Tuesday, 6 November 2018
Our non-holiday in Tenerife
It is Monday morning after the Toussaint holidays. I should feel a slight fatigue after traveling, full of positive energy from new experiences, delicious Southern food and blissful sun. Except that I am not feeling any of those. Thank you Aviapartners strike, our planned trip to Tenerife never happened. Having packed for days, conducted several visits to various stores and attic to gather summer clothes in right sizes for all kids we arrive to the airport on time and end up spending the whole afternoon 5 h waiting news whether we could fly or not. At one point we are sent home (since we have four kids including a 6 month old baby) and are told we would be contacted in the following morning about the flight, which would likely leave from Charleroi airport. Our kids were really superstars. We took them for huge crepes and ice cream and headed home for an early sleep. By the next morning, we had received no communication from Tui our travel agency. My husband leaves immediately to the agency. He comes back with great news - we are booked for an afternoon flight from Charleroi! Hop, close the suitcases, prepare another set of sandwiches and we are on our way to the airport. Parking the car, taking the airport bus and we are in check-in desk on time. Only to learn thatthere is no flight from Charleroi going in the afternoon. We are speechless with my husband. Where is the hidden camera, this must be a joke! We have been lied now twice straight to the face. Hello humanity, how are we treating people? Fortunately we have our little angels attentive eyes looking up to us and we leave disappointed, but with elegance. On our way back home, I cheer up the tribu and start planning the week ahead, it will be the BEST holiday at home I promise (and it actually was). My husband leaves for grocery store and we unpack with the kids. In the evening we call the insurance company, the travel agency, the hotel, the car rental and try to understand if we will be re-imboursed, even partially. This seems unlikely, as “planned strike” is not force majeure (the information came the same morning!). We make a detailed plaint of our experience and close the case while still deeply puzzled at the events which life can throw so unexpectedly.
Tuesday, 2 October 2018
London!
With the Brexit looming and the pound down we decided to offer ourselves an autumn weekend break in the capital. Kids were so excited with the idea of taking Eurostar under the channel, so were we! We had booked tickets and accommodation in early summer, which gave plenty of time to plan and prepare the visits and raise ‘momentum’ with the kids. Our friends thought we are out of our minds for adventuring a city trip with four small kids.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the trip did start with a farce. Our trip planning didn’t take into account the manifestations in our capital and getting through the city became an adrenaline filled race against traffic and time. I was brainstorming for alternative ‘make-up’ scenario of the weekend for our kids, in case we would not make it. We received a royal welcome at the gate as our cavalcade arrived to the channel check-in. We sat down on our seats 5 minutes before the departure. I wanted to enjoy a glass of shampagne, but settled with dark chocolate.
2 hours later, London welcomed us with sun shining through the bustling traffic as Londoners were hasting to start their weekend. OuOur hotel had received super reviews about location and cleanliness and those were indeed the only items worth mentioning about the place. The ‘hotel’ was a shabby townhouse with a ‘reception’ area of 2 square meters, dusty carpets, squeeky floors making us feel sea sick. It took us 7 doors in a narrow corridor (yey, with the pushchair, two luggages and 4 kids) and two floors up before we arrived to our ‘family room with shared bathroom’. This turned out to be two individual rooms in different floors with no toilets or bathrooms in either of the rooms - but access to the shared toilet and shower with all the hotel guests! A sad example of how images, reviews, hotel info can be misleading. Obviously, we didn’t let this spoil our long waited weekend and run through our program holding head high!
The TOPs
Museums are FREE of charge! Must-see with or without kids: Natural Science museum ( NB dinosaurs, but also section about human biology, our 8 and 5 year olds loved it), Science Museum, V&A museum. All these three museum are next to one another in Kensington (Piccadilly line, metro stop South Kensington). Everything so elegant here.
Southbank walk! The classic walk from Westminster and Big Ben crossing to Southbank passing London eye towards London Bridge..Although crowded, it was lovely, sunny walk vibrating positive energy, music, delicious food, filling all senses..I could gladly make this a Saturday ritual.
