This week is ski-break, so week off from school. A is gone overnight tonight, working a few hours away. So I piled the kids into the van and brought them to a great sledding hill the remember from a few years ago, and have wanted to go to all winter. It's a 40 minute or so drive, so I promised them we'll go this week - so we did, and they had so much fun! N used sled, snowboard, and down-hill skis ... he's lucky to have escaped without injury. Two of the routes down in skis ended up in a tumble (didn't shake him up at all, but did shake me ... he did not get to try those 2 ways again! he found a good route tho' that suited both of us!) And we bumped into a family who we know well who was also sledding there, and ended up going there after our few hours at the hill. Great way to pass the day when the kids didn't have school and A wasn't home.
Well, we got home just before 11 p.m. and couldn't get the front door unlocked. I guess the lock was frozen, or something, but it wouldn't unlock. Eventually the key bent and twisted in the lock and then I knew we're not getting in there. The other two doors were locked (as they should have been, but drat that this time one of them wasn't left open!) So after several phone conferences with A, we decided there's no other option than to break a window. We thought of each window around the house, and decided that tho' the sauna window would probably be the best because it's not so large, and I can shut several doors between that window and the rest of the house, so we'll not feel the chill - it's pretty high off the ground and didn't know how I'd get up there to break it, so finally decided the window to break is the large window on the back door. Break it around the handle so I can reach in and unlock it, then tape something over it.
Okay - I've never attempted to break a window before, so I'm a little anxious about this. But I have 7 kids who, along with me, need to get into the warmth of the house and get some sleep. So I am then able to face what I have to do. Gulp! Deep breath! Bang! No give. Bang! No give. I banged (with tire iron), and then brave, helpful, oldest child N (will be 10 in May) banged and banged. But this is one strong window pane (or actually two panes, I think, but at least the outside one is very strong!) So as I'm discussing it with A, and then with N, N says there are several ladders behind the garage, so we go for the sauna window (after careful thought once again - yes, this is the one it makes most sense to break.) So N is brave (tho' he says 'I can't stand the thought of hearing the glass breaking!) and does some banging - he's actually the one who broke the first pane (of course he's in full garb ... thick ski gloves, a snow suit, etc.) We ended up breaking three panes - they are serious about their windows here! But anyway, we're in the warm house and all the kids are sleeping. I'd better head there, too. We'll deal with the broken windows tomorrow ... and that door lock. Sigh ..... For now, I'm thankful for being inside the warm house!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Correct translation
The other day one of the kids brought me a tea bag and asked me to read what kind tea they were about to make. So I read it 'sade päivän ilo', and then said that means 'rainy day joy'. N piped up from another room, "Actually it means 'joy of a rainy day'." ?!?! Oh, really? Yeah, A said he's right. I still can't tell how he knew to put the wording differently. He is still not talking Finn tho'. But when it comes, he'll do great.
Why do I lose control of my mouth when I get frustrated with the kids? This morning one child was slow getting ready for school, and since I was driving them, they were all late then. I know I should have left him (I started to leave, but as I saw him running down the driveway, I couldn't keep going) - but I also couldn't be calm. I was so upset. I ranted and raved. The poor kids. I did apologize as we got to the school, because as Mom I do know that there is so much at stake when I am out of control. The kids take that example. Their day at school starts off in such a bad way. They feel terrible. I feel terrible. So how do I teach them to be ready on time? And more importantly, how do I teach myself to be in control? I think sometimes it's frustration with myself that is actually coming out. I should be more organized. I should not spend so much time looking things up on the computer. I should spend more time doing things with the kids ..... and because I don't seem to get my own daily tasks organized and under control, I find myself lashing out at the kids when they don't toe the mark. Help! Solutions? I meant to be writing this blog just as a diary for the kids for eventually, but now when I know you dear sisters will read it (I know, I gave you the opportunity :-) - I'll also ask for your advice!
Okay - now I should get something done here in the house, so when kids come home from school (starting in a few hours), I can concentrate on them! Maybe the rest of today I will be a better, more patient mom. I do so dearly love these kids of mine - do they know it? Do the see it? Do they feel it? Why is it so easy to feel the inadequacies?
