A Swedish Classic performance - Completed!!!

90km cross-country skiing, 300km biking, 3km open water swimming and 30km terrain running within 12 month has now got a check mark in my to-do list. This last running race was another fantastic arrangement but very tough. First 20km went easy, but then the real hard work started. But never in the world I thought about giving up. That I'm to stubborn to do! With a sore knee and a very bad stomach which forced me to visit the toilet 6 times I have to be pleased with the 3.06 hours it took me. But the goal was under 3 hours so there's things that needs to be done regarding my running. But we'll work on that in a couple of weeks when I'm not walking as if I've had a stiff surgery on both my legs. My friend along this trip, Vivvi, also completed this last competition and keeps impressing me with her fantastic strong will. She's just as stubborn as me and even if we didn't talk about it right after the finishing line I know I'll get her company in more challenges to come. I just haven't presented quit all the details of my plans. Think we have to settle back for a while now, let our bodies heal and give our families some focus again. No one probably realize what it takes to complete this challenge. This venture has taken allot of time, planning, practise when the rest of the family is sound asleep either late at night or early in the morning and it hasn't been cheap. But even if you haven't got the physique you can still do what we've just done if you have two ingredients; discipline and determination!
Daniel, mum and Klasen came along to Stockholm this weekend so it became social as well as hard training. Nice combination! They had even gifts waiting for me when I came back to the hotel. And Champagne before dinner! So they sure made me feel like I'd done a pretty cool performance over the last couple of month. Thanking you very much for all your support. And not least the nice friends along the track cheering for me and Vivvis parents who has shown an impressive support by being present by the finishing line at two of the events!
Thanking everyone for the support and good luck wishes along this awesome trip! If I was stubborn before, I'm not sure this has made me less stubborn!! ;o)

Weekly swim

Tuesday and time to go swimming with the kids. They really enjoy this activity and we can already see an improvement on the confidence in the water. Especially Oliver who's not very comfortable in the water is starting to test things on his own. Kevin on the other hand practice swimming, diving and water sliding in the most strange ways. Quality time with the kids is a very valuable moment and I enjoy every moment of it. Rounding of with an ice-cream is tradition!

Calf muscle

Daniel has pulled his calf muscle and are now a house husband full time!! 2-8 weeks we have to be prepared that this can take to heal. We're not looking forward to this period at all and all help in any way are highly appreciated!

Crayfish party

Daniel spent the day at an event with the company he works for at Knutstorp racetrack.
Oliver and I joined Kevin, who had spent the night in Furulund, for breakfast. Then borrowed Felix for 2 hours in the forest at Järavallen where Kevin had his scout meeting today. Poring with rain, but kids and dogs doesn't seem to care so I decided not to care either and we had a very nice day together.
Crayfish party in the evening in St Harrie. Fantastic!!

Huvudstorp no 4

A surprise night with grandma, Klasen and his children Thomas and Linda. We met up in Furulund for cheese and crackers. Then we were of to a place called Huvudstorp no 4 where we were introduced to the place and its interesting history. Then we got short instructions on how to make our own stone oven baked pizzas with only ecological products, often from her own garden. I could never imagine how much better this could taste and how much fun it could be making pizzas together with family and friends. And the best part was that it even kept the kids entertained for a whole evening.
Thanking grandma and Klasen for this wonderful evening!!

Cinema

A mother not feeling to good and the rest of the family filled with energy is an interesting combination. After a calm breakfast we baked a pie to take with us to family Adolfsson for brunch. After a little while we were four families gathered. The kids had a ball and the parents enjoyed the fact that the kids played so well;-)
After lunch it was time for Kevin and his friend Mira to go and see the new Disney film in cinema. It was a fantastic film and we all looked very attractive in our 3D glasses.
Dinner and relaxing at home was just what the kids needed to round of this week.

Monster trucks

Kevin was picked up by Sofie and Rickard at 8am to spend the day with them watching a huge monster truck show in Gothenburg. He had a fantastic day and we thank S & R for the generous idea and for taking well care.
The rest of the family cleaned up a little in the garden. Then Daniels brother and girlfriend joined us from early afternoon. First we got invited to a bbq at grandma and Klasen's place. Nice sunny afternoon with quite a few beers for some!
When we got back home the guys made dinner for us followed by an apple pie. Feels like I don't need to eat for several days now...