The parks! Kensington, St. James, Hyde park..havens of peace in the middle of the city. They are truly beautiful and definitely worth more than passing through.
Just seeing the amount of culture pouring from every corner made me drool. We solemnly promised to each other with my husband to return here soon -with our babysitter..
Perhaps not surprisingly, the trip did start with a farce. Our trip planning didn’t take into account the manifestations in our capital and getting through the city became an adrenaline filled race against traffic and time. I was brainstorming for alternative ‘make-up’ scenario of the weekend for our kids, in case we would not make it. We received a royal welcome at the gate as our cavalcade arrived to the channel check-in. We sat down on our seats 5 minutes before the departure. I wanted to enjoy a glass of shampagne, but settled with dark chocolate.
2 hours later, London welcomed us with sun shining through the bustling traffic as Londoners were hasting to start their weekend. OuOur hotel had received super reviews about location and cleanliness and those were indeed the only items worth mentioning about the place. The ‘hotel’ was a shabby townhouse with a ‘reception’ area of 2 square meters, dusty carpets, squeeky floors making us feel sea sick. It took us 7 doors in a narrow corridor (yey, with the pushchair, two luggages and 4 kids) and two floors up before we arrived to our ‘family room with shared bathroom’. This turned out to be two individual rooms in different floors with no toilets or bathrooms in either of the rooms - but access to the shared toilet and shower with all the hotel guests! A sad example of how images, reviews, hotel info can be misleading. Obviously, we didn’t let this spoil our long waited weekend and run through our program holding head high!
The TOPs
Museums are FREE of charge! Must-see with or without kids: Natural Science museum ( NB dinosaurs, but also section about human biology, our 8 and 5 year olds loved it), Science Museum, V&A museum. All these three museum are next to one another in Kensington (Piccadilly line, metro stop South Kensington). Everything so elegant here.
Southbank walk! The classic walk from Westminster and Big Ben crossing to Southbank passing London eye towards London Bridge..Although crowded, it was lovely, sunny walk vibrating positive energy, music, delicious food, filling all senses..I could gladly make this a Saturday ritual.
The parks! Kensington, St. James, Hyde park..havens of peace in the middle of the city. They are truly beautiful and definitely worth more than passing through.
Just seeing the amount of culture pouring from every corner made me drool. We solemnly promised to each other with my husband to return here soon -with our babysitter..
Sunday, 23 September 2018
The everlasting present
“In stead of seeking to extend our physical existence by years, we should focus on intensifying our current moments by living them at the fullest (which will make time seem longer)”. This is the statement of a recent article I read. With our four stars between 0 and 8 years I feel we could not be living more intensively and the days seem eternal (and amazing).
Sunday morning 6:30. I wake up and realise house is silent. Yoga time. I sneak downstairs, carefully selecting the steps not to make noise and ruin my master plan. Yes, made it downstairs. Quietly, I roll out my mat and start my yoga routine. 7 minutes later, half-way into the Sun salutations I hear little Nemo fish taking out his pampers upstairs “ Mama, pipi!”. Hop, off we go. He is really cute in his swimming fish costume I could take a bite. He proudly presents his bed is not wet and reminds me he is a nice boy and moms friend (wow, he is really a morning person). Soon her sisters are up, thrilled when remembering it is not a school morning, but Netflix morning, YEY!! Starts the negotiation of program, difficult task for 3, 5 and 8 year olds. It is eldest ones turn and diplomatically she chooses a dog show - no need to close little ones eyes. I finish my salutations. Apart from Netflix morning it is a Mysli morning - party time! The kids organises themselves the breakfast and settle enjoying their muesli in silence, nobody is claiming for apple sauce or extra raisins. Nobody is breaking a glass or peeing in their pants. An incredible, incredible morning, I cannot believe it. I feel successful. I press myself a lemon tea and sit down enjoying it with the kids. We watch outside, enjoy the garden and pouring rain. It is windy. Nemo boy worries if the birds will get hurt in the wind. Eldest one assures their are protected by the trees. “Will they feel cold?”” No, birds have feathers.” We human have hairs.” We all watch ours hairs.
