Thulani in Norway - Part 5

Thulani’s fifth day in Norway

No time for crying because the weather is letting us down. Rain or snow, windy or not, outdoorsactivities are fun! J This was yet another day at home with the girls. And what a day it was!

It’s going to be a snowman in the rain. Thulani didn’t like the weather at all, and when the girls would like him to sit on the wet and cold snow again, he did have something to say against it. J At first he wouldn't sit still at all.

But finally he agreed. J

Wow….mum’s in the picture too. And the little girls were hiding because they thought it was so funny having mum there also. Thulani was surprised because he knows that mum is a bit shy! J

And there he was….The snowman! Thulani did a great job together with the girls. J

Never a moments rest. We had to build a snowcave also. But…all in all that was a good thing. It became a shelter from the rain and a very nice place to eat our oranges’ too. J

We did have fun outside, but after a while we where all wet, even if we used the snowcave. So….we decided to have more fun indoors. A dress up party J Thulani thought it was a bit girlish but as the nice and kind bear he is he went along with it. J

After another long day with lots of fun and activities Tone Lise and Thulani ended up like this:

They just fell asleep during the childrens tv. J It must have been all that fresh air! ;)

Day number six in Norway is gonna be just an ordinary day in Norway. The children are off to kindergarten again, dad is at work and mum is going to the hairdresser….so Thulani has decided to have a day off before his big cultural adventure on day seven. We’re then going to go to a museum! :D

See you all soon. J

Thulani in Norway - Part 4

Thulani`s fourth day in Norway

Oh, what a busy and fun day. All day long playing with the children in the kindergarten. J  A little bears heaven; cuddling, talking, hugging, eating and drinking all day loooong!

Having tea with Tone Lise and two of her friends.

Lunchtime.

Thulani was very cuddly and all the children loved him, so during the hour of singing, reading and talking together, he joined in and borrowed almost everyones lap. J

Even the boys loved him! And if I may say so…..Thulani seemed to enjoy the company and the small talk with the boys. Cars and dragons and buildings are topics a big boybear can relate to.

Tone Lise was watching Thulani carefully, while he was talking to the other children. Because, You know, she feels like he is a bit hers. J

At the end of the day it was two tired little girls and a tired little bear that came home from the kindergarten.

A little rest, and then dinner, playtime and childrens tv, before bathtime and bed were enough for all of them this day.

Tomorrow some more outdoors activities! J

Thulani in Norway - Part 3

Thulani’s third day in Norway.

Today has been a very busy day outside. We’ve been into the woods, almost on a very little mountain and near  to the fjord. And at our place that’s very easy…because we do have it all around us. It’s never far to the forest, fjord or mountain. J We live on a little farm (but we don’t do cows, sheeps or other animals anymore) on the countryside, in the middle of Norway, just 20 km from the border to  North-Norway, Sør-Helgeland. (No….we don’t have icebears/polarbears in the backyard … J ) We’ll (and Thulani) tell you all about Norway, the capital, our capital in Trøndelag, some of our cities and surroundings when Thulani leaves us. (Oh…..does he have to? ;) )

Thulani had some hours outside today, and when he came in he just had to warm himself up a little bit. So… when the girls decided that it was time for a bath, to wash their hair and to have their nails done with nailpolish and everything else, he just cuddled up in bed and tried to warm himself as best as he could. The whole thing with bath and stuff was a bit too girlish for him… J

So enjoy Thulani's day:

Just before we went outside. Thulani  had found himself a great place to sit.

Oh…it was windy! We had to close our eyes. Thulani managed to blink with one eye though.

Oh, oh…….a bit worried here. Would the wind take Thulani up in the air and down to the fjord?

Finally a rest in the forest! Some cold and hot drinks, homemade buns, apples, biscuits, and a tiny bit of chocolate. That’s heaven for little girls…and Thulani.