Why do I lose control of my mouth when I get frustrated with the kids? This morning one child was slow getting ready for school, and since I was driving them, they were all late then. I know I should have left him (I started to leave, but as I saw him running down the driveway, I couldn't keep going) - but I also couldn't be calm. I was so upset. I ranted and raved. The poor kids. I did apologize as we got to the school, because as Mom I do know that there is so much at stake when I am out of control. The kids take that example. Their day at school starts off in such a bad way. They feel terrible. I feel terrible. So how do I teach them to be ready on time? And more importantly, how do I teach myself to be in control? I think sometimes it's frustration with myself that is actually coming out. I should be more organized. I should not spend so much time looking things up on the computer. I should spend more time doing things with the kids ..... and because I don't seem to get my own daily tasks organized and under control, I find myself lashing out at the kids when they don't toe the mark. Help! Solutions? I meant to be writing this blog just as a diary for the kids for eventually, but now when I know you dear sisters will read it (I know, I gave you the opportunity :-) - I'll also ask for your advice!
Okay - now I should get something done here in the house, so when kids come home from school (starting in a few hours), I can concentrate on them! Maybe the rest of today I will be a better, more patient mom. I do so dearly love these kids of mine - do they know it? Do the see it? Do they feel it? Why is it so easy to feel the inadequacies?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Skiing
We went to a ski hill today, about 45 minute drive to get there. It was so fun! We had some skis, had to rent some - we didn't spend money on lift tickets today, because there is a 'free' hill, with a tow rope. It was just perfect - you can sled on part of that one, too. Well, N wasn't thinking it was perfect after about 1/2 hour - he wanted the bigger hill. But he really had fun on this, too. Amazing how the 3 oldest boys seemed like they've grown up on skis. It's so nice to learn at a young age (as with many things!) M is much more hesitant (like me), K more adventurous - and for whatever reason (I guess because they were perfectly content to sled), the boys were the ones with the skis on. Anyway, I told A I'd really like to see the girls have a chance to get on those skis, too. So VERY reluctantly a couple of the boys had to give up their skis for about 15 minutes and the girls got to give it a try. And M didn't want to give the skis up! K was ready (I think she fell down while taking the rope up the last time.) Anyway - we decided next time we'll leave the 2 little ones with a really fun babysitter, and the girls and I will use the same 'little' hill and get some practice - A and the 3 bigger boys will get lift tickets and use the next bigger hill. It's sooooo nice to have opportunities like this with family!
N has such a gift for some athletics - he seems so 'natural' on skis. On this hill, along one side there were about 5 'bumps' and it didn't take long for the boys to be 'jumping' as they went over these. But before long, N was also turning backwards on the second 'bump' and skiing backwards the rest of the way down. The boys had such a great time!
A C 'funny' from out there: (he's 2 1/2) he and L were sledding and were seeing who could go farther. The first time C won, and the second time L did (just a little cheating on his part, but C was clueless and I didn't tattle!) So L was saying "I won! I won!" And C looked at me, pointed to L and said, "He one. I two, haah Mom?" And then added on, "Ah-ah-ahaha! I two, he ony (only) one!" in a sing-song voice! Oh did we get a great chuckle over that one!
One more thing - the last post I mentioned that T has read some condensed versions of Harry Potter. I now know that they are not condensed. I didn't realize that not all of those books are three inches thick. So since the first one is rather thin (compared to what I thought), he was done reading it in 2 days, and is just itching to get more in the house. The problem is that he doesn't really care what consequences come if his homework is not done the next day (he's never cared much about homework) - if he's reading a good book, his homework just doesn't get done. I can sit him down at the table right after school and tell him he has to do that first - and realize soon that he's disappeared. Call him back. Soon he disappears again. And so it goes. I have though had a debate within myself sometimes - when a child has no difficulties in school (and is only 8 years old), is homework really so important? The one I really do want to make sure he gets done is the oral reading in Finn.
