Alanna – Page 3 – Blue Moment

Day 156: Scateboards

July 23, 2026July 26, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Kiara, Sport, StuartTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Kiara, SportLeave a comment

Last summer Alanna and Kiara got excited about skateboards. Stuart and I, on the other hand, have absolutely no understanding of the fine art of skateboarding. We didn’t even know where to start.

The City of Espoo has been running a great initiative called Skateboard Containers, where more experienced skateboarders offer advice to younger or less experienced kids. The girls were bit young, but we took them to one of the containers in Matinkylä.

Rarely have I been as impressed by a city initiative. Two 14-year-old boys took the girls under their wing and patiently taught them for nearly two hours – held their hands coming down, gave advice and encouragement. The spark those boys lit in my girls lasted the whole summer.

This year we’ve had very little time to go practice and many of those skills have gotten rusty. But the excitement is still there.

Now I just need to find them a skateboarding course. As great as the container is, it can only take us so far.

Day 155: A Fox, A Snake And Other Encounters

July 22, 2026July 23, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Animals, Family, Kiara, Nature, WildlifeTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Animals, Kiara, Nature, SummerLeave a comment

When Alanna was just about to turn one, we took her to a small zoo. She was absolutely horrified of the goats, but determined to go and pet the tigers.

This popped to my head when we visited a small animal park just an hour from home. The bunnies, horses and wolly lambs were lovely, but nothing compared to the snakes, porcupines, giant tortoises, reindeer – and especially the foxes.

The place was thoughtfully designed – children could interact with many of the animals, but only if the animals chose to. And, since it was quite hot, not all of them did. I think it’s important for children to learn, that animals get to choose, too.

But I was practically giddy when we got to interract with a fox. I’d never been that close to one before.

Always a kid.

Day 154: Homestead

July 21, 2026July 21, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Finland, StuartTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Finland, History, Stuart, TravelLeave a comment

Finland has an endless amount of small local museums – old farmsteads, workers’ quarters, historic homes, and museums devoted to wonderfully specific things like pharmacies, tar, logging or handicrafts.

Alanna’ animal camp was even held at one of them: Glims Farmstead Museum. And she was fascinated by its temporary exhibition on the importance of animal poo.

I often joke with Stuart about these little museums, as I have dragged him to probably fifty of them over the years. They may be somewhat “homespun,” but secretly (and maybe not that secretly) I really love them.

Every one of them exists because someone was passionate enough to preserve a small piece of history.

Day 148: Crafts

July 14, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Home, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Home, Kiara, LearningLeave a comment

Kiara, especially, is obsessed with crafts. We buy sellotape in bulk because – and I am not exaggerating at all – she uses five or rolls per week. She comes up with very practical and innovative designs and can surprise me with real out-of-the-box ideas – some of which really work.

Alanna does crafts when the mood strikes, but she is more interested in drawing – comics especially.

To build on this, I dug out my old sewing machine and we spent a happy few hours testing it out. Alanna made a beautiful dress for her doll. Kiara sewed a little pouch and a pillow.

I was just proud.

Day 145: Big and Small

July 11, 2026July 11, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Kiara, Outdoors, SportTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Children, Espoo, Kiara, Outdoors, Sport, SummerLeave a comment

After work, I took the girls for a swim. The hot weather is about to turn, so felt like the thing to do.

While getting ready, Kiara fussed about her swimsuit, her hair and her swimming bag. She wanted to look cool in case she saw her friends.

When we got to Oittaa, she spotted the Angry Birds playground. Luckily, at that moment, the playground and splashing in the water still felt “cool” enough.

I wish I would convince her that there is plenty of time to be big yet.

Day 143: Tenacity

July 9, 2026July 9, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Kiara, Outdoors, SportTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Children, Espoo, Holidays, Kiara, Outdoors, Sport, SummerLeave a comment

I admire children’s dermination to have fun once they decide they are going to have fun.

I took Kiara and Alanna to a nearby sports-focused amusement park today. The temperature climbed above 30°C and the park had practically no shade. Even so, we stayed for more than 7h and tested every climbing, jumping, pedalling, lifting, shooting, running and balancing activity available. Considering the park has more than 30 different jumping castles alone, that was no small feat.

Most of the other kids gave up, and by late afternoon only a handful of the hardiest ones were still around.

At the endof the day, we popped into a nearby supermarket, bought swimming costumes to all three of us and went for a swim. Lake water has rarely felt so good!

Day 142: The Ancient Art of Puppetry

July 8, 2026July 8, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Helsinki, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Children, Helsinki, History, KiaraLeave a comment

Finland has fantastic museums for kids. In fact, almost all museums here have something specifically for children to do.

Helsinki City Museum is a good example with a whole section of historical play areas. And the theater section has a puppet stage.

Great stories were born this day!

Day 141: Beaching

July 7, 2026July 7, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Kiara, Outdoors, Sport, WaterTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Finland, Holidays, Kiara, Outdoors, SportLeave a comment

We are still not beach people. But Matinkylä Beach is exactly the right distance for a family bike ride on a hot day.

The kids spent about 15 min in the sea. Even though they love swimming, the salty water seems to take away half of the fun. But they did spend the next 2h climbing, running and playing.

The best thing about cycling to the beach is that 90% of the sand falls off on the way home.

Day 139: Bedtime Disco

July 5, 2026July 7, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Home, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Home, KiaraLeave a comment

Alanna and Kiara are at their most creative when it comes to inventing reasons to postpone bedtime. More often than not, giving in to one extra thing helps to move things along.

One of the favourite distractions is listening to “just one last song” before brushing their teeth. It’s a great and joyful idea – if you can actually stop at one.

Day 136: Mopo

July 2, 2026July 2, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Asikkala, Family, Kiara, OutdoorsTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, family, Kiara, Outdoors, Summer CottageLeave a comment

Several years ago, my dad decided to get a quad bike for the summer cottage. He said it was to help with work around the yard, but none of us siblings believed him. We were convinced it is just his latest toy.

But admittedly, it has turned out to be really useful thing to have around. The yard is big, and there is a never-ending list of things to do.

The girls think it is the best toy ever. They especially love the adventure rides they take with ukki along the nearby dirt roads.