For our last full day, we chose to learn more about the famous Danish writer Hans Christian Anderson. We put the kids in the car and made the short drive to the museum downtown. Well, it would’ve been a short drive if it hadn’t been for the construction all through downtown.
We finally made it and tumbled out of the car – without the backpack of snacks. Tate had been asking during the car ride for a cookie and I said he could have when when we got to the museum. So now it wasn’t off to a good start. And we wanted him to put on his coat. Oh, we are terrible parents.
We made it inside the tiny museum and paid the entrance fee. This got us into five HC Anderson sites around the city. So they gave you a bracelet to wear. Tate was not having any of that. He howled. We tried looping it on the tie of his pants. Minutes later I found it clenched in his fist. We walked around the exhibits trying to read the signs and information while ignoring the “I want a cookie.” refrain from the crying three year old. It was a tad distracting. Jack made the most of it and asked some questions, tried the virtual reality glasses and sounded out some words. It did not take long for me to be ready to go.
Before heading to his childhood home, we had to find food. Thankfully, there was a grocery store around the corner and hot dog buns and cookies seems to calm him somewhat. We walked to the tiny single story house that would’ve housed three families. Talk about close quarters. This is where the author was born and started making shadow puppets to tell his story. He was a dreamer and from the little reading I was able to do, I learned he begged his mother to let them move to Copenhagen so he could become rich. She finally agreed and eventually, in his lifetime his writing did make him rich and famous. I need to read up on some of his stories. They were not written as children’s stories so I’ll do that on my own time. In several years from now.
The area the house and museum were in were very quaint and nice to see but we were done. That is all he or I could take before a melt down would’ve occurred – more likely by me. Back at the car, he was happy and playing games with Devan while he waited for me to feed Clark. Honestly.
We went home for lunch. The plan was for all of us to check out the Danish Railway Museum. I just couldn’t do it with all three of them. Clark was so tired, I put him to bed and he was asleep in minutes. Joel agreed to take the older two to the museum. As soon as they left, I lay down and I didn’t wake up til they walked back in.
The report was of a good afternoon with happy boys. Apparently, I am the winner of all the grumpy behaviour. They saw lots of different trains, got to climb aboard, dress up, get pulled in a wagon, take a mini-train ride and go down a giant metal slide. A much bigger success.
The boys happily played that evening while we packed up and prepared to head back home. They were excited to be going back to Morocco. It was time for home and routine.
The next day was fairly smooth, for which we were very thankful. We drove back to Copenhagen with only a bit of crying. Tate was singing much of the way -who are you? Joel dropped us off at the terminal and then went to return the rental car. Devan again was such a great help to get the boys and I inside so he could do that without dragging everyone around. The two flight back were on time, almost no crying and the connection was quick but we made it. Of course, it took forever to fill out the entrance forms, wait in the line and finally get to our bags. The boys held it together but they were all asleep within minutes of the car driving away.
We loved our Danish Christmas Adventure. We saw lots of new things, experienced a cold winter, laughed, cried, opened presents, ate treats, took lots of trains and planes and made some great memories. And now, we are all happy to be home in our beds with thick pillows and warm blankets. The adventure is done…for now.
unruhadventures 