Happy Mother's Day and other stuff

To all the mothers I know I wish you a very Happy Mother's Day.  

I had a great day with a friend who invited me for lunch.  It sure feels strange to not be with my family today.... Ted, the kids and my mom.  This has been one of the harder days to not be home.

Well some things I have been up to lately. 

I went to see the cherry blossoms if full bloom.  The trees were a gift from Japan years ago.. They were very beautiful but the square was wall to wall people.  

 There was a cool chess set in the square with the cherry blossoms.

 And some new subway art on the Blue line.  My first time on the blue line.

I also went to a big bonfire April 30th which is a Swedish tradition.  The fires are set to ward off evil spirits. Also to celebrate spring.  There were choirs singing and bands playing.  I went to the one is Gamla Stan and there were tons of people were there.  They had them is lots of different locations around Stockholm.

The fire was probably 15 feet high.  It happened as the sun was setting on the lake.  I found it really fascinating....but no smores were to be had.

Many people came it with torches to light the fire.  Every age groups was present.  It started to burn slowly and then was a blaze with flames jumping high into the sky.  They kept coming with the torches long after is was light and burning at full force.

 

Not much else has been happening.  School is winding down.  The students only have 19 school days left.  Only really 15 days of teaching and then other days are activities.   

Teachers have an added four planning and prep days so I have 23 working days left.  Then I will be heading home.  I arrive June 18th for a month.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone.