Archive for the ‘Family & Parenting’ Category

We went to Gravity Active for Venla’s birthday this year. It was pretty good. They get an hour of bouncing on the trampolines, then pizza and ice cream. The pizza was surprisingly good. Surprising because children’s parties often tend to go for low quality but this was lovely pizza and most of the adults had some.

Another rager. It’s difficult to keep up now I’m getting older: the pre-drinking at the care home, the shots at the club, the greasy takeaway on the way home. You would think the birthday girl would have slowed down by 99, but apparently not.

Venla plays drums in a school band and this week, they did their first gig. She did amazing. Her band leader says she has “natural rhythm” which leads me to believe Elina and I may not be her real parents.

We recently said goodbye to Auntie Emily and Auntie Christine. They were both much loved and will be missed. I have fond memories of our family boxing day parties. The physics of how we managed to fit such a large family into a small terraced houses doesn’t really stack up. Maybe it was bigger on the inside. The funerals were very moving and there is a bittersweet nature of saying goodbye, celebrating a life, and reconnecting with family you haven’t seen in a while.

I’m delighted to announce that following school sports day, Venla is now a champion bean bag thrower.

Happy anniversary to my incredible wife. Here is to many more years of co-dependence.

Well done Venla who has now completed 50 junior parkruns and earned her ultra wristband. Little Bear is not far from his ultra wristband, either.

For Elina’s birthday this year, we headed into town for some food followed by a trip to the archaeology museum. Once we were home, Venla helped me decorate the house. And of course, a caterpillar was sacrificed on the alter of cake.

Last week, Santa visited Elina’s office and met two bears.

Every year, Venla’s school puts on a winter concert. This year, Venla’s class sang Try Everything from the film Zootropolis. Well done, Venla!