EXTREME SPORTS

Hi!

 This week we all got a really good workout. Marko and Hanna went running, and on the weekend, we discovered Houghton's Pond in the Blue Hills Reservation, about a 15 minute drive from our house.

 Beach activities included swimming, serious hole-digging, and water-carrying.

Samu and Marko's hole in the sand got quite some attention.

 Sofia preferred small-scale projects like cakes and castles.

 Highlight of the day: Samu swam unassisted (but with water wings, of course) for most of the time. We are so proud (and so excited to only have to carry one child while in the water). Samu was ecstatic, not only about this new big piece of independence, but especially about overcoming his fear of swimming without our help in this new and kind of rough environment. Go Samu!

 Goodbye, Blue Hills Reservation. See you soon!

 Sofia also took a big step this week. She has completed Oma's alphabet puzzle all by herself several times. We are so proud of our little brain athlete!

 Samu continues to spell out his friends' names. (e.g. Ethan)

 And this is the most surprising piece of extreme sport news: Hanna played a soccer game for a local co-ed team. Big field, 80 minutes, way above her ability level. Despite a 3:5 defeat, it was fun, but it might be even more fun to play for an all girls team. Some men are just a bit too serious about sports.

 The best part of this week of extreme sports was a family soccer game in the pouring rain. Marko even played barefoot, and all of us got soaked. It was so much fun! Perfect family moment. Of course, after that it was time for a hot bath and warming up under the blanket by the fire.

All this exercise is so good for us, we were longing for it. We have big plans to keep moving! 

Love to you all!