by a visit from my brother to raise the bar and add some cheer and fun to the holidays. On the menu this year: Monopoly, Risk, Cluedo Harry Potter edition, traditional Cluedo, more Risk, card games (the kids learned elementary Poker rules this year) and Little Miss M was thrilled when I found a game of Winnie the Pooh LUDO.

Simpsons Monopoly! Michael ruled and loved to win! He had a thrilling $ 37 million at the end of the game. This game has really changed since way back when I was growing up. No cash. Just credit cards. Hm.

Cluedo Harry Potter style was quite fun with new game play features and a moving Hogwarts game board!

Discover the secrets of Hogwarts in this version of the classic mystery game. Dark magic has been performed at Hogwarts. A fellow student has vanished from the famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry—and it is up to you to solve the mysterious disappearance. Play as Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna or Neville and try to discover WHO did it, WHAT spell or item they used, and WHERE the student was attacked.

Was it Draco Malfoy with a Sleeping Draught in the Owlery? Move around Hogwarts making suggestions- but watch out. Wheels on the board actually move to reveal secret passages, hidden staircases, and even the Dark Mark. Think you’ve gathered all the facts you need? Go to Dumbledore’s office to make your final accusation to win the game.

The little board bear markers are popular. Melissa says: Bassje (bamse). It kind of sounds like she is saying Bæsje. I guess that could be compared to her saying Poop instead of Pooh.

Happy Easter 2010!

Natalie had one simple request this Easter. She wanted to try dying eggs while boiling them. So for our Easter breakfast we boiled eggs together with onion and they turned out in a beautiful pastel yellow color. Yummy!

A mother's love

It's official now! I have made the decision to leave the school I have worked at for 14 years and change grazing. :) For the past 4 1/2 years I have worked in the school administration and it has been a fun ride. I have learned so much from my great colleagues. This semester has been pretty rough for me. I have quite a commute to get to work and although I love driving and singing in the car, it takes time away from my family. So next fall I will be going back to teaching at a school a lot closer. It is still in the same school district that I am in now which I am really grateful about. And hopefully it is the right decision for me ~ and hopefully I can spend some more time with this precious little girl. Can you blame me?

A Mother's love is something

that no on can explain,

It is made of deep devotion

and of sacrifice and pain,

It is endless and unselfish

and enduring come what may

For nothing can destroy it

or take that love away . . .

It is patient and forgiving

when all others are forsaking,

And it never fails or falters

even though the heart is breaking . . .

It believes beyond believing

when the world around condemns,

And it glows with all the beauty

of the rarest, brightest gems . . .

It is far beyond defining,

it defies all explanation,

And it still remains a secret

like the mysteries of creation . . .

A many splendoured miracle

man cannot understand

And another wondrous evidence

of God's tender guiding hand.

Helen Steiner Rice

Earth hour

March 27th we joined the world in environmental awareness. Both Michael and Natalie have been asking if we were going to participate in Earth Hour just like last year and it seems this has become a nice tradition for our family and a great opportunity to raise awareness and discuss how we can contribute to care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations.

Want to learn more about Earth hour?

April Fool's Day

Mommy has a plan! Haha.

On April 1st we just happened to expect a visit from uncle Arild. The kids were really excited about seeing him again. I woke them up saying: How long are you going to sleep? Arild is here. He got here a long time ago. Needless to say they both got out of bed with the speed of light. Only to find out it was only 9 am and they could have slept in much longer.

(sorry about the poor quality on the picture)

Well, no need to go back to bed. But what about breakfast? Mommy kept asking if they wanted some cereal. Over and over. And finally they dragged themselves into the kitchen. But hey! Yuck! Green milk......

Mom........ is this April's fool???.......

It's spring!

We have had a long and cold winter in Norway this year. Plenty of snow that transformed the outdoors into a beautiful winter wonderland. The kids have enjoyed skating, skiing, sledding, building snow castles and caves and who knows what. I love children with rosey cheeks. Makes me remember my own childhood.

Now I am soooo ready for spring. The calendar is showing April and we are on daylight saving time. And this week the children finally got their bikes out. Yohoo!

Little miss M is watching and observing and learning every day. And actually wearing a bike helmet might be good for her as she is in the climbing age these days.

The artist

Natalie is such a creative little girl. She is always working on a project and creates art every day. She would love to start art classes, I guess we have to look into that. In the meanwhile, I got her some canvas and acrylic paint.

The texture is really cool. I tried to capture it, but you should really see it IRL.
Here it is: THE SUNFLOWER

I just LOVE the colors!!!!