Say My Name

I think it has been established that his name is Finn Lyles. Also, you can see from the video why it's so hard to take pictures that aren't blurry. And yes, that is a harmonica he's holding/playing.

PS. To hear the video, scroll down to the music player on right hand side and click the pause button.

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem

Technically, he is wearing shoes. Just not his own. We have a big bucket of shoes by the door and Finn likes to go shoe shopping. Sometimes they match, sometimes not. He may put on one of my flip-flops and one of Mark's tennis shoes. He isn't picky. Apparently, he was in the mood for a little running on this particular day.

Like a Moth to a Flame

I think that kids fall into two groups . . . those who don't like dirt and those who do. Finn would be President and CEO of the latter group. He just can't help himself. It used to annoy the heck out of me. Who am I kidding, it still annoys the heck out of me, but I have stopped worrying about it. Because experience has taught me that no matter what I do, he will find a way to get dirty.

We had just gotten to the playground . . . not even in the playground, but outside of it, tying Lily up and what does he find? Someone left a bucket full of water (for dogs) next to the fence. Which he picked up and dumped over his head. Because what else would you do with a bucket of water containing dog backwash?

Of course we don't have a change of clothes because it was only 9:30 am and who needs to change clothes when you just got dressed? After dousing himself, he wasn't dirty enough, so he needed a good roll in the sand.

What better way to rub it all in than a good spin on the slide?

And when rolling in sand doesn't really do the trick, it is important to dump sand on your head. Make sure every inch is covered in grime. Although, surprise surprise, sand doesn't taste as good as it looks.

Since sand is white it doesn't really show up, so passerby's can't tell how dirty he really is, he wanted to give them their money's worth and inject a little color. What better way than rub blackberries all over his face. This is the way we walked home from the playground. I wondered why people who passed us were chuckling and giving us looks. It wasn't until we got home and I was able to face him that I saw what the looks were about.

And this was all before lunch! But with a smile like this, who cares.

Summertime and the Living is Easy

Finn is thoroughly enjoying himself this summer. With his own private chauffeur to shuttle him between the pool, water park, library, playground and sandbox AND provide snacks on demand . . . who wouldn't want this life?

I have gotten out of the habit of taking the camera with us, one because a friend of mine got hers stolen out of her stroller and two, toddlers and still shot photography don't mix. I was able to take a few this weekend. We hit the playground, sandbox and the spray park since the pool was closed. We also went to hear the Marine Corps Band's Dixieland Ensemble at the Kennedy Center which Finn loved because of the loud music.

Water=happy kid

He turns any toy into a riding toy

Momma's Sunshine

Over the past year, we have perfected Finn's bedtime routine. Dinner, bath time with Daddy, story and then to bed with his beloved night-night. Mark and I tag in and out for various tasks, but I usually end up with story-duty. Which I love. Since Finn was a little baby, after his story, I would always turn the light off, rock and sing him "You are my sunshine." Depending on the night, I would get through one verse or sing until we both fell asleep. I'll go ahead and make this disclaimer--I cannot sing. I know this and anyone who has heard me sing knows this too. But Finn doesn't seem to notice or even mind how bad my singing is. I'm even ashamed to admit that for the longest time, I wasn't singing the right words. I had to Google it to get the lyrics straight. By the way, Elizabeth Mitchell does a great version, if anyone is interested.

One night a couple of weeks ago, I was finishing up "the routine." I was going to run a couple of errands once I put Finn down and to be honest, I was in a hurry to leave. I read him the shortest book I could find--probably Spot or Goodnight Moon since I can recite those backwards. I put him in his crib and went to turn out the light. Then in the dark, I heard the sweetest little voice say "sunshine momma's sunshine." I had forgotten to sing his song.

I picked him up and we rocked and sang the sunshine song for awhile--I never got to run those errands. I don't even remember what I was in such a hurry to do, but I will never ever forget hearing him say those words. It just reminded me to slow down and savor the little moments in life.

Gravelly Point

This weekend we took Finn to Gravelly Point, a great little picnic spot right next to National Airport where you can watch the airplanes takeoff and land. Although we have spent many hours in various airports watching planes takeoff and land, this was a little different. Mainly because it was LOUD and the planes were so close it seemed like they would land on your head--I'm talking Top Gun "Danger Zone."

Highway to the danger zone . . .

Waiting for the planes

It's a bird, no it's a plane

It's so close he can almost touch it

Dad, did you see that? Seriously, turn around and LOOK AT IT!

Pretending to be a plane

Pausing to show off his recent boo-boo

Snack time

This is what pure joy looks like

I know what you are thinking. Saturday night+watching airplanes=Party Animals. And you would be correct.

Human Bulldozer

I know that I have been really bad at posting pictures lately. Mainly because holding a camera leaves me with one less hand to hold (or chase) Finn with. And right now, he is a two hand kind of guy. Recently, Finn's babysitter sent me this picture and the explanation to go with it. During a trip to the dog park, Finn decided that the dogs weren't digging the hole under the picnic table deep enough and proceeded to offer his expert dirt-digging services. Believe it or not, what I find most shocking is what he is wearing . . . a pajama top. Hmmm, I'm thinking his daddy dressed him that day.