AdventureDad

 

 

Canon EOS 20D, 17-40 L, ISO 100

 

I love this photo because of the colors, my happy family members, and the fact that it's taken outdoors during the beginning of winter.  This is a typical weekend for us or a typical after-day-care day for Sandra. Strolling around outside with friends, visiting parks in the neighborhood, and later on in winter, riding the snow racer.   Annika usually in the all-weather Baby Björn, facing forward and learning about life.  Daniel in  his winter outfit, smiling as usual, and enjoying whatever activities we come up with. Families in Sweden, especially kids, spend a tremendous amount of time outdoors.  Both at day-care and privately.  Swedish people are no wimps.  Well, actually us people from the very northern part of Sweden think the people of Stockholm and further south are crybabies.  They whine and complain as soon as they see a snowflake or it's below 0 degrees C (32 degrees F).  And the climate here is relatively mild to be a Nordic country.

 

Us northerners are very much like the Vikings.  I grew up with at least 8 feet of snow the whole winter and regular temperatures of -20 to -30 degrees C (-4 to -22 F).  And that's real temperature, no windchill crap. That makes you strong mentally.  The saying we have is "There is no bad weather, just bad clothing".  Perhaps that's why the children in Sweden are outside regardless or rain, snow, or cold temperatures.  Maybe that's also why the kids are so healthy.  Schools never close.  3 feet of snow and -25 is no reason for keeping the kids at home.  I love being outside with the kids because they have so much fun.  It sure beats having the kids watch five hours of useless DVD's on the couch every day.  The winter is just getting started but Daniel is already talking about playing in the snow.  With a little luck we'll get as much snow as last winter which equals a fantastic winter season for the children.  At least for us northerners:-))