Cross Ice Skiing

Even the big lakes are now frozen and we got more snow last week, so the weather is perfect for skiing on the ice.

- We've come an awful long way from the shore...


- But we can't go any further because there is a rift in the ice and there is water on the ice. We can't ski over it.


We must turn back...


- We did not go straight home. It is such a nice day that we went to see the Hedgehog Rock Lighthouse. One can only get here in the winter when the lake is frozen. This is a very popular place to visit. There were a couple of other people here, too, but they are currently behind the lighthouse.


- It's still such an awfully long way home through unbroken snow...


- We got heaps of wet snow yesterday, and children have been making snowmen and snowforts. Here's a snow couple. They are standing on the ice in the harbor.


- The snowman has a long nose and smiling mouth. He has some hair on his head, too.


- The snowwoman is also smiling, and she has long hair. As you can see from the houses in the background, we did make it to the shore.

Tea Party

Aniara is setting up a tea party. She has invited a dolly and her Moomin Troll. But it appears that there is room for more guests...



Aniara: Caliban, do you have stuffies who would like to come to the party. I'm serving tea and donuts.

Caliban: Yes! I go get Apina Kapina.

It appears that Caliban found some Apina Kapina's relatives, too.

Caliban: Monkeys want donuts!

And Caliban dumps all the monkeys onto the table. That is not quite what Aniara had in mind.

Aniara: Caliban! You are ruining my party and breaking the dishes. Take those monkeys off the table immediately!

Caliban: Monkeys want donuts!

The noise attracts Umbriel to the scene.

Umbriel: What is going on here?

Aniara: Caliban is ruining my tea party! His monkeys have no manners! They are breaking the china and spreading the donuts all over the table!

Caliban: Monkeys want donuts!


Umbriel: We'll make a comporomise. I'll put a bowl of donuts on the floor. The monkeys that have no manners can eat on the floor, and they get their donuts.

Aniara: I guess that's okay, but now I don't have guests for my tea party.


Umbriel: Sir Isaac Newton would like to come to your party,

Aniara: Ummm... Do you think your newt can behave any better than Caliban's monkeys?

Umbriel: Sir Isaac Newton is an eminent scientist with impeccable manners and he loves tea and cucumber sandwiches - but in a pinch donuts will do.

So those who have table manners can have tea and donuts at the table... Hey, where did Niks and Naks come from? I guess they always appear if there is food around. I hope they have better table manners than the monkeys or the tea party may turn into another riot.


And those who have no table manners can eat from a large bowl on the floor - it seems that the Zumikloxians have joined the "no table manners" group. It seems that they, too, always appear when any food is around.

Read-a-thon

It's cold outside, well actually not so bad (-9 C or 16 F), but the wind is blowing from the north, so the kids stay inside.


Caliban: Funny pictures!

Mikko: You are holding the book upside down! I can read that book to you, if you want.

Caliban: Yes!


Mikko: Alligators all around...
...Having headaches
... Zippity zound! Alligators ALL around

Caliban: Again!

Mikko: Oh, well, OK.
Alligators all around...
...
...Zippity zound! Alligators all around.

Caliban: Again!


Mikko: This is getting boring. You read yourself!

Caliban: Olio, I read, you listen? ... No? ... I must get Apina Kapina.

It looks like Caliban found Apina Kapina - and his friends and relatives, too!

Caliban: I read, you all listen!


Caliban: Alligators all around...
...Getting giggles...
...Zippity zound! Alligators all around.
Again!
Alligators all around...


Niks: This is getting boring. Let's go and raid the deep freeze!

Naks: Yes! That is more interesting!

Caliban: You always think about food?

Niks: Of course. What could be more interesting?


Zeon: krjfrjfijreituirutvn uurun irufrrqddekm

Niks: Sure you can join us. We'll raid enough food for everybody.


Niks: Aaah, Jaffa cakes. You like these, don't you?

Zeon: flltkyolgmn ehrhewhr

Niks: I knew you do!