Baby wakes up. She is adorable baby, but already at 5 months, one can tell she is not a morning person. I go upstairs to feed her. She is disappointed and claims something else. I prepare the bottle. Probiotics are finished, zut. I reminds kids take their vitamins. 5 year old needs closeness and comes to hug the baby. She wants to hold her. She notices how nice the baby smells. Her hair has started to grow as well - indeed! Nemo boy wants company in building a Lego garage. Fortunately mom has delegates and sisters go in. I go upstairs to take my shower. I get company. 5 year old empties my makeup bag and finds red lipstick and nail polish. I know she wants to do it and knows my answer. We don’t have a program for the morning and I surprise her - she can’t believe her ears when I propose to do the ‘complete thing’, eldest one comes in and I give the crash curse on make-up. I add the next time they can do it is when they are 18. They are so happy. They look so pretty.
It is still pouring, but we need to get fresh air. Good timing to test the new rain gear. 20 minutes in preparation to find hats, scarfs, rain coats, boots. Nemo boy wants to take the Lego train constellation for a walk. Not possible. With tears he settles to take one car, which fits to his bike basket. Shoes. Where are the Porsche shoes, everything needs to be porche for the little man. He has invented a whole collection of porche sun glasses, porche carrots to porche microscope (..). Eldest one is not keen to go, she claims this is a day to take a hot chocolate and sit a planket around in front of the fire place. Not A bad idea at all.
We settle for hot soup and pancakes though. Nemo boy goes for siesta and it is time for ‘girl things’. We give the baby a bath, girls are a bit jealous on her new pyjamas. We read a book about threatened animals. We bake a chocolate cake for friends who are coming for visit in the afternoon. Girls are enthusiastic cooks given they get to lick the bowl. Generously they give mom the chocolate spoon. Eldest one remembers she has to practice for a show at school. She sets the s-box and starts dancing. She is relentless, she has set herself the objective of learning the choreography by heart by Friday. Over and over again she dances the 4,5 minute piece. Little sister is watching and encouraging, how many stars she wins, will she get 3! She is relentless and I am impressed by her perseverance.
Our guests arrive, a happy reunion after many years. A rainy day at home, full of little and bigger events, sharing, emotions. I feel blessed.
Sunday morning 6:30. I wake up and realise house is silent. Yoga time. I sneak downstairs, carefully selecting the steps not to make noise and ruin my master plan. Yes, made it downstairs. Quietly, I roll out my mat and start my yoga routine. 7 minutes later, half-way into the Sun salutations I hear little Nemo fish taking out his pampers upstairs “ Mama, pipi!”. Hop, off we go. He is really cute in his swimming fish costume I could take a bite. He proudly presents his bed is not wet and reminds me he is a nice boy and moms friend (wow, he is really a morning person). Soon her sisters are up, thrilled when remembering it is not a school morning, but Netflix morning, YEY!! Starts the negotiation of program, difficult task for 3, 5 and 8 year olds. It is eldest ones turn and diplomatically she chooses a dog show - no need to close little ones eyes. I finish my salutations. Apart from Netflix morning it is a Mysli morning - party time! The kids organises themselves the breakfast and settle enjoying their muesli in silence, nobody is claiming for apple sauce or extra raisins. Nobody is breaking a glass or peeing in their pants. An incredible, incredible morning, I cannot believe it. I feel successful. I press myself a lemon tea and sit down enjoying it with the kids. We watch outside, enjoy the garden and pouring rain. It is windy. Nemo boy worries if the birds will get hurt in the wind. Eldest one assures their are protected by the trees. “Will they feel cold?”” No, birds have feathers.” We human have hairs.” We all watch ours hairs.
