Welcoming the Queen and Her Husband

Mom, Stella and I went to Fredensborg Slot to see the Queen and her husband move into their castle. Every year, they move into this castle during the spring and stay over the summer. All of the residents of the Fredensborg town, come with torches to greet and welcome the royal couple. This year, we planned to go and be a part of it. It was a beautiful summer evening and when we got there Stella and I got an ice cream at the little ice cream stand and then watched the guards in action by the entrance.
When the residents came with their torches, the event began. There was a marching band playing music and a scout troops leading the residents with torches all the way up to the front door of the castle. The mayor was there, and so were the Queen´s husband´s two dogs. Finally the Queen and her husband came out, and elegantly walked down the stairs. The prince quieted his dogs and the mayor began to speak. They were super close to us, and it was very cool to see them up close and in person. Once the mayor was done speaking, the queen said her speech and then everyone sang the national anthem. It was very cool and very amazing to be a part of such a Danish event.

More pictures here.

Gymnastics

Stella was going to perform her gymnastic show that she had been practicing for a while now. She has been going to gymnastics this whole year, with her friends. Stella couldn't wait to show us her skills, and now was the time... All of the gymnasts had practiced for this show and now was the time where they showed what they could do. The sports center was all filled with family and friends, and all the gymnasts. The energy was positive and everyone seemed excited. The show started off with all the gymnasts and teachers walking in, in their groups. Once all the groups were in, they started singing the national anthem. Everyone completed their show and did fantastic! I was super proud of Stella. Afterwards, I gave her a flower and chocolate to congratulate her on how awesome she did.

More pictures here.

Riding on Fanta

I am going to a riding compitetion at Bente's sister's ranch and I needed to practice the combination for the dressage program so I went out to practice at Bente's. Fussie was already taken, so I had to ride on a "new" horse. The previous week, Bente had asked Sophie and I to help her come up with a nickname for this horse. We came up with Fanta. When I was just beginning to get ready, I forgot to take Fanta's blanket off all the way, so she began kicking. I got a bit shaken up, but quickly brushed it off.
We began the lesson, in trot, and did the two dressage programs. I tried my best to remember them. After that, we galloped and jumped. It was a bit weird on another horse, but I did it. She jumps and runs differently being that she is a sports pony. After the lesson, I took Fanta back to her stable and said goodbye. It was very fun!

Yellow Everywhere

During the winter, it has been very grey, but now there are yellow fields everywhere and blue sky. It is so beautiful!

Easter

H a p p y  E a s t e r !

When I woke up, I found some chocolate eggs i the hall. Today was Easter! Stella was all ready to party, but everyone else was still a bit tired. In Denmark, they do celebrate Easter, just not exactly the same way. It was going to be exciting having my grandmother a part of this Easter and I hoped that she would enjoy it as much as I do.

We all ate some breakfast and hung out. Stella practiced her "Easter Dance", her gift to all of us. At about 10 o'clock, when Stella couldn't hold in the excitement any longer, Mom went outside and hid some chocolate eggs. The sun was shining and the birds singing, as well as the buds on the baby green plants, beginning to bloom. It was so nice, and I could already feel that it was going to be a great day. Mom finally called for us and we went outside. Mormor looked excited and curious about what was going to happen. Mom explained the rules, then, we started. Stella was done a few minutes after, following with me and Mormor. We laughed a bit and played around. It was just the beginning of a great day.

Stella called us all over so that we could see her "Easter Dance". She was very excited to show us her gift that she worked very hard on. She had made beautiful invitations and was ready to start. It turned out great! Even the neighbors walking by peeked in and saw. It gave me a very great feeling how joyful everyone was (maybe the weather gave some extra points).

We left a while after, driving to my Mom's cousin's house. When we arrived, Stella and I started playing with Frederik right away. My Mom's cousin, Jan and his wife, Inge, are GREAT cooks! They had created this amazing meal, which we sat and enjoyed for hours. Later we went back to playing. It was a lot of fun! When it was time to say goodbye, we thought about what a great day it had been...

We got home, and Stella suddenly picked up the iPad. We were getting a Face Time call from our family over in the US. It was funny to see them and sort of be part of there celebration, while still being in our own. After a great day, we went to sleep....

2nd Easter Day!

Yes, there is such a thing. We had an extra day of school off, and all of the stores were closed. Stella went to play with her friend, Sofie. We went on a walk. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't quite as nice as the day before, but it sure was nice to spend time with family. When we got home, I went to doing homework. Back to school tomorrow! (deep breath/sigh- "okay...")

More pictures from a wonderful Easter here.

