HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

... to all you wonderful mothers out there, especially our own ones! We owe so much of what and who we are to you. Thank you!!

Our warmest wishes also to those for whom motherhood, or the road there, has been complicated!

ACTION!

What an action-packed week and weekend we had! Here is the full report:

We have a brand-new construction site right outside out front door, which makes getting up easier for the kids and earlier for everyone. 

While 15 of our boxes are on their way to Europe on this ship ...

... back home in Dedham, the kids were busy helping around the house, doing great arts projects and handicrafts that had been sent across the Atlantic (thank you Oma!!), and playing animal games.

Sofia the cat

The kids got some good work outs in.

On Thursday ERICA arrived!! We were SO excited to see her! She brought rocket balloons and glowing balloons, taking balloon games to a whole new level.

Attempting to get a decent picture during dinner ...

On Saturday we made a trip to the zoo. We were so lucky! Most animals were super active and easy to spot. Kids as well as adults were thrilled.

The Gorilla family, including a 1-year-old baby.

The Lemurs had just welcomed twins into their family.

Check out the head of the newborn baby on the left!

Ant eater

Bats

Samu was glued to his map, trying to figure out how to get to the playground.

We learned a lot, e.g. about White Tigers.

And the lions offered a great roaring show.

The kids seemed more fascinated by the truck than the lions.

We also made a quick stop at the farm.

And ended up going home with a little zebra and a little giraffe.

Later that day, we sold our bed, our dining table and chairs, and our couch. The move has definitely begun to feel very real.

We loved having Erica around. She just integrated perfectly in our family, and everyone tried to get a big chunk of Erica time. 

Hanna and Erica enjoyed a girls' night out at nearby Sofia's, an Italian restaurant with a cocktail bar. 

The next day, we tried to get as comfortable as possible with our remaining furniture. We had to say good-bye to our dear Erica, but we know we'll stay in touch and keep visiting each other. We already look forward to that! <3 p="">

Hanna also finished grading her last student projects and Marko had a hugely productive work week, finishing up several papers! Yay!

After so much action, we're ready for a regular (boring) work week!

THE END OF SOME THINGS

The end of the academic year combined with moving activities made the past weeks very busy. Here are some highlights.

 Because most of Samu's and Sofia's toys are already on their way to Finland, some wonderful friends let us borrow some of their kids' toys. Thank you so much Karyn, Jenn, Kate, and Laura - and kids!

We went so see our lovely French friends in Providence last weekend. Sofia and Alice were inseparable. Or rather, Sofia adores Alice and did not leave her side.

Dance party with Margo and Alice!

Even with a limited amount of toys, the kids never get bored.

Car songs

Dinosaur art

We are packing more boxes, painting walls, and selling our furniture - moving time is in full swing!

 

 We were sad about the news of Prince's death, but are happy to report that this occasion led to Samu and Sofia recognizing his music and knowing where to find it on or playlist.

At the Community of Educators reception, teachers, student teachers, staff, and faculty celebrate their professions and partnerships. Educators unite!

Hanna's last classes happened too. This year, she was blessed with an exceptional cohort - a group of thoughtful, critical, creative, and ambitious teachers. It's going to be hard not to be surrounded by these wonderful young scholars and educators! 

 Another annual celebration happened this week: The SED (School of Education) Barbecue. It's a family event, so Marko and the kids came along. Hanna volunteered to sit in the "pie your professor" booth for a while - all in good fun and for a good cause, of course. For every pie in Hanna's face, $3 were donated to a charity.

 

 Samu and Sofia spent 99% of the time in the bouncy house.

 When the party was over, the kids watched the bouncy house being taken down with sad faces.

Saturday was a day for the park. Hauskaa vappua!

The first round of presidential elections in Austria did not produce the results we hoped for - quite the opposite. We're hoping for the second ballot.