Baby wakes up. She is adorable baby, but already at 5 months, one can tell she is not a morning person. I go upstairs to feed her. She is disappointed and claims something else. I prepare the bottle. Probiotics are finished, zut. I reminds kids take their vitamins. 5 year old needs closeness and comes to hug the baby. She wants to hold her. She notices how nice the baby smells. Her hair has started to grow as well - indeed! Nemo boy wants company in building a Lego garage. Fortunately mom has delegates and sisters go in. I go upstairs to take my shower. I get company. 5 year old empties my makeup bag and finds red lipstick and nail polish. I know she wants to do it and knows my answer. We don’t have a program for the morning and I surprise her - she can’t believe her ears when I propose to do the ‘complete thing’, eldest one comes in and I give the crash curse on make-up. I add the next time they can do it is when they are 18. They are so happy. They look so pretty.
It is still pouring, but we need to get fresh air. Good timing to test the new rain gear. 20 minutes in preparation to find hats, scarfs, rain coats, boots. Nemo boy wants to take the Lego train constellation for a walk. Not possible. With tears he settles to take one car, which fits to his bike basket. Shoes. Where are the Porsche shoes, everything needs to be porche for the little man. He has invented a whole collection of porche sun glasses, porche carrots to porche microscope (..). Eldest one is not keen to go, she claims this is a day to take a hot chocolate and sit a planket around in front of the fire place. Not A bad idea at all.
We settle for hot soup and pancakes though. Nemo boy goes for siesta and it is time for ‘girl things’. We give the baby a bath, girls are a bit jealous on her new pyjamas. We read a book about threatened animals. We bake a chocolate cake for friends who are coming for visit in the afternoon. Girls are enthusiastic cooks given they get to lick the bowl. Generously they give mom the chocolate spoon. Eldest one remembers she has to practice for a show at school. She sets the s-box and starts dancing. She is relentless, she has set herself the objective of learning the choreography by heart by Friday. Over and over again she dances the 4,5 minute piece. Little sister is watching and encouraging, how many stars she wins, will she get 3! She is relentless and I am impressed by her perseverance.
Our guests arrive, a happy reunion after many years. A rainy day at home, full of little and bigger events, sharing, emotions. I feel blessed.
Saturday, 19 May 2018
The unpredictable future
I gave birth to our youngest daughter in the early hours of April 2018. The previous night had been long with a few complications during the birth. I cannot quite believe I actually hold my little girl in my arms. The epidural is wearing off and I am distracting myself by watching the Finnish news while giving the baby her feed.
A Dutch professor claims we have 25 years to find a concrete solution to manage the global plastic problem or it is "too late" - we will enter what is called "irreversible" stage of climate change. I look at little Eva and wonder what kind of world will she be inheriting.
A Dutch professor claims we have 25 years to find a concrete solution to manage the global plastic problem or it is "too late" - we will enter what is called "irreversible" stage of climate change. I look at little Eva and wonder what kind of world will she be inheriting.
I read about AI and personal computers with 'consciousness' being developed in the next 25 to 50 years. According to experts AI development will develop exponentially, it is happening as we speak. The first trials of introducing robots in the Finnish education system. Students introduced meet humanoid robot Elias. Teacher is thrilled. So far she has been able to contribute to Eliase's content programming. Students are amused and impressed of his language skills. They find it brings variety to the teaching vs. reading from books. Apparently it also follows orders more easily than the teacher - not for long. How about compared to the teacher's teaching?
In the waves of MeToo phenomenon magazines are full of women empowering articles. Feminist movement is thriving. How would women leaders change the game? Equipped with less competitiveness and ego-centrism, and more compassion and inclusiveness? More ethical decisions putting the society in front of personal gains. It can't go wrong.
I read about Tesla's goal to make space travel main stream and start a new civilization in the space. Some consider him crazy, some futuristic, anyways visionary. I think about my 5 year old at home. She is intrigued by space, has been asking daily about when are we going to "fly to the paradise"? The rational me of course thought she meant our last holiday destination. She looks at me with bright blue eyes and partly frustrated at my silly comment replies: "no mom, fly to the other planets of course!" Some days ago she described me in detail the 'flying suit' she had just developed to be able to fly. I am speechless. I sense our kids are much more in tune with the future. I am more concerned if we parents are adapting to the change quickly enough, making the right choices for our children as for education to keep up with the industrial revolution and most importantly, the attitude, skills and strategies to thrive in the unpredictable future.