Popcorn Friday

Finally Friday after a tough week with cold, high tempo and very very early morning since Oliver is back in the loop of waking up in the middle of the night or at the latest around 5am! The effect of little sleep in very underestimated and I could do almost anything to get enough hours of sleep for just three nights in a row. But the saying What doesn't kill you make you stronger is so true!!
Pictures is from the kids making the homemade pizza tonight!!

Work-out together

For the first time in a very long time we asked someone to look after our kids while we went to the gym together. Grandma and Klasen stayed for dinner and spend the evening at our place. Daniel joined me at my Combat class which was great fun for both of us. We always try to split our training and do it after we've said goodnight to the boys. Always so that the time with the kids are not offered. We manage pretty well, but today we made an exception thanks to grandma and Klasen. Thanking you very very much for making tonight training possible. We appreciate it highly!!

100 stars!!!

Champion today is Kevin! He has now for a couple of month collected (and sometimes lost) stars by being a good helpful and friendly boy. Today he reached his goal of 100 stars. The goal has been set by him self and it has been clear all the way that 100 stars means a pair of roller blades. By all right - a very proud Kevin today!!!

Home w sick Oliver

Oliver is still not well. No fever but diarrhea and not 100%. So to please our employers we stayed home half day each.
Kevin was happy to be at day-care. But we picked him up earlier then normal since it was a very warm and humid afternoon. Had picnic in the garden with homemade pancakes. What a success!

Spontaneity

Good thing about getting up early in the mornings is that you get a lot done. Grocery shopping, delivered bread rolls to friends that sleeps a little longer, eat breakfast, prepare everything for tonight's guests and somewhat prepare lunch as well. Then I was of to instruct Combat at the gym while Kevin had fun learning about fire at the scout meeting.
For lunch we had the privilege to get spontaneous lunch guests. There's not much that beats spontaneous visits. We manage to get lunch enough for us all and had a very nice time. Thanks family Bendsen!!
Cray fish and nice company with family Axelsson rounded up today in a very good way. Except that Oliver got very high fever this has been a fantastic day!

Cozy Friday

Finally Friday and Kevins name day. Grandma and grandpa picked up the kids early from day-care. God father Håkan came by which is always a highlight for Kevin.
After dinner with grandma (grandpa refused to sit by the table as we were serving fish!) we said goodbye to grandma and grandpa and jumped on our bikes and went the buy candy. We felt like having a cosy Friday with movie so candy was a must for the kids and cheese and crackers was a must for us adults. Had a calm night and went to bed very early. We hardly ever get to sleep longer than 6am so we have to go to bed early to even get minimum hours sleep. No wonder no-one want to borrow our kids over night. Totally understandable!

Flowers

Had to work from home today since the car needed service. But it didn't take long until they called to tell there was other things to fix as well. Even if you want to say no don't do any expensive reparations as long as we can still drive with the thing, you realize that it has to be fixed. :-(
Found this smart solution for our new strawberry plants I've got from a colleague. Looking forward to next years berries already.
Today the traditional Thursday dinner was at Ericssons place. Yummy as always and very nice to come to set table and dinner served.
When we got home I had this nice surprise next to my bed. Beautiful flowers and candle lights - only for me!! My husband has a romantic side as well!! Thank you for the flowers and for being you!!! Love you!!!

Mora Träsk

The boys got to see their idol Mora Träsk today with grandma and Daniel. What a success!!!
Thanks allot for taking them to a night they will talk about for a very long time!!

Toe nails

An ordinary Monday with warm and nice weather. Had one of the boys favourite dishes for dinner; rice, exotic mango sauce, pies and white fish.
Then we played in the garden. Got some wooden poles in place and the "Japanese gate" is taking form. Klasen's daughter w friend came by and bought some NuggZ.
My practice for the coming 30km run is starting to take out its rights; two lost toe nails. Oh well, it doesn't come painless to get in shape!!

By the sea

Another camping day by the sea. Together with at least 30 kite surfers and warm wind we enjoyed our last day this weekend as campers. Fresh fish for lunch and a very nice stroll along the waterfront with family Bendsen.
Then as always after a camping trip our washing machine was working hard for the rest of the evening.
Thanking family Bendsen for always so fun and pleasant company. And granddad for taking his time to visit us and play and swim with the kids.

Last swim this season

Early breakfast. The kids played down by the waterfront. For lunch we walked/biked along the bike track to Lomma city and the well-known Fiskboden for a fresh fish lunch. On our way back we stopped for some homemade ice-cream.
Granddad visited and took Kevin for a last season swim. It wasn't warm! Rounded of this fabulous day with a BBQed whole steak and a game of card.