Away to Oslo!

On Monday Eliot, Peter and I flew up to Oslo, Norway to visit my sister and her family.  My sister and her husband have three children:  Maddie age six, James age four, and Lucy age two.  James is actually just a month older than Eliot and Lucy is just a month younger than Peter.  Eliot and James have been inseparable since our arrival.

They're like two peas in a pod.  

Today Maddie was off to school and the four younger children were off to Barnepark.  Bundling them up was quite an ordeal but well worth the trouble as they spent the whole day playing out in the snow, ice and slush.

Eliot wasn't too sure about it at first (though he settled in and enjoyed himself after we left) but Peter was perfectly happy once he discovered that they had a good store of toy trucks.

They had a great time but were glad, just the same, to see us arrive to pick them up.  They'll be heading back tomorrow and I think they're looking forward to it.

Peter looked like he was ready to take a walk on the moon.

While the boys and Lucy were playing, Janet took my parents and me to the Viking Ship Museum.  It had a collection of ships that had been used as burial ships along with some of the items that had been found inside them.  My favourite was the mention made of peacock remains being found in one of the graves.  It was believed to be a "souvenir" from a Viking raid.  It was really fascinating museum.

Holly berries at a Christmas tree stand.

Peter has been having a great time playing with James' stash of cars and trucks.  This truck is a particular favourite because of the siren and flashing lights that come on when he pushes a button.

This evening Noni made church mix with the kids.  She dictated the "recipe" to Maddie and called it Aunt Nora's Church Mix (my name is connected to it solely because I'm such a big fan) and Maddie copied it down faithfully.

Next it was Grandad's turn with the kids.  He had brought some activity boards with him and this evening's activity was teaching the children to pound nails into the wood.

James did a great job in spite of the supportive back smacking from his cousin.

Then it was Eliot's turn.

Peter was too busy rearranging the Nativity.