She Works Hard For Her Money

"She works hard for the money.
So hard for it honey.
She works hard for the money.
So you better treat her right."
- Donna Summer




2 1/2 months after my "retirement" from the hospital, I have officially received my first pay check as a stay-at-home mom! That's right...the hardest job in the world (I will testify) but also the MOST rewarding. Any woman who can sacrifice a salary, part of her social life, wardrobe, etc. to stay with little people who she would give her own life for, deserves a million dollars.

Unfortunately, my check was not a million dollars, but I do get paid. Each family registered with the Finnish government receives an allowance to help raise their children. The money is based on where you live, your income, number of children and their ages, and the number of children attending school. If you keep in mind my job is 24/7...well at least 14 hour days, on call 10. But when I do get called during my 10 hour "on call" shift (9p-7a: the boys are sleeping - hopefully), I do not receive double time or any other perks that usually come with a normal job. I have to get out of bed, console a crying toddler until he can fall asleep again, and hope I can fall back to sleep myself so I can give another 110% at my "job" the next day. I do not receive any bonuses for potty training, hot meals, field trips, etc. Just the satisfaction of raising my children myself, and no one can do that better or love your children more than you!

So I receive a monthly stipend that helps with the groceries, pays our McDonald's bill, and maybe I can by myself something nice once in a while...just for doing what I feel I was put on this planet to do...raise my children!

Sunglasses At Night

"I wear my sunglasses at night.
So I can so I can,
See the light that's right before my eyes...

I can't believe it...
It can't escape you...

I said I wear my sunglasses.
I wear my sunglasses at night.
Wear my sunglasses at night..."
- Corey Hart


The Summer Solstice, June 22, is quickly approaching us here in the northern part of the northern hemisphere. This event is currently giving us 18 hours and 5 minutes of daylight. Even better, our length of visible light is 20 hours 45 minutes and increases almost 4 minutes a day up to the solstice! That's right...we are left with a measly 3 hours 14 minutes of true darkness. We have invested in blackout blinds AND blackout curtains. Still the sunlight finds the smallest cracks and holes to greet us each morning around 4 am! The picture above was taken at 2230 last night.

The greatest challenge through all this is trying to explain to 2 toddlers why they have to go to bed when the sun is still up. So far we have been successful even though their bedtime is now 9 to 9:30 pm.

Blame It On The Rain

Originally uploaded by Knuffinaround.

"Blame it on the rain that was falling, falling...
Causes the rain don't mind. And the rain don't care.
You got to blame it on something...
Blame it on the rain yeah, yeah"
- Milii Vanilli


It has been raining for a little over a week now. After getting cabin fever and Big making Little bleed twice in 24 hours, we decided to put on the bunny suits & rubber boots and head to the park. Finally on our side, the rain stopped while we were there. After an hour and a half of playing in the mud, we decided to return home for dinner and a bath. Only 39 more hours until Daddy returns to our side of the Atlantic...and counting!

The Wheels on the Bus

"The wheels on the bus go round and round,
round and round, round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round.
All through the town."



A cold front came through Helsinki and the weather did not allow us to have our weekly 'Picnic Friday.' So we decided to take the bus to Espoo for the Foreigners Play Group held in an old gym. Not bad, a 20 minute bus ride (free with stroller!) and we were there. The boys enjoy the interaction with other kids their age who speak English. There were 15+ kids ranging in ages from 8 weeks to 5 years. The families come from all over...Germany, UK, Canada, USA, etc. The kids play for 2 hours. The moms gossip and share stories of living abroad. Snacks, juice and coffee included!

C'mon 'N Ride It (The Train)

"Woo woo...
Come on ride the train, hey ride it...
It's the choo choo...
I think I can, I think I can
I think I can, I think I can..."
- Quad City DJ's






We took our first official train ride today to a small village 96 km southwest of Helsinki called Tammisaari. The boys loved the train ride. We had a family cabin the first leg of the trip. It is an enclosed area with 4 seats in a semi-circle, 2 child friendly stools, and a TV.






The town dates back to 1546 as a trading village. There are quite a few wooden houses and a stone church well preserved. We were hoping to take a bus to the nearby Raseborg Castle but found out they only run on weekdays. We settled for a picnic, playing at the local park, touring the main street, and dipping our toes into the Baltic Sea...WOW! Then the cold front blew in with a few showers, so we decided to take an early train home. Just in time to prepare for ANOTHER freeze this week.

