McDonald's - med Andreas - our first playdate

Our first playdate was scheduled with Max's classmate and fellow fodball spiller Andreas. It was definitely a slow go, especially in comparison to our experience now. There were a lot of hand signals and we pulled out the dictionary once or twice, but all in all we dubbed the event a success!

What better place to cap off an afternoon like that? Why Mcdonald's of course! It was our first event without our tour guides Finn, Daniel, Simone or Philip and I, for one, was nervous! But when we arrived I realized that I had nothing to fear... the Mcdonald language is universal. Maybe I should fear that instead??? Anyway, four Happy meals and an Olympic meal later and there were four kids rockin' out to the current Mcdonald toy ipods.

Sophie finding comfort in the fact that a plain cheeseburger happy meal is the same no matter where you are!

One of the funniest visuals I have seen in awhile! The word GYM inside a Mcdonald's. Perhaps soon they will market to adults that way. Dangle a Big Mac like the proverbial carrot in front of the runner for a reward. That is a marketing twist that I can do without! :)

The playplace is a hoot though! There are bicycling games, and Dance, dance revolution, and an even obstacle course to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

I guess the best thing about it though was that the kids didn't realize a thing. They just started the activities that they know and love. So, the playplace here is a-ok in my book. If we have to come to the golden arches, lets at least work off some of what we've consumed!

The "Tutor"

My experience with the title tutor has always led me to believe that a tutor is required only when someone has been working on a subject that they can't seem to grasp and as a last resort - help, in the form of a tutor is called in. In the case of Peter Bjerg, he came to our family to ease our transition to not only to the Danish language, but the culture as well. Not as a last resort, but as a teacher/educator to go the distance... right beside us. In Peter, we have had the good fortune of having a sounding board, as well as an educator all wrapped into one Bjerg package! In this area we did Supersize, and we would do it again! ;)

The first lessons proved too much for Sophie, who was convinced that eventually she would teach all of her peers English before Danish would be required. Actually truth be told, the first lessons, they frightened all of us! We had worked with Danish programs via a computer aided system from Lær dansk, but to speak in sentences....we shuddered at the thought! It seemed to be too much information to consume, much less digest in such a short period of time. Peter remained unfazed and focused repeating, and explaining as many times as necessary for us to "get it". Slowly the visits have become more of an exchange as opposed to our simple absorbtion of information. I can hear the kids ...even Sophie...express their thoughts, or questions and even bits of the Danish language without fear. It is exciting to hear, and even more exciting to see them engaged and brains firing. They are without a doubt "getting it".

We had decided well before the visits began that we should find a safe place for the lessons to take place. Home, was the only answer. Peter has come to our home, and even once to "the Giant's" (aka: Daniel) new apartment to teach the kids. He has been accomodating, patient and a gift to our family!

Tusind tak Peter!

Football or Fodball? I guess it is both! ;)

Fodball or Football....whatever the name, this crowd is game! Neighbors Emelie and her lil sis Thea came over for a rowdy game of fodball before everyone was called to dinner. After dinner the fun continued on the trampoline until we had to be party poopers and call everyone in for the night! What could we be thinking?


Can't you just picture this flot drenge in full out pads and football gear? I can already read the stats on the back of his card! As you can see we are broadening horizons on both sides! I don't have a picture, but there is evidence in this home of baseball gloves and baseballs too!

When it is this dark - I know one mom who has no problem saying "Game Over!" Even if I have to say it above the jeers from the crowd!

Bailey, Emilie and Thea pass the fodball (when in Rome) around before the real game begins! The practice quickly turned competitive, although I can't say that I can even remember team assignments! It is soo good to hear the laughing and I guess even the taunting outside the window when I am making dinner! The rosy faces and wide smiles are signs that even though the score is being kept, the game is being enjoyed by all!

Max melted my heart when he came in from the evenings events and said "Mom, I think that we just made new friends again!" There is nothing like seeing joy on your childrens' faces! It is something that we feel as much as we see.

Bailey, Emilie, Sophie and Thea

Appeasing the photographer...again!