Christmas and NY Joys

It is the Evening of a long day of unpacking, washing and settling back home. The house was welcoming us last night at the height of 10 degrees, but it was there, safe and comforting. The chilly night did nothing to the joy of our kids discovering the gifts left under the Tree in the morning! The screems and laughs and energy is hard to discribe and yet those moments I would truly like to bottle for future. My youngest got her Elsa make-up kit, my son his long dreamed volume speaker and my girls their selected brands of backbag and clothes. They have clearly been very nice all year ! Everybodies dreams came true this year, amazing! Kids are usually so creative and happy to find their toys after travels, and today was no different. We heard concerts, dressed barbies and baked the 3 kings pie. The highlight of the day was undeniably getting our Taica back home from the dog carer. He had been OK despite my worries about how he will survive the New Year's fireworks and being in a new place. Apparently animals adjust quickly. The hosts were looking forward to welcoming him in the future, which is so important to hear. Our winter break was evrything one can hope: Seeing the Grand - parents, lots of snow, winter sports, Nordic scenery, food and culture. And Sauna of course. My kids are Finns by every means and during the 10 days they mastered cross-country skiing, ice-skating, sleighs, saunas and -the most wicked part of it - rolling in the snow naked afterwards! And they did this many times. True Sisu they have, even and especially my 4-year old! I have said this before, but the one place I truly feel GOOD (safe, relaxed, happy) is in my home town, on the beach trail next to my parents house. Regardless of whether I have my running shoes on or on the skis, I have a smile on my face as I roll off from the front porch and start my 6-9km trail around the ski mountain and lake. I did it every day of my holiday and if anybody wonders it makes me a better person to this wordl It was heart warming to spend time with my parents. Evening discussions around a glass of wine and treats about life and politics, breakfast together in the small kitchen table which is the favorite spot for everybody! It is a big effort on all sides to join together and I am very grateful my parents have still the energy to welcome us from far away. While living abroad coming "home" is such a highlight of the year for all of us. For our children it is during these stays, that they also get to establish their Nordic identity and immerse in their culture. I think it is hilarious they consider my little home town as the best place in the world to live in. They went as far as to search for a house and work for us to make the big move! Honestly, if teleworking became the norm, I don't think we reflected twice: the place has everything we wish for: nature, peace and quiet, space, clean air, sports and culture, high quality schools. The only bad is it is so far away..Anyways, these dreams definitely pave a nice beginning for the New year 2023! We are very fortunate to have our hidden gem to go and recover.