Santa Claus is Coming to Town

"You better watch out, you better not cry.
Better not pout, I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town."
- Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots




Today was the day Santa Claus came into Helsinki from the North Pole to kick-start the Christmas spirit. He arrived on the 3B tram into Senate Square where he was greeted by a choir. He climbed the stairs of the Cathedral to join in on a few carols then proceeded to his sleigh.


Before the parade began, the lights of Aleksanterinkatu were lit. The streets were lined with people of all ages, anxiously awaiting for the entertainment. Police on horses led the parade followed by dancers with ribbons, gymnasts, dancing angels, Santa Claus on his sled (led by more horses though), an antique truck loaded with presents, and drummers.

The Thanksgiving Song

"Turkey for the girls and
Turkey for the boys.
My favorite kind of pants
Are corduroys.
Gobble gobble goo and
Gobble gobble gickel.
I wish turkey
Only cost a nickel.
Oh I love turkey on Thanksgiving...
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!"
- Adam Sandler

This is definitly the hardest month living abroad. I don't know if it is the darkness or the fact that all of our family is around a Thanksgiving feast, enjoying a room filled with love and laughter. Today will not begin with our annual Turkey Trot run (picture is from 2005), followed by 2 turkey dinners (one with each family), and completed with the Dallas Cowboys game.

We will have the traditional Thanksgiving meal thanks to my sister's wonderful care package. Unfortunately Daddy has to work so the boys and I will cook most of the day and dinner will be at 1800.

We all have so much to be thankful for...count your blessings not only today but every day you are given!

The Candy Man

"Who can take a sunrise
Sprinkle it with dew
Cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two?
The Candy Man.
The Candy Man can.
The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good."
- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory



Our closet size American grocery store Behnford's now has a competitor located right around the corner. Mr. Nibble opened up a few weeks ago and we went for our first visit yesterday. Believe it or not the store is smaller than Behnford's and carries mainly sweets. The shelves are stacked with candy, chocolate, Pop Tarts, cake mixes, canned drinks, etc. The store clerk said their inventory will vary with each delivery so keep checking in. The prices seemed a little more reasonable too.





We let Big and Little pick out a piece of candy each before heading out. After a handful of Hershey Kisses and Tootsie Rolls, we were all in a great mood!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Ev'rywhere you go
Take a look in the five-and-ten,
Glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow."
- Meredith Wilson




Since Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Finland, this weekend was the beginning of the 'Christmas-Kick-Off' for some of the stores & malls to unveil their Christmas lights and decorations. Even though all the snow we were blessed with a few weeks ago has melted away, it continues to be quite magical outside with the lights shining. Next Sunday there is a parade with Mr. and Mrs. Claus through downtown. Their last stop is Aleksanterinkatu when the "major" lights will be turned on. We are anxiously awaiting that day!


Santa Claus made an appearance in Kamppi today. The children's' faces were filled with anticipation and joy as he passed out candy to each brave soul that shook his hand. I was quite surprised Big and Little had enough courage to meet the jolly man!

I will not confess how long our house has been decorated for this season...But that first big snow fall put us all in the Christmas mood.

Reading Rainbow

"Butterfly in the sky,
I can go twice as high!
Take a look, it's in a book, a Reading Rainbow!

I can go anywhere!
Friends to know, and ways to grow,
a Reading Rainbow!

"I can be anything!
Take a look, it's in a book, a Reading Rainbow!
A Reading Rainbow!"
- Tina Fabrik


Last month I discovered my new hiding place in Helsinki. Since our move I have been reading a book a week. 30+ weeks into this journey, my book bill has really added up. So I decided to get my library card and view their English selection. There are over 40 libraries alone in the greater Helsinki area which include a 2 Children's Libraries and a Music & Video Library.


I opted on the Rikhardinkatu Library. It is a 10 minute walk from our house. The 6th floor holds their "British Collection," a collection donated by the British Embassy. They have a wonderful selection of romance, fiction, sci-fi, and mystery. Any customer can check out up to 40 items for 28 days. I have enjoyed novels by Anita Shreve and Jane Green to name a few and the boys love the books I bring home for them. It is that one Saturday a month I look forward to escaping to the quiet library alone.


I have included a list of some of my favorite books I have read this year on the right, along with links to their reviews. I will continue to add others as they top my list. I hope you can enjoy a few if you have the time.