Activities – Page 2 – Blue Moment

Day 91: Spring Cleaning

May 10, 2026May 10, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Espoo, Home, Kiara, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Activities, Espoo, Home, Kiara, Outdoors, SpringLeave a comment

We have a huge glass terrace at the back our our house. During summer, it is the most-used “room” we have. It is our dining room, living room and outside patio – all wrapped into one. In fact, it was one of the main reasons we bought the house to start with.

The glass roof is fairly flat and keeping it clean(ish) of leaves, pine needles, pollen and dust is no small task. Not that I am too pedantic about it… And a good thing too. About five minutes after completing my task, a gust of wind brought down a fresh rain of rubbish.

Oh well.

You probably noticed I am cheating a bit in my 365 challenge here. This picture was taken by Kiara, not me. I guess the ones below should be my official entries, but who cares.

Day 84: The Great Escape

May 2, 2026May 2, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Europe, Family, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Activities, family, TravelLeave a comment

As said before, escape rooms are a thing in my family. The idea of going to Tallinn for an “escape trip” started off as a joke. But turning jokes into reality is also a thing in my family (e.g., annual the-most-useless-useful-Christmas-present competition).

One weekend, four rooms. Three of the rooms were actually hard, one was… an experience… We escaped three of the rooms, but are now trapped to a haunted orphanage for all eternity.

Luckily there was drinks after.

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 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.