The nurse comes in and I expect her to come empathize with me the labor and how we have managed the first hours together with the baby. Instead, she asks me if I have heard about 'early return to home', this means the next day. I am speechless. I had prepared to have a few more nights of sleep before returning home to look after the rest of the family. With my previous births I had stayed 4-5 nights at the hospital. I receive a long look from the nurse, this is obviously not an option. Thank you goes to the piece of Belgian legislation introduced in 2015 reducing days of hospitalization first from 4-3 days into 2 days in 2016. Times have changed.
Thursday, 5 April 2018
Easter
Week 39 started. All kids are on Easter holidays expanding over three weeks due to different school systems, hallelujah. How did we get organised? Eldest one preferred to have first week of holiday at home with mom. Fare enough before the arrival of the new baby. Despite the terrible weather, we had great time doing arts, going for walks and reading together lots. Second week both older girls are at a close by camps: music and circus! They both love it and come home full of positive energy and stories of new friends, end of week shows etc. As usual, I get detailed instructions on what to pack for lunch, so far I have completed the task with success. I am relieved and happy. And my little boy takes the full advantage of being at home with me requiring 100% attention and not taking naps in the afternoon. He has proven to be quite inventive - finding keys to open the gate, climbing on trash cans to get candies, sugar, cookies.. stealing older sisters' treasures and keys to locked cupboards while forgetting to go to toilet on time :D I try to remind myself of the exclusivity of this precious time and put aside my remaining to-do lists, competition preparations, garden planning..
Fortunately the medical check today went very well and our baby is doing well. To celebrate the good news I already packed my labor CD: all three children have been born along the waves of Autumn in Seattle compilation - my rare (only) lucky amulet. Baby girl you are welcome to join us!
Fortunately the medical check today went very well and our baby is doing well. To celebrate the good news I already packed my labor CD: all three children have been born along the waves of Autumn in Seattle compilation - my rare (only) lucky amulet. Baby girl you are welcome to join us!
Sunday, 1 April 2018
Between sisters
The persistent spring flue still lingering around, it has been such delight to witness my two girls discussions this week..
From gay marriages to Oedipus complex
- 5-year old: "You know, I really love my friend Terka. I think I will marry her."
- 8 -year old: "Oh no, you two can't get married!"
- 5-year old: "Why not??"
- 8-year old: "Two girls can't get married"
- 5 -year old: "Says who? I will!"
- 8-year old: "Well, anyways you wouldn't be able to have babies.."
- 5-year old (reflecting in silence)
Later the same day
- 5-year old: "Daddy, I love you so much. I think I will marry you."
Beaches and Peaches
- 8 year old: "Mom, what does Beach mean?"
- "It means "ranta" in English honey.
- 8 - year old (not looking convinced): "Why would the boy talk to me about beaches.."
- "Maybe he meant "peaches", which means "persikka". It depends on the context, explain the situation"
My husband now raises his eye browns and gazes at me meaningfully, but I am oblivious.
- 8 - year old: "Well, he pushed me at school at the door way and yelled "Oh you B*ch".
-"***"
-8 - year old continues: "But Emma said the same thing, it probably means Beaches or Peaches.."
From gay marriages to Oedipus complex
- 5-year old: "You know, I really love my friend Terka. I think I will marry her."
- 8 -year old: "Oh no, you two can't get married!"
- 5-year old: "Why not??"
- 8-year old: "Two girls can't get married"
- 5 -year old: "Says who? I will!"
- 8-year old: "Well, anyways you wouldn't be able to have babies.."
- 5-year old (reflecting in silence)
Later the same day
- 5-year old: "Daddy, I love you so much. I think I will marry you."
Beaches and Peaches
- 8 year old: "Mom, what does Beach mean?"
- "It means "ranta" in English honey.
- 8 - year old (not looking convinced): "Why would the boy talk to me about beaches.."
