May 3rd 2011 - Spring break

Spring Break was excellent! It was great to be able to be with Linda and the kids for 10 straight days and nights. We did a lot, but in a relaxing, chilled out pace. The weather was by far the best weather we have had this year. It was a long time since I remember the weather being as perfect as it has been for a whole week straight. Spring quickly arrived with flowers, birds and leaves coming out. This was all advantageous for us to be outside and go on little outings. We really enjoyed being around each other and it was fun for me to have intense kid time. Since I am usually at work during the weekday days I do not always get as good a chance at practicing my day daddying. It was a great chance to spend full days with the kids.

One of the activities we did was we went to the Experimentarium in Copenhagen. The Experimentarium is a children's' museum, with lots of fun tangible displays. The kids enjoyed it at first, but then they quickly fell asleep. That is when Linda and I played with the displays and looked at the Body Works exhibit. Afterward we went out and had a tasty hamburger dinner.


Damien feeling the different materials...

...and then helping Alicia!


Damien found a big box full of blocks, this was fun!

Another activity was having 3 different bbq's at our place with Matt and Maria. During this time Alicia would lay on a blanket and do her new favorite thing, which is roll from her back to tummy, and then tummy to back, pausing to lift her head up and have a look around, or just to sing. Alicia is really gaining a lot of new strength in her upper body. The best is when I am holding her in my arms, and she pushes back on my arms or chest with her arms so that she is upright and steady. Almost the entire time we barbequed, Damien sat in the sandbox doing his new favorite thing which is throwing all of the sand outside of the sandbox.


A nice BBQ with Matt & Maria




Alicia enjoying the nice weather

Snuggle time with Mommy


Damien playing in the sandbox




A dirty boy after a full day of fun!!

Many of the break days Linda and I took the kids on long walks. We would start walking just outside our apartment complex where they have small summer houses with beautifully kept yards with stunning flowers and gardens. If we would pass a playground and the kids were not asleep we would take them out and let them play. Damien loved when I swung him in the swing, and I really enjoyed swinging him. It was great that I got to have some more time to bond even better with him. Since there are no cars by the little summer houses, we would let Damien walk on his own with us following him. He walked much further than Linda and I had every seen him go. During his walks he would look at the flowers, try and pet dogs that people would be walking, try to open gates, try to open peoples mailboxes, play in the dirt and pick up rocks. It was entertaining seeing how everything was so new to him, and watching him study his new outdoor world.

To end the fun week we had a great Easter dinner at Allan and Carina's house with the both sets of Linda's grandparents, Linda's two brothers and their significant others, and Damien and Alicia's cousin Nadja. We colored Easter eggs, ate a great meal, and laughed and joked. It is always enjoyable for everyone to be together, and for everyone to get to see Alicia and Damien.

A quick run through of some of the rest of the activities done over the break include me playing in three aussie rules football matches, of which the kids and Linda were able to attend one. We also went on a family fishing trip for a day together, which was fun except for the fact that Damien wanted to run into the water the whole time.
Despite all of the activities that we did over break and constantly having Alicia and Damien entertaining us, Linda and I were able to relax a little, listen to good music, play some Wii together, eat good dinners, and talk a lot to each other. I can't wait for summer break!


Damien and Daddy watching Dora




Alicia on her favorite swing!