March

Cross Country Skiing

What a fun and another activity our boys fell in love with.  The condition were far from perfect for the 1st timers, but we were all anxious to try it. Chris and I have done it before a few times so we could give a few points for the boys.  Everyone finished skiing safely expect for mommy Jurgita - who was trying to help Magnas with going down hill and fell herself on her tail bone.  That was not pretty and extremely painful.  No medical assistance can be applied except for just waiting for it to heal.  Thank goodness for essential oils - they have been providing some relieve.

Right in the middle of cross country ski track - there is this beautiful small chapel, all fenced in and locked but very unique and somewhat fairy tale like:-)

We had a really cool dinner on National Woman's Day (Big deal here in Europe to honor the woman on March 8).  It's a chain restaurant called Vapiano , There are franchise in Washington and other places, but i have never been to one and it's a need experience.  

It's fancy cafeteria style.  They give you a "credit" card when you enter and you use it to buy your meal and drinks, dessert etc.... at the end they scan your cards and give you a total.  There are different stations: kids went and ordered pizza for themselves and swiped their card, Chris ordered spinach pasta and I had caesar salad with tomato soup.  Red Italian wine of cause to seal the deal:-) At each table they have fresh basel and oregano to flavor your food, EVOO and balsamic vinegar.  They also have their own indoor green house where they grow their own herbs:-)

Kala Kala - means Fish Fish in Estonian

We are so blessed to have the most amazing seafood available here in Estonia.  

Every supermarket has a big variety of fish but of cause we seek for better.  One of our favorite places to shop for fresh seafood is fish market near our house, there are also local farmers selling home grown produce (potatoes, carrots, onions, beets), baked goods, home made soups, smoked meats...... Unfortunately if only on Saturdays 10-2pm.  So we were let on a small gem by a local Esti of a place that sells to restaurants as a wholesaler, but friends can shop there as well.  So now we are on their "friends list" and can purchase the best seafood in town.  Here they are: Kala Kala & Pojad

So the small fish boys are holding and the once that are on a plate are smoked hearings.  

The big Cod file we purchased from our friends at Kala Kala & Sons - they recommend Cod b/c it's the season for it and the meat is very lean and tender. Cook with minimum of spices and on a very low heat (260F) for 45-50 min.  Results are amazing!

One of Our Sunday Rituals - Bike Riding

We are so blessed to have not only a pedestrian and bike path along our street, but we also have a trail that goes along the beach and through the woods also outside of our house.  Every time we are out on the beach trail - we have to pinch ourselves just to make sure it's not a dream.  Mommy just got a new trail bike so I no longer have to run behind my 4 bikers, now I can be the caboose. 

Mid point we ventured to a lovely French Cafe for some rest time and sugar rush. Great Lattes for all and desert choices: Cameron loved his 1st creme brulee, Magnas stuck with a safe choice of vanilla ice cream and Tadas picked cheese cake to split with mammy.  Chris was suggested by Daniel our waiter to taste a creamy chocolate glazed cake.  40+ Euro snack stop was well worth it.

I can't get enough of magnificent sun sets

One of Cameron's favorite things to do is play Poka with his daddy.  Mommy refused to play it anymore b/c she always looses and can't remember the rules of the game :-)  

Magnas is most comfortable in the kitchen and if allowed loves hands-on: grading and pealing vegetables, stirring pots on the stove, pressing garlic, chopping salad.  In this photo he is layering thin waffle wafers with Nutella and peanut butter for after dinner desert. 

Last night at dinner Magnas explained that when you are finished eating you must put your utensils together on top of the plate.  Good table manners learned in school.

When we don't have track or swim practice during the week we love to go for walks on our beach and pick pebbles and sea glass

As of March - Cameron's favorite class is English (what happened to unconditional love for math).  We may have his teacher to thank for and his approach of teaching.  for the past week or so his class has been learning everything about screen plays.  What they are, how to write them, then create one and act it out.  Cam had a blast doing everything. 

Cameron's Play Script - "The Victory"

I believe we may have some nails sticking our of our floor for that many holes to be in boys socks

Our Volvo has finally got a bath.  We pulled into gas station, filled up our car with gas (no payment asked).  Then walked inside the mini market, payed for the gas and purchased a car wash with a code on a receipt to enter the wash in the back.  It was 10.90 Euro for a 10 minute wash - the car was shinning:-)

Most of my friend and Chris knows that I try to avoid running if possible, but I can't resist it here in Tallinn.  Monday, Thursday and Friday when I have no scheduled training, I go for a run.  My "go to" route South (Towards Old Town) on the beach run outside of our house.  The past couple times I did street run and when you get lost you then have to keep running to get back home.  Every time it costed me 10K but I loved every minute of it.

So the weekend of March 15-16, while daddy is in Lithuanian getting ready for Vice Presidents visit - 
Saturday we had a fun adventure to children's museum Miia Milla Manda.  We heard that it was more for twins age, so we invited Cam's friend Sofija to keep him company (short history on Sofija - her dad is russian but her mom is 100% Lithuanian.  The girl already speaks 5 languages and is as sweet, gentle and adorable as it comes):

We finished the night with Peetri Pizza.  It's not our beloved Ledo, but will do for the next few years.

Sofija and Cameron had a project to complete.  We purchased a paper model of children's museum we just visited to be cut and glued together.  Here is finished product.

Sunday, March 16th - went ice skating again

and we finished a weekend with a sauna that twins helped to get started:

Jaffy, Jack, Lammy and Duran had to try sauna this time:-)

Monday March 17th, I had a dentist appointment and had to find a place around Old Town.  One wrong turn resulted in some extra walking but also with beautiful new finds: