Today we woke up early to sing Aada happy birthday in bed. They sang it in Finnish, and then we all sang it in English. We went downstairs and ate some delicious cake for breakfast and Aada opened her birthday present. It was a barbie. Aatu had a tournament today. So I went with Sari and watched his first game. The air was cool, but the sun beating down was very hot. They won their first game, and Sari and I walked back to the house. I met a lot of people that live nearby, as well as the people we are going on a cruise with us next weekend. By around 11 jet lag was really setting in, so after I helped Sari make a traditional Finnish noodle dish, and we all ate lunch, I went and took a nap for 2 hours until Venla came and woke me up. I decided to try the candies that they gave me, one is a traditional Finnish candy called Salmiakki. Though, I don't know why it is called candy, because it isn't sweet at all. I tried so hard to finish it, but the longer I chewed it the worse it got and I ended up spitting it out. The kids love it, and Sari told me it is an acquired taste that I will slowly start to enjoy more. I also tried some of the chocolate they gave me and it is so much better than American chocolate. I helped set up for Aada’s birthday party and at exactly 3, everyone showed up. People in Finland are ALWAYS exactly on time, not early or late. Ada had about 10 little girls and 2 boys running around from her preschool. They all sat in a circle with their presents and played spin the bottle to figure out what order they would give their present to Aada. She got 3 containers of Lego Friends, a Horse toy, a sea horse that swims, finger paint and a bunch of other things too. Then it was time to eat. There was lots of Finnish candies and treats. We ate the cake that I helped Sari make yesterday, and I had WAY too much to eat. I couldn't understand anything they were saying, so I sat on the couch and listened and watched them. Aatu helped run the fishing game, where all the kids had a string with a bucket attached and they put it over a blanket hung in a doorway, and “fished” for their goodie bag. Jarno kept jokingly including me in the festivities so I got to fish too. When I put the bucket behind the blanket, Aatu put the goodie bag into the bucket and lightly tugged on the string, so I had to “fight the fish.” It was all very fun. Everyone left at exactly 5, except the neighbors, who came and talked to us for awhile. Sammy was the Dad, and he spoke English very well. He is a big hockey fan so he got excited when I mentioned that I was from Michigan and he asked me about the Detroit Red Wings. I was so tired that Sari decided to give me some coffee, but after only two cups I was shaky because of the caffeine. Finnish people drink a lot of coffee, so I am going to have to build up my tolerance for caffeine. I helped clean up after the party and then the Sari suggested we all watch a movie. They were considering watching Spy Kids, but Venla didn't want to so I told her that I liked it when I was little. Ada got a little scared and Sari ended up taking her to bed before the movie was finished. I am trying to slip in the Finnish words that I know when I am having conversations and I am listening, trying to understand what they are saying. I have learned so much and it is only my second day here. Hyvaa yota!
