Norsk Teknisk Museum

There was lots to do today at the Norwegian Museum of Science, Technology, Industry and Medicine, and Zach enjoyed it all. They have a whole floor of hands-on exhibits for kids where we disected a human, moved a ball with our brainwaves, and danced with a skeleton (no kidding, see the video below). Then we went upstairs to walk amongst the planes, trains and automobiles.

We also donned some yellow rainboots (none were small enough for Zach) and splashed through a section of the museum entirely flooded with 10 cm of water in a climate change exhibit called "Climate X".

Afterwards the boys headed home for nap time and I got to go to the annual Messiah Sing Along at church. I'm totally ready for Christmas now! Here's a clip from the Hallelujah Chorus:

Last Picnic of the Year

Zach and I rode up to Holmenkollen today to enjoy the views and one last wintery picnic. We intended to stay longer but it was just too chilly outside, so we packed up and headed back to the train and ate our cookies on the ride down the mountain.

Bike and Hike Adventure

Zach and I took a loooong walk through Bygdøy today. We walked uphill and then he'd bike downhill. We eventually parked his bike and ventured off the pathway a little bit.

He found some really fun sticks to play with, and then specifically requested that I take a picture of him without his hat---I think he was feeling especially proud of his new handsome haircut.

We were thrilled to get a package in the mail today from Grammy. Zach was so excited he literally hugged the box!

Weirdest Show Ever

Kelly and I just had to check out this Norwegian game show after seeing the commericals. Super weird, but very entertaining actually...

Team Competition:

Head to Head Competition:

Akershus Fortress and the Resistance Museum

Akershus Fortress is the perfect playground for a two-year-old boy who loves to explore. We pretended to shoot canons, hid in a secret tunnel, watched the changing of the castle guards, and walked on some very high fortress walls.

We also visited the Norwegian Resistance Museum, which houses photographs and historical artifacts from the Nazi invasion of Norway during WWII (we thought it was very interesting; Zach sat and ate raisins, lol).

Just Hanging Out

Zach stopped to appreciate some street musicians on our way to meet Daddy for lunch yesterday. I think if he had had a tip jar out he might have made more money than the performers.

Today after a visit to our favorite park and playground we did some exploring in a part of town we hadn't been to. We found some interesting shops including one with several trolls outside. Zach gave this one a kiss on his enormous nose!

After our little city adventure, it was back to the apartment to get ready for nap time. Zach insisted on going potty on his own and did a very good job, except for getting his jeans back on, lol.

You Could Get a Ticket for Farting in Norway

We're learning more and more Norwegian every day, but there are some words that have caused us some confusion because they look similar to familiar English words but mean something totally different in Norwegian. A few we've come across so far:

Yay, a Playgroup!

Zach and I tried out the ALC mom's group for the first time this morning. It was so fun to sit and talk with the other moms (Lucia from the Netherlands, Christy from just about everywhere, Sarah from the US, Katie from the US, Fei from China, and Irene from China---many of them are married to Norwegians and have lived here long term) while our kids played.

After socializing for a little bit and enjoying some cake and coffee, we discussed the book the group is currently studying called "Parenting is Heart Work," which teaches biblical parenting principles. I have a lot of catching up to do because they're already on chapter 12!

Norwegian Tex-Mex

Tonight I tried my very best to cook up some authentic Tex-Mex tostadas for our Norwegian friends Kristen and Thomas and their kids Casper, Edvin and Nelle (well, Nelle is just 2 months old, so she didn't actually get a tostada). They turned out a little differently than when I cook at home, but still pretty delicious.

After dinner, we all just hung out and talked while the kids went crazy---and I do mean crazy! Three boys + one spinning chair = lots of fun and an occasional thump onto the floor.

Zach and Edvin enjoying chocolate chip cookies and ice cream

Fun in the Tunnel

Loppemarkeds

Kelly is still out enjoying his "hytte," so Zach and I decided to try our luck at a "loppemarked." Kind of a neighborhood-wide garage sale, this particular loppemarked was held at a local school and had a variety of used items for sale including some toys.

Zach's pick---a hot pink (yes, HOT pink) and purple car. He didn't part with it for the rest of the day.

The market also had a bake sale going with homemade cakes and hot waffles with jam. I noticed that a tin full of treats for sale had a picture of the Alamo on it---how odd to come all the way to Norway to remember the Alamo!

I've already scoped out a loppemarked for next weekend. Hopefully by then we'll have found a car and can haul home a sled and some skis.

A Night Out on the Town

While Daddy is off enjoying a "hytte" (a Norsk term that I think means an overnight stay in a mountain cabin) with some of the guys from church, Zach and I had a night out all by ourselves.

Zach specifically requested chicken nuggets from "Old McDonald's" tonight, a treat he hasn't had since we've been in Norway so I indulged him. Even though it was pretty drizzly, he rode his little tricycle down the hill to McDonald's and got his very first Norwegian Happy Meal (which costs about $8!). Afterwards he ran like crazy in their play area and then biked over to the market to pick up some things for tomorrow.

The trip took a little longer than normal since he is certainly no Lance Armstrong just yet, but it was worth it to get him good and tuckered out!

Treats

Today we met up with Kelly at work and then he and Zach headed off for a midday picnic at Aker Brygge while I had a delicious lunch out with Camilla at a restaurant near their office. I love Zach and all, but it was a special treat to have a grown up meal at a nice quiet place for a change! He had a great time lunching and playing with Daddy too, so I think it was a win-win.

After dinner we headed over to Elly's apartment for Bible study. She introduced us to lefsa, a delicious traditional Norwegian flatbread (kind of resembles a tortilla, but it is made of potatoes) rolled up with butter and sugar. So good!

Election Night

So I am really regretting getting up at 2 a.m. last night (7 p.m. Houston time) to watch the election coverage! It was so addictive that I stayed up until about 5:30 a.m. when the election was finally called and McCain and Obama gave their speeches. Regardless of your own personal politics, it was inspiring to watch history being made. And maybe I just imagined it as I dozed in and out of sleep, but did anyone else see CNN interview someone live by hologram?

Sunrise, Sunset

The days have gotten noticeably shorter here. We lose about 5 minutes of daylight each day. I just took this picture of today's gorgeous sunset at about 4:40 p.m.!

Yummy and Cheap

The best deal in town (and maybe even all of Norway) is Punjab Tandoori. The decor could use some help (one review I read called it "a horror version of a diner") and the server behind the counter is infamous around here for his similarities to Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi," but the food is delicious and the prices can't be beat!

Kelly's favorite is chicken tikka, and mine is tandoori chicken. Zach likes them both!

Chatting It Up

After a busy morning making apple turkeys in Sunday School, Zach had his first Skype chat with Grammy. He was amazed to be seeing live pictures of her and was pretty enamored with his own image as well. Later he got to talk to cousins Katie and Mattie too. Technology is amazing!

A Sample Apple Turkey (Zach ate his before we even got to see it!)

Zach's Chat with Grammy

Norsk Folkemuseet

We celebrated our first month in Norway by touring the Norwegian Folk Museum. It is an open-air museum, meaning that the period buildings and homes are the exhibits.

We were amazed by the age of some of the buildings---they have a gorgeous Stave Church that dates back to the 1200s. It is hard to imagine that it was built long before anyone in Europe even knew that America existed!

A Treecutter Shack from the 1500s

Stave Church from the 1200s

A Barn and Hay Loft from the 1600s