N has such a gift for some athletics - he seems so 'natural' on skis. On this hill, along one side there were about 5 'bumps' and it didn't take long for the boys to be 'jumping' as they went over these. But before long, N was also turning backwards on the second 'bump' and skiing backwards the rest of the way down. The boys had such a great time!
A C 'funny' from out there: (he's 2 1/2) he and L were sledding and were seeing who could go farther. The first time C won, and the second time L did (just a little cheating on his part, but C was clueless and I didn't tattle!) So L was saying "I won! I won!" And C looked at me, pointed to L and said, "He one. I two, haah Mom?" And then added on, "Ah-ah-ahaha! I two, he ony (only) one!" in a sing-song voice! Oh did we get a great chuckle over that one!
One more thing - the last post I mentioned that T has read some condensed versions of Harry Potter. I now know that they are not condensed. I didn't realize that not all of those books are three inches thick. So since the first one is rather thin (compared to what I thought), he was done reading it in 2 days, and is just itching to get more in the house. The problem is that he doesn't really care what consequences come if his homework is not done the next day (he's never cared much about homework) - if he's reading a good book, his homework just doesn't get done. I can sit him down at the table right after school and tell him he has to do that first - and realize soon that he's disappeared. Call him back. Soon he disappears again. And so it goes. I have though had a debate within myself sometimes - when a child has no difficulties in school (and is only 8 years old), is homework really so important? The one I really do want to make sure he gets done is the oral reading in Finn.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Snowy winter
We've had lots of snow fall again recently. Sunday some of the boys and I were out pushing snow (great exercise for me, great way for boys to burn energy - and it just feels good to get outside), Monday ditto, Tuesday ditto. Ami actually had a friend come with his tractor and do a good snow clean-up yesterday. Sometimes those shoveled banks have to get pushed back a bit! Sounds like we may get more tomorrow. I don't really mind - it means the weather has warmed up a bit, the kids are excited to play out again, and new snow freshens things up so nicely, too.
The kids are cross-country skiing for phyed in school now. N and T each have phyed twice a week (and N skis to school almost every day - he just loves it!), M and D have phyed once a week, but D's teacher will have them skiing a few times this week. I'm tickled they get the pointers from their teachers!
A Cole funny: yesterday I was taking D to the lab to have some bloodwork done (he has has 6 year well check on Thursday, and they are still following up on some other bloodwork) - and as we were getting ready, Cole told me, "I don't have blood." Huh? Again he said, "I don't have any blood." I was pondering if that was what he was really saying, and then he said, "Only Derek have blood." Oh! Then I got it - he didn't want them to be poking him for blood! He's been there before, so knows what it means if we bring someone in to have blood tests done!
We requested some books from one of the sister local libraries, and they called that they are ready for me to pick up. We'll get to read a few of the Little House books (have read most of them once as bedtime stories, four years ago - time to read them again! We were just disappointed that Farmer Boy is not in our libraries) - also got the first Harry Potter for T. He's almost 9 and an avid reader. He read a few of the shortened versions, and really wants to read the real version. So I'll request them one at a time - wonder how long it'll take him to read the first one. Maybe a week? Will be interesting to see! Maybe having some interesting (to him, anyway) reading material will take up some of the time he otherwise uses lately for teasing his sister!
I notice N (oldest child, will be 10 this spring) has started to make some slight mistakes in English. He talks perfect American English, but I guess because they are so immersed in the Finnish language in school, he starts to think the Finnish way. For example: last week one day when I asked him what time it is, he answered, "It's half two." Then thought for a bit and asked, "Or should I say half of two?" That's how it is in Finnish for 1:30. Yesterday he was telling me something and said, "Not tomorrow, but over tomorrow." Which is exactly how it is said in Finn for the day after tomorrow. Tho' he will not yet talk any Finn (unless he's reading some homework question to me, for example), he has a much better grasp on Finn than I do.
D's teacher told me she realized he knows how to read, and she will be giving him some extra little 'assignments' in reading - this is exactly what this child craves! He was bored in American kindergarten (tho' I thought he was starting K a little behind where he should have been), and he's been bored in Finnish kindergarten now after Christmas break. But I was surprised to know that he has learned how to read - that means reading in Finn. Oh, that's great! He reads a bit in English, too - I have to keep slyly working on his English reading so he doesn't get totally confused because Finn is probably easier to learn because the letter sounds are always consistent.
