We took a bus and 2 trains and went to Malmo, Sweden. When we were on our last train an old lady started chatting with us and all seemed quite normal. As we were getting off the train she said “Mind you down get shot”. Hmmm. Will looked at me like “where the hell did you take us to?” I assured him that i read it is a great place to visit and lots of families have posted day trips so it can’t be dangerous.

We walk out of the station and there are trucks driving by full of people in sailor hats, honking horns and screaming while holding signs written in Swedish (See below). It looked and sounded like a war zone, a protest, i don’t know but something that “mind you dont get shot” all of a sudden sounded too real.

Then i remembered reading that this is a celebration they do for graduation day! The hats aren’t sailor hats but actually graduation caps. The graduates all go in the back of trucks with whistles, signs, blasting music, etc and everyone drives around town honking at them. It was insanity.

We ended up eating lunch in Malmo and then jumping on a train back to the nice and quiet Copenhagen. We ate at an Irish pub and ironically it was the first time we all ate out since traveling. I mean we’ve picked up sandwiches, ordered a pizza, and that sort of thing but this was the first proper sit down since traveling.

Since our adventure we have learned 3 things:

1. Malmo is not necessarily crazy like we saw it. That is a one off celebration for graduates and normally all the families flee town for that weekend b/c the students take over and party.
2. “Mind you dont get shot” was actually a serious comment and people say Malmo is getting a bit of a bad rep b/c of the amount of refugees they let in but i think it is more of the older/conservate peeps that think this. It is perfectly safe and by all means safer than many other places we’ve traveled to.
3. Will is not a fan of Malmo but the girls and I got a kick out of all the honking, dancing, partying graduates. Malmo will forever be coined as Mal”no” in Will’s head. Also important to note that after going there we know it is pronounced Malmooo not Malmow but Malmow and Malno work so Malmow it is.

The other day we went over a family’s house that we knew from CR. They have 2 girls as well and apparently one has a love for Pom Poms like Sabsy. Cuties!!

Sheesh i say this ever year but every year it is just so true…where does the time go?! How can i make it stop?!?! Happy 9th bday to the sweetest girl who first made me a momma! You are beautiful, strong, smart, creative, loving and truly make this world a better place. We are so proud of you and I am just in awe as I watch you grow and mature each year.

This year we shared the most special moment of your baby sister being born. You were the most supportive, loving, nurturing and interested side kick that I could have ever imagined. You were determined to be there for every minute and you sure held in strong with no sleep and all the action. The doctors were so impressed with how mature you were and I am just so grateful that you, dada and I were able to share those special moments together.

Since Maru’s arrival you have stepped up as the most incredible big, big sister I could have ever imagined. You and Sabsy are amazing, and just love little Roo with all your hearts. The bond that you all have together is so beautiful and fills my heart to the max.

Sadly this year sweet Sabsy was sick on your actual bday so it was a pretty mellow one and you were bummed that your partner in crime was down for the count. You kept checking on her hoping she would just jump up and play. Lucky for you it was only 24 hour virus and the very next day we had a “birthday redo”. We decorated the apartment, ordered 2 different cakes, made a treasure hunt filled with small gifts, celebrated at an amusement park and then topped it off with a playground!

I love you with everything inside me. You are so very special and magical. Just keep on being you and you will fly high! xoxoxo Happy 9th bday Pooks!

Maker:0x4c,Date:2017-11-21,Ver:4,Lens:Kan03,Act:Lar01,E-Y

Maker:0x4c,Date:2018-3-12,Ver:4,Lens:Kan03,Act:Lar01,E-Y

Maker:0x4c,Date:2018-3-12,Ver:4,Lens:Kan03,Act:Lar01,E-Y

Maker:0x4c,Date:2018-3-12,Ver:4,Lens:Kan03,Act:Lar01,E-Y

Maker:0x4c,Date:2018-3-12,Ver:4,Lens:Kan03,Act:Lar01,E-Y

I read the weather was going to be beautiful so we decided to go celebrate Pookie’s bday a day early at Tivoli Gardens which is basically like a little Disney World but ahhh so much calmer. Thank goodness we made this choice b/c the next day (Sophie’s real bday) Sabsy woke up with fever and was out of commission the entire day.

It was super fun and Sabs loved playing all the games (hit the balloon, throw the ball in the hole etc) while Maru chilled with Dada and Sophie and I hit up some rides. Apparently our little surfing, ziplining, dare devil is terrified of roller coasters. She went on one with me and kept her eyes closed the entire time. She wouldn’t talk to me, put her hands in the air or even look at what was happening. I tried the entire day to get her to go on with me again but nope she wanted none of it. Meanwhile she convinced me to go on the flying swings which was pure vomit but of course she loved. Dada does the spinning things and i’ll stick with the coasters.

Sabsy’s only ride she would go on was the Merry Go Round and even that terrified her if her horse would go up or down. One time Sissy and Dada were going on a spinning thing and I was with Sabsy and sleeping Roo and Sabs wanted to go on the Merry go round by herself. She went on but each time someone got the elephant. The girl was so determined to sit on an elephant that she waited 3 times until she was first in line so she could sit on top of a non moving elephant that went around in a slow circle. She likes to live on the edge apparently.

I think our favorite thing there was the massive playground and the fun zone which was like a crazy house with obstacle courses, etc. Pretty sure this sealed the deal that Disney would be a big, fat waste of money for us since really all the girls love are carnival rides and games. Fine with us!