Evidence of Spring

Happy Spring (Hyvää Kevättä!)

What is the evidence that Spring has reached Tampere? Is it the calendar, which shows that Easter 2011 occurred yesterday? Is it the snow and gravel giving way to patches of green grass and spring flowers covered with bumble bees and butterflies? Is it ice giving way to boats on the southern lake, Pyhajärvi?

Perhaps the biggest evidence of spring is actually that toddlers and babies are finally not wearing snow suits. It seems that Finns want to make certain that their young children are not chilled AT ALL. Snow suits went on in the fall, well before snow arrived, and they stayed on, outdoors, until we'd had several days over 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 Celsius). I like the coziness of this approach, and it extends to strollers and sleds, which during colder weather were often lined with a sheep's skin, making sure that children are extra warm.

Now, people are out in hoards, walking, eating outdoors at cafes, reading books on benches, picnicking with friends, skateboarding and generally enjoying the weather.

Bonus Photos:

Our girls sillouhetted against Lake Pyhajärvi. Above, Brooke. Below, Analeise.

Frog eggs in a pond!

Analeise greeting Bryan, home from a business trip.

The girls are happy to report that there are several ice cream stands set up throughout the city. Here, Analeise is with her mango ice cream in front of Tampere's main library, The Metso, the day before Easter 2011.

This photo shows Brooke near the northern end of the boulevard called Hämeenpuisto, which runs between the lakes that make Tampere an isthmus. In the background on the left, you can see the view tower at Särkäniemi amusement park. It's the tallest observation tower in Finland, set inside the country's largest amusement park. We like the park, which is smaller than most major ones in the U.S. It offers several roller coasters and other rides, an aquarium and dolphin show, a petting zoo and a modern art museum, all within site of beautiful Lake Näsijärvi. You cannot see the lake in this photo, but even this late in the spring, it still is coated with quite a lot of ice.

Easter Egg!

We found German-made markers that are designed for decorating Easter eggs. Fun!

Our last snowball fight of the year!

Link:

This is a link for the Särkäniemi amusement park in Tampere. If you're in Tampere during the spring or summer, I'd recommend going. Note that you can pay to visit only the observation tower or the art museum without having to pay general admission to the park.

http://www.sarkanniemi.fi/www/index.php?lang=en

Little Star, Terhi

We hosted Terhi (roughly pronounced Tare-hee. Roll the "r" just a bit, if you can) as our exchange daughter for the 2008-2009 school year in Wisconsin. She is from a lovely farming area in western Finland. Luckily, we've kept in touch since she lived with us, and as a birthday present for Analeise, she promised to spend a day with her, doing what Analeise chose. While Analeise knew about the idea of spending the day together, she did not know when it would happen. When Terhi came in late November, it was a fun surprise for both her and Brooke.

This photo shows one of the holiday windows at Stockman's department store. Stockman's is Finland's oldest department store, and like other similar stores here, it has not only clothes and housewares for sale but also a magazine and candy section, a nice cafe, a deli, an ice cream store and a full service grocery store.

For family and friends who know Terhi, she's now in her senior year and is busy taking the final exams that weigh so heavily on her choice of colleges here in Finland. In these photos Bryan took, she's knitting a square that will go into a blanket destined for a charity that helps premature babies in Africa. Who said you can't be silly while doing something good?




Terhi taught Brooke and me to sing part of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Finnish. The lyrics are below the video:



Tuiki, tuiki, tähtönen, Iltaisin sua katselen. Korekealla loistat vaan, katsot alas maailmaan. Tuiki, tuiki, tähtönen, Iltaisin sua katselen.
Translated, that means:

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star. I am watching you in the evenings.
You are shining up so high, looking down on the whole world.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star. I am watching you in the evenings."

Terhi also taught me part of a Christmas song. Watch for that in an upcoming blog.

Bonus photos (taken by Bryan):

Bill Cosby is serious business, according to this look from Brooke.


Oh, partially hiding under the laundry - what fun it is! If you come to visit us, you can try this, too.