M 'dares' to talk Finn more than any of the other kids. And she craves friends. She gets along with the girls in her class, in the classroom and probably for the most part on the playground. But when it is time to walk home from school, for some reason at least half the time the other girls won't let her walk with them. Oh, the heartbreaking trials of girls!
L has told me some really great little lines lately - I have to come on here and write them down sometime, because just now I can't remember anything! One cute thing comes to mind: yesterday he told me "My middle name should have been Aleksi. And Aleksi's middle name should be Lucas." (Aleksi = best buddy and cousin.) He also told me that now he misses Aleksi and Aleksi misses him (he tells me that almost every day), but then when we move to America, Paulus will miss him and he will miss Paulus. Oh, the trials of having this international life!
Time to go get D from school.
The kids are cross-country skiing for phyed in school now. N and T each have phyed twice a week (and N skis to school almost every day - he just loves it!), M and D have phyed once a week, but D's teacher will have them skiing a few times this week. I'm tickled they get the pointers from their teachers!
A Cole funny: yesterday I was taking D to the lab to have some bloodwork done (he has has 6 year well check on Thursday, and they are still following up on some other bloodwork) - and as we were getting ready, Cole told me, "I don't have blood." Huh? Again he said, "I don't have any blood." I was pondering if that was what he was really saying, and then he said, "Only Derek have blood." Oh! Then I got it - he didn't want them to be poking him for blood! He's been there before, so knows what it means if we bring someone in to have blood tests done!
We requested some books from one of the sister local libraries, and they called that they are ready for me to pick up. We'll get to read a few of the Little House books (have read most of them once as bedtime stories, four years ago - time to read them again! We were just disappointed that Farmer Boy is not in our libraries) - also got the first Harry Potter for T. He's almost 9 and an avid reader. He read a few of the shortened versions, and really wants to read the real version. So I'll request them one at a time - wonder how long it'll take him to read the first one. Maybe a week? Will be interesting to see! Maybe having some interesting (to him, anyway) reading material will take up some of the time he otherwise uses lately for teasing his sister!
I notice N (oldest child, will be 10 this spring) has started to make some slight mistakes in English. He talks perfect American English, but I guess because they are so immersed in the Finnish language in school, he starts to think the Finnish way. For example: last week one day when I asked him what time it is, he answered, "It's half two." Then thought for a bit and asked, "Or should I say half of two?" That's how it is in Finnish for 1:30. Yesterday he was telling me something and said, "Not tomorrow, but over tomorrow." Which is exactly how it is said in Finn for the day after tomorrow. Tho' he will not yet talk any Finn (unless he's reading some homework question to me, for example), he has a much better grasp on Finn than I do.
D's teacher told me she realized he knows how to read, and she will be giving him some extra little 'assignments' in reading - this is exactly what this child craves! He was bored in American kindergarten (tho' I thought he was starting K a little behind where he should have been), and he's been bored in Finnish kindergarten now after Christmas break. But I was surprised to know that he has learned how to read - that means reading in Finn. Oh, that's great! He reads a bit in English, too - I have to keep slyly working on his English reading so he doesn't get totally confused because Finn is probably easier to learn because the letter sounds are always consistent.
M 'dares' to talk Finn more than any of the other kids. And she craves friends. She gets along with the girls in her class, in the classroom and probably for the most part on the playground. But when it is time to walk home from school, for some reason at least half the time the other girls won't let her walk with them. Oh, the heartbreaking trials of girls!
L has told me some really great little lines lately - I have to come on here and write them down sometime, because just now I can't remember anything! One cute thing comes to mind: yesterday he told me "My middle name should have been Aleksi. And Aleksi's middle name should be Lucas." (Aleksi = best buddy and cousin.) He also told me that now he misses Aleksi and Aleksi misses him (he tells me that almost every day), but then when we move to America, Paulus will miss him and he will miss Paulus. Oh, the trials of having this international life!