Easter at Bente's

We drove out to riding, like every Saturday. We weren't sure if there was riding, being the day before Easter, but we still went to give Bente an Easter egg. When we got there, Stella went upstairs to see the newborn kitten. We found Bente and gave her her gift. She was really happy for her gift.
I started getting Fussie ready. Sohie was on the other side of the hall getting her horse ready. She had picked some flowers and we decide to put them in their manes and tails. By the time we were done both Fussie and the other horse were super pretty. Bente came over and Sophie asked what the name of her horse was, and Bente told her. Bente thought that the name was too long, so she asked if we could help come up with some nicknames. The final result was "Fanta"...
We started riding in the riding house once everyone was ready. We started out in trot, doing dressage, then going in gallop and doing jumps. At the end of the lesson, Bente told us about a dressage competition at her sister's farm and wanted to teach us the combinations. It was kind of hard, and unfortunately, I can't really remember it...
We all went out on a walk after, and got a nice breath of fresh air. The colors are coming back to the world now, which is very nice and enjoyable. When we got back, we brushed the horses and wished them a Happy Easter!

More pictures here.

Esrum Kloster og Hornbæk Strand

We all got in the car and started driving. Stella and I both didn't know where we were going. Mormor had a map in her hands and Moster Lone tried to keep us quiet. Mom drove and when we were about half ways, she told Stella and I to look out for Esrum Kloster/Abbey. I didn't know what it was, not being there before, but I soon found out. It was once a monastery.

"The Monastery was founded in 1151. The Abbey was eventually the most significant in the Nordic region. Gifts from Kings, magnates and other benefactors gave Esrum Abbey a solid economic foundation, and by the Reformation, the monastery owned more than one third of all goods in North Zealand. After the Reformation, in 1536, the monastery was allowed to operate to 1559. The Abbey's land and property was now owned by the King. The King initiated the demolition of the large Monastery complex and monks stones were recycled, among others. in Kronborg Castle. The only preserved building, served as the King's hunting lodge. Later, the site was used for stud, prison, pharmacy, orphanage, post office and refugee camp."

When we parked and got out, it was just so beautiful. There were horses grazing on a field, and there was a little river that flowed into a mill where flour was once produced. Behind that, a few more buildings and flowers everywhere. We walked around and admired the beauty, as we suddenly saw some kids carving. It looked like fun, so we went over and asked if we could also try. The man running it said that we could, so we went to work. Stella was planning to make a knife and I wanted to make a dagger. It was actually pretty hard, but at the same time, really fun! We left after that, going on to our next destination, Hornbæk.

On the way to Hornbæk, we saw how the forests is starting to turn green - a beautiful light green - and the ground was covered in anemoner. We walked around Hornbæk, looking in some shops. It is a beach town, for rich people! While walking around the small streets, we saw a little ice cream shop. We went in, and ordered up. There was a man sitting in the corner, making the cones. Yum! We sat down, outside, in the sun, and ate our delicious, creamy ice cream and our fresh, crunchy cone. What a nice way to start Easter, and spring! After our treat, we walked to the beach. I swipped off my shoes and started running around. It was so much fun, and something that I haven't done for a while. The sand felt so good between my toes. After a great day, we went home and relaxed.

More picture from Esrum Kloster here.

Ride Stævne hos Bente

I went to a riding event out at Bente's. We came a bit early, but once everyone else came, we began grooming and getting ready. I was super nervous and felt really bad about not practicing more (even though I couldn't have). When Bente finally said, we took the horses into the riding house where we got started. I rode as the fourth person, and there were a few people before me, as well as after. Once everyone was done, the first, second and third places were announced and we went on to the next combination. When everyone was done with the second combination and the places were announced, the jumps were set up. I didn't feel like jumping those jumps, so instead, Mom and Moster Lone took me outside on a walk. When we got back, I put Fussie away and brushed her off, and then, put her blanket on. Mom called me over, and we both walked down to the field outside. The more skilled riders were jumping 80 cm and 1 meter. It was very impressive and cool to see how good they are. When they began on the next round, we drove home. It had really been a great day, and it was really nice to experience that with my family and friends!

More pictures here.

Hanging out with Julie

My friend, Julie, and I have been talking about getting together during Easter break to see a movie and hang out. Today was the day that that was going to happen. I met Julie by the bus stop and we took the bus into Allerød where we then took the train to Hillerød. We were going to see Rio 2, because of how we both have seen Rio 1 and because it looked like a good movie. I have been very excited to go and hang out with her because we are very good friends and because it is always nice to see a friend outside of school. We arranged almost the whole thing ourselves, and I felt pretty mature and a bit like a grown-up. When we got into Hillerød, we walked over to the movie theatre. I picked up our tickets and she bought some soda and popcorn. When the movie started, I whipped out some candy. The movie was really good and it was fun seeing it with my friend. Afterwards, we went down the street to go shopping, because we had some time until the bus and train came. We had a bunch of fun going around and telling each other how we should buy things. After such a fun time, we had to go home. It was really fun being with my friend!

At the TV Station

We went to my mom's old workplace, DR - a Danish tv station, to be part of the audience in a live show called "Søndag...live". Mormor, Mom, Moster Lone, Stella and I went with train and the metro to get out to DR byen. When we got there, we where instructed on where to go. There was a beginning "party" with soda, beer, wine and chips. Mom asked me and Moster Lone if we wanted to go outside and look around.  We saw the entrée and the weather studio. After that, we went into the concert building and looked around. When we were finally let into the studio, we were told what to do and when to clap. We had to do a test run, and then, they filmed a preview of the show.... The show started off with some people being asked questions, with points, and then came the interview. It was a little bit funny, but I definitely think that it was more grown up humor, than kid humor. At the end, we got to go up and take some pictures on the stage with the two hostesses, Signe Molde-Amelung og Ane Cortzen. It was really cool to expirence!

