Vappu

Vappu is a holiday celebrated in Finland on the 1stof May, which means May Day.  From what it I u understand Vappu is  a mixture of celebrations; labor day, university student's holiday and celebration of Spring. Everything closes down for the day and many people head into Helsinki to picnic and enjoy the day. The celebrations start the night before,Vappu eve, and go throughout the day. 

This morning we had two very nice moments. We had started our journey into Helsinki by loading up the crew and headed out of our place. We turned the corner and all of the flower beds from the night before in front of  the store fronts below our home had been ripped apart from some late night vandals. Vandalism happens quite often in our area, but the difference today was two little girls about 8 or 9 years old were placing the plants back into the flower beds. Serenity began to pick up the plants and put them back as well. So we all began to replace the plants. It took us only 15 minutes or so of our time, but the thought went through my head if those little girls had not been there would I have picked up the plants or would I have just walked by? I noticed as we were replacing the plants others that walked by picked up one or two and replaced them as well. I even noticed people picking up garbage that had been poured out from the night before. It was nice to share that moment with others around us. In a weird way it makes me kind of grateful for the vandalism for the experience that we had this morning. 

The other nice moment we had was Steve received a phone call when we had just gotten off the bus to Helsinki from a stranger that told him he had his credit card. Steve had left it at the booth where you refill your bus pass. He told him that he was heading towards Helsinki and that he would bring it to him. Within 20 minutes of the phone call Steve met up with him and was able to retrieve his card. One act of kindness from a stranger. 

So on with our day. We headed out rolling in the stroller. We have now downgraded to a single stroller, so that we can actually fit in elevators, buses, stores, etc.. We have also upgraded it with a skateboard attached to the back. Serenity is in heaven. haha.

I hope I never get used to looking at the sea here. It is so beautiful.

Some of the flower beds in front of our house. Alex is very proud of her picture taking.

Bubbles were the hit of the day for the little ones.

I was trying to get some building in the background with these two. We were surrounded by some pretty amazing places. Picnicing in the park. Such a beautiful day.

So many people were out today enjoying the weather and the celebration. Ezra was looking for the bubbles.

Balloons were a big thing for the celebration today. They were everywhere. They also had things like they do for new years like hats, party whistles, string confetti, etc.....

It was really not that cold, but the girls had to carry the blankets from the picnics.

Money was burning a hole in Josie and Alex's pockets so Josie bought herself a panda mask and Alex bought snaps.

These girls were actually getting along today. Very nice day. If you look in the background the hat the girl was wearing I think is a graduation hat. So many people were wearing these hats today. I am sure it is a tradition to wear these hats for the celebration no matter when you graduated.

Can't get enough of the bubbles

Trying to be discrete. just taking more pics of the white hat.

Ez is messy and loving it.

There were so many street performers out today. These guys were amazing.

Josie cracks me up. Making gangsta signs while rocking the chocolate.

This dude was pretty cool. I think Steve needs to get himself an act.

This boy was rocking out with electric guitar. He was making bank. I need to teach my girls to break dance or something.