The stork was at Florian & Diana's Door!

Idag såg vi en skölpadda, den var minst 30 cm lång! Den låg utanför Tyskarnas hus.Vi sa att den hette Carro för att tyskarna fick en bäbis i dag som hette Carolin.Carolin var jätte liten, ävenom jag bara såg henne på en bild!He He!Okej, vi tog skölpaddan Carro till "ponden". När vi släppte ut henne så var det sorligt, men jag vet att hon var glad för att hon åkte ner i vattnet som en blixt!Och när vi skrek hej då, så kom skölpaddan Carro ut från vattnet.

// Johanna

...yes, the stork was definitely visiting our German friends: CONGRATULATIONS TO LITTLE CAROLIN BRECHT, born May 3rd 2008! Here's the proud father with big sister Elisa:

//Hanna

News and Observations

Detroit Red Wings rule. See more at http://redwings.nhl.com/ . But, who the heck is Franzen??

I'm in a period that feels a bit like a mandatory transfer. Not really living in the present, instead thinking about the summer and our trip back home to Sweden. My work, our house, the garden, all the people we're going to meet again, what comes next. I keep telling me not to do that, because time flies: it's spring in Ohio and there's lots to see and storage in your memory box. The trees are almost done with this year's blooming, it was breathtaking with the intensity and the colors, and I didn't even take a good photo of it. Our pool opens next week, and the Mexican gardeners have returned. Maja is running around, she's had her 3rd haircut, she desperately tries to form words and have a conversation with us. Must be so frustrating! The temperature varies and jumps up and down, and I, together with Maja, ended up with a bad cold. So typical since I'm supposed to run a half marathon this weekend. The lesson of the story: I'm not 25 anymore and need to rest to get better and obviously not run 10 km with a sore throat.

Johanna has had the Ohio State Achievment Tests in reading, writing and math, and she was applauded with a special price called P.I.E. (Progress In Education) due to good English skills. What a wonderful surprise, I must say we all were pretty proud of her. Jonatan keeps surprising us with his ideas and dedication, 1st grade seems to be so exciting. And the presidental campaign goes on. Whoever takes over, there will be tons to do. Just today there were a young man and a woman right by IKEA in our nice and safe West Chester, holding a sign Homeless, please help us! The rain was pouring down on them. No-one took a notice. I don't think people don't care, but it is kind of scary - nothing we're used to see in this area. I try to silence my bad conscience by not understanding the situation: it simply pisses me off when people try to raise money for sick kids or families in need (there's a letter almost every week in Jonatan or Johanna's school folder!) because I really belive every rich country that calls itself civilized should take care of its sick people, at least the children. A minimum requirement. So I keep telling me it's not my problem - they have chosen this system themselves. Let's see what they choose next time.

Oh well, back to domestic life, safe and sound. It's Friday night, and movie night for our family. Tjingeling!
//Hanna

Parents' Night Out

All the six kids stayed home with two awesome babysitters - and we went out for a fancy dinner and a pub run in cozy Mt. Adams in Cincinnati. This is a very pretty time of the year with all the trees blooming. We had a great evening out with Florian, Diana, Adriana & Rafael (taking the picture)!

Grattis, Eva, på födelsedagen!!

//Hanna

Hanna 25(ish)

Grattis Hanna på årsdagen. Happy Birthday my Love

//Benke

Spring Break in Smoky Mountains

Last weekend the whole family did a nice little trip down to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee in our new Ford. We walked on the mountains in the days. It is a really beutiful are with breath taking surroundings with waterfalls, animals and lots of fresh air.

We saw Dolly Partons show "Dixie Stampede" which is a condenced review of US history and everything this country stands for. Good food, North & South, horses, indians and cowboys. Yeeha!

Here is a link to more pictures:http://picasaweb.google.com/Sandelowskyalbum/SmokyMountains2008

//Benke

IKEA West Chester Opening

I've been counting days. I've sponsored the local fan club. I've been driving by the consturction site. And now: I've never lived so close to an IKEA store in my life! Amazing 5 minutes drive.

First time for my friend Snow. She had Swedish meatballs and mashed potatoes for lunch, I took the salmon and bought a bag of meatballs to take home for dinner instead. Otherwise today's purchase was the classical: candles, napkins and bathroom brushes. Got to teach Snow the first important steps of IKEA shopping!

//Hanna

Snow!

Look what we've got in Ohio! This weekend the snow came like everything in America: plentyfully. We had some 15 inches of snow over a night, and it was a total success in the neighborhood. A great fun in the snow. Of course, there was a severe trafic chaos, too. Winter tires? Nothing for Ohioans. The police announced that no one should be driving unless it is a case of an emergency, or you're on your way home from work. We needed food and a DVD, so I guess that was an emergency. The shelves at the local grocery store were half empty, they actually closed the store at 11 p.m. (it's normally a 24-7 store). In the evening, we had a bunch of neighbors over at our house having pizza & beer and playing the Wii. Cozy!

//Hanna