Moi all!
That’s ‘Hello’, for those of you that aren’t familiar with Finnish, or you could say ‘Hey’!
So far we have had a fantastic time!
The journey to the airport could have been a bit better, we got stuck in traffic… thank you M25! But we got there in time, checked in, and had a few rushed moments to get to duty-free, then on to the flight.
It is not fun travelling with two kids at that “I HATE my brother/sister” stage, and that is exactly what we were dealing with here!
But we managed to land without bloodshed and the promise that Hubby Dearest sit in between them on the way home!
In the taxi, Lil Man was practising his Finnish, or the one word he knows… Moi. If said twice, Moi Moi, it means bye. He asked the driver if, because we say Moi for ‘hello’, and Moi Moi for ‘bye’, is ‘bye-bye’ Moi Moi Moi Moi? That got a few giggles!
We arrived, and the hotel was great, though the room really HOT! We had been upgraded from a family room to a superior room, though I struggled to tell the difference… still, we got a balcony and a sea view!
My brother snuck out without letting Pops know and popped over to see us, to make plans for the forthcoming surprise then left, so we could get unpacked.
The next day was the surprise photo shoot.
As we were eating breakfast, I got the following message from my Pops…
Sat Siri Akal everyone.
Just had breakfast.
Talking to your brother, I told him it was always in my mind, I wish we had a whole family photo so that I can see the whole family as I get up in the morning, rather than loooking at individual pics.
He says when they come to the UK in July we will do something.
May Guruji make his idea and our wish true.
Wish you were here today.
Don’t get upset, I love my whole clan dearly.
That’s it, he knows. We were convinced. The surprise has got leaked…
We were convinced. The surprise has got leaked…
The surprise has got leaked…
My brother came to get us. And he reassured me that no, Pops has no idea, but he was just very emotional this morning, wishing we could have all been together.
Mum, my sis in law, nephew, and Pops were at the studio and we arrived 5 minutes after them.
It was a good thing Pops was sitting down when we came in.
His face just dropped in shock, then he gave me the biggest hug, and said, ” I have no words…”
There were tears, many hugs, and lots of love flying around, as he came to terms with the fact that his wish was going to come true!
The photo shoot went swimmingly, with whole family shots, individual family shots, all the combinations you could imagine, and some individual shots too… My brother thought it could be a good shot for when I finally get that book out there, and can say I am officially a ‘Writer’!
Since then, we have walked lots, been to many of the numerous parks for children littered around the inner city of Helsinki, And Lil Man got to go to the Team Finland cricket stadium, which he loved! We’ve been to the Cathedral, markets, the Wooden Church, and the kids saw the giant Weeing Man too!
It was soooo hot today too, 23 degrees celsius, which , though pleasant, I wasn’t prepared for!
Still, walking lots, in slightly warm clothes, may do wonders for my weight loss!
Tomorrow we head out, on the ferry to the zoo! It’s on an island!
It’s been wonderful, building special memories for us all, with Pops and Mum, and my brother and sis-in-law, my own little family, and most importantly, my lil nephew. We don’t get to see him enough, so these few days are even more precious so that his little 18 months self can remember us all too. Those little giggles, the cheeky monkey faces and hugs are so amazing!
I will post photos when I am back at home, but it has been wonderful so far!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Jun 02, 2016 @ 00:03:20
You will always enjoy this!
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Jun 02, 2016 @ 06:18:31
We’ve built up an amazing bank of memories, that’s for sure Linda 😊
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May 31, 2016 @ 21:52:50
Wish your father a belated happy birthday! Glad to know all went well and you had an amazing time. Family recounts are always a joy to read. 🙂 Have fun on your trip!
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May 31, 2016 @ 21:53:41
Thank you so much! 🙂
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May 31, 2016 @ 19:55:12
Have a great Finland time. That’s next to Sweden, my country. More Finnish words, the only ones I can: yksi, kaksi,kolmi,neivi,visi (spelling might be very wrong) That’s one,two,three,four,five in Finnish 🙂
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May 31, 2016 @ 21:50:59
Hi Anna!
I learned Karhu today, meaning bear, at the zoo, and Mila, for reindeer.
Oh and kitos, thank you!
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Jun 01, 2016 @ 18:55:13
😀 sounds like you’re having a great time 🙂
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Jun 01, 2016 @ 19:20:40
Anna it has been amazing. Can t believe we go back tomorrow… 😢
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Jun 01, 2016 @ 19:37:41
I hope you have a big suitcase. Take the whole country with you back home. Then you won’t miss it 🙂
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Jun 01, 2016 @ 20:49:11
Oh I wish…!!!
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May 31, 2016 @ 16:18:32
Oh, wow what a beautiful surprise :-). I am so jealous both because of the surprise and you being in Finland. But you deserve and I hope you are having a brilliant time. Take care of yourselves 🙂
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May 31, 2016 @ 16:49:34
Thank you so much Bee!!!!
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May 31, 2016 @ 15:32:50
Very happy the surprise was not leaked and happy everyone is having a wonderful time Sister! 😊
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May 31, 2016 @ 16:46:58
Thank you Brother!
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May 31, 2016 @ 17:03:26
You’re welcome Sister!
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May 31, 2016 @ 14:42:58
What a lovely surprise 😍 Enjoy Helsinki and happy birthday to pops!! Moi moi 😎
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May 31, 2016 @ 16:46:19
Thank you Suvi! 🙂
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May 31, 2016 @ 07:28:14
I had tears in my eyes reading this. I can absolutely imagine the wonderful oberwhelming feeelings you all experienced. Such a special moment. It went so perfectly with the surprise. Enjoy your stay, Sis. Btw. “Hey” means also “Hello” in Sweden. For now: moi moi moi moi😊
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May 31, 2016 @ 07:55:55
😉😉😉 thanks sis! !! Xxx
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May 31, 2016 @ 12:04:26
😘 😘 😘
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May 31, 2016 @ 06:34:26
How nice Ritu! I’m excited to see the photos when you come back. Keep having fun with your family! 😊
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May 31, 2016 @ 06:47:42
Thank you Lisa! It’s going so well so far, hope today is a s good, we’re off to the zoo that is on an island!!
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May 31, 2016 @ 07:08:52
How exciting! That also sounds interesting and fun!
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May 31, 2016 @ 07:20:40
😊😊😊
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May 31, 2016 @ 02:25:05
Can’t wait to see the pictures. Finnland, Skandinavia in general, was always and will always be a destination I’d like to travel to. Enjoy!
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May 31, 2016 @ 06:46:57
Thank you Sandra! It has been wonderful so far!!! Off to the zoo today!!
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May 31, 2016 @ 11:06:12
Enjoy!!!
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May 30, 2016 @ 21:52:06
take lotsa pics.
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May 30, 2016 @ 21:52:30
Oh I’m clicking away Jim!!!
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May 30, 2016 @ 21:41:41
Love Helsinki – all that art deco and that amazing white cathedral up the steps. So glad it went well, Ritu.
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May 30, 2016 @ 21:45:49
It’s been seriously amazing Geoffles!
And still so much to see!!!
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May 30, 2016 @ 21:19:18
Sounds fabulous 🙂
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May 30, 2016 @ 21:20:16
So far so good! Thanks Lucy! 🙂
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May 30, 2016 @ 21:12:26
Have a wonderful time with all of your family there! And happy birthday to Pops! 😊
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May 30, 2016 @ 21:20:02
Thank you!!!! 70 and going strong!!!
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May 30, 2016 @ 21:20:28
👍
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