back to boring

I didn't think our life in Älmhult was boring until we left it. But now that I've been in the U.S. for the entire month of June, partying with friends and family, the pace seems even slower here than I remember it. That's partly because the whole country is on vacation now. Sweden shuts down in July.

The trip was great. I think Sophie enjoyed it the most. She seemed to thrive on the adventure. So now my mission is to try and continue that with weekly outings to new places. The girl clearly likes being on the go.

I realized a few things about myself on this trip too. Or at least how Sweden has changed me. When I arrived in the States on June 1, the thing that struck me the most was the large number of "no-good-niks" hanging around and the high level of poverty. We don't see that in Sweden at all. We drove by our old house in Denver and decided we were glad we sold it. The neighborhood seems scarier than when we left it. I don't think it's changed. I think we have.

By the end of our whirlwind tour from D.C. to Indiana to Denver to San Antonio, Sophie made a few discoveries/observations as well:

1. Big toes are good for sucking
2. White wine is a refreshing summer drink
3. Airports get boring after 8 hours (we were stuck in the San Antonio airport after a canceled flight)
4. Being carried in a Baby Björn is a great way to see the world
5. Americans love babies
6. Mom and Dad actually have friends
7. Carpets are much better to play on than wood floors
8. Sunrise at 6 a.m. (instead of 4 a.m.) makes it easier to sleep in
9. Mom can discreetly whip out her boob anywhere, even running through the Copenhagen airport
10. The fist STILL won't fit!

Cousin Brittany reading Goodnight Moon

Trying to go after my wine!

Dad makes airports more fun

Comments

[David]

I remember the first time I went back to the East Village in NYC after moving to Boulder - I was scared. Truth was, it had gotten better and I didn't even recognize it.

It's easy being "home." This time I hope you take the east way out ;-)

[david]

I meant easY, not easT - truth is you're appreciated west, not east :-)

[Linnea]

Glad you had a fun trip! The pics are great, and Sophie is adorable.

Sweden changed me, too; I've been craving a trip back to Lund lately.