Day 225: Kids Comic Book Fair

There was a kids’ comic book fair in Helsinki today. If not for a friend who sent us a note, we never would’ve known about it. And unfortunately, based on how few people there were, not everyone has such a clued-up friend.

I often wonder how much cool stuff we miss, just because we never see the ads.

But we made it to this one. The best activity was designing their own characters for a comic graveyard. Alanna’s two-tailed cat zombie laughed out loud while scaring others and swinging. Kiara’s 10,000-year-old worm was actually not dead. He was too stubborn to die – but liked hanging out with the dead. But then again, he was bad at math, so who knows how old he really was…

Now we wait to see if either of these characters makes the cut for the actual comic book.

Day 218: Comics and Animation

Alanna started a comic school this fall. She is beyond excited. Comics are her obsession. And more than just reading them, they are also her preferred way of expressing herself. Alanna has a very observant drawing style, and she tells a story with every image she draws.

The course also goes through the basics of animation. This has been a totally new discovery for Alanna, and it has been interesting to see how she has already learned to adjust her drawing style. Her animations are – by necessity – much simpler than her other drawings.

Where are the beginner comic book courses for adults?

Day 217: Puzzling

I am old enough to admit I love puzzles. I always have. According to my mum, I loved them so much as a 2-year-old that my nursery teachers got worried.

The problem is that when I start one, I get totally obsessed. For two days (sometimes three, if it is during the work week), my fingers constantly itch to get back to it.

Until it’s done, and I am left wanting to start a new one (and resisting because… well… I have a life).

The girls see this and want to be involved. Alanna sits next to me and tells me the story of every character, flower and house in the puzzle. Kiara sits across the table and obsesses over her own puzzles.

Day 212: Soukka Day

Finns are not very good at building neighborhood communities. In general, Finns are not very good at casual socializing. Having lived in our current house for five years, only now – through Scouts – have I realized there is actually any community activity at all.

So  today was a Soukka Neighborhood Day. The girls participated in a Scouts skill trail, which rewarded participants with a free crepe and jam.

Grassroots participation.

Day 191: Bicycles and Baquette

Cycling slightly longer distances is easier when you have a fun destination. Even if it is just a picnic in a park.

I nearly craned my neck keeping an eye on the rainclouds. The forecast promised rain only later, but the 6km back home would feel long in the rain.

We made it with at least 4 minutes to spare.

Day 186: Return Drive

The drive home from a holiday, especially with forecasted rain, is rarely fun.

But when it is, it is a lot of fun.

A morning walk (with a breakfast that, according to Kiara, is worth moving to Haapsalu for), a submerged limestone quarry, an abandoned prison, and a real submarine – a few worthwhile stops. And Stuart drove faster than the wind, as the rainclouds never quite reached us.

And at the end is home.

For good and bad.