Time to go get D from school.
Monday, January 18, 2010
We saw the sun!
Today Lucas (4 year old) saw the sun shining and said, "Mom, quick help me get my outside clothes on. I have to go play in the snow before it melts!" I guess we haven't seen the sun for a while! But I've been gazing at the beautiful winter landscape every day - the gray sky and the still, snow-covered trees have been so pretty. L was quite impressed by a story he heard from Niclas, and he tells me every day that a man was running away from an 'ambulanche' (avalanche) to save all of his life! It's fun to see the world through his eyes!
The kids have adjusted to school here, I guess, tho' they're still not keen on talking Finn. The older ones understand more than I do at this point, though. They would rather be in America and wonder all the time 'how much longer?' We don't know. I keep trying to be positive about it tell them let's enjoy the things we have here while we're here, And we are enjoying things here - but still miss home there. The uncertainty is hard.
Prospective renters, wanting a year lease. Yikes! Yay! Mixed emotions! I guess it'd be a relief to have someone there for that long - don't have to go through the process again right away. Since it doesn't look like the economy will let us move back in the near future, it's nice to have someone else paying a chunk of that house payment as we pay someone else's here!
The kids have adjusted to school here, I guess, tho' they're still not keen on talking Finn. The older ones understand more than I do at this point, though. They would rather be in America and wonder all the time 'how much longer?' We don't know. I keep trying to be positive about it tell them let's enjoy the things we have here while we're here, And we are enjoying things here - but still miss home there. The uncertainty is hard.
Prospective renters, wanting a year lease. Yikes! Yay! Mixed emotions! I guess it'd be a relief to have someone there for that long - don't have to go through the process again right away. Since it doesn't look like the economy will let us move back in the near future, it's nice to have someone else paying a chunk of that house payment as we pay someone else's here!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Skating
There is a skating rink at the school (1/2 km. away), and they got the ice ready just before Christmas break was over. Since our boys discovered it was ready, they are skating-crazy. Niclas has probably been skating 3 hours every day. And it was coooold some of those days (-18C), so let's see how much they want to skate now when the weather has warmed up. It's about -2C today. Travis and Derek both love to skate, too, but haven't been out there as long has N has been. I'd like to get the girls out there more often now too, so they learn better than I ever did. Only so they are more confident and can enjoy it when the days come that all their buddies are out skating. It's easier to learn now when they're still young - not as far to fall! The girls do both skate, but not like the 3 musketeers!
Cole (2 1/2 years) got himself ready to go outside today - only couldn't get his snow suit down over his boots, and needed help with the second mitten. Our baby is growing up ... it's true as I've heard from so many mom's, the crazy-busy years when everyone is little go by in a blur. I think I'm still in that blur phase to some extent, but things are (I think) starting to come into focus a bit!
Lucas is at such a fun stage as far as his talking - he's 4 1/2, and he doesn't always know how to use all the words he uses, and it's so cute! For example, he calls an avalanche an 'ambulanche'. And he told me the other day that we should sometimes 'throw a present over to Aleksi, and maybe Aleski's mom will throw a present over here for me!' If he is saying he's lonesome for America and I ask what is he the most lonesome for, he says, "For Aleski and Aleksi's toys." :-)
Back to the grindstone ... 3 kids coming home from school in a second, 1 out driving 4-wheeler, 1 tucked into her bedroom listening to a cd and looking at books, 2 active little boys 'playing hockey' with floor hockey sticks, a real puck, and broadcasting the game in 'Finn'. Oops - just realized the reason the one who was 'tucked into her bedroom ...' was not answering when I was calling her a bit ago, cuz she was actually out driving 4-wheeler, too! They have a track around the yard, and have a great time (of course) with their 'wheels'.
Cole (2 1/2 years) got himself ready to go outside today - only couldn't get his snow suit down over his boots, and needed help with the second mitten. Our baby is growing up ... it's true as I've heard from so many mom's, the crazy-busy years when everyone is little go by in a blur. I think I'm still in that blur phase to some extent, but things are (I think) starting to come into focus a bit!
