Black&White – Blue Moment

Day 254: Thorns and Roses

November 5, 2026November 5, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Friends, KiaraTagged family, Alanna, Kiara, 365 Project, Black&WhiteLeave a comment

I remember squabbling a lot with my brother. He was… just there. All the time. Which was annoying. And when he wasn’t being annoying, he was still there. Which was fun.

This very typical love-squabble relationship between siblings must feel ten times more intense for twins. Because throughout their entire lives there has really has never really been a time when the other sister was not just there.

We try to give the girls some space from each other – different classes, some separate hobbies and their own friends. But their lives still overlap in almost every way.

Last year, I took Alanna and Kiara on separate overnight hotel trips (as a reward). We had fun, but afterwards both decided it would’ve been better with their sister there too.

This year we are collecting stickers for an all-girls hotel night.

Day 252: Yoga

November 3, 2026November 3, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Home, Kiara, SportTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Black&White, Children, Home, Kiara, Learning, SportLeave a comment

I like yoga.

When the girls were babies, they liked to crawl and climb all over me when I tried to practice. Anything but peacefull.

As they got a bit older, I would teach them a few basic poses. They would do yoga with me – at least for the duration of their attention span, four minutes or so.

Some years ago, I discovered a YouTube channel that makes yoga adventures for kids. At 10-20 min long, these held Alanna’ and Kiara’s attention long enough to finish them – and now they occassionally do them just the two of them.

So after eight years, I am finally able to practice in peace again.

If the mood strikes me.

Day 246: Weight Of the Family

October 26, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Family, Finland, TraditionsTagged 365 Project, Black&White, family, Finland, History, LearningLeave a comment

I picked up two family Bibles from my uncle today to deliver to my mum.

They are no light reading. The older of the two was printed in 1849 (177 years!) and weighs around 8 kg. It is impressive that it has remained in the family for so long.

I also find the written Finnish in the Bible fascinating. I can understand about 80% of it – and much of that is because I can guess the words from context, or already know the passage. But a lot has changed in less than200 years.

That’s a weighty piece of history.

Day 220: Bedtime

September 30, 2026September 30, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Family, TraditionsTagged 365 Project, Black&White, ChildrenLeave a comment

As said before, bedtime in our house is a long and complicated multi-step affair. But routines are good for kids, especially at bedtime. Right?

Ever since the girls were one, a bedtime story has been the best part of the routine (before that, it was the bath). For the last year or so, we have been listening to the Potter series. Regardless of anything else related to J.K. Rowling, she has an extraordinary ability to create a world that completely draws you in.

We are almost at the end. I need to find a new series.

Day 218: Comics and Animation

September 28, 2026September 28, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, AlannaTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Black&White, Home, LearningLeave a comment

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

September 27, 2026September 27, 2026Posted in 365 ProjectTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Black&White, Everyday objects, KiaraLeave a comment

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.