Activities – Blue Moment

Day 76: Snitches, cauldrons and skateboards

April 22, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Festivals, Kiara, TraditionsTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Children, Home, KiaraLeave a comment

The Day was finally here. Harry Potter birthday!

The house was packed – at first with wands, owls, floating candles, Gryffindor colors and golden snitches. And later the chaos was completed by 127 excited little wizards and witches (or that is what it felt like).

The Herbology lesson (plant your owl pot) was popular, as was the Potions lesson (mix different color juices) and Levitation class (on the trampoline). But nothing was as eargerly anticipated as the opening of the Honeydukes candy shop after the other food was finished.

Our little witches loved the day – but I am happy it is a whole year to the next kids birthday!

Day 74: Just a Little Magic

April 20, 2026April 20, 2026Posted in 365 Project, ActivitiesTagged 365 Project, Activities, ChildrenLeave a comment

Girls’ birthday party with friends is finally this Saturday. They are currently fascinated with Harry Potter world, so I promised to organize a Potter-themed party.

I wanted each of the little wizards and witches to have their own wand. Wooden chopsticks, some hot glue and spray paint can do magic.

Day 71: Jumping up, up, up…

April 16, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Home, Kiara, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, Espoo, Home, Kiara, Outdoors, SpringLeave a comment

Last year Santa brought the girls a trampoline. I was a bit worried it wouldn’t be used much, but I didn’t need to worry. Last summer, there was barely a day that girls didn’t go jumping, at least for a bit. Most days, there would be several friends bouncing with them.

We set the trampoline up again today (you have to take it into storage for winter). Thirty minutes later, you could already hear the laughter of four little girls.

Day 70: Raking

April 15, 2026April 15, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Home, Outdoors, StuartTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Home, Outdoors, SpringLeave a comment

Raking is pretty far down the list of my favourite things to do. But there is some satisfaction in having a tidy yard. At least it has been dry, which makes raking easy. Keeping girls at task was harder.

Day 62: Trip Around The Neighborhood

April 7, 2026April 7, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Nature, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Nature, OutdoorsLeave a comment

Our house is in a nice suburb just next to the seashore and several small forests. Therefore, there are nice walking, cycling, and adventuring routes all around us.

Now it just needs to stop raining.

Day 60: Independence Squared

April 5, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, EspooTagged 365 Project, Activities, Espoo, Kiara, OutdoorsLeave a comment

The girls got new bicycles from Santa. They were delivered today amid huge excitement. Six gears!

In addition to just being great fun, the return of bicycle season adds volumes to girls’ independence. We have strict boundaries on how far they can go without adults or special permission – but even a distance of a kilometer or two is much faster on a bicycle.

Easier distance means more play, more friends, and more adventures, especially with the extended daylight hours.

For Stuart and me, it means fewer calls begging for a lift home.

Day 53: Happiness

March 30, 2026March 30, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Family, Finland, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Children, Finland, KiaraLeave a comment

The girls and I decorated the willow branches for Palm Sunday. The combination of bright colors and cheerful catkins make me happy – especially as we had fun decorating them together.

Projects like this can be hard to start after a full day at work, but once you get going (typically bacause you have to, like now, with no other opportunity before Sunday) they are well worth it!

Day 52: Knitting

March 29, 2026March 29, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Everyday objectsTagged 365 Project, Activities, Everyday objectsLeave a comment

I love the idea of knitting. Every so often, I get excited, dig out my needles, and start a new project.

What draws me to knitting is the thought that, once you have learned it, your hands can create something beautiful, while your mind wonders elsewhere.

The problem is that I don’t have the patience to get to that level. I try, make mistakes, undo the progress, try again, get frustrated, and leave the project.

Until next time.

Day 51: One More Trick

March 28, 2026March 29, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Home, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Activities, KiaraLeave a comment

Kiara and Alanna go to a circus school every week – and love it! Before this, we tried dancing and gymnastics, but they were not quite right. My girls don’t want to move as they are told, they want to move as they feel.

So circus school fits their personality better. They still practice flexibility, performing, and working in a group – but they can also do tricks, climb, juggle, and build pyramids. And they are encouraged to find their own way of doing things.

Now, Kiara has gotten it into her head she wants to start cheerleading. She is small, so she wants to be a ‘flyer’. We’ll see.

Day 45: Stars are Born

March 22, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Kiara, WorkTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, KiaraLeave a comment

I work in consumer product business and we needed to shoot a simple product video for a new launch. When our intended model got sick, Alanna and Kiara stepped in at short notice.

I was very proud of the girls. They handled the whole thing as little pros. They listened to instructions, patiently went through all the repetitions, and kept a positive attitude. After all, I had promised them a salary.

I don’t think the experience made either of them dream of acting as a career.