Silver Linings

The cloud being the 1.5 hours we waited at the DMV to get my car inspected. Obviously, the silver lining was the fire station RIGHT NEXT DOOR to the DMV.  An even silverer lining was the super-nice fireman that let Finn sit in the front seat of the fire truck. He even turned on the lights, siren AND radio. Dare I say, that hanging out at the DMV was worth it? At least for one of us.

This is Finn's version of heaven--it's got wheels, 

lights and makes a lot of noise

He was so awe struck by the fire truck that he wouldn't even take his eyes off of it to look at me for a picture. Unfortunately, I was not able to capture the fit that followed this picture when he had to get down.

Excuse me, but would you like to borrow an antibacterial wipe?

We just happened to walk by the rec center on our way home from running errands one day and Finn wanted to get out and play on the nearby playground. The ground was still wet from all of the rain, but I figured what the heck. Finn was playing around and I was talking to another mom standing nearby.  He made a run towards the basketball courts and before I could get to him . . . 

Plop! Splash!

Since he was soaking wet, I figured he might as well get his money's worth, so I took pictures instead of trying to drag him out of the puddles

At this point, the mom standing next to me looked at Finn and then looked at me and said, "I have some extra antibacterial wipes if you need them." And I was all, "do they make antibacterial suits?" 

Math Lesson

swimming in the pool + popsicles = the best day ever

Summer-Lovin

Summer came to visit us this past weekend. She drove all the way from Athens, GA--Finn was very happy to have someone new to show all of his tricks and toys to. He still walks around saying Summah, Summah. We had lots of fun and got to do some big girl stuff, like going to dinner, having drinks, going to the Newseum and shopping; and we also did some little boy stuff like going to see the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, riding on the carousel and playing in the fountain. We loved having her here and can't wait for her to come back and visit.

Just look at those grins

Matching sunglasses (although Summer's don't seem to be tinted blue)

In front of the big T-Rex

At the entrance to the museum. True to form,

Finn was more impressed with the lights than he was the gigantic

elephant in the background

Grrrrr

Finn trying to touch the big whale

I told Finn that if he didn't stop trying to get out of his stroller,

this tiger was going to come down and eat him. It didn't work.

Getting up close and personal with one of the exhibits

A closer inspection of the ant farm

Wheee, around we go

Playdate in the Park

We met our friends Alisha and Samantha and their friends Elana and Zev in the park last week for some good ole playtime on the playground. It's increasingly difficult to take decent pictures, especially with three running in all directions. 

Samantha is happy on the swing

While the boys prefer running around like wild indians

Or stealing toys and then running away

Or stuffing someone else's food into his mouth

Alisha and Samantha (still swinging)

The only picture of the boys in the same frame

We had to bribe them both with food

Alisha manages to corral all three . . . no wait

Someone found the animal crackers

How to Look Like a Star

Step 1: Steal Mommy's glasses from out of her purse (look cute while doing so)

Step 2: Bend frames as wide as they will go (until you hear the popping sound)

Step 3: Insert face, making sure that you lick the lenses 

Step 4: Smile your million dollar smile! You are now a star.

Note to self: This trick only works with mommy's expensive sunglasses. The el cheapo plastic sunglasses that were bought especially for me do not elicit the same star qualities!

Air & Space Museum

Finn is really big into transportation right now. Firetrucks, ambulances, police cars, motorcycles, airplanes, bicycles . . . basically anything that has wheels and moves. So, we thought a trip to the Air & Space museum would be a huge hit with him.  We went on a Saturday, and it seemed like every other kid in DC was also at the Air & Space museum. Which meant big crowds, long lines and many screaming children, which was a good thing because it drowned out our screaming child. The airplanes were a big hit, but don't ask me about the historical significance of anything because I wouldn't know. I didn't stand still for one second. Fortunately the museum is free, so I can go back. 

The Spirit of St. Louis

A rare shot of the three of us

Being still for the camera is not high on his "to do" list

Our little professor

That sign says "Have you ever gotten sick while riding on a plane?"

I haven't, but have you Paige, Mary Daniel?

One small step for a man

One giant leap for a Finn

Houston, we have a problem . . .

Our pilot seems a little inexperienced . . .

Let Freedom Ring (and Finn scream)

It was such a treat to be able to celebrate our nation's birthday in our nation's capital. Usually, I try to run the Peachtree Roadrace in Atlanta, but this is the second year in a row I have missed it. We walked down to the national mall to take in the parade. Finn was really impressed by the bands and loud cars. However, he was significantly MORE interested in all of the emergency vehicles parked on the side of the road in case there was a parade accident--ambulances, police cars, etc. Next time we will forgo the crowds, waiting in lines, and hot sun and instead, park our lounge chairs in front of a fire station. We only made it through about 30 minutes of the actual parade. Then we came back and grilled out. Finn busied himself flirting with the neighbors and talking them into giving him ice pops.

Our friends John and John Crowley were in town doing some sightseeing and they stopped by for a visit. John brought Finn a teddy bear that he is still dragging around. Finn was a trooper and was able to stay up to watch the fireworks. Of course, the ridiculous amounts of sugar he had consumed earlier that day didn't hurt. We went to the Kennedy Center to watch the fireworks, which were unbelievable. Finn was mesmerized, for about 2 minutes. He would scream out WOW with every firework that went off. Then he became more interested in the planes flying overhead. 

I guess it is easy to get caught up in the actual celebrating and forget what it is that we are celebrating, how lucky we are to live in a country where independence is something that IS celebrated. That our friends and family members and neighbors are fighting to keep us free. Because in other parts of the world freedom isn't a guarantee or even a right. We are truly blessed.