Driving Too Fast

"You can fly on the road to the mountain,
Or the track leading down to the beach.
You can go where you like.
Go left or go right,
It's you in the driver's seat."
- The Rolling Stones








We started this afternoon off with a trip to the Helsinki Tram Museum. While living in the city without a car, trams, buses, trains, and the metro are our only means of transportation other than foot. The boys enjoyed seeing the earliest tram dating back to 1900. All of the exhibits were roped off except for one car, allowing anyone to board, dream, pretend, and DRIVE!




For over an hour, Big and Little took turns 'driving' the tram. There were buttons, strings, levers, and wheels, all making their own unique music as the bells would ring, wipers wipe, or pedals push. Each would sit in the passenger seat as the tram "drove to Texas" or to "Santa's house." They would then exit the tram, say hi, and then jump back on to return to Finland.


We had a blast until I found Little driving the horse-drawn taxi from 1880...yes, this was a roped off exhibit! Needless to say, we immediately left as I was receiving the evil Finnish stare.

Truck On

"Well i'm truckin' on
on a heavy load
million miles from home
gotta movin' on
all night long
baby come along."
- 69 Eyes




Today we were teased with a little bit of spring. Who would of thought 34 degrees would feel so warm? With big blue skies hanging over our heads and a bright sun shining, we ventured to one of our favorite parks. The boys LOVE Kaivopuisto. The popular picnic place for us in the summertime was not visited very often this winter due to the frigid winds that would come over the sea. So when we turned the corner today and they recognized the familiar "bump-pa-de-bump" slide...smiles were on!





After our rounds on the swings and going down the slide, Little recognized the bag of toys in the stroller's basket. Usually played in the sand box, the trucks were dumped in puddles of ice, hidden in mounds of mud, and pushed down the never ending slides. Giggles filled the air as they enjoyed toys they have not seen in months. Is it a sign that spring is around the corner? Or as Daddy says that winter has not even begun here...someone save me now if that is the case!

Sunday In The South

"Mill worker houses lined up in a row,
another southern Sunday morning blow.
Beneath the steeple all the people have begun
shakin' hands with the man who grips the gospel gun.
While the quiet prayer, the smell of dinner on the ground
heals up the morning air, ain't nothin' sweeter around."
- Shenandoah







As in most homes, we try to keep Sundays sacred. We attend mass at St. Henry's Catholic Church on the first and third Sundays of each month for their English service. Helsinki is VERY quiet at this time. Differing from the US, every store in the city is closed except for a handful of corner stores and fast food restaurants until Monday.








Today we decided to explore Helsinki's Central Park. Divided into 6 sections, we opted to walk the paths of Laakso ja Ruskeasuo. All the trails are marked and lined with lights for the darker months. We stumbled upon an archery range, horse stables and corals, and a children's traffic park. The boys enjoyed watching the horses run and play, as they listened to all the birds sing throughout the forest.





Our biggest surprise was this carving we saw on a tree. Isn't life beautiful!

I'm Too Sexy

"I'm too sexy for my shirt,
too sexy for my shirt,
So sexy it hurts.
And I'm too sexy for Milan,
too sexy for Milan,
New York and Japan...

I'm a model you know what I mean.
And I do my little turn on the catwalk.
Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah.
I do my little turn on the catwalk."
- Right Said Fred


Last night I was invited to the 'Stockmann Spring Fashion Show' held at LUX nightclub. Not only was it my first fashion show experience, it was also my first Finnish nightclub experience. LUX sits on the top floor of Kamppi,a six story mall located less than 5 minutes from our flat. At the entrance, we were greeted with chilled mini champagne bottles (straw included). Remixed versions of Barry Manilow, the Jackson 5, and other familiar artist vibrated the floors as we made our way to the 'catwalk' to meet up with a few other friends.


The fashion show lasted less than 20 minutes as model after model strutted the walk. If the Finnish prediction is correct...bedhead, bows, and going bra-less will be the hottest trends this spring. Knowing my conservative, comfortable, and practical self, I'll pass being "fashionable" this year!

Where do the Children Play?

"I know we've come a long way,
We're changing day to day,
But tell me, where do the children play?"
- Cat Stevens





Here in Finland...at Hop Lop! Our first visit to Hop Lop was in early October and the boys fell in love at first sight. We returned again in December and today we met a group of moms there for our Thursday afternoon playgroup. Things have changed...



Hop Lop bought the store next door and now is twice the size. Bigger space = higher admission. The cost went up an Euro per child but still worth the 2 hours you are allowed to play. They have added 2 additional climbing structures and a bounce house as well as more benches, tables, lockers, etc.



The boys always play with the cars first and then, after some encouragement, decide to start climbing through the mazes. Once again we had a blast and look forward to another planned outing there at the end of the month.