Monster Mash

"He did the mash.
He did the monster mash.
The monster mash.
It was a graveyard smash.
He did the mash.
It caught on in a flash.
He did the mash.
He did the monster mash."
- Bobby Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers






We were able to celebrate Halloween tonight with Big's preschool. Even though the boys did not participate in the traditional 'trick-or-treating' they still had the time of their life. Music filled each room and every ghost, goblin, witch, princess, Darth Vader, and Snow White danced with delight. A buffet was provided along with a selection of desserts and beverages. At the end of the night they announced the best costume. "And the winner is...THE CHICKEN!" It was a huge turnout for a Halloween party in a country that does not partake in the event. Saturday is Finland's observance for All Saints Day.

Thanks to our awesome friends from The Mound, Big and Little were able to decorate pumpkins, bake Jack-O-Lantern shaped cupcakes, and consume some American Halloween goodies.


We hope everyone had a safe and adventurous Halloween back at home! We experienced our first snowfall of the season today. Only a few flurries but enough to get us excited for winter. We will see everyone NEXT month!

Daylight

"Daylight, I wanna see daylight.
Wanna see daylight that shines all around.
Daylight, I wanna see clear blue light.
Wanna see daylight that shines all around."
- Asia

Daylight savings time came to an end during the early hours of this morning. As darkness is creeping upon us 5 minutes faster each day, we need all the 'daylight savings' we can get here in Finland. Prior to the time change, cars were still driving with their lights on at 0850 as I walked Big to preschool in the mornings. Now sunrise will occur around 0730 and sunset around 1630...this week that is. We currently have 10 1/2 hours of visible daylight. Next week we will only have a little more than 9 hours, continuing with a steep downward trend until December 21-22 when the Winter Solstice occurs. All of the streets, parks, running trails, etc are lined with ample lighting so you can keep your daily routine in spite of the darkness and families are equipped with their "happy lights."

Its a Small World

"It's a world of laughter
A world of tears.
It's a world of hopes
And a world of fears.
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all."
- Sherman Brothers


Tonight we went to Big's preschool for an International Food Night. Every family was invited and encouraged to bring a dish that represented their home county. The spread included cheese from Switzerland, French quiche Lorraine, curry chicken from India, pineapple from Fiji, Italian pasta dishes, and Finnish pastries just to name a few. There was even some Chilean and South American wine to drink along with cold beer from Finland...Yes, we were drinking in the preschool. How would that go over in the States?


I contemplated all week on what to bring. Between the ingredients available here and a true "American" dish, my choices were limited. I finally decided on some old fashion sugar cookies decorated for Halloween. (Thanks for the cookie cutters and sprinkles Amy!)

Breakfast Time

"Sometimes I have a bowl of some crunchy cereal.
I'd even have some orange juice too.
On other days my favorite is boiled eggs and toast.
And sometimes a stack of pancakes is the breakfast I love most!"
- Sesame Street


I had my first kitchen catastrophe this week. I began this Finnish saga with a brand new can of Clabber Girl baking powder. I officially ran out last week and had to restock with a Finnish brand. No worries until I decided to make pancakes for breakfast Thursday morning. They did not rise and the finished product resembled crepes. This caused the Halloween cookie breakdown...I have to bake Dozens of Halloween cookies next week for 2 different parties. How am I supposed to do this with a baking powder that does not work?


I went on a shopping frenzy to different markets throughout town buying multiple brands of baking powder, determined to find at least one that works. Needless to say, 4 batches of pancakes later I discovered Rumford baking powder (made by Clabber Girl) at Stockmann Department Store. That night we had awesome "fluffy" pancakes for dinner!


During this 'experience' I learned many things about baking powder, probably more than I ever wanted to know. The one thing I will always remember, look to see if it has the ingredient 'aluminum.' Something we should all try to avoid. Clabber Girl does contain it, Rumford does not.

I am now ready to start baking those Halloween cookies I promised everyone next week!

Winter Clothes

"Let me get my overcoat.
I'll need my scarf and gloves...
Let me put my rain shoes on.
I'll need some of those...
Need my winter clothes."
- John Mcdermott


With temperatures falling into the negatives this week, we have exchanged our spring/fall bunny suits for winter wear. The suits are marketed to keep the little ones warm to -20 degrees Celsius. The waist all the way to the feet are covered with a 'flexible PVC' material to withstand all winter activities. Reflectors line the suits' hems for visibility during those dark afternoons at the park.

A guideline was presented to us with our "Welcome to Finland" packet instructing how to dress our children according to the weather.