One of the highlights every time we went somewhere was the tuc tuc ride (tuc tuc=taxi). Not always 100% safe, but good fun! /Sebastian 

This was a lot of fun! We first went together for a ride with our dad and then we got to go with our uncle's as well. Cool! /Pontus

Our mom is also lucky and gets to spend her birthday in a lot of cool places lately. Happy birthday mamma! We love you! /Sebastian & Pontus

Hua Hin offers apart from the nice pool at our farmor's house also many difffernt options for beaches and seashore restaurants. This is our favourite spot! /Pontus

We spent the month of December in beautiful and sunny Thailand. Great way to end the year and escape 3 weeks of the Russian winter. We lived in farmors house in Hua Hin, check out more pictures on the Pictures page!

Big party at some of our American friends in Krasnodar. Everybody was dressed up and we of course showed up as Spiderman's. /Pontus

We have VIP access to an ice rink in the shopping centre that our dad is managing. Absolutely perfect for early Saturday or Sunday mornings before opening hours of the mall!

Sebastian is now also in kindergarten full days. Which means we have very limited need for a nanny. Olga has been with us for 1 1/2 years and been a great support and we concider her a family member. She is moving to USA to live with her daughter and we wish her all the best. We will miss you! /Pontus & Sebastian

We left early Sunday morning to drive the 200 km to the Taman Peninsula and the Veselovka Beach. Nice sand beach, friends, food, activites and the weather was perfect. We had a great day in the water! /Sebastian

We are taking our dad to a big water park in Krasnodar for his birthday! We love the water, our mom loves the sun and our dad is running up and down the stairs to the slides with us! /Seb

Farmor and Peter brought us accross the Country to visit friends on the westcoast. Nice beaches, houses and people - but a bit colder and more rain than we are used to from the east coast. /Sebastian

One month and lots of good memories of Öland later we are on our way to explore more places of Sweden. We only have one more week with farmor and Peter before they fly back to Asia. We will see the east coast before traveling to the deep forests of Småland to visit Älmhult.  

My dad and I went with farfar Ingmar and Anneli to their summer house in the archipelago outside the city Karlskrona Sweden for 2 wonderful days. Boat rides, fishing, good food and amazing weather. /Pontus 

New silly rules from the Swedish authorities forced us to use all types of channels, contacts, forms and green dollar bills to get Pontus out of the country with his new passport. Stressful day again but we finally got out safe and on schedule. This picture is of the Russian Consulate at the airport. Good ol' Russian Service...domophone. /Pontus

We are in Moscow for a day, while connecting to fly to Sweden for another VISA renewal trip. We stopped in the Russian Capital to pick up my new passport and to visit Henrik, Aida and Michael. All friends of mine through my parents. I had a great time! Thanks! /Pontus

After a wonderful display of fire works in the whole city during the night, nature put its magic touch on decorating the landscape in crisp white snow. /Pontus

Another nice evening with family and friends! Me and my brother could not get enough of the snacks, drinks and shuffling balls at the pool table. /Pontus

Uncle Ed and Aunt Rose arranged a get together at their house and we got to meet a lot of people that we do not get a chance to see very often, and even some new faces - like Skylar, cuddled up with her 'Opa' in the picture to the left.

At the Pen Center Shopping mall, enjoying a good movie (Madagascar 2) together with Nan and our dad. /Sebastian

The family is finaly traveling together...for once (after all our VISA problems). And we are off to Canada, it has been 3 years since we where all there as a family and we are looking forward to see everyone we know and get to know some new faces. On the picture you can see my brother Pontus catching up on his sleep during the flight from Moscow to Toronto. /Sebastian

We spent a week in Copenhagen Denmark to renew our Russian visas. The weater was nice and we got to do a lot of fun stuff. Big thanks to everyone who took the time to come and see us! After Copenhagen we flew to Portugal for more vacationing. /Sebastian & Pontus

Together with our frinds Tim, Natasha and Dasha Post we drove down to the Russian riviera, black sea! It is only a 2 hour drive from our home. A 5 star apartment hotel with pools, beach, restaurants, tennis, playgrounds and other activities for the whole family. Nice! /Pontus

After many days in the sun it is nice to play inside too! This cool place is located just 15 min from our house. More pictures in the Pictures folder! /Pontus & Sebastian

Check out the video page for links to 2 new movies worth watching! One of Sebastian's early morning moves, and one of our house in Krasnodar. Enjoy! /Pontus & Sebastian

The circus came to Krasnodar, and we went to see it with our friends the Post family! Dasha is almost Pontus' age, and they both get to practice their English when we get together. /Sebastian

Krasnodar does not only provide a better climate, compared to Moscow. It also offers a lot of alternatives and activities for parents and kids. For example - every Saturday and Sunday they close down the main street in the city from cars, and it turns into a great pedestrian/bicycle street. /Sebastian

Because we are moving to Krasnodar we have to say good bye to our Nanny Lena, after 2 years of service. Thank you Lena for your patience, hard work and all you have given us. We will always remember you. Lots of Love! /Pontus & Sebastian

 It is not often we take family pictures, and this is not a great one, but at least it is something! /Sebastian

Beautiful weather, 30 degrees, and all my loved ones around me on my special day! I could not have asked for more. Toys, books and new soft toys to play with - I'll share them with my brother if he is nice to me... /Sebastian

Our dad is working in another city for a few months. Putting added preasure on our mom to run the house alone, and forcing us to only spend a few weekends per month with both our parents. We try to behave and be as good as possible to our mom, and make sure our dad misses us when he is away. /Sebastian & Pontus

Pontus kindergarten class went to see a circus performance on Saturday. Tigers, bears, clowns and much much more. Lacia and Sebastian took the opportunity to join as well! 

