happy tuesday

Before you all start picturing me in a lounge chair with an umbrella in my drink, I thought I'd clarify my definition of "vacation".  After my post last night, I laid in bed wondering if I had given off the wrong impression.  No, we are not here to party and get a sun tan (that should cause a good laugh for anyone who knows what the sun/ weather is really like in Finland- the sun almost never comes out and in winter it is dark almost 20 hours of the day!) Though we like to think of our lives here as a "vacation", we still lead a completely normal day to day life that is very similar to the way we live in the U.S.  For the duration of the hockey season, Finland has become our home.  We cook our own dinners, clean our own apartment, pay bills, and follow a regular daily routine.  I guess "vacation" is just a happier way to think of being away from home, family, friends, and all of our belongings (I never knew I'd miss pots and pans and a quesadilla maker so much!)

 Since we move around often, it is hard to consider one place "home".  By the time you get settled in one spot, it's almost time to move on to the next.  Being that we are in Europe this year, we were only able to bring a few suitcases of stuff with us for the entire season- not an easy task when you are trying to pack your warmest winter clothes, shoes, beauty products, and hockey gear.  The little things that make a house a home tend to get left behind.  I've learned that as long as I have my husband, my dog, some pictures of friends and family, candles, and my particular blanket and pillow, I am good to go.  You really learn to appreciate how little you are able to get by with.  I got rid of a bunch of things as I was packing up our belongings at the end of the summer, and I am ready to do even more when we get back!  Plus, it's amazing how much easier it is to keep a place clean when there isn't all the extra stuff lying around :)

On a totally different note, I have to share a story from yesterday.  J and I were out and about shopping and we happened to stop in a sporting goods store.  I was in the fitting room trying on some workout clothes when I overheard a conversation between a young boy and his father (yes... they were speaking English! Not sure if they were American, or British, or just speaking English, because the father spoke Finnish to the sales person..)  The little boy was trying on snowpants for the winter.  The boy really liked one certain pair, but the dad had another picked out and was explaining to the boy that he thought that they would be more durable for snow play.  Instead of throwing a fit or complaining because he preferred the other ones, the boys response was "Okay, Dad, well, it's your money, it's up to you.  If you think the other ones will be better..."

I could not believe my ears.  Could a 9(ish) year old boy really understand so much about the value of money and have so much respect for his father?  It got me wondering if Americans are that far behind in teaching our children about money and it's value, or if this was just a very mature little boy.  I think many people do not try to teach children so much about money that young because they think they don't understand.  Well, clearly, they do... and especially with the economy the way it is, I think that it's becoming more and more important that kids understand not only that they can't always have what they want, but also why.  Kudos to this dad for teaching his little boy some very important skills for life. 

Well, it's another game day here so I better get going and get some stuff done before game time.  Happy Tuesday everyone! (and almost the end of a short work-week for my fellow Americans! :) Enjoy! )