Lucas is at such a fun stage as far as his talking - he's 4 1/2, and he doesn't always know how to use all the words he uses, and it's so cute! For example, he calls an avalanche an 'ambulanche'. And he told me the other day that we should sometimes 'throw a present over to Aleksi, and maybe Aleski's mom will throw a present over here for me!' If he is saying he's lonesome for America and I ask what is he the most lonesome for, he says, "For Aleski and Aleksi's toys." :-)
Back to the grindstone ... 3 kids coming home from school in a second, 1 out driving 4-wheeler, 1 tucked into her bedroom listening to a cd and looking at books, 2 active little boys 'playing hockey' with floor hockey sticks, a real puck, and broadcasting the game in 'Finn'. Oops - just realized the reason the one who was 'tucked into her bedroom ...' was not answering when I was calling her a bit ago, cuz she was actually out driving 4-wheeler, too! They have a track around the yard, and have a great time (of course) with their 'wheels'.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Time goes ...
Well, I didn't get on here again on Christmas Eve, apparently. Back to then ........... after our Christmas Eve sauna (outdoor sauna, which we don't use very often), we enjoyed our meal of ham, spuds, the 'laatikkos' (which I bought from the store this year, and were soooo yummy!), homemade buns, corn, salad, etc. and even jello which we got earlier in the fall and were saving for something special. But before we ate, we were around the table in candlelight and Niclas read the Christmas gospel in English and Ami read it in Finn, and then we sang Christmas songs. The kids were so eager to sing, we had to finally say now we just have to stop singing and eat, or the food will be cold! Santa came after a while, but didn't come inside - guess he was busy this year, so he just put gifts behind the front door and knocked loudly! He came again during the night and left webkinz in the stockings - then in the afternoon we headed 'up north'. First stopped at Matti and Auli's and left the car we had been borrowing this fall; then to Kaija's for the night and then in the morning to Mummo and Ukki's. That night we were at Pentti and Paula's for the night, then back to Mummo and Ukki's for a while - and then home. The kids were sooooooo excited to get home! It was really fun to see how happy they were to get back here!
We have gotten lots of snow, and have had some pretty cold weather. But some days have been just perfect for playing out in the snow, with temps right around 0C. Now kids have already been back in school a couple days - today (Jan 6) was a day off, and then back to school tomorrow. We're in the process of getting kids cross country skis, just got skates sharpened - so hopefully we can enjoy some outdoor fun while it's winter! Niclas plans to ski to school now - it's so great when they have interest in those things!
Juke and Sussu came to visit today - it's always fun to have friends visit!
Oh - I can't forget ... Ami lined up babysitters and planned an outing for us for our anniversary last weekend. I didn't know any of his plans - we first went shopping (I bought a few things for myself, at his insistence!), ate at Pizza Hut, and then ended up at the Holiday Inn in Helsinki, where he had booked an 'exclusive' room for us (in this country, you have to look for a place where there is one large bed - they usually have two separate single beds!) Then on Sunday we still did a tiny bit of shopping before coming home. How nice! What a dear man to arrange such an outing!
We have gotten lots of snow, and have had some pretty cold weather. But some days have been just perfect for playing out in the snow, with temps right around 0C. Now kids have already been back in school a couple days - today (Jan 6) was a day off, and then back to school tomorrow. We're in the process of getting kids cross country skis, just got skates sharpened - so hopefully we can enjoy some outdoor fun while it's winter! Niclas plans to ski to school now - it's so great when they have interest in those things!
Juke and Sussu came to visit today - it's always fun to have friends visit!
Oh - I can't forget ... Ami lined up babysitters and planned an outing for us for our anniversary last weekend. I didn't know any of his plans - we first went shopping (I bought a few things for myself, at his insistence!), ate at Pizza Hut, and then ended up at the Holiday Inn in Helsinki, where he had booked an 'exclusive' room for us (in this country, you have to look for a place where there is one large bed - they usually have two separate single beds!) Then on Sunday we still did a tiny bit of shopping before coming home. How nice! What a dear man to arrange such an outing!
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