I’m in my favorite seat on Aeroflot’s flight 667 from Moscow to Novosibirsk. I always ask for row 9 since it is by the emergency exit and therefore has more leg room. The flight time is 4 hours and we are heading east, towards Asia, passing the Ural mountains and into the notorious Siberian landscape. Known for its continental climate with long, cold winters and concentrated, hot yet short summers. On top of the 4 hours flying there is also a the time difference of +3 hours compared to Moscow, making the traveling a bit more complicated.

The flight is operated by Aeroflot Nord, a sub company operated by state owned Aeroflot Russian Airlines. The plane is a new Boeing 737-500 and carries around 200 passengers, most of them business men whom I’ve started to recognize as frequent flyers to this destination as well…one man, who has obviously also noticed me before, gave me a discrete recognition as our eyes met on my way down the airplane aisle this morning.

Sebastian is 9 months next week. And Pontus will be 2 years and 5 months on the same day. Sebastian is such a great baby, always with a smile on his face and seemingly unbothered and ready for anything. If all babies where like Sebastian there would not be a need for books about babies or raising children. Pontus on the other hand is, at the moment, the reason why all those authors are still in business.

The rest of 2007 will be very hectic and turned upside down for the Olofsson family. So far I have traveled to Novosibirsk every second week but a few weeks from now I will move to Novosibirsk. Living there until November, only coming home to the family in Moscow every second weekend. 

The plane is new, the stewardesses are actually instructed to be friendly, the onboard food is ok. I only have 40 minutes from our home in Moscow to the airport and the airport in Novosibirsk is recently remodeled and updated, living up to international standards. Traveling domestically in Russia is very much improving, at least from Moscow to the major cities in the regions. If I compare my current commute to the one Lacia and I where doing 3 years ago Moscow-Kazan it is hard to believe that we are in the same country and in the same decade.   

The development of Pontus and Sebastian is happening so fast, sometimes over night even. To miss out on many of their “firsts” will of course be heartbreaking, living 3000 km away. There is however no option at the moment since we refuse to take the kids with us out to the cities outside Moscow at the moment, sacrificing the lifestyle that they have in the capital. And the job opportunities in Russia are too good to turn down. We stand firm believing that we are doing this for the benefit of the family as a whole in the future, both for the kids and for the personal fulfillment of accomplishment for us as parents trying to fulfill our career dreams.
We are obviously not typical parents, and our way of living is for sure not for everyone, but we love each other and the kids more than everything.

Christian

I'm gaining size and weight quickly, wearing all of Pontus old clothes already. I'm just as happy as always, loving life. /Sebastain

A nice and sunny 18 degrees Saturday. BBQ with neighbours and friends, summer is on its way!

This might look and seam like my dad has got me all dressed up for this picture - but actually he has not! I ask him to help me put on all the gear and then I walk with my skates on the wall-to-wall carpet downstairs. I have not been on ice yet in my life, so this is good practice!

My mom had to go to Älmhult for work – so I got to spend a full week in Sweden! It was awesome as always. The rumor has it I’m much easier to travel with than my older brother…He is in kindergarten and had to stay put in Moscow with my dad. ///Sebastian

I’m preparing for Halloween in Sweden! Helping grandma getting ready for the event by making pumpkin pie. Check back on my site for pictures of my trick-or-treat adventures in Moscow in a few days!

Farfar Ingmar and Anneli has just bought a summer house on an island called Ungskär. The only way to access the house is by boat. Cool! /Sebastian

Hej Pontus

I'm the most frequent visitor of your webpage at the moment, since I'm working 2000 km away from Moscow. I’m In Ekaterinburg, on the foot of the Ural Mountains, just on the boarder between Europe and Asia.

It is not easy being away from you this long and I miss playing and spending time with you. I have enlarged my favorite photo of you and put it on top of the TV in my hotel room. It helps but it is of course not close to being good enough. A few days ago I even caught the cleaning ladies adoring your picture in my room, they could not stop looking at it.

It is however a lot easier being away from you when I know that you are happy and living a nice life in Moscow. It gives me great satisfaction to see that you are defiantly not suffering from your parent’s career paths, quest for excitement, traveling, spending time in interesting countries & experiencing different cultures. I'm also hoping and convinced that you will benefit from this in the long run. It is amazing to see the difference between a child that is well traveled, exposed to different cultures and different people, compared to a child that has a traditional upbringing in one country. I'm sure that you will be able to use this to your advantage in the future, and that it makes you a better and stronger person.

