I love winter on a bright cold crispy sunny day with white views. But only for a week or two. After that my love turns into a miserable frozen feeling. The snow makes things pretty but also so hard at the same time. So much cloths that needs to be put on all team members before even thinking to get out. And when everyone finally got cloths on and are out it is too cold to be out more then half an hour. It is one more week left of January and then still 2 months left of winter. I am making plans how to survive Russian winter and how we eventually will defrost. To break it up a little we are planning to go and get warmed up in Dubai end of February.

Yeah it is horrible the first snow fell last week in Moscow, 8th of October. I repeat 8th of October!!! That is like at least one month too early. I was just about to get depressed when I saw Mila's happy reaction. She is very much into Walt Disney´s Frozen and didn't even have time to eat breakfast before heading out to play in the snow. It was fun to play in the snow for about 30 minutes and thanks god the snow is gone now and please no need to come again before 1 December.. Förra veckan föll den första snön över Moskva och la ett vitt kallt täcke över oss ett par dagar. Åttonde oktober är för tidigt för snö, ja menar nog för att det är fint och så men inte i oktober! Kom igen i december då är jag redo för dig. Mila blev superglad iaf, hon är ett stort fan av Frost ( en Walt Disney film om en prinsessa som kan förvandla allt till is och snö....) Vi hann knappt äta frukost innan hon ville ut och leka i snön. Jag fick leta fram hennes vinterkläder från förra året och insåg...

Yes today I could feel the spring in the air here in Moscow. I know that this normally happens in February and that you get terribly disappointed when the winter comes back as a boomerang. But hey lets nit be to negative about it and enjoy the spring signs instead. Me and Mila walk to Gorky park where we enjoyed the sun, coffee, danish smörrebröd, play ground and nice big puddle of water.  

And so came the most beautiful February day along, with the strongest and brightest winter sun The feeling of being privileged came over me as I walked along Moscow river Privileged to be able to experience and explore life in a city and country which I never even thought I would even visit. A city and country with a long history which is very unknown to me.  Every place has something to offer I think and to be able to explore what Moscow has to offer good and bad is something I am enjoying more and more as time is passing and I am feeling more comfortable and home here. The sun helps of course! So maybe I will love Moscow by the time the summer comes.  We live close to Gorky Park, Moscow's central park of culture and leisure, only 15 min walk from our apartment. During the winter you can find Russia and Europe's largest ice skating rink here, 59 000 Sq feet. Also great café's and fun pla...

February is such a nothing of a month Still cold, snow, dark & winter Still a lot of cloths to put on Still bare & grey trees A frustration of being close to spring but not close enough I am not complaining just stating facts this Monday evening just before bedtime!

On a snowy day me and Mila went to the Swedish school to go sledging and drink hot chocolate with fellow swedes. Funny how the outdoor plastic cups ( skogsmulle kåsa) still looks the same as when I was a kid. Mila was happy after one time down the hill and told me that I could go by myself next time.... On our Thursday eating dinner out day Mila from out of the blue thanked the waiter in perfect Russian "Spasiba!" and there me and my two year old are on the same level of Russian knowledge... Loren has been practice counting with Mila & on the way home the other day she pulled of her glove very determined (only -5 outside) and counted perfectly her little fingers in English and then Swedish (her granddad who is professor in Mathematics will be pleased with this progress soon ready for algebra..) My baby bump is getting bigger and bigger, week 26 now I think ( with Mila I knew exactly what week and read everything about each weeks development and this time I read...

I know I know I have already made an illustration on this great topic, how to get a 2 year old to dress everything that is needed to go outside, not that long ago. Nice with Winter says some. Can't wait for spring says others. I am somewhere in the middle and it changes from day to day and from hate to love for this season (Normally mostly hate but the sun was shining today so my mood is influenced by this phenomena). Obviously winter or the winter clothing gives me great inspirations in my latest illustrations as you can see.. Here i will reveal my special technique how to get Mila to agree to get dressed or at least to compromise with me on something appropriate for the season to dress in. After the standard emotional process of asking, begging, bribing and threatening without any success. I remember about her hand-doll cats that she LOVES. I put my hand in them and make my voice as nice and soft as I can after being pretty upset like 2 seconds ago... And yes whatever the cat ...

Yeah what to say?! Great inspiration to have a two year in the house indeed. Maybe one or two parents who recognizes the challenges of get out through the door. I hate winter and winter clothing. Please let it soon be spring ( we are expecting -22 in Moscow next week....)

Finally the winter and a little bit of snow came to Prague after all this nice and warm weather. I decided to make the most out of it and to grasp the winter wonderland before it is all gone again. Started the day with a nice coffee and some play (in dirty play corner..) in cute Café Pointa. Crossed the street to Lethna park, the park that has the best view over the city. White and snow and very very beautiful. A nice walk and many pictures and also great photo coaching. Great a few more days like this and then I think that is enough. The downside to snow is the extremely dirty car and stroller, salt that destroy my shoes and all the extra clothes, but who would think about that now when it is all so pretty..