- "Maybe he meant "peaches", which means "persikka". It depends on the context, explain the situation"
My husband now raises his eye browns and gazes at me meaningfully, but I am oblivious.
- 8 - year old: "Well, he pushed me at school at the door way and yelled "Oh you B*ch".
-"***"
-8 - year old continues: "But Emma said the same thing, it probably means Beaches or Peaches.."
Monday, 19 March 2018
Looking in the past
Reading my old blog posts is a fascinating experience, even a therapeutic one. You meet your (younger) self again. Some posts make you want to take them out, some make you realize you should probably regain some forgotten qualities and attitudes.
This is an ideal moment for soul-searching: having started maternity leave (yes, the fourth and final baby is arriving in less than a month) and having some time for myself.
First reflection: Humor seem to have kept the bumps of life in perspective. The everyday tralala with 8-, 5- and 2-year olds is full of small drama. Managing it can be entertaining, rewarding, many times exhausting. I have considered the critical qualities to master this would include anticipation, creativity and patience. For some reason, somewhere between cleaning the broken glass from the floor, forbidding the one in potty training not to put fingers in 'it' while helping another to create a meaningful framework for life (why does God exist..?) I have forgotten one valuable attribute my younger self remembered: smile more.
Second reflection: Don't sweat the small things. I read my emotion-filled experiences with my first daughter over her eating habits. Well, having gone through now three toddlers identity affirmation periods (NO to served food being one of the most common means to define their boundaries), I try no longer make so much fuzz about unfinished plates, means of transport (bike, car or trotter, as long as they move forward), dress code (summer dress is OK as long as there are layers underneath) or trying to get all family members out for a walk. For my own sake, I need to be selective of my battles.
Third reflection: my husband has grown into a Star father ! The fourth baby on the way has truly set him to the highest gear and while keeping a demanding full-time job he is present with the kids in the evenings and helping at home where ever needed. I should compliment him more often. Looking around, I am happy to witness other large families, where fathers have prioritized their family first (and probably this has also been the pre-condition for smart women to agree to the 3rd and 4th baby..).
I have just finished a Christmas gift on how to grow children the Dutch way. Quite inspiring and thought-provoking ideas contrasting the competitive Anglo-American way to raise children with the more relaxed Dutch approach, where the latter apparently results in happier (and yet as highly performing) kids. But more about this later.
This is an ideal moment for soul-searching: having started maternity leave (yes, the fourth and final baby is arriving in less than a month) and having some time for myself.
First reflection: Humor seem to have kept the bumps of life in perspective. The everyday tralala with 8-, 5- and 2-year olds is full of small drama. Managing it can be entertaining, rewarding, many times exhausting. I have considered the critical qualities to master this would include anticipation, creativity and patience. For some reason, somewhere between cleaning the broken glass from the floor, forbidding the one in potty training not to put fingers in 'it' while helping another to create a meaningful framework for life (why does God exist..?) I have forgotten one valuable attribute my younger self remembered: smile more.
Second reflection: Don't sweat the small things. I read my emotion-filled experiences with my first daughter over her eating habits. Well, having gone through now three toddlers identity affirmation periods (NO to served food being one of the most common means to define their boundaries), I try no longer make so much fuzz about unfinished plates, means of transport (bike, car or trotter, as long as they move forward), dress code (summer dress is OK as long as there are layers underneath) or trying to get all family members out for a walk. For my own sake, I need to be selective of my battles.
Third reflection: my husband has grown into a Star father ! The fourth baby on the way has truly set him to the highest gear and while keeping a demanding full-time job he is present with the kids in the evenings and helping at home where ever needed. I should compliment him more often. Looking around, I am happy to witness other large families, where fathers have prioritized their family first (and probably this has also been the pre-condition for smart women to agree to the 3rd and 4th baby..).
I have just finished a Christmas gift on how to grow children the Dutch way. Quite inspiring and thought-provoking ideas contrasting the competitive Anglo-American way to raise children with the more relaxed Dutch approach, where the latter apparently results in happier (and yet as highly performing) kids. But more about this later.
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