It is just a few weeks until you will have a baby brother Pontus! And at the moment I find it hard to believe that I will be able to love someone as much as I love you. Of course your Nanny Lena must be given a lot of credit for your good manners and behavior (most of the time), but somehow your parents must have done a few things right too. I'm looking forward to see what kind of big brother you will be. I have no doubt that you will be amazing, and a tremendous source of inspiration for your younger brother. No matter if you are the first, second, third or fourth child there are always challenges. Being born first makes you the first one to experience the different stages in life, and also putting your parents in situations they have not experienced before as parents. In other words you will always be the one that both your parents and Sebastian can learn from, and that will always make you a bit special Pontus.

I miss you and love you lots!

Christian  

This is a new fun game! ....and my dad thinks so too. Our hallway is absolutely perfect for sports like this. We (my dad) broke one stick already...those glass doors might be next...?!

I just thaught I would show you guys 2 of my biggest fans. My nanny Lena (left) and our cleaning lady Galina (right). I like them very much! 

I had 5 teeth when we left for Spain, and during the first 2 weeks of our holiday I got another 3!!!

I must give credit to my mom and dad for finding such a nice nanny. Her name is Lena and she adores me...and that is the most important thing. She will be my closest friend when my mom and dad both goes back to work.

This chart will be updated as time goes...so far I have 5 teeth visiable.

They really hurt sometimes! ...My dad laughs at me, and calles me "the great white shark"...when I find something to bite into and shake my head from side to side.

-My first tooth was visible in mid May, and by June 1st another two are clearly visible. (Both front bottom and upper front left)   

My linguistic skills are kind of impressive I must say. And everyone says that I make it look so easy!

Spending most of my time speaking Russian with my nanny Lena obviously makes me understand Russian a lot better than both English and Swedish. And it is difficult for my mom and dad to judge how many Russian words I speak. But below is a list of things I can say as of 1 July 2006:

Swe: Pappa, mamma, titta, Näsa, mun, öga, hej, bil, bada, ‘vad gör du’, blomma.

Eng: Hi, bye bye, hot dog, ice cream, book, juice, pizza, hot, ball, bike, dirty, shoes, socks, night-night, puzzle, one-two-three, dog, pooh, pee, pool, teath, bath, sunshine, moon, sun, bed and no.

Rus: Pakka, padjioum.

I also have a few own words...that only my parents understand!:

‘doooda’ - cracker

‘toottiiie’ - cookie

'badda-badda' - peanut butter
‘wa wa’ - outside

‘patta’ – lampa (light=Swedish) 

I'm talking up a storm these days! -Titta (look in Swedish) is my favorite word. I use it all the time and point at stuff with my finger. Apart from the usual baby language like ma-ma, da-da, ba-ba etc I can also roar like a lion when I look at the picture of a lion in my animal book. And I can say "ha" (hot) and put my hand up like a stop sign when I see the stove, oven, microwave, fireplace or anything else that I can burn myself on.

Wow is it ever exciting to follow the development of Pontus right now! I'm happy to announce that I can already clearly see that one of my wishes in life will come trough. At the age of 10 months and one week Pontus has already exceeded his dads skills, and this in a event that I can not improve in. I never crawled as a baby, I went straight to walking, but that was much later, after my first birthday. By the look on Pontus face and the big confident smile I know that he is enjoying his crawling, and believe me so do I.

What kind of father would like a son that is a cardboard copy of himself? I strive to make him better than me at everything he does. And the joy in his eyes when he overpower the obstacles in his way is as rewarding as anything. To watch someone you love develop and grow must be one of the most wonderful things to experience. I strive to make him more educated, skilled and complete than I am or ever will be. And hopefully by bringing him up like that he will one day become a better father than I am or ever will be.

Love you Pontus
Christian

I must admit that the first 3 months, with all the frustration and sleepless nights where not fun. We where constantly thinking that it was a mistake to have a baby and that this was not for us. All the sleepless nights and to see Lacia soooo frustrated was painful. I remember being so tired one morning that I cooked my wife's omelet in soap (see picture to the left). She started spitting and swearing. My only excuse was that the bottles where similar.

But one day, in March it all turned around, and from that day the reward has simply spoken for itself. There is nothing I enjoy more than Pontus, and every day just gets better and better. 
 
Love you Pontus
Christian

Bringing up a child in a multilingual family will be a challenge but also a wonderful advantage for our little boy. As studies are pointing towards that a child that is being brought up multilingual has a giant leap compared to monolingual kids I'm very excited and looking forward to watch Pontus progress and attitude towards speaking one language to his mom and another to his dad. His primary language will be English, and his secondary Swedish. Swedish might even become his 3rd language, depending on where we live, and if people in his closest environment (kindergarten, nanny etc) speak another language. The motivation will of course become a factor, but consistency and exposing him to situations where he is "forced" to speak Swedish will hopefully help us to maintain his interest in learning both languages.

Love ya Pontus!

Christian