More pictures here.

Cleaning up at Bente's

We went out to Bente's to help out clean up on her farm. My mom and the other parents had arranged for everyone to get together and help fix up Bente's farm. Everyone brought food and a long table was put up in the riding house where breakfast then was served. After that we all just started pitching in. The grown ups outside, making new fences, and other grownups inside, cleaning out all of the junk from the riding house. There were some kids helping out here and there. Mom, Stella and I went over and helped clean and oil the leather bridles so that they would get more flexible. Later, Sophie came, and helped out. I had baked a cake and we went and grabbed some. It was really fun to hangout and help at the same time. At 1 o'clock Bente said that we all had to stop cleaning. Everything looked so nice and clean. Great team work! We all then sat down and had a barbeque together. When we were done, we hung out a bit longer before we biked back home...

More pictures here.

Riding

Today, I went to riding with Mom, Stella and Moster Lone. We took the bikes today because of the nice weather. When we got out to Bente's it was the perfect time to start getting ready. The group before me, were gone and everything was nice and quiet. Nikolaj and Silke weren't going to be coming, so it was just me and Sophie as well as Emilie and Mads (the owners of a horse named Sa Mara). The plan for today was a bit different. Bente is going to be holding a competition on Thursday, and she wanted to teach us the combinations so that we can be part of it. We learned two combinations, and they both seemed kind of hard to remember. When we each had our turn trying, we started riding in gallop. It was very nice and comfortable to be riding on Fussie again. Last time I was at Bente's was two weeks ago. That was when Stella was riding as well and that's when we heard that Bente was going to show Fussie and sell her. I didn't come the following week, because of Sophie's birthday party, but supposedly, Fussie was sold. She was taken to her new home where she had her mane and tail cut. After a few days Fussie came back to Bente's. Anyways, after galloping, we trotted going up and down without stirrups. That sure was a workout! Then, we went outside, into the gorgeous weather and went on a walk. What a nice riding lesson! After that, we bicycled home...

Stella with Artist Charlotte Farup Ohrt

Stella just went to the coolest birthday party EVER! Two of her friends from school, Josefine and Jules, had combined their 10th birthday and invited all the girls from their class out to a painter's studio to learn different painting techniques that provides depth and structure to the painting. The artist's name is Charlotte Farup Ohrt and Stella thought that she was really nice and pretty and a really great artist! They spent 3 hours painting, laughing, eating yummy snacks and cake and at the end they all left with their own unique painting to keep. They all went home to Josefine's house and had dinner. Later that evening all the parents were invited to a vernissage at "Gallery 10" where they were served champagne, wine and hors d'oeuvres.

More colorful picture here.

Farum Sø

Mom and some other parents from my class had arranged for my class to walk around Farum Sø. We met up with the rest of the families and began walking. My friends and I walked together. We had a bunch of fun! Stella and Mom had made a dream cake that we shared with everyone when we stopped and took a break. We also got some cookies that my friend Ellen had baked. We were all troupers, surviving the long 10 kilometers, but we sure did have fun! I really enjoyed the beautiful nature.

See some pictures from our fun day here.

Check out the map of the route:
http://www.furesoe.dk/~/media/WWW/Kommunen/By%20kultur%20og%20fritid/FritidOgForeninger/Fritidstilbud/FolderFarumSosti.ashx

From One Party to Another

Friday night I went to two of my friends, from my class, sleepover party. Almost all of the girls from class came to have a bunch of fun. When we were all pretty with some mascara, we went downstairs to hang out. We heard music and danced around, having tons of fun. For dinner, we got "nachos", chips with meat, cheese, guacamole, salsa and sour cream. It was really good. After dinner, we went back downstairs with some more chips and chocolate and cranked up the music. It was really fun! In the morning, we all got up and had breakfast and took our time hanging out. Later, Mom drove up to get me. If I didn't have to go to another party, I could have just walked or bicycled home being that the distance is so minimal. I jumped in the car and we drove to party number two...

This party was for Sophie from riding's, thirteenth birthday. The plan was that we would go ice skating. When we got to Sophie's house, I met some of Sophie's friends from school. I was a bit nervous, not knowing them, but it got better throughout the party. Instead of going ice skating (it's a long story, but to shorten it down, the rink was closed), we went to Fisketorvet, in Copenhagen, to eat brunch and see a movie. We drove out there and parked. We had fun going up the flat escalators and looking in shop windows. We had brunch and candy and went to the movie theatre. We saw "Captain America 2". I thought that it was violent, but very exciting and well made. When we were done, we drove back to Sophie's and hung out until Mom came to pick me up.

Hail, Wind, Sun and Anemoner

From hail and wind to sun and anemoner in two days.

 

More pictures here.