Wow!!!  In daddy’s tractor. Ohoh……it was a bit far down to the ground from here. But it was funny to see what daddy does as a lumberjack. (That’s his  first priority and activity during the winter, when he’s not doing his other job as a trailer/truckdriver. )

Thulani is a bit excited because someone has told him that he’s gonna drive the truck together with daddy when he is here! :O

Playing and eating in the snow…..It looks like Stine Marie is crying, but she’s just eating and talking in the wind. Couldn’t keep her eyes open when laying on the ground. J Thulani is safe, all cuddled up in Tone Lises arms. J

And…tomorrow is kindergarten time! Bye for now. J

Thulani in Norway - Part 2

After a good nights sleep Thulani woke up to this:

He just couldn’t belive his own eyes! Snowstorm!  :O Thulani decided that this should be a day with indoors activities together with the family. Starting with breakfast because his tummy was making big hungry noises :D

Sunday morning breakfast, slices of bread with different types of spreads on it…and an omelet with ham and red paprika and different spices…mmmm, a hungry bear just loved it ;)

After (a rather late) breakfast some playtime with the girls. J

And after playing we had some work to do,  off course Thulani had to help us. He is a part of our family for a few days so…. ;) That was ok too, because we celebrated Shrovetide today. In Norway we usually do this with coffe and creambuns/rolls with jam and some sugarpowder/flour  on the top. Sigh....the fun part is: We do make them by ourselves! Yeah! :D

At the end of the day we celebrated together with granddad and grandma. Thulani was so happy! Maybe because the dinner was a little strange. J Norwegian meatballs, vegetables and some kinda brown gravy/ sauce.

Thulani is now sleeping. An ordinary day inside is changing to a day with outdoor activities tomorrow. We’re having our winterholiday, so no school for the mum in the house tomorrow (She’s a teacher…) and no kindergarten for the children either. But lots of fun outdoors!

Thulani in Norway - Part 1

February 18, 2012

Thulani's first half day in Norway.

Thulani arrived Mid- Norway and Foldereid today.( We will write down some facts about Norway, Mid-Norway and the place we live in a bit later.) He couldn't have chosen a better day to enter our country and home. It has been a beautiful Winter day today, but…..I do think we gave Thulani a great big shock when we opened his box, just look:

Our youngest girl, Tone Lise, 2 years old, gave Thulani a great welcome. Thulani himself was a bit shocked….Look at all the snow! And it’s cold J

                                              

Playing in the snow with our oldest daughter, Stine Marie, 3 years old. She was a bit worried about Thulani, cause he was just wearing a t-shirt!  Maybe he would catch a cold on his journey? J

Thulani was probably very angry with the photographer at the moment. I just do not think that he loves the snow as much as we do. ;) But he was adorable.

Grandma is blowing some hot air on Thulani’s cold feet. J

Finally inside in the warm livingroom! And what was waiting for him there. His “mum” when staying in Norway! The girls loved to build up their own story about Thulani finding his mum in Norway. J

Time for a little dinner. We usually don’t eat dinner on Saturdays in our home. (Some slices of bread or some porridge will do..) But after staying out for so long we needed some hot Norwegian pancakes.

Pancakes the way we eat them, with sugar, bluberryjam and some bacon too.  Some eat them just with sugar and just with jam and just…..oh well you see what I mean. J

No Saturday without some nice good surprises for the children. Today Thulani did get some as well.

Good night Thulani! Sleeping with the youngest one today and with Stine Marie tomorrow.

Day 6

School Day with Maddy.

3 generations of my family have gone to Gibsons Elementary School and I’m so happy that we were able to visit Maddy and her class for Literacy Day and do a short presentation for the kids.  The school hallways are decorated with coastal-themed murals and Thulani especially enjoyed this one:

Here’s Maddy with Justin & Thulani at her activity table.

The whole class got to hold Thulani and wish him good luck on his journey

Day 7

The sun came out today and we took the opportunity to walk around the original Gibsons Village.  Stopped at the statue of our town’s founder, George Gibsons.

Thulani was also interested in finding out about the little television show that put our community on the map – The Beachcombers. I’ll include a short page of information in the journal. Here’s Thulani in front of Molly’s Reach

Day 8

The Pacific Ocean

It was a glorious day, the sun was out and the air had the most wonderful hint of spring.  What a change in only a week.  We spent the day at the beach.

The little guy spent a goodly amount of time basking in the sun, simply enjoying the beautiful scenery and the calm, meditative sound of the waves.

Thulani even dipped his paw in the ocean

We ended this amazing day by sitting in the car (because the wind picked up and got a bit cold) watching seagulls break open mussels.  Would you believe that just as this picture was taken, one the darn birds dropped a clam shell on the front windshield and cracked it from one side to the other – what luck.

All in all it has been a marvelous adventure, now Thulani is off to Norway for the next leg of his journey.

I hope you will keep in touch with his fans here on the Westcoast of British Columbia.  With love

Cheryl McEwan and family