Day 234: Chores

It’s a guaranteed rabbit hole in any conversation with fellow parents: how many chores should kids do?

We are still at a pretty basic level.  We expect the girls to clean up after themselves: to tidy their rooms (and whatever else they have scattered around the house), take their plates away, put their laundry in the basket and clean up the kitchen after making their own snacks or breakfasts.

For bigger jobs, such as raking leaves or cleaning up the garden, we expect them to pitch in for a few hours.

I think the girls are soon ready to take on more responsibility around the house. In fact, we’d probably have insisted on it already, if getting them to do their chores weren’t such an enormous chore for Stuart and me.

Day 215: Super-Teddy

There are a few fluffy friends that have remained the girls’ favourites throughout the years. Eddie (the teddy) is one of them. He has been Alanna’s favourite since before she learned to walk and is still a main character in whatever adventure is happening. In fact, he has travelled the world more than most adults.

The girls are not even aware that Eddie is special to Stuart and me as well. Eddie joined our household in 2012, accompanied by my engagement ring.

Special in all ways.

Day 202: Pots and Plants

I have no green thumb. Stuart even less so. Therefore, we have no potted plants in our house.

Every 5 years or so, I get one from an acquaintance (who does not know me that well) or my mother (who – as all mothers do – keeps believing in me). Every time, I firmly decide this time will be different… until the plant dies for overwatering, underwatering or some mysterious malady caused by a chronic lack of care.

I can still photograph nice plants in other people’s houses.

Day 196: Minimalism or Less

I am not a big admirer of minimalism. It looks great in photos, but it just feels impractical – unless you have enormous, hidden closet spaces. But is it then minimalism, or just good cleaning skills?

And while we are talking about this… I never understood the logic behind Marie Kondo. My clutter is exactly those things that bring me joy – little mementos, photos, cool kitchen gadgets, one-too-many scarves, etc. Throwing away my gardening gloves (not a big fan of gardening either) is unlikely to improve my life.

With all this said, with two 8-year-olds in the house, I could do with some less-ism.

Day 153: Mugs Galore

Mugs have a mysterious ability to multiply in the cupboad. Years ago, I got tired of million different mugs cluttering the kitchen and donated everything but the matching set that goes with our plates – and, of course, my Moomin mugs. (Every Finn living abroad has at least a few).

Since then the mug situation has stayed pretty much under control. We still have the “adult set” and the Moomins. And a few that are perfect for soup. And my hot chocolate mug (perfect for wrapping both hands around). And the one a dear friend gave me. And the one my colleagues got me when I left. And a few smaller ones for the girls. And…

Day 146: Trick Shot

As I compare my ongoing 365 challenge with the one I did nine years ago, they look quite different.

It strikes me how much more spare time I used to have for trick shots, Photoshop, interesting set-ups and little projects. They have largely been replaced by candid photos of the things we do with the kids.

So one trick shot – to honor my former self and the happy spirit of summer.

Day 125: Another Fork

Work is busy at the moment. And with the girls on holiday, they tend to require quite a bit more attention in the evenings.

By the time they get to bed, I am usually ready for bed myself – and often, as tonight proved, totally out of ideas for a photo.

So, I gave up and dug out my faithful fork again. You can always take a picture of something in the kitchen.

Day 106: Drip By Drip

People are always curious what is the hardest thing in raising twins. They expect me to describe jealousy, trouble finding own identity, or sharing (or not sharing) friends and hobbies.

No-one ever understands that the hardest thing is to stay patient in the face of stubborn insistence of getting exactly what the sister does.

Exactly.

Even when it makes no logical sense.

The biggest daily fight in our household is whose turn is it to wash teeth first. Every night!

Somehow it remains irrelevant that the other one will go 2 min later.