Kiara – Blue Moment

Day 20: The best of the ocean

February 22, 2026Posted in Nature, Travelling, Wildlife, Africa, 365 Project, Water, Alanna, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Kiara, Nature, South AfricaLeave a comment

We are not beach people. I like swimming in a salty water only slightly more than Stuart likes getting sand on his Kindle. The girls like the idea of the beach, but are not keen on the waves or the heat – so always choose the pool when given a choice. None of this means we don’t want to GO to the beach. Alanna plays with sand, Kiara hunts for shells and I take photos. We just don’t want to stay there.

So, we enjoyed the Atlantic ocean in the Cape Town Aquarium. And why not? Even I find it magnificent!

Day 19: Petting Zoo with a View

February 21, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Alanna, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

Alanna loves everything that is alive. Dogs, cats, cows and raindeers are obviously cuddly, but she also thinks that snakes are cute and spends evenings thinking how she could catch and release a mosquito without killing it.

Fantasy animals are even better. She started with unicorns and magical cats, but currently we are in a lenghty werewolf phase. Her howl is becoming pretty realistic.

Imhoff Farm with its petting zoo is Alanna’s happy place. Kiara agrees, as she thrives with the active interaction with the animals – and on all the playgrouds and climbing trees.

For parents, agood view, good food and a glass of wine are all that’s needed.

On the way back we also stopped in Hout Bay for ice cream.

Day 15: Wild Ocean

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Alanna, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Travelling, WaterTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, Kiara, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

Hermanus was windy today and the waves were majestic – and loud! It is almost hypnotic to watch them crash againsg the shore and seabirds fighting the wind (or hiding from it).

The waves carry shells, pieces of coral and other interesting bits and pieces onto the shore. We had to limit both girls to four treasures per beach to ensure our clothes will still fit into the suitcases for the journey home.

A good day to get out of the hospital.

Day 10: On the go

February 12, 2026February 12, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Kiara, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, Kiara, Nature, TravelLeave a comment

The girls travel well. They’ve had their fair share of long trips – partly because we genuinely love travelling, but also because they are half Finnish and half South African. Whichever half you live close to, the other one is a long way away.

Travelling is great – even if flying itself is mostly just a lot of waiting in uncomfortable seats

Day 9: Bookworms

February 8, 2026February 8, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Family, Home, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Children, family, Home, KiaraLeave a comment

Books are big in our family. Stuart and I read a lot. Luckily we both love Kindles, or the biggest room in our house would have to be dedicated to books.

We’ve also been reading aloud to the girls every day since they were just a few months old. We still read a bedtime story together every night, even though Alanna and Kiara are starting to read on their own.

At the moment, Kiara enjoys stories in chapter books, while Alanna loves comics. Both also enjoy good non-fiction. That part they get from their daddy.

Day 7: Pikkunen

February 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Home, Kiara, PeopleTagged 365 Project, family, Home, Kiara2 Comments

Pikkunen is my teddy. I got it from my grandma when I turned 14. But as it’s the most huggable teddy in the world, the girls have claimed it as their own – even though they certainly don’t lack soft toys themselves

Day 2: Burning off energy

February 1, 2026February 2, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Family, KiaraTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, family, Kiara1 Comment

There is a wonderful Finnish word, mökkihöperö, loosely translated as “going a bit loopy from too much time indoors.” After a weekend mostly stuck inside because of the –20°C temperatures, the girls were definitely going mökkihöperö. And, with all that excess energy, so were Stuart and I.

The easiest solution is a half-day at an indoor playground. Alanna and Kiara are big enough to run around on their own, so I can (albeit with a lot of interruptions) sit and edit photos. Unfortunately, we were not the only ones who had the same thought. Do you have any idea how hard it is to recognize your child among 50+ others, all yelling “Mum!” at regular intervals? Luckily, it’s a big place.