Hush Little Baby

Originally uploaded by Knuffpic.

"Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird don't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring."

Since I have been here, I have yet to see an infant/child cry, have a tantrum, or act disorderly in any way. Either this culture heavily relies on Benadryl or God is truly blessing all moms and dads for the winters they live through year after year. One thing I have noticed here, kids LOVE their pacifiers!

Unfortunately my 2 boys are not angels. They cry, scream, throw their bodies on the ground, etc. all when we least expect it. I do consider myself a pacifier Nazi (only after the age of 1). I have been trying to find a new way to "plug" my childrens' mouth during one of their spells. Today I received a care package from my Mom...and she included the next best thing...lollipops! Within the first mile of our run Little Brother was fast asleep, DumDum in hand.

Margaritaville

"Wasted away again in Margaritaville,
Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt...
But I know it's nobody's fault."
- Jimmy Buffet







Our 7th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta was a success! I do have to admit it is not near as easy planning a Mexican theme party on the other side of the Atlantic.

I searched this city inside and out for sombreros, margarita salt, and a pinata to complete my list. Unable to find any of the above items, we settled on little umbrellas to put in our drinks, Marimekko paper plates and napkins (at least they were covered with limes), and Corona cervezas. Our famous fajitas and fish tacos were replaced by enchiladas and the margaritas were homemade rather than renting a machine, but turned out just as potent.

Under the Sea

"Such wonderful things surround you
What more is you looking for...
Under the sea, under the sea
Darlin' it's better.
Down where it's wetter,
Take it from me...
While we devotin'
Full time to floatin'...
Under the sea...
We got no troubles life is the bubbles."
- The Little Mermaid




We ventured out today and discovered a great place to swim here in the city. No, we are not swimming in the ocean YET. I would hate to see the temperature of the water. We discovered a great indoor pool that is only a bus ride away and the water was measuring 31 C! The facility has 2 huge lap pools along with platform diving, whirlpools, 3 kiddy pools with one that has a little slide. The building also includes a gymnasium with scheduled aerobics, saunas, steam rooms, and a cafe.

The boys smiled ear to ear the entire 2 hours we were there and Little Brother passed out on the bus ride home (and is still sleeping now). The boys got in free and our bus ride was free since I travel with a stroller. So our entire outing was only 5,30 Euros! I think we will make this a weekly activity. Just wondering if I should get the boys some speedos since they were the ONLY males in the place wearing "American" swimsuits!

The Aggie War Hymn

"Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck, Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck...
The eyes of Texas are upon you...Rough tough real stuff Texas A&M."
- J.V. "Pinky" Wilson


No...I am not an Aggie alumni, fan, or want to be, just very impressed with how they respect and continue tradition for so many years! We experienced our first Vappu and May Day in Helsinki this weekend. The festivities reminded me of a college back at home that family & friends attended. There, Bonfire was a time for all students and alumni to gather, drink, and be merry. Tradition is definitely the ongoing theme in both places.


Students, graduates, and alumni line the streets of downtown wearing their white caps and colored overalls that are covered with patches and logos. At 5:00 in the evening, a select few hang from a cherry picker over the Havis Amanda statue, prepared to bathe her. An hour later she is "capped" while thousands of people in the Helsinki Market Square, Esplanade Park and surrounding streets drink and watch.

Even though we were expecting a Mardi Gras-like experience, the party was quite tame. We purchased a few cider ales from the nearby R-Kioski and witnessed the tradition. We were home by 1830...just in time for the real party to begin from what we have heard.


The following day was May Day and thousands of people gathered in Kaivopuisto to drink champagne, picnic and once again, wear their white caps. Kaivopuisto is the boys favorite park to play at and we visit there at least 3 times a week. We have never shared the play ground with more than 10 other children. On May Day the boys had to wait in line for 5 minutes just to go down the slide and did not even get a chance to swing! After a 2 hour picnic and watching hundreds of intoxicated individuals "relieve"themselves on a nearby wall...we headed home for naptime.






It was a great Finnish experience and we look forward to next year's Vappu celebration. Maybe we will haul over the turkey fryer and Miller Light keg to show these people how to really picnic!