Espoo – Blue Moment

Day 201: Progress

September 11, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Espoo, Home, NatureTagged 365 Project, Espoo, History, Home, NatureLeave a comment

About six months after we moved to our house, a new metro station opened 700m away. Since then – over 4 years – nothing has happened in that area as the city plans have been challenged in different courts.

But we all knew that there was no scenario where a metro station this close to Helsinki would remain surrounded by forest and a few old houses. So they have now started felling the trees and tearing down the old single-family houses.

We all knew, except my girls. They are horrified that someone would destroy nature just to build houses. Why can’t they build houses where there are no trees, bunnies or squirrels?

How right they are.

Day 197: The Bugs of Finland

September 7, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Animals, Espoo, Makro, NatureTagged 365 Project, Animals, Espoo, Makro, NatureLeave a comment

I have always thought there are really no “cool” bugs in Finland. After a walk with Alanna in the sunny forest, I have to admit: there are. I am just really bad at spotting them.

Day 194: Books and Play

September 5, 2026September 5, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Architecture, FinlandTagged 365 Project, Activities, Architecture, Children, Espoo, LearningLeave a comment

I love some of the new libraries in Finland. They are a far cry from the stereotypical dusty, dark rooms with a librarian angrily shushing every sound.

The library in Lippulaiva, the nearby shopping mall, is full of color, sounds and running children. There is a playground with a slide and a real car, a pool table, a few 3D printers, and a loom. There are soft armchairs, cushions on the floor, and several soft nooks tucked away in corners. And there are books that people (kids especially) actually want to read.

I sympathize with people who feel it is too much; that libraries should be quiet and calm, with a focus on education.

But I think reading should be fun.

Day 192: Taking the Bus

September 1, 2026September 1, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Espoo, Fall, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Espoo, Kiara, Learning, TravelLeave a comment

Alanna and Kiara started extra lessons in English as a native language this year. The classes are held in another school, so we have been practicing taking the bus.

The have almost mastered it. Now they just need to remember to keep on eye on where they are going.

Day 191: Bicycles and Baquette

August 31, 2026September 1, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Family, Kiara, Outdoors, Sport, StuartTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Food, Kiara, Outdoors, Sport, Stuart, SummerLeave a comment

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 189: Spiders

August 29, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Animals, Espoo, Makro, Nature, WildlifeTagged 365 Project, Animals, Espoo, Finland, Makro, NatureLeave a comment

My SLR has become temperamental, working only when it wants to. Therefore I don’t often carry it with me on random walks.

I regretted it bitterly as I stumbled upon a collection of perfect spider webs and the hunter on the prowl.

Then again, if I had been carrying my camera, it’ unlikely I would’ve have seen it. That’s how it seems to go.

Day 188: Back to School

August 28, 2026August 28, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Espoo, Family, Getting started, Kiara, Stuart, TraditionsTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, Espoo, Fall, Getting started, Kiara, Learning, StuartLeave a comment

First day in the second grade.

New backpacks, pencil cases, and sweaters.

I wonder how many years we are still allowed to walk the girls to school on their first day.

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 150: With Just One

July 16, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Architecture, Espoo, Kiara, NatureTagged 365 Project, Architecture, Espoo, Kiara, Nature, SummerLeave a comment

Alanna started a week-long Animal Camp today so I got to spend a whole day with Kiara, just the two of us.

It is true that twins rarely get enough individual attention. We try, but…

Many parents of singletons admire how nice it is that the girls always have someone to play with – a home-bestie, as the girls call it. But it is also obvious how excited they are when they get äiti all to themselves. And I keep admiring how easy it is when you just have one wish to fulfill at any given time.

We had a good day: we sewed, did the groceries, read, and before picking Alanna from her museum farm camp, we popped into an old tavern (now a coffee shop) with a beautifully preserved courtyard and garden.

Just the two of us.

Day 147: Evening Ride

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Espoo, Outdoors, SportTagged 365 Project, Activities, Espoo, Outdoors, Sport, SummerLeave a comment

Our electric bicycles are among the best investments Stuart and I have ever made.

We’ve done fantastic tours with the kids sitting in the back and one of us towing our luggage in a trailer. In addition to shorter trips, such as weekend in Porvoo, we’ve toured the Finnish archipelago, Åland, and Sweden – our longest tour yet. We planned it for 450km, but ended up doing 600km instead.

Now that Alanna and Kiara are riding their own bicycles, the distances are shorter and we are prioritising trips closer to home. Even so, after a long day in front of the laptop, a quick